1998 SR5 - Need Suspension Advice

[poisedforflight]

I'm trying to decide on what to do to fix the extreme stiffness in my setup. Currently it has Tundra Springs up front, OMEs in the rear, and Bilstein 5100's all the way around. It seems like these springs are more in line for having a lot of additional weight on a truck, which mine does not. If it matters it has Wild Country XTX tires. I purchased the vehicle this way so please don't be too harsh on me if this is a dumb setup.

Is it possible to run 1998 OEM springs and keep my 265/70/16 tires? Would I need to replace the Bilstein 5100s if I go this route?


I like the lift but don't really do enough off-roading to say I "need it". I also don't want to replace the tires unless I have to as they only have about 5K miles on them.

I'm interested in an IMS setup from everything I've read but not sure I'm ready to drop $2500 on it at the moment. I am also not a fan of the teal color they use, but that's a minor concern overall.

Anyway, thought I would use this thread to weigh my options.

 

[Calm8809]

My runner is 2 wheel and I don't have any trails around me so my rig is basically stock. That said, I ended up going for the 4600s as I was told that are a little smoother on pavement. I put them in with some Moog springs back in 2020 and couldn't be happier. Whole thing was about $620. Just my experience if that helps.

 

[poisedforflight]

My runner is 2 wheel and I don't have any trails around me so my rig is basically stock. That said, I ended up going for the 4600s as I was told that are a little smoother on pavement. I put them in with some Moogs springs back in 2020 and couldn't be happier. Whole thing was about $620. Just my experience if that helps.

What size tires are you running?

 

[Calm8809]

Stock 235/75R15

 

[JZiggy]

265/70R16 are stock "large" tires, 31". You do not need a lift to run them.

OEM springs (99 talls ideally) and Bilstein 4600s are a great combo. I had that for years before my lift and it was a comfortable and stable ride.

 

[gamefreakgc]

I agree on the OEM 99 talls. This was designed as an off-road vehicle when new and the OEM springs are a great middle ground of on-road comfort and off-road capability. Obviously with reduced lift if you are going on rough trails with boulders and such the extra inch or two might save some dings and dents but if you don't plan on using it that way it's the best route to go. Shocks would be up to you. Off-road type shocks rebound quicker which give better off-road performance but on the road the faster rebound just means you feel more cracks and potholes on the road.

Everyone I have heard who went wit Old Man Emu springs without having plate bumpers, rooftop tents and the like have said they are too stiff. If you do have those things they are still stiffer than stock but not unbearably though. Also, if you go with OEM I'm sure you could sell your used lift for a pretty penny on your local online markets.

 

[poisedforflight]

265/70R16 are stock "large" tires, 31". You do not need a lift to run them.

OEM springs (99 talls ideally) and Bilstein 4600s are a great combo. I had that for years before my lift and it was a comfortable and stable ride.

The talls would increase the rake? If so, is this what I would need to even it out? I'm thinking I would want a more "even" stance.

1999 TOYOTA 4RUNNER Daystar KT09105BK Daystar Comfort Ride Leveling Kits | Summit Racing

Also, is this the correct part# for the talls? For the fronts do I stick with the '98s or is there a difference in those on the 99s?

I apologize for all the newb questions, I have no excuse other than I am in fact a newb.

 

[JZiggy]

The talls would increase the rake? If so, is this what I would need to even it out? I'm thinking I would want a more "even" stance.

1999 TOYOTA 4RUNNER Daystar KT09105BK Daystar Comfort Ride Leveling Kits | Summit Racing

Also, is this the correct part# for the talls? For the fronts do I stick with the '98s or is there a difference in those on the 99s?

I apologize for all the newb questions, I have no excuse other than I am in fact a newb.

That's OK. I would have to just search the forum for the 99 talls part numbers, so I will let you do that instead

Don't both with coil spacers. You want the rear to have a tiny bit rake so it doesn't sag when you have people and gear in it. And then when it naturally sags over time you'll have some extra height.

Also, I have used Moog rear springs spec'ed for a 99 and they worked fine for a high-ish stock right height. I suspect you could get front and rear Moogs and be OK.

 

[poisedforflight]

That's OK. I would have to just search the forum for the 99 talls part numbers, so I will let you do that instead

Don't both with coil spacers. You want the rear to have a tiny bit rake so it doesn't sag when you have people and gear in it. And then when it naturally sags over time you'll have some extra height.

