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Suspension, Tires, Lift Update (2005 Sequoia)

83K views 74 replies 37 participants last post by  ramalogan  
#1 ·
Dear fellow 1st gen Sequoia members, I have been meaning to write for some time to report on my tire/suspension choices and share some pics.
It took me several years of endlessly reading threads here trying to find the best combination of parts and pricing.
I went with a tried-and-true solution for the 1st gen Sequoia that I would highly recommend to anyone looking for an amazing upgrade to the 1st gen.

I got amazing deals at 4wheelparts.com on the tires and the suspension.
2 X BIL 33-187174 5100 SERIES FJ CRUISER REAR SHOCKS (75.99 each)
2 X BIL 24-188265 5100 SERIES TUNDRA/SEQUOIA FRONT SHOCKS (94.99 each)
PAIR ARB 2862 REAR COILS (167.99 for the pair)

I made the decision to re-use the factory front coils (they were in perfect shape, I just replaced the shock). Everything is on the top setting.
Although the rear shocks are marketed for the FJ Cruiser, they work perfectly and the lift looks spectacular all around.
Tires I upgraded from GEN1 BFG A/T KO 265/70/17, to 275/70/17 BFG A/T KM2. I did not go with 285/70/17 because I did not want to mess with wheel spacers.

With the Billstein 5100s front (24-188265) and rear (33-187174), the ARB 2862 coils, and the 275/70/17 BFG A/T KM2 I am absolutely amazed and thrilled.
The appearance is completely bad a%%. The performance is exactly what I was looking for, it eats bumps for breakfast.
The install was super smooth and top settings 5100 front and rear with those coils were made for each other on this setup.

Total cost for everything including tires was less than 1500 installed. Pics are attached. Thanks for making all of this possible, I would not have been able to know the correct part numbers and this sweet combination without all of your help. Thanks again and loving the 1st gen Sequoia! taiko
 
#3 · (Edited)
Thanks ukrboy! Pics pending, later today! :)

Ok, back again, will try to post pics! Before I do, I want to mention that I have a TRD OffRoad sticker (OEM) that I applied to both sides. This is symbolic for me of the suspension, tires, headers, intake, locking diff and overall bada$$itude of Sequoias in general! I have also taken the (questionable) approach of adding an OEM "supercharger" sticker just because I would have a supercharger if they made one for the 1st gen!! Ok, end of rant.
 

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#8 · (Edited)
It just fits! A perfect fit in the garage...the first time after the tires and lift I was holding my breath! So happy with this setup, it exceeds my expectations. It sits perfectly, this post from another Tundra Solutions member helped me quite a bit: "A 5100 on the top setting with factory coils will match perfectly with 2862 rear coils in terms of lift (2.5" up front and 2" rear, reducing factory rake just a bit)." There was very little settle; the 5100s are extremely beefy and so far on very bumpy/rocky gravel roads with big potholes the Bilsteins have eaten those bumps for breakfast, it is very smooth. My significant other (who is very picky) loves them too, she says that "it feels like floating" but not in a seasick way, very stable. Kids in the back seats over long trips do not get seasick, which is a big thumbs up and testament to the stability of the 5100s and 2862s. I have already taken a long highway trip as well and even at high speeds (85MPH) the ride is extremely smooth and balanced. I feel that this option is ideal for the Sequoia and the price was a ridiculously good value. Thanks so much for the recommendations. 4wheelparts wouldn't initially sell me the FJ Cruiser Bilsteins (for rear) saying that they were not for my vehicle. I can attest that they fit perfectly. The installer said that on the top settings (both front and rear) combined with the 2862s, that the height was absolutely perfect as if made for this application. At first with the lift and the larger tires I was taken aback (it seemed quite a lot higher than I had anticipated). After a few days I began to absolutely love it, now I find the height I had before way too low (the setup now is the way I always wanted it). Look is aggressive but not overdone at all, I have had a ton of comments and I feel very confident for my extended roadtrip and backcountry camping this summer.
 
#12 · (Edited)
HI vrox11! I spent so much time looking at "ready to go" setups from Toytec, also looked at Icon and full OME setups etc. Everything was way more expensive. I have to say that I feel no need to upgrade after going with the Bilstein 5100 combination (all four shocks) coupled with the ARB 2862 rear coils.

