10-17-2021, 08:31 PM
|
#1
|
Member
|
|
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Littleton, CO
Posts: 113
Real Name: Max
|
|
Member
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Littleton, CO
Posts: 113
Real Name: Max
|
Maybe I'm too old for this suspension...
About 6 years ago I had all kinds of plans for putting custom bumpers, skid plates, etc. on my 2000 4Runner SR5. The first thing I did was get the following suspension:
OME-881 Front Coils
OME-90004 Front Shocks
OME-890 Rear Coils
OME-60073 Rear Shocks
Well, I never ended up armoring this truck up. Chose to put a supercharger and rock sliders on instead, and although I off-road a fair bit, I'm not doing anything crazy. I really like the clearance I have when I 4w, but I don't really notice the suspension otherwise (off-road).
The place I do notice the suspension now is on road... I recently drove a stock 4th gen T4R and my god, it was like butter on our bumpy mountain road to the cabin. My OME 3rd Gen feels like the thing might rattle apart on the same road.
I used to tell myself "it rides like a truck!", but damn, maybe I'm too old for a truck! It hurts my body, and frankly feels dangerous at times on the highway if I hit any kind of road damage.
So, my question is: Can I improve things with different shocks? Or should I acknowledge my dreams of building an off-road beast were short-sighted, and just swap the entire suspension to something more pedestrian (I'd like to retain the lift and off-road capability)?
Thanks for your input.
__________________
----------------------
2000 4Runner SR5 5-speed manual e-locker, 231mm Tundra brake upgrade, OME 881/890 Suspension, Stubbs Rock Sliders, TRD Supercharger
2022 Highlander
2002 Dodge Ram 1500
|
|
Reply With Quote
|
10-17-2021, 11:07 PM
|
#2
|
|
Senior Member
|
|
Join Date: Apr 2020
Location: Monroe, WA
Posts: 2,199
Real Name: Devan
|
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2020
Location: Monroe, WA
Posts: 2,199
Real Name: Devan
|
I think out of the hundred or two reports on Old Man Emu shocks, I've seen one person talk highly of them. My impression has always been their shocks are bottom of the barrel, everyone talks about how they're way too harsh and ride like hell. Throw some Billies in there
__________________
Y2K Highlander Millennium Silver 3.4L auto @ 320k and climbing
Toytecs + 5100s / 7.5 wrap + OME spacers + Tokicos / JBA UCAs / Anonymous Fab. LBJs / Total Chaos Gussets / EimKeith PCK + LCAR / Extended Bump Stops; Brake Lines; Rear Diff Breather / True North Fab. Hybrid Bumper / CBI Hybrid Bumper + Tire Carrier / 4xInnovations Hybrid Sliders / Opt Offroad Trailing Arms / Lil Skip Gas Skid / BudBuilt Front Skid / ARB Rear Locker
|
|
Reply With Quote
|
10-17-2021, 11:28 PM
|
#3
|
|
Senior Member
|
|
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Santa Monica, CA
Posts: 1,418
Real Name: Keith
|
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Santa Monica, CA
Posts: 1,418
Real Name: Keith
|
I had Bilsteins on a previous Toyota 4WD truck.
Loved the ride---it felt like it had speed-sensitive valving and handled all conditions well.
My OME setup is, I think, identical to the OP's.
Mine rides like a lumber truck when empty, but rides much nicer when loaded.
I've thought of trading the harsh ride of the OME shocks for the more sophisticated valving of Bilsteins. What discourages me from going with the Billies is that I had to replace one half of the Bilsteins on that old truck because they sprung leaks. Then the replacement Billies also leaked.
__________________
97 4R SR5, 4WD/Elock, 3.4, 5spd. OME881/890 springs/OME shocks, 265/70/16 BFG AT/KO2.
|
|
Reply With Quote
|
10-18-2021, 10:39 AM
|
#4
|
|
Member
|
|
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Olathe KS
Age: 41
Posts: 670
|
|
Member
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Olathe KS
Age: 41
Posts: 670
|
Go with Billies if you want softer ride. Also, what tires are you running?
