1st gen tundra springs in a GX470

[DRANGED]

I vaguely recall something from a couple years ago suggesting 1st gen Tundra front coils will lift a GX470.

Can anyone corroborate this?
I recall FJC coils supposedly provide a little lift as they're a higher rate if from a slightly lighter build of the 120 chassis, and I assume the Tundra is similar, higher rate coils b/c/ heavier truck.

I've been running a leveler puck for a little front clearance and it's worked very well (for close to a year now) BUT I'd rather have the added clearance from coil vs. just shifting the strut down. I did space my bump stop to account for the shifted strut location and ensure adequate interface to function rather than the shock bottoming out...plus it's just 0.75" puck, so 1.5" affected lift under the skid.
A buddy just put Dobinson's on his 5th gen 4R and gained 1.25", so that was a little more of the impetus, AND... I just remembered I have some tundra take-offs out in the shed

 

[GXO]

Depending on the conversion kit they may work...I know I've seen some folks experiment with 80 springs

 

[DRANGED]

Depending on the conversion kit they may work...I know I've seen some folks experiment with 80 springs

Oh, so aftermarket shocks too, like 5100 or 6112? So tthe tundra coils won't just seat in the GX struts?
Yeah, I think I've also read 80 rear coils as a cool conversion work and lift....

 

[GXO]

Do you have the length of those coils? I don't know if they will seat on a GX strut due to bore and seat, but they look quite thick so they will have a lot more weight handling (same engine). The FJC coils aren't really providing lift to a GX. In most cases it is because they are newer coils vs heavier coils. The FJ weighs a lot less than a GX. My 03 got lifted in 2010. When I lifted (2.5") it went up 5" because of sag in the original suspension. So may be a red herring on the FJC providing lift then will sag fast.

 

[DRANGED]

Do you have the length of those coils? I don't know if they will seat on a GX strut due to bore and seat, but they look quite thick so they will have a lot more weight handling (same engine). The FJC coils aren't really providing lift to a GX. In most cases it is because they are newer coils vs heavier coils. The FJ weighs a lot less than a GX. My 03 got lifted in 2010. When I lifted (2.5") it went up 5" because of sag in the original suspension. So may be a red herring on the FJC providing lift then will sag fast.

I've read FJC coils have a higher rate/thicker, but yeah v6 and overall lighter rig so I've not been convinced they'd lift the front, possibly rear as coil swap but again I don't know. And, agreed with the age of bits making a huge difference, I do remember reading your gains with new parts from your first lift.
I'm assuming the Tundra coils have higher rate than GX b/c same engine and truck so higher payload capacity. It's always hard (for me) to find factory spring rates for different coils.

These coils were from a 1st gen Tundra. I forget details of this friend's truck and can't find my references (different phones and lost text strings), I think it was 06 or 07, TRD, extended cab or 4 dr.
Lowish miles for the year.
I've read here and there the different paint codes can tell you driver from passenger and if from 2x4 or 4x4 or regular cab, extended, etc... but I haven't found the orange/blue and orange/yellow pair.

Height is 14.5" (corrected height as 14.5 on 11/10/2024, not the originally published incorrect 15.5 )

Coil thickness is 18mm

main body diameter is 120ish MM

reduced coil for strut seat is about 112mm

in this rig they were mated to 48510-AF140 bilsteins and a leveling spacer up front and add-a-leaf in rear...

 

[GXO]

That is taller than any coil available for agx so may not work or be so stiff it would ride like crap

 

[DRANGED]

That is taller than any coil available for agx so may not work or be so stiff it would ride like crap

Good beta..how tall are stockers?

Thanks dood!

 

[DRANGED]

I've seen 3rd gen 4Rs use them, and OME for rear, gain 2"... I think they're also doing 5100s @ lowest setting... You tube and basic searches land on those forum threads.
I wonder how much difference there is in the various tundra springs. 2x4, 4x4, trd, club cab, 4 dr, etc. Etc.
Some say trds are progressive, then there are different stock shocks too . Yellow and blues, and some other color-coding.



BUT, if these are too tall, then that answers my question.

 

[James C]

OME 886s are 403mm (15.86") and the 885s are 395mm (15.55") with the real difference being the load rating. The 886s are 660lbs and 17.5mm thick coils, so maybe the tundra ones are even stiffer? Either way the height is close

 

[DRANGED]

Reviving this thread (ZOINKS, 5 years?!?!, Where DOES the time go?! ;P )

Checked the shed this weekned. . . .

