[DH4Runner]

Hello everyone.

Long time lurker, first time poster hoping to get advice and just say hello.

So a couple months ago my starter started doing the clicking thing so after a lot of research on here I found that it was possible to change the starter components and now it works like a charm. Thank you!

Shortly thereafter, my antenna started making a horrid noise so I decided to do the taco whip mod. Thank you!

Now, it seems my left rear shock (or is it strut?) is leaking all over the driveway. Also, with 175k on the odo it's time for its second timing belt change.

Anyways, some info on the truck... I got it back in 2006 with about 130k on the odo. As far as I know, it's completely stock. I've done some light wheeling in it and its performed great for what I've asked it to do. It's a third vehicle so it's only driven on the weekends or when I go camping /hiking.

So, a couple questions. I've been trying to find out how high stock 4runners sit as a couple of friends have told me they think it has a slight lift. From fender to ground with 265/70/16 tires it's 34.5" in front and just over 35" in the back. This seems a bit high for stock, yeah?

Although I'm not into the huge lifts I think some day I'll get some 265/75's and the 99 springs or something else that doesn't require the diff drop. I don't know, anything is possible! With that shock/strut leaking in the rear, it looks like I might be doing some suspension work sooner rather than later.... Although, the timing belt calls!

Well, after all that, I forgot most of my questions. So we'll just take this as a 'hello' post.

Oh and yeah, I know, ditch the boards and the gold package HAS to go!

[brian2sun]

Welcome and nice truck! You're right that you won't need a diff drop for '99 tall coils, but they're only like $25 and take 10 minutes to install yourself if you decide to go with a bigger lift. You can fit 265/75/16s with no lift too (not sure if you thought you needed to lift it for those tires). If the timing belt/water pump was done ~90K, you have until 180K to replace them per manufacturer's recommendations. Many people have gone well over 100K and even 150K without replacing them. I'm not recommending you do that, but it's not imperative right now at 175K. One good thing is the 3.4 is a non-interference motor so if the timing belt were to break, the engine will just stop but no damage will occur to the valves or anything else.

[Pikeman]

No to address the height issue. My truck with lift sits at 38.5 inches same measure points you used with 33" tires so you are sitting right at stock height no lift.

[pbcolt]

I have my 99 takeoff coils if you are interested. They are probably just as soft as your coils, assuming yours are stock. But you would gain an inch of height.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/classi...l-springs.html

Nice truck btw.

[DH4Runner]

@brian2sun - Thanks.. Good info to know about the timing belt. I think I've seen a sticker in there in the past that said timing belt was changed at 6x,xxx miles so it's been a while. I'll have to look at it again. Yeah, I've read that the 75/16's will fit and I might just do that to begin with but I think I want to keep it close to stock height just for the simple fact that I like the stocker look and I want to try to keep it as close to that as possible, but, we'll see.

@pbcolt - Thanks and thanks for the offer. I think when I decide to go for the coils, I'll buy new. Is there a place you'd recommend? When you changed yours out did you do the work yourself? I'm a real rookie when it comes to working on cars. Changing the starter components and the antenna were my first forage into working on a vehicle.

Another question.... I was thinking about color matching the emblems to the thunder cloud cladding (I think it's thunder cloud anyway) but then I realized the 4runner emblem on the back over the plate would blend in too much. I'm now thinking about a darker gray/graphite look that's darker than the cladding but not black. thoughts?

[pbcolt]

I replaced them with the help from a member of TTORA. I am the same way mechanically. Pretty intimidated by a lot, and everything I do, it's my first time doing it.

The replacing a suspension is easy. With the right tools and 2 sets of hands, I would put it at 4/10 if I had to guess. The hardest part was getting the old, crusted stuff off. PB blaster and a Sawzall made it easier.

edit: and my .02 is if you're gonna buy a new suspension, lift it. You come pretty darn close to being cheaper then buying new 99 coils from the factory. One of the cheaper options is the tundra/Land Cruiser lift. Ive seen a few people tally their lift as being around $400 total.