Thinking of coilovers

[RCsGX]

I know there are a lot of suspension threads and I apologize for making another one. I had 2-1st gen Tundras so I know most everything there is to know about lifting them but I'm not familiar w/ the 120 platform whatsoever. I'm getting bored w/ my GX and I'm thinking of lifting it 2". I have a few questions regarding the Radflo COs.

• Should I go w/ their 2.0" or 2.5" bodies? The GX is right on the border (curb weight 4871lbs.) of the two so I think I should go w/ their 2.5s?

* Radflo says their 2.0" is good up to 5000lbs and their 2.5" are for 5000-7500lbs.

• I'm keeping the stock bumpers. What springs should I go with; 600, 650 or 700? Since I'm keeping the stock bumpers I don't think I need the 700lb. springs. Toytec sells 600 or 650lb Eibach springs w/ their Radflo COs. I know OW is out of business but does anyone know if I can order their setup from Radflo directly? If so what springs did OW use on their setup?

• I'm keeping the rear airbags and I'm going to adjust the ride height sensors to lift the rear. Will I be able to lift the rear 1.5-2"? If so what rear shocks should I go with?

• Do I need a front diff drop kit? I don't remember seeing it being used.

• I know w/ my Tundra it was ok to lift it 2" and not need aftermarket UCAs. Does the same apply w/ the GX? Will I be ok using the stock UCAs if I'm only lifting 2"?

• Last question. Is there any advantage of going w/ Icon COs? I see most going w/ Radflo COs. Is that because you can easily order different spring rates w/ their kits?

I think that's it for now.

 

[BonnerBB]

• Should I go w/ their 2.0" or 2.5" bodies? The GX is right on the border (curb weight 4871lbs.) of the two so I think I should go w/ their 2.5s?

[/COLOR] 2.5 is probably overkill but it couldn't hurt. Biggest thing is oil volume and carrying capacity. This will allow you to run for longer periods of time at high speed without heating up the oil in your shock which causes fading. Like I said in most apps it is overkill. You gonna be doing BAJA?

• I'm keeping the stock bumpers. What springs should I go with; 600, 650 or 700? Since I'm keeping the stock bumpers I don't think I need the 700lb. springs. Toytec sells 600 or 650lb Eibach springs w/ their Radflo COs. I know OW is out of business but does anyone know if I can order their setup from Radflo directly? If so what springs did OW use on their setup?

Spring rate shouldn't matter if you go with an adjustable coil-over allowing you to ADJUST for the weight of stock or lack thereof bumpers... Making these adjustments in essence changes the spring rate.

• I'm keeping the rear airbags and I'm going to adjust the ride height sensors to lift the rear. Will I be able to lift the rear 1.5-2"? If so what rear shocks should I go with?

I never changed my rear shocks and have it tricked to 3". Probably should for ride quality purposes but have been driving it like this for 3 years.

• Do I need a front diff drop kit? I don't remember seeing it being used.

I don't have one but if you are going to be doing some heavy wheeling it couldn't hurt. I haven't had ANY diff problems due to my 3"lift. If I put a diff drop in I would just CRANK my coilovers up another inch anyway.

• I know w/ my Tundra it was ok to lift it 2" and not need aftermarket UCAs. Does the same apply w/ the GX? Will I be ok using the stock UCAs if I'm only lifting 2"?

Probably not but I did it at the same time to save on installation cost by having it all done at the same time.

• Last question. Is there any advantage of going w/ Icon COs? I see most going w/ Radflo COs. Is that because you can easily order different spring rates w/ their kits?

I chose Icons because that is what most the of the FJ guys use and FJ guys are bit more agressive in their offroading here in Houston then 4runners. Radflos are being pushed on Toyota120 (4runner guys) because the moderator of the page is a dealer and the members on the page really push for him. I wished that I had gone with Camburg to be honest. I had them on my old 4runner and they were like BUTTER!!! Icons like Camergs are rebuild-able and the valving can be adjusted by my installer if I ever wanted to. Not sure if Radflos are rebuildable or valving can be changed
.

I think that's it for now.

I hope that helps!!!

 

[RCsGX]

I hope that helps!!!

It does, thanks Bonner!

I'm still not sure which way I want to go though; COs or OMEs or 5100s.

 

[GXO]

My 2 cents: COs. I wish I had done it. I have Iron Man and they are great springs and struts, but I will be going CO soon (unless I do something crazy).

 

[RCsGX]

Well it looks like I'll probably be going a different route. I forgot about the GX fitting into my garage.
As the GX sits now I have about 3" from the top of the spoiler to where my garage door opens. Add in the extra 1-2" for the luggage rack and I don't have much room at all, so there's no sense in spending money for COs to only lift it 1".

I'll probably do w/ mracer did. He got 1" up front and 3/4" in the back. For now I'm keeping my airbags so I'll install 5100s front and back then adjust the ride height sensors to raise the back a little.
-https://forum.ih8mud.com/120-series-toyotas/756542-old-man-emu-895e-springs-gx470.html

I'd like to try a OME setup but I don't trust their numbers. OME says their 884 spring will lift approximately 1" on a V8 4Runner w/ no bumpers, winch etc., but a guy on another site used them on his '07 V8 LTD. and he got 2 3/4" of lift!?? The good thing w/ the 5100s is I can adjust them lower if need be.

 

[GXO]

If you lift a truck with more than 50,000 miles you are going to get FAR more lift than the brochure says. Suspensions settle as they age. My 2" lift put my GX up almost 6 inches from where it measured stock (center of hub to fender).

 

[RCsGX]

If you lift a truck with more than 50,000 miles you are going to get FAR more lift than the brochure says. Suspensions settle as they age. My 2" lift put my GX up almost 6 inches from where it measured stock (center of hub to fender).

Wow 6"!

Well due to my garage I have less than 3" to work with and not knowing how much OME springs will lift my GX I pretty much have no choice but to go w/ COs or 5100s since I can adjust them if need be. Since I don't really need COs I guess that leaves the 5100s.

FYI here's my stock measurements from the center of the hubs to the bottom of the fender flares. Surprisingly the driver / passenger fronts were equal as were the rears.

Front
19.25"

Rear
22.125" High (+ 1.375") | Per Lexus it should be 1.57"

20.75" Normal (0")

19.875" Low (- 0.875") | Per Lexus it should be 0.79"

 

[RCsGX]

Bonner or Dan, do either one of yall happen to know what the stock spring rate and heights is for our GX?



EDIT 9/11/13:

Instead of cluttering up the forum I'll just keep asking my lift questions in here.

Since there's no way to know how much lift I will get I have no clue on which setup to go with. I can go w/ coilovers and be 100% sure how much lift I will get but spending $1000+ for 1" doesn't make sense. Then there's 5100s or OME setup.

5100 set @ .85" perch | stock springs
5100s set @ 0" perch | OME 883 or 884 springs
60004 | OME 883 or 884 springs

I wish I had a friend that owned an offroad shop so I can test which setup will work.


EDIT: 1/11/14:

I went with Icon coilovers w/ the CDC valve and IVD coating.