MotoIQ Project 5th Gen Toyota 4Runner: Part 1 – Suspension, Tires and Wheels
by Emily and Brandon Campbell
photos courtesy of Brandon Campbell and Jonathan McWhorter
This 4Runner is a long time dream made true. It all started in 2007 when we sold my beloved ’99 SR5 4Runner to get two new cars – with the best of intentions. While Brandon has always had a love for all things automotive, he began with building off road trucks, then on to drifting. However, my passions were different, but crossed in some paths. I enjoy being in beautiful places, travelling and appreciate a powerful looking SUV. We discovered a place where our interests intersect – building an off road vehicle together and going on adventures to those said beautiful places.
Our first off roading experiences together were in a 2000 Ford Excursion Diesel with an ICON 3’ Shackle Kit. These took us to places nearby like the George Washington National Forest and the Outer Banks. While the Excursion was capable off road, it was meant to just be our towing vehicle. Well… we solved that in March, when we traded in the Excursion and came home with a 2013 SR5 White 4Runner 4WD. While this truck looks sharp and is quite capable stock, there was already a vision for it: to build a technically proficient off road truck while maintaining on road performance. We opted for the SR5 for the 3rd row seat as well as the lower cost. Follow us now as we embark on Part 1 of this journey.
The Excursion off to the left.
We started with the suspension, tires and wheels. We reached out to ICON Vehicle Dynamics, Toyota Racing Development (TRD) and Nitto Tires.
Straight from the mouth of ICON – The ICON Vehicle Dynamics Stage 4 suspension system for the 2010+ Toyota 4Runner is the best overall handling bolt-on suspension system you can install. This system can handle any terrain you throw at it and gives you unsurpassed ride quality on the street and the performance offroad is incredible. The rear springs in this system give the 4Runner 2″ of lift, and the rear billet lower links help manage the rear axle so that it can cycle smoothly without bind. ICON’s V.S. Series 2.5″ Diameter Rear Piggyback Shocks make vast improvements compared to other systems for the people that use their vehicles in various on and offroad situations. These shocks are tuned specifically to give your Toyota 4Runner a balanced and smooth ride quality, along with extended length shock cooling from the increased oil volume and piggyback reservoir. 57710 4Runner 2.5″ rear shocks have a built-in bump zone to increase your compression valving in the final two inches of compression travel, which prevents a harsh bottoming out sensation, and gives the vehicle a much more controlled ride quality.
ICON Vehicle Dynamics Suspension.
Beginning the installation with removing the stock upper control arms.
The installation was simple and straightforward iff (if and only if for the non-nerds out there) you followed the instructions. I, being a bit over confident, created quite a bit of extra work for myself by assuming that I, of course, knew all. All of us here know how to remove a bolt, take out the old and replace with the new. ICON, in their wisdom, took the typical “old parts out, new parts in” and used a bit of engineering to construct a process that works rather smoothly – when followed. We commend them for this effort because it is time consuming and does not directly generate revenue. It is, however, indicative of ICON’s commitment to excellence and thus creates extremely loyal and grateful consumers. Furthermore, I’m not exaggerating when I claim that every bit of this kit is built as a complement to the whole. It is clean, simple and wildly impressive. We cannot wait to introduce some abuse.
TRD 17×8 Forged Wheels
Look at these beauties. TRD manufactures these 17×8 forged wheels that will bear the impact of Project T4R's chosen path. Forged wheels are lighter and stronger than cast components as they are subjected to intense heat and pressure that transforms a solid chunk of aluminum material into what you see here. The disadvantage is they are typically more expensive. In the world of performance wheels, TRD has effectively blended monetary expense with ultimate strength-to-weight ratio. Reduced unsprung weight improves performance in both handling and steering response. For potential or current owners of 5th Generation 4Runners, know that these wheels are made to work with the stock wheel studs as well as OE hub bosses without the need for a centering ring.
Nitto Trail Grappler with the new TRD wheels waiting their turn during installation.