__________________
18 Audi A6 3.0T - APR Tuned, RS6 Interior 19 Audi A6 3.0T
|
|
Reply With Quote
|
10-18-2021, 11:05 PM
|
#5
|
|
Member
|
|
Join Date: Jan 2021
Location: Idaho
Posts: 610
|
|
Member
Join Date: Jan 2021
Location: Idaho
Posts: 610
|
It’s not fair to compare a modded rig with higher rate springs, heavy tires and a lift to a stocker. They aren’t the same thing.
Anything above an SL tire is going to change the personality alone.
If it’s bothering you that bad, go down on spring rate and go for a boat ride!
__________________
99’ Black “Highlander” sport, oak, 5VZ auto, 4.30 axle, e-lock, 265/75 Grabber X3,, Bilstein 6112 (2”) front 5160 rear shocks, OME 2906 springs, Durobumps, 4x Inovations front middle rear skid plates, 4XI square TRD tube sliders, lil skips tank skid, lotus dev RCA skids, overland custom sway bar links, Amp’d hidden winch, warn Vr Evo 10s
|
|
Reply With Quote
|
10-19-2021, 01:03 PM
|
#6
|
Member
|
|
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Littleton, CO
Posts: 113
Real Name: Max
|
|
Member
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Littleton, CO
Posts: 113
Real Name: Max
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cree
Go with Billies if you want softer ride. Also, what tires are you running?
|
Yeah, the tires probably aren't helping: 235/85r16
Pizza cutters... I liked them for off-road, rain and snow, but the ride is probably pretty negatively impacted.
__________________
----------------------
2000 4Runner SR5 5-speed manual e-locker, 231mm Tundra brake upgrade, OME 881/890 Suspension, Stubbs Rock Sliders, TRD Supercharger
2022 Highlander
2002 Dodge Ram 1500
|
|
Reply With Quote
|
10-19-2021, 03:14 PM
|
#7
|
|
Senior Member
|
|
Join Date: May 2019
Location: Northern California
Posts: 1,686
Real Name: Blair
|
|
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2019
Location: Northern California
Posts: 1,686
Real Name: Blair
|
I'd go so far as to say that OME springs are harsh unless you're both loaded for camping and running 25 PSI or less.
So, since my rig with 881/906 is a DD with Patagonia MTs usually at 45 PSI, I feel your pain. Not an age thing however although I'm plenty old.
__________________
260K - Y2K/E - Clock still works
|
|
Reply With Quote
|
10-19-2021, 03:34 PM
|
#8
|
|
Member
|
|
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: Earth
Posts: 862
|
|
Member
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: Earth
Posts: 862
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by denvermaxd
Yeah, the tires probably aren't helping: 235/85r16
Pizza cutters... I liked them for off-road, rain and snow, but the ride is probably pretty negatively impacted.
|
Actually, tall sidewall would help soften things... I think they were referring to the Type of tire... 10-ply high load rating tires are great for taking abuse, but are super harsh ride on pavement.
__________________
'99 Limited 4x4, Millenium Silver ~ Maintenance Thread
|
|
Reply With Quote
|
10-19-2021, 06:49 PM
|
#9
|
|
Senior Member
|
|
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: denver
Posts: 3,011
|
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: denver
Posts: 3,011
|
Oem springs and shocks would help on road. They are not too bad off road with a few exceptions New rubber bushings will help emensly too.
|
|
Reply With Quote
|
10-19-2021, 08:57 PM
|
#10
|
|
Senior Member
|
|
Join Date: Apr 2020
Location: Monroe, WA
Posts: 2,199
Real Name: Devan
|
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2020
Location: Monroe, WA
Posts: 2,199
Real Name: Devan
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by denvermaxd
Yeah, the tires probably aren't helping: 235/85r16
Pizza cutters... I liked them for off-road, rain and snow, but the ride is probably pretty negatively impacted.