I absolutely love the setup it feels and handles like a million bucks. I like it more than the full (all 4 shocks) OME/downey HD spring setup on my 4runner to be honest. (although that is really good too). To answer your question about the front springs on the Sequoia, I would stick with stock springs (OEM). I called Bilstein and the tech who answered told me that the 5100 works great w/the stock spring, and I can concur.

Note that I do not consider myself a major off-roader and if you are planning on wheeling in Moab you will have different criteria than I do. That said, I am much more than a mall-warrior and am often off-road, hunting, riverbanks, rocky, stony backcountry, deep snow etc. And the 5100 setup all around with the 2862 and stock front springs gives me amazing control, huge bump/obstacle absorbtion and a great lift/stance w/the 275/70/17 BFG A/T KM2.

And for right around 1500 installed including brand new tires it is impossible to beat this price. The Bilsteins are beefy and the ARB coils are ungodly strong. Let us know what you go with! I really almost went with the Toytec Ultimate Lift. It came down to price and I'm really happy w/my decision.
 
#16 ·
Hi 2002 Sequoia! Fantastic that you are running 285/75/16 with no wheel spacers!
I decided to stick with 275/70/17, because from all of my research I found that 285/70/17 would require wheel spacers to avoid rub.

The 275/70/R17 is the largest (I think!) that can be installed safely with no rub on the stock wheels. I know that with different wheels (I see that you are running R16, cool) that many other possibilities become available...I wanted to stick w/stock 17" wheels b/c of the cost, they still look great, and the 275/70/17 is more than large enough (for me) with this suspension setup.

As you noticed w/this setup everything JUST FITS in my garage I feel really happy with this tire size/wheel size/suspension setup, I'll post links to each part in a moment, thanks so much, hopefully this can be of some small help to anyone looking for a 1st gen setup, I spent far too long searching, wish I had gone w/this setup a few years ago! cheers
 
#17 ·
HI NGC! I do not see why these parts would not work on a 2WD 1st gen Sequoia. Tires will of course be perfect. F/R shocks and rear coil should also be identical; suspension does not interfere with/is not impacted by the differential/4WD aspects of the vehicle. Anyone w/more specific knowledge re: part #s feel free to chime in! My sense however is that all of the part #s should be just fine on a 2WD.
 
#18 ·
Hi clarktar! I didn't do any diff drop to reduce CV angle. I had the Sequoia aligned at Firestone with my lifetime alignment package. I recommend this 100%. Have had my vehicles' alignment done so many times after new tires/suspension/wheeling etc. Find a coupon to save even more.

The alignment tech told me that the angle was not out of spec, I did not need a diff drop. He was able to align the Sequoia very nicely (all angles in the green) after this setup. Because the front/rear Bilstein 5100s, coupled with the rear coils are so nicely matched, everything came out nice and sweet.

You can often get these parts on amazon too, in my case I found a coupon on 4wd and saved a ton on the whole install (tires too). Free shipping on the lot. Install went in fast and easy, saved on labor. Go with highest settings on all 4 shocks to match the ultra beefy ARB/OME coils.
Links:

Rear shocks are in stock everywhere, be sure to buy 2 of them: https://goo.gl/0oRyfd Bilstein 5100 Series Shock Absorber - 33-187174

ARB rear coils also in good stock: https://goo.gl/LYjoMu PAIR ARB 2862 REAR COILS

The front shocks seem to be out of stock most places! Surprising. I would pick them up as soon as you find them, hopefully they are not discontinued.

4wdparts doesn't seem to be carrying them. I found a ton of new ones on ebay from reputable vendors. They are a bit more expensive ($122 per shock) but that is still a great deal. Search for: "Bilstein 5100 24-188265" on ebay, go for buy it now and short by lowest price/free shipping. https://goo.gl/qOYrJT

Lowest prices on amazon are higher than ebay pricing as of today.

More links:
Wheel Alignment: Car Tire Front End Alignment | Firestone Complete Auto Care

(WHEEL ALIGNMENT: LIFETIME
The lifetime wheel alignment comes complete with everything included in the standard alignment, plus: A lifetime limited warranty*, meaning Firestone will realign your car whenever you need it, for free, for as long as you own the car.
 
#25 ·
Hi clarktar! I didn't do any diff drop to reduce CV angle. I had the Sequoia aligned at Firestone with my lifetime alignment package. I recommend this 100%. Have had my vehicles' alignment done so many times after new tires/suspension/wheeling etc. Find a coupon to save even more.

