The 5th gen 4Runner and the FJ Cruiser share most of their chassis, so most of these values apply to both. Lift kits for these trucks almost all say "torque to factory spec" without listing it, so this page collects the Toyota values for the bolts you touch during a lift, a control arm swap, a KDSS job or brake work. The strongest source is Toyota's own recall service instructions for the FJ Cruiser front suspension, backed by factory manual values quoted by owners and the numbers suspension makers print in their install sheets.
Before you start:
- These are factory values for factory parts. Aftermarket coilovers, upper control arms, links and spacers come with their own specs, which override these for that part.
- Torque suspension pivots at ride height, with the truck sitting on its wheels: control arm bolts, the coilover lower bolt, and every rear link and shock bolt. Torquing them hanging pre-loads the rubber bushings.
- Values marked (verify) come from a single source, or sources disagreed. Check them in a factory repair manual before relying on them.
- These values are for 2010–2024 4Runners and FJ Cruisers. 2007–2009 FJs share most of the hardware; confirm anything critical for those years.
Front Suspension
| FASTENER | FT-LB | N·M | NOTES |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lower control arm cam bolts (front and rear) | 129 | 175 | At ride height, after alignment. Higher than the Tacoma's 100 |
| Upper control arm pivot bolt nuts | 85 | 115 | At ride height (verify) |
| Upper ball joint castle nut | 82 | 111 | Then to the next cotter pin slot |
| Lower ball joint to knuckle bolts (2) | 118 | 160 | |
| Lower ball joint stud nut at lower arm | 103 | 140 | (verify) |
| Coilover (strut) top nuts, 3 per side | 47 | 64 | Factory strut; aftermarket top hats vary |
| Coilover (strut) lower bolt | 70 | 95 | At ride height |
| Strut center (shaft) nut | 18 | 25 | When assembling a factory strut |
| Sway bar end link nuts (non-KDSS) | 52 | 70 | |
| Sway bar bracket bolts (non-KDSS) | 30 | 40 | (verify) |
| Front axle hub nut | 174 | 236 | |
| Front caliper mounting bolts | 91 (17 mm bolts) / 137 (19 mm bolts) | 123 / 186 | Depends on caliper fitted (verify) |
The lower control arm cam bolt value catches people out: it is 129 ft-lb on the 4Runner and FJ but only 100 ft-lb on a Tacoma, so do not reuse a Tacoma number.
Steering
| FASTENER | FT-LB | N·M | NOTES |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tie rod end castle nut | 67 | 91 | Some install sheets list 65 (verify) |
Rear Suspension (4-Link Coil)
| FASTENER | FT-LB | N·M | NOTES |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lower control arms (links), both ends | 96 | 130 | At ride height (verify) |
| Upper control arms (links), both ends | 59 | 80 | At ride height (verify) |
| Lateral control rod (panhard), both ends | 96 | 130 | At ride height (verify) |
| Rear shock lower bolt | 72 | 98 | At ride height |
| Rear shock upper nut | 18 | 25 | |
| Rear sway bar to axle (non-KDSS) | 81 | 110 | (verify) |
| Rear sway bar link, lower / upper nut (non-KDSS) | 52 / 11 | 70 / 15 | (verify) |
| Rear sway bar bracket to frame | 33 | 45 | (verify) |
| Rear caliper mounting bolts | 77 | 104 | (verify) |
After a lift, the rear lateral rod (panhard) pulls the axle sideways. Adjustable panhard bars recenter it; torque the factory bolts at ride height once the axle is centered.
KDSS (4Runner Only)
KDSS links the front and rear sway bars hydraulically. Most KDSS-equipped lift kits add spacers under the sway bar brackets; the bolts below are the factory values from service manual lists published by owners. All are (verify).
| FASTENER | FT-LB | N·M |
|---|---|---|
| Front stabilizer cylinder to frame | 96 | 130 |
| Front stabilizer link to frame | 103 | 140 |
| Cylinder or link to front stabilizer lower bracket | 30 | 41 |
| Lower control arm to stabilizer end bracket | 55 | 75 |
| Stabilizer bar to link, knuckle to link | 52 | 70 |
| Front cylinder to control tube | 33 | 45 |
| Rear link or control cylinder to frame | 74 | 100 |
| Rear cylinder to lower bracket | 33 | 45 |
| Rear cylinder to control tube (union bolt) | 51 | 69 |
| Accumulator housing to frame | 21 | 28 |
| Accumulator housing to front and rear tubes | 33 | 45 |
Never open KDSS hydraulic lines without the proper bleed procedure and gauge. Lifting a KDSS truck only needs the brackets spaced and the system re-centered, not opened.
Driveline, Diffs & Fluids
| FASTENER | FT-LB | N·M | NOTES |
|---|---|---|---|
| Front differential fill plug | 29 | 39 | New gasket |
| Front differential drain plug | 48 | 65 | New gasket |
| Rear differential fill and drain plugs | 36 | 49 | New gaskets |
| Transfer case fill and drain plugs | 27 | 37 | |
| Engine oil drain plug | 30 | 40 | New washer |
| Lug nuts | 83 | 112 | From Toyota's FJ Cruiser service instructions. Some 4Runner references list 76 ft-lb for certain alloy wheels; your owner's manual lists the value for your wheels |
For fluid types and capacities, see our 4Runner fluid guide and FJ Cruiser fluid guide.
Lift Install Torque Checklist
- Install everything snug with the suspension hanging.
- Torque the parts that do not depend on ride height: ball joints, tie rod ends, calipers, coilover top nuts, sway bar end links.
- Put the wheels on, set the truck down, and roll it a few feet to settle the suspension.
- At ride height, torque the lower control arm cam bolts (129), upper control arm pivots (85), coilover lower bolts (70), every rear link (96 and 59), the lateral rod (96) and the rear shock lower bolts (72).
- Get an alignment, and make sure the cam bolts are re-torqued to 129 afterward.
- Re-check everything after 50–100 miles.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the 4Runner lower control arm cam bolt torque?
129 ft-lb (175 N·m) on the 5th gen 4Runner and FJ Cruiser, tightened at ride height after the alignment. This is higher than the 100 ft-lb Tacoma value, and several aftermarket instructions wrongly list 100 for the 4Runner.
What is the 4Runner coilover torque?
For factory front struts: 47 ft-lb (64 N·m) on the three top nuts and 70 ft-lb (95 N·m) on the lower bolt, with the lower bolt torqued at ride height. Aftermarket coilovers have their own, usually lower, top hat torque.
What is the 4Runner rear control arm torque?
The rear lower links and the lateral control rod (panhard) are listed at 96 ft-lb (130 N·m) at both ends, and the upper links at 59 ft-lb (80 N·m). Torque them with the truck at ride height.
What is the 4Runner lug nut torque?
83 ft-lb (112 N·m) is the value in Toyota's FJ Cruiser service instructions and the most widely used figure for these trucks. Some references list 76 ft-lb for specific 4Runner alloy wheels, so confirm in your owner's manual.
What is the 4Runner front axle nut torque?
174 ft-lb (236 N·m).
Does the FJ Cruiser have KDSS?
No source we have found lists KDSS on the FJ Cruiser; it is a 4Runner (and Lexus GX) system. FJ Cruisers use a conventional front sway bar and links.
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