Nitto Trail Grappler Tires
The Nitto Trail Grappler 295/70 R17 is Nitto’s newest blend of Terra Grappler on-road comfort with the off-road performance characteristics of the Mud-Grappler. The 3-ply sidewall Trail Grappler has two different sidewall designs that can be selected when mounting the wheels. The 295 size tire is quite beastly under the 5th generation 4Runner. We initially opted for the 285/75 R17 but were met with an unavailability issue and thus chose the larger 295. This tire does scrub both on the fender plastic (front) and the rear body mount. We will follow Part 1 with an article illustrating the well-known body mount chop. The initial on-road performance is quite good and the sound levels are dramatically lower than many other tires of similar tread style. The combination of the ICON suspension and Nitto tire is thrilling; it has me pushing the truck as if it were one of our performance cars.
Factory Front Coilover
ICON Front Coilover Features
The first thing that catches your eye on ICON’s front coilover shock is the relative thickness of the lower portion of the housing as well as the billet aluminum upper mount. Additional strength is accompanied by:
- Increased suspension travel
- Adjustable ride height (0-3”)
- Chrome silicon spring
- No-rust nitro-steel shaft
- Flutter stack compression valving
- ⅝” PTFE-lined spherical bearing
- 250 psi nitrogen-charged internal reservoir
- Fully rebuildable after a few miles
In the background is the 2.5” CDC Valve. An externally adjustable valve in 1-click increments, it restricts oil flow into the reservoir, creating 10 levels of compression damping. This feature provides adaptation from soft to firm to properly match the terrain. Offroading isn’t just “about big tires.” Ironically, we currently have a “big tire” scrubbing problem.
Factory Upper Control Arm Upgrade
What would this factory upper control arm look like after going on an ICON Vehicle Dynamics diet of billet aluminum and 17-4 heat-treated stainless components? Let’s move on and find out.
ICON Pinch Housings
Beefed up, right? Here are the ICON pinch housings that are also found on the aforementioned ICON billet aluminum trailing arms. They allow for correction and modification of both caster and camber. The 1” PTFE lined uniball builds in further strength, durability, and articulation.
Upper Control Arms Installation
The ICON upper control arms are an easy fit into the factory pivot mounts with or without a suspension lift. We adjusted the arms to get the camber within factory specs and caster maximized within factory specs for more clearance. We set the rear lower control arm eccentric all the way out and the front eccentric halfway to optimize the wheel position.
Rear Shocks and Coil-Springs
For the rear, we elected to use the ICON 2.5” diameter shocks with 5” piggyback reservoir for added heat dissipation. They are very similar in construction to the front coilover. The lower mounting point of the shock contains a COM12 spherical bearing to minimize deflection. Also seen here is the mount point of the billet lateral arm as well as ICON’s 2” lift coil-springs.
Factory vs ICON Rear Trailing Arm
This is the factory lower link/lateral arm. Honestly, this OEM piece seems tough and rugged; that is, until contrasted with that of the ICON prescription.
This is not the relatively flimsy factory lower link. This is ICON’s Billet Aluminum Rear Trailing Arm. It is surprisingly light. It is tough, with a load rating of over 40,000lbs of pressure and recoverable JM16T rod ends and Johnny Joint pivots. It is also easily adjustable with ICON’s pinch housing (just above the logo and to the left) that are also found on their Upper Control Arms. It is armored. Yes, ICON ingeniously placed a nylon rock slider along the leading edge of the arm. Pinion angle and minimal deflection are imperative when it comes to maintaining proper suspension geometry while traversing your chosen path.
Installation Assistance
A little assistance was required during the installation from our 1-year-old, Rhys.
Next Steps in the Build
Here she is now. Part one of this adventure is in the books! What do you want to see out of this build? We are quite new to our 5th Generation 4Runner and want your feedback. The next steps will include shaping up current issues (tires scrubbing) and then deciding on armor – new bumper, sliders, and skid plates.
Photo credit to Brandon Campbell and Jonathan McWhorter
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