Hey Guys-
I'm working on getting my 2000 4Runner in ship-shape for an upcoming trip from San Francisco to Ushuaia. I've worked through all of the engine/tune-up tasks getting the highway gas milage up to a solid 20 mpg. I've done everything myself thus far in order to gain some mechanical aptitude for the trip. Only exceptions being: I paid a mechanic to do the timing belt (bought kit from aircabinman on eBay) and I got a Motorvac cleaning. I've replaced the radiator with a new OEM one. I've added a dual battery + solenoid system, and installed a power inverter.
Now my attention is turning to the suspension (and front end, but that's a separate tangent).
We won't be doing a lot of heavy duty wheeling / looking for trouble. That said, the roads are rough for a majority of the 25,000 miles we will be driving, and I imagine we'll be on mountainous, curvy, dirt roads carrying weight for at least some of it.
Our priorities are:
1) reliability: I'd like whatever I put in to be equal to this task and able to make it the whole way taking lots of abuse.
2) comfort: we'll be driving day in and day out. There will be lots of surprise "topes" along the way. I'd like being the vehicle to not become torture.
For the sake of 1), I really don't want to change very much from the stock geometry. For that reason I've strongly considered stock springs up to this point, though I worry they just won't be up to carrying the constant weight on rough roads.
I've read on these forums extensively about suspension upgrade (translation: please don't reply with "
3rd Gen 4Runner Lift Information and FAQ's"... I've seen it- it's not a very helpful guide if you're not looking to add lift).
I'd love feedback on the two options I'm considering:
Option A
Shocks: Bilstein 4600, front and back
Springs: new Stock OEM all around + air lift adjustable rear air springs kit
Option B
Shocks: Bilstein 4600, front and back
Springs: OME 880s front, OME 906s back
With our trip in mind, what would people recommend?