'02 4Runner Ltd

[Mavericks]

Their is an '02 4Runner Ltd at the local dealer on the used car lot...it has been there since last summer with no takers, but the price has always been high which may explain why it has never sold. Only 83,000 kms (50,000 miles). It looks like it has never left the dealer showroom....beautiful 4Runner. I noticed this week the price has finall dropped to a more respectable and affordable price.

My only hesitance is the appearance of it....I noticed the ground clearance, especially on the Rr end, dosen't seem to be quite as high as previous year models....almost seems to be dropped abit in the Rr.. Salesperson there once told me Toyota lowered them in '01 or '02 in order to prevent "Roll over" as apparently it was an issue with previous models because of their height, etc..

Any truth to "lowering" by Toyota and can a levelling kit, Rr springs, or similar be installed to get it back to a better looking height similar to previous yr models? I think it would look better. Costs to do this and pros and cons?

 

[lee]

yes 01s and 02s sit lower from the factory. you can either install a lift (spacer/coils/body) or install 4wd coils from 96-00.

 

[Mavericks]

Coils

Sounds like Coils would be the cheapest option to slightly raise this.....

Wonder how one can check if used coils are good or not....is their some sort of compression test or means of measuring them?

 

[lee]

by mileage. if they have too much over 100K on them, id skip em.

 

[RonMAIDEN]

A fair amount of '99s and the early '00 models got the taller coils while in '01 the Runners got the coils chopped by a little more than an inch.

Here's a couple pics of mine (I do have the taller tires too) next to an '01.

 

[Mavericks]

RonMaiden

Ron that pic you posted showing the two rear views....that explains what i'm seeing, but you see it even more so from a side view, this '02 Ltd i'm looking at appears like it's sags abit in the Rr, but it's obviously just the shortened coils. It was owned by a Doctor, certainly not the type to abuse anything. Alot of that is just my being fussy, but I might as well be happy with it otherwise everytime I look at it it will drive me nutz.

Used coils must be tuff to find, especially the longer ones that I would need. I wonder if new coils can be purchased at the proper length that i'm looking for, from Toyota or an after market coil supplier? From toyota what would be the part#? I suppose I could go into the local dealer's parts dept, but would they know or could they order the correct longer coil, or just end up ordering the same shorter coil?

 

[trd_4runnin]

If you get the VIN# of someones 4Runner which has the 99 coils that are taller, just give that VIN to the dealership and they should be able to get you the correct coils.

Also another option is the Performance Products 1" lift springs. I do not run these but from what I understand you can run your stock shocks and actually will get closer to two inches of lift. These combined with 265/75 tires would look great.

 

[Mavericks]

Performance Coils

That sounds like a valid option.....i'm not looking for a really "high" lift, I just want that look that the '99's have, which looks to be about a 1" to 2" lift.

Who on here has installed them...?

I had a '99 Jeep Cherokee Classic, it sat low to the ground in my opinion, so I found a lift kit on the 'net for like $200.. Basically just 2" Spacers or "cups" to go on top of the Front coils, 2" thick blocks to go under the Rr leaf springs, and 2" extensions to go on the top of all 4 shocks.....a "poor man's" lift if you will. It raised the truck about 2" as advertised.....BUT changed the angle of incline in my driveshaft, which put stress apparently on the U-joints causing a slight vibration underneath....least thats what the shop told me was happening after they installed the kit.

Is their a possibility that vibration or other issues may come up if I were to install 1" longer coils in the '02 4Runner...?

 

[RonMAIDEN]

I replaced my tired coils and shocks at about 110k and I used partznet.com and paid less than $350 for the set but I know it isn't that cheap anymore but you should look into it.

4Runners can be lifted to just about 3" before you have driveline angle issues.

 

[Fo_SheeZy]

 

[4x4Runner09]

Maverick:

I just have the 1' PP coils put on my 2000. I had a problem with the sagging rear. the coils completely level out the truck and give an awesome stance. No driveline issues or vibrations. Body roll did increase slightly but thats what happens when you go higher. I have the Bilsteins shocks put on too which is perfect match for the coils. Some people complain about the ride being to stiff but I think it rides just fine.

Basically if your going to spend money on coils IMO you should go with the 1' coils and never worry about sagging again.

 

[Mavericks]

PP Coils

4x4Runner09....Did you install both Fr & Rr Coils and Bilsteins, or just Rear...? Also did you get the Bilsteins from Performance as well...?

Thanks

 

[4x4Runner09]

Re: PP Coils

4x4Runner09....Did you install both Fr & Rr Coils and Bilsteins, or just Rear...? Also did you get the Bilsteins from Performance as well...?

Thanks

I installed both front and rear. This is what makes it sit nice and level. I bought everything from Performance Products.