|
Huh that's interesting. Should upload a pic, I'm curious to see what that looks like
__________________
Y2K Highlander Millennium Silver 3.4L auto @ 320k and climbing
Toytecs + 5100s / 7.5 wrap + OME spacers + Tokicos / JBA UCAs / Anonymous Fab. LBJs / Total Chaos Gussets / EimKeith PCK + LCAR / Extended Bump Stops; Brake Lines; Rear Diff Breather / True North Fab. Hybrid Bumper / CBI Hybrid Bumper + Tire Carrier / 4xInnovations Hybrid Sliders / Opt Offroad Trailing Arms / Lil Skip Gas Skid / BudBuilt Front Skid / ARB Rear Locker
|
|
Reply With Quote
|
10-19-2021, 09:59 PM
|
#11
|
|
Member
|
|
Join Date: Nov 2019
Location: Washington
Posts: 80
Real Name: Levi
|
|
Member
Join Date: Nov 2019
Location: Washington
Posts: 80
Real Name: Levi
|
I couple months ago I put on OME 883 and 890's paired with the Bilstein 5100, and for a while was driving on the stock tires while I waited for my new wheels to put my 255/85/16 E rated tires on. I was very worried about a rough ride knowing the 883's were rated for an additional 200 pounds of front weight I didn't have, but was pleasantly surprised to find that my truck felt like a dream with the new suspension. My old stock suspension was not blown or bad, but this new suspension with the Billies felt so adaptive to everything on the road and was such a soft and controlled ride. It felt so grounded to the road. However, about a week later when I put on my 255/85/16 E rated Falkens, the ride became super super rough on the road at 35psi, its been a couple months on the tires now, and I've just gotten used to it, but I can contest that the 883/890's paired with the Billies were amazing, and it's 100% my 10 ply tires that make the ride rough.
__________________
2002 Thundercloud Limited 3.4 4x4 M/T (Manual Swapped)
1998 Desert Dune SR5 3.4 4x4 A/T (Totalled, R.I.P)
|
|
Reply With Quote
|
10-20-2021, 01:40 PM
|
#12
|
Senior Member
|
|
Join Date: May 2015
Location: north east of Fairbank out there in the frontiers Alaska
Posts: 3,168
Real Name: 3 Bears
|
|
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2015
Location: north east of Fairbank out there in the frontiers Alaska
Posts: 3,168
Real Name: 3 Bears
|
guess im getting in the denvermaxd mode. My last big build I lifted 3 inches with the ss 1.2 kit....the ride was good but a bit stiff. I had set it up for big bumpers, winch etc. Never got around to it as I totaled it....bumpers and winch were in garage....so sold them. what the rig had b4 the "big lift" was just talls and KYB's and it served me well on and off road. ( air bags too for extra capacity) as I did not go wild off road mostly forest service type roads to go hunt or fish and the 2 miles of gravel roads to get home.
last week i installed new talls and kyb's on my currrent rig. Its a highlander...so it already had talls on them...but they were worn out. typical rear sag. I put them on thinking...well this will get me through the winter and next spring Ill do a tall lift again....but after driving on and off road the past week. I think I will just stick with the talls and kyb's, or maybe jump to billies..
__________________
2000 SR-5 Highlander version 4:30's, factory locker , green, bought 6/21
2001 SR-5... bought 11/20..sold 6/21....
2000 SR-5 moded, lifted, e locker, other cool stuff, totaled 10/20
|
|
Reply With Quote
|
10-20-2021, 02:45 PM
|
#13
|
Elite Member
|
|
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Pasadena, CA
Posts: 5,417
|
|
Elite Member
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Pasadena, CA
Posts: 5,417
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by levee-11
However, about a week later when I put on my 255/85/16 E rated Falkens, the ride became super super rough on the road at 35psi, its been a couple months on the tires now, and I've just gotten used to it, but I can contest that the 883/890's paired with the Billies were amazing, and it's 100% my 10 ply tires that make the ride rough.
|
Check load ratings vs. pressure for e-rated tires. You might be able to drop to 30psi or something to soften things up, even on the street. Obviously bump it back up if you are loaded or towing...