The alignment tech told me that the angle was not out of spec, I did not need a diff drop. He was able to align the Sequoia very nicely (all angles in the green) after this setup. Because the front/rear Bilstein 5100s, coupled with the rear coils are so nicely matched, everything came out nice and sweet.
Hey Taiko, your truck is looking good, nice work!

Regarding the differential drop kit, keep an eye on your CV joints. I set my 5100's at the middle setting and my CV joints sprayed a lot of CV grease on the undercarriage.

I installed the diff drop kit, pumped some CV grease in the boots, and put hose clamps on my CV boots. The problem hasn't returned.
 
#23 ·
Hi NGC!

Ride quality is far superior. Not stiffer and unforgiving. The opposite in my case. Very comfortable but not bouncy. Hard to describe suspension in words!
Solid but very powerful/capable shock absorption. Best vehicle suspension I've experienced so far, I like the Bilstein 5100 better than the OME setup now that I've driven it for a few months. I have not ridden in an ICON setup before however. That said I have zero desire to upgrade anymore this is even better than I had hoped for (for me).
 
#22 ·
dnp great find! This is fantastic nice sleuthing.
Old front shock= 24-188265
New front shock=24-261425
This is great news, I was worried that they had discontinued the part completely.
Knowing this, everything can be ordered at the low prices I originally found. Fantastic
 
#24 ·
I put the Bilstein 24-261425 on my 2004 on the second setting to "almost" level it with BFGoodrich ALL TERRAIN TA K02 LT275/70R17 tires. Rides better than stock and I think it's a combination of the shocks and the "10 ply" tires. I think the new part number shocks have 5 settings v. only 4 on the old part number. I might be wrong. The middle setting raised the front higher than the stock rear on mine so I dropped it back down to the second setting. Left the rear all stock. The rear is 1/4" higher than the front with this setting. Rides great...


Image
 
#27 ·
Thanks so much SteveInCal for your note. I appreciate your sharing your experience re: the CV joints, and how they sprayed a lot of grease after your suspension upgrade.
And your 5100s were on the middle settings! Mine are on the top, which may make the angles even more acute.
May I ask what diff drop kit you used? Did you change any other parts? (boots, etc). What clamps do you recommend?
Thanks again, this may save me trouble down the road. We are getting ready for a road trip, will be fantastic.
The 5100 Front/Rear shocks w/stock front coil and OME Rear Coils continue to (greatly) impress. I also love the BFG KO2 they are wearing like iron.
 
#28 ·
Diff drops that use metal spacers are preferred. I think I got my diff drop from Toytec. It only dropped the diff about 1/2" though, since spacers are only installed on the front mounts, while the rear mount remains fixed. The axleshaft outputs are about 1/2-way between the front and rear mounts, so you don't get the full 1" drop.

Diff drop or not, after a lift is installed, grease does tend to spit out of the ends of the CV boots. I ended up replacing the CV boots with Porsche 930 CV boots that I bought at kartek off-road. (https://www.kartek.com/parts/empi-b...cv-joint-boot-clamps-directly-to-cv-joint-and-covers-up-the-cv-joint-bolts.html)

I used 4 pairs of hose clamps to keep the CV grease from seeping out from the ends of the boots. You need one pair of clamps per boot end to make sure that they are balanced. The adjustment screws must be 180° opposed to prevent vibration while driving.
 

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#31 ·
Hey guys, I ordered the same setup as OP with the new part # 5100 front struts.

The shop I'm letting do the work is telling me the front springs will not hold onto the strut. They showed me how the bottom seat on the front strut is loosely sitting.

They said they don't want to risk trying it but will go for it if I want to.

Will the stock front springs fit in the 24-261425?
 
#32 · (Edited)
Hey guys, I ordered the same setup as OP with the new part # 5100 front struts.

The shop I'm letting do the work is telling me the front springs will not hold onto the strut. They showed me how the bottom seat on the front strut is loosely sitting.

They said they don't want to risk trying it but will go for it if I want to.

Will the stock front springs fit in the 24-261425?

I just ordered the same set up as OP with the new part# as well. Will be at my doorstep this afternoon. I won't get around to putting them on until this weekend so won't know till then. I will check it out visually though in the meantime.

I did some research on the new number and it is indeed a direct replacement to the old 24-188265. The only difference would be better "internal engineering".

Would you have any pictures you can share from what they are explaining?