I think these are GX take-offs on the right, 2019 Taco TRD OR center and the 1st gen 06 tundra TRD OR coils left

Paint scheming:
Taco:

'GX':

Tundra:

Updated height measurement, 14.74 (measuring with a 24" square)

I'm gathering parts for a front end refresh (LCAs, UCAs, tie rods, CV) ... AND we're planning to drive down to Baja this winter.
I'm not in the boat for a real suspension change (Coilover upgrade, etc.), BUT perhaps I could build a swappable strut to handle Baja peninsula and Mexican highways roads...notorious potholes. I was rethinking about putting these Tundra coils in Bilstein 5100s, clip at lowest setting.

Seeking Thoughts/opinions...
Does anyone have knowledge of Tundra coils used for a GX, or other 120 platform? If the spring height is right it might be a good higher spring rate lift, and provide good high force up-travel compression for the roads down there ....

Also, lol, I guess if I just do it, than I'll know and I can report back

 

[DRANGED]

Stats per Edmonds:

Experience with my rig given OPOR sliders, Victory 4x4 rear bumper and Pioneer platform RR roof rack and rails, I'm sitting right around 5,000lbs anyway. So, if the 1st gen tundra (spec'd as I think these springs came from) weighs right about 5K# but with a stiffer rate than GX, FJ, 4R then these springs may, possibly be a decent sleeper spring option for lifting GXs. I wonder if they'd nest in a Bil 6200 strut!
The Tundra strut is shorter though, so maybe it'll be moar lift than I'm looking for.. . .

 

[DRANGED]

Red-yellow driver: 14.75"
Red-blue passenger: 14.5"

 

[DRANGED]

Lr to Rt
06 tundy coil in Bilstein 5100 spec's for GX 470
2019 Taco TRD RO
06? GX 470 stocker
07 GX 470 stocker with 0.75" strut top leveller

 

[craigrou]

Was reading up on your DIY and hoping you got to install this setup? Any insight or update?? Thanks!

 

[DRANGED]

Was reading up on your DIY and hoping you got to install this setup? Any insight or update?? Thanks!

Oh thanks for the ping @craigrou !
I'd updated in my build thread but yes I have deets to post here too!

Here are cross-posting links.

Builds - DRANGED's GX470 build/ownership thread

forum.ih8mud.com

And

Builds - DRANGED's GX470 build/ownership thread

forum.ih8mud.com

In summary:
Those 2006 tundra SR5 4x4 crew cab front coils in Bilstein 5100s (spec'd for GX470) provided about 1.25" lift. I reset them to 1st preload setting (second circlip setting in the 5100) and that combo provided about 2".

 

[OG Zuninja]

Now that you've had a bit of time on those Tundra coils, how's the ride? Just curious of your findings since you've experimented with the "low buck" lifts.

 

[DRANGED]

I'd say the ride is quite good!
It's not as lazy as stock GX coils and the Bilstein's are also compliant though not as softly dampened as stock (I could always feel the different AVS settings). I'd say the Bilstein's act Partway between the sport setting and the first click towards soft on the AVS dial I always rode in that first click off sport.

The Tundra coil-Bilatein 5100 combo is responsive but not harsh or bouncy.
Having basically no experience with aftermarket suspensions, I'd say I can tell a difference from stock and it's not dramatic but it is confident. Firmer and more planted (as everyone always says), but also just a little more not dramatically so..
My wife did not comment negatively and said she'd have to drive it more to see if she can give me an opinion.

 

[OG Zuninja]

That's really good to know. I've been considering going with the 5100's but would want to not use the stock springs because I feel as they're a bit tired after 20 years and 210k miles. I know people have gone with OME, Eibach, Icon, etc. with those shocks and some even reported rather harsh ride with that combo. Makes sense since Bilstein says they're meant for OE springs.

Does your GX also have KDSS? If you said it in your build thread I missed it.

 

[OG Zuninja]

That's really good to know. I've been considering going with the 5100's but would want to not use the stock springs because I feel as they're a bit tired after 20 years and 210k miles. I know people have gone with OME, Eibach, Icon, etc. with those shocks and some even reported rather harsh ride with that combo. Makes sense since Bilstein says they're meant for OE springs.

Does your GX also have KDSS? If you said it in your build thread I missed it.

Disregard that last question. I went through your build after I posted. Too bad I can't edit the previous post.

 

[DRANGED]

That's really good to know. I've been considering going with the 5100's but would want to not use the stock springs because I feel as they're a bit tired after 20 years and 210k miles. I know people have gone with OME, Eibach, Icon, etc. with those shocks and some even reported rather harsh ride with that combo. Makes sense since Bilstein says they're meant for OE springs.

Does your GX also have KDSS? If you said it in your build thread I missed it.

Also, there are many Tundra springs, FWIW (I posted some tundra thread info). I think there may be a taller one than what I had. Like I said elsewhere, it's impossible to find spring rate info on stock stuff. I'm assuming these may be somewhere between 550#/inch and 600#/inch but that's just a WAG, without any data.