Who has put stiffer springs on their 5th Gen SR5?

I have a 2011 SR5 and I'm looking to firm up the ride with stiffer springs. I'm more concerned with increasing load capacity and reducing sag under weight, than fixing the nose dive issue, although I suspect stiffer springs will help. I'm also not looking to lift it or reduce the rake, but I'm ok if that is what I need to increase load support/reduce sag.

Here's what I've gleaned from pouring over posts on this forum. Bilstein 5100s are popular for lifting, leveling with front end set at .85, and generally firming up the ride, although I question will they will help achieve my goal of load support. When it comes to springs, I've read that people have installed OME springs, with or without 5100s, but those sound like they lift the vehicle about 2".

Does anyone know if there are stiffer springs that don't lift the vehicle? Does anyone think putting on Bilstein 5100s or HDs and stiffer springs will firm up the ride too much?

Well......my 2012 SR5 is in the shop as I type this having Bilstein HD's installed all the way around. Spoke with a rep who said 5100 and HD are virtually the same shock, only one is designed for lift (kits). The dive isn't so much an issue for me, but rather the "side to side" bob and weave. That's what I want to address.

I'll post a follow up...............

Melodog said:

I have a 2011 SR5 and I'm looking to firm up the ride with stiffer springs. I'm more concerned with increasing load capacity and reducing sag under weight, than fixing the nose dive issue, although I suspect stiffer springs will help. I'm also not looking to lift it or reduce the rake, but I'm ok if that is what I need to increase load support/reduce sag.

Here's what I've gleaned from pouring over posts on this forum. Bilstein 5100s are popular for lifting, leveling with front end set at .85, and generally firming up the ride, although I question will they will help achieve my goal of load support. When it comes to springs, I've read that people have installed OME springs, with or without 5100s, but those sound like they lift the vehicle about 2".

Does anyone know if there are stiffer springs that don't lift the vehicle? Does anyone think putting on Bilstein 5100s or HDs and stiffer springs will firm up the ride too much?

Click to expand...

You cannot increase the load carrying capacity of the 4Runner by just adding shocks or springs. Here is what you CAN do:

1. Add aftermarket shocks such as Bilsteins. They will help dampen the effect of immediate, or "shock" loading that comes with hitting a pothole, going over uneven terrain, panic braking etc.

2. Add aftermarket springs either stock or longer length. These springs are heavier gauge and will both stiffen the ride and allow you to carry up to Toyotas published maximum load limit without allowing the suspension to sag as far. They will also allow less body lean through turns.

3. Add air bags to stock rear springs. This is the most economical solution to a rear sagging suspension. This will allow you to load up to max capacity without hardly any sag in the rear.

The above three things will allow you to carry up to max GVW with less suspension sag.
If you actually wanted to increase the load carrying capacity of the 4Runner you would have to change many things other than shocks and springs such as brakes, transmission, gearing etc. It would probably be cheaper to go buy a used pickup truck designed to carry heavy loads.

tacobill said:

Well......my 2012 SR5 is in the shop as I type this having Bilstein HD's installed all the way around. Spoke with a rep who said 5100 and HD are virtually the same shock, only one is designed for lift (kits). The dive isn't so much an issue for me, but rather the "side to side" bob and weave. That's what I want to address.

I'll post a follow up...............

Click to expand...

Are you still running the OEM tires? Did you get the Castor alignment changed to positive 4.0 (or as close as you can get to that number)? There is no doubt stronger shocks will help, but.......be safe

Jtraskell said:

Are you still running the OEM tires? Did you get the Castor alignment changed to positive 4.0 (or as close as you can get to that number)? There is no doubt stronger shocks will help, but.......be safe

Click to expand...

^^ Makes a valid point. I'm no suspension expert, but "side-to-side, bob-and-weave" does not sound like a shock/spring issue. It sounds more like the poor tracking or wandering issue many of us have had. Corrected by premium tires and a caster setting to +4.0. Sure fixed mine.

Thanks........ending up rescheduling to next Monday. I spoke with the guys and they are going to get caster alignment as close to 4 as possible. They get it. For the record, my definition of bob and weave is not direction change........just bounciness. It tracks pretty well considering I have the Dunlops. Used to have a 944 Porsche with lightweight Gotti wheels, and those Dunlops would never balance.

philsey, tires are next, ha ha.

1engineer, I'll go down that list until I'm happy. Used to have airbags on my old Dakota and they helped a lot.

1engineer said:

2. Add aftermarket springs either stock or longer length. These springs are heavier gauge and will both stiffen the ride and allow you to carry up to Toyotas published maximum load limit without allowing the suspension to sag as far. They will also allow less body lean through turns.

Click to expand...

I'm in the middle of searching through posts for information, but this part of your posts leads me to a question...

At what point are springs swapped out?

I carry a hitch rack that claims to be 55lbs. I'll be adding a roof rack that claims 80lbs, and a ladder that claims 10lbs. This stay will stay on all the time.

I'm considering the 2895E coils from OME...with the stock springs being listed as either 150 or 180lbs, and the 2895E listed as 260lbs. Seems like a rather significant jump. I'm only wanting minimal lift, and am more concerned with it not riding like ass when unweighted (once spring comes around, pretty much every weekend will be spent traveling somewhere for work or play). I have 620* Toytec/ Eibachs up front.

Can anyone out there confirm that the 2895E would/ would not work out? 5100s will be installed, and either these springs or simply 2 of the OME spacers.