See here:
https://www.falkentire.com/tires/car...re_care_safety
-Charlie
__________________
'99 4Runner SR5 Auto - 4WD swapped
'89 Camry Alltrac LE 3S-GTE 5spd
'17 Chevy Volt Premier
'16 Honda Odyssey Elite
Previous: '88 Camry Alltrac LE 3S-GE BEAMS, 90 Camry 3S-GTE, 90 Camry DX, '03 WRX wagon, '08 Outback XT
|
|
Reply With Quote
|
10-20-2021, 03:05 PM
|
#14
|
Member
|
|
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Littleton, CO
Posts: 113
Real Name: Max
|
|
Member
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Littleton, CO
Posts: 113
Real Name: Max
|
TIL - All about load range!
I guess this is something I should have known/thought about before, but running my 235/85r16 E load range Cooper Discoverers at 42 PSI is probably a BIG part of my "rough ride".
Searching the forum returned some gems like this:
https://www.toyota-4runner.org/3421903-post6.html
Quote:
It’s been my experience that load range D is a bit much for these 4runners and the ride suffers.
I couldn’t imagine a load range E on a 3rd gen. Probably feel like you had solid tires on it at street pressures.
|
I've driven some pretty gnarly rocky off-roads with these tires, and they've been entirely puncture/damage free for 40,000 miles+, and that has made me happy. But the trade off might be feeling like I'm driving a covered wagon at street pressure.
Before I swap any suspension parts, I'm going to try to find a C load range 32" AT tire and see if that improves my on-road experience without sacrificing much off-road.
__________________
----------------------
2000 4Runner SR5 5-speed manual e-locker, 231mm Tundra brake upgrade, OME 881/890 Suspension, Stubbs Rock Sliders, TRD Supercharger
2022 Highlander
2002 Dodge Ram 1500
Last edited by denvermaxd; 10-20-2021 at 03:19 PM.
|
|
Reply With Quote
|
10-20-2021, 07:51 PM
|
#15
|
|
Member
|
|
Join Date: Oct 2018
Location: San Diego CA
Posts: 417
|
|
Member
Join Date: Oct 2018
Location: San Diego CA
Posts: 417
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by denvermaxd
TIL - All about load range!
I guess this is something I should have known/thought about before, but running my 235/85r16 E load range Cooper Discoverers at 42 PSI is probably a BIG part of my "rough ride".
Searching the forum returned some gems like this:
https://www.toyota-4runner.org/3421903-post6.html
I've driven some pretty gnarly rocky off-roads with these tires, and they've been entirely puncture/damage free for 40,000 miles+, and that has made me happy. But the trade off might be feeling like I'm driving a covered wagon at street pressure.
Before I swap any suspension parts, I'm going to try to find a C load range 32" AT tire and see if that improves my on-road experience without sacrificing much off-road.
|
I've been running C rated tires for years now. BFG ko2 and now I have Nitto Ridge Grapplers. I put the BFG's thru hell IE low pressure and wheeling off road. and Long road trip. had a few big gouges in the sidewall and never had one fail. They are good tires!
Nittos are serving me well so far. I'm even debating going to SL after this to save on the tire weight.
I run at 32 psi ish and have always had even wear.
__________________
IG: @4runnerfiend- 1999 SR5: TRD Supercharger, ELocker, Wheelers T1 Coils-tundra 5100's, Built Right UCA's, LC 8 wraps-Fox 2.0 with CD adjuster, Rokmen lower links, Savage skids, Hot Metal Fab Front Tube bumper, Savage Rear tube bumper, TruckShopSD Sliders, DuroBumps, RidgeGrapplers, Doug Thorley Headers, yellow top, XRC 12k, ARB single compressor.
|
|
Reply With Quote
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is On
|
|
|
|