Also, I have used Moog rear springs spec'ed for a 99 and they worked fine for a high-ish stock right height. I suspect you could get front and rear Moogs and be OK.

I've read so many conflicting reports on Moog springs on here my head is spinning. Some say they work great, some say they sag too much under load. They are certainly a heck of a lot less expensive.

I think I'm going to install air bags in the rear as I have a travel trailer I'll be pulling and a lot of gear in the back. I think that will alleviate the sag issue under load.

 

[Calm8809]

I haven’t heard of them sagging before but honestly wouldn’t be surprised to hear people say that. It doesn’t take much in the back to lower the rear a bit. It’s not too bad though. I can still comfortably tow a trailer. Plus you can’t beat the price for what you get IMO.

 

[poisedforflight]

Maybe I'm a sucker who spent too much money but I went with OEM coils. I have always been one to buy OEM parts, maybe it's not the best way to go but I've never been let down by it. It didn't hurt that I just got my quarterly bonus today and I probably would have just wasted it on something else.

99 "Tall" Part #s:

48131-35400 - Front Passenger
48131-35350 - Front Driver
48231-35210 - Rears

I also ordered Bilstein 4600 front and rear, an Air Lift 1000 air suspension kit, and a 1/2" front leveling kit. I did some research on the 1" kit I had linked previously and most people were reporting they were getting over 1.5" of lift from it and I think that's too much. The 1/2" kit is apparently giving about 3/4" lift which will maintain a slight amount of rake but should be closer to the stance I'm looking for.

I might just have to start a build thread. I have a lot of projects in store and would love feedback along the way. The build is sheerly for forest service/fire road trails and trailer hauling. Not much rock to crawl in South Mississippi.

EDIT: My Bilstein order got cancelled and after a night of reading I'm going to go with OEM shocks.

 

[Calm8809]

I get it on the OEM parts. I've had the truck for about 9 years now. My first car at 18. Family was pretty much broke at the time and that continued for me all through college. The cheapest replacement parts eBay had listed were my best friend. It's only now that I've got a solid job that I can afford the good OEM stuff. That eBay junk does not always last and there's not many things I despise more than having to do a job twice. I'll still make a trip out to the yard every now and then though :wink2:

 

[poisedforflight]

For undisclosed reasons the company I ordered the Bilstein shocks from on eBay has cancelled the order. After doing a ton more searching of the forum last night I decided I'd go with OEM '99 shocks instead. Part of me is glad to be going all OEM.

 

[gamefreakgc]

For undisclosed reasons the company I ordered the Bilstein shocks from on eBay has cancelled the order. After doing a ton more searching of the forum last night I decided I'd go with OEM '99 shocks instead. Part of me is glad to be going all OEM.

The one thing that's true no matter the part, Toyota OEM will last you a very long time and most likely the only time you'll ever replace them again. Great if you plan on keeping it for the long haul like most of us on here.

 

[poisedforflight]

The one thing that's true no matter the part, Toyota OEM will last you a very long time and most likely the only time you'll ever replace them again. Great if you plan on keeping it for the long haul like most of us on here.

I plan on keeping it forever. Soon enough I'll be following in your footsteps adding a S/C but I'm trying to get as much general maintenance out of the way as possible first.

 

[gamefreakgc]

I plan on keeping it forever. Soon enough I'll be following in your footsteps adding a S/C but I'm trying to get as much general maintenance out of the way as possible first.

The supercharger is great but man is it expensive. I bought mine used for $1500 (paid $1500 over market price for the vehicle with it installed) but now they are $2500-$3000 and usually in need of a rebuild. New is $3700, that's a lot of money for 62HP considering it is boosted. The silver lining is that Magnuson is looking to sell a new supercharger that will replace the current version. That will make the used old units a bit cheaper so it may be prudent to wait until that happens (and if it happens, keeps getting delayed).

When you do slap one on feel free to reach out to me if you are craving more power on top of that. I'm active both on here and on the 3.4 Supercharged group on FB although I'll warn that there's a lot of bad advice in that group. Advice is more solid here as we are all, well, a bit older.

 

[poisedforflight]

The supercharger is great but man is it expensive. I bought mine used for $1500 (paid $1500 over market price for the vehicle with it installed) but now they are $2500-$3000 and usually in need of a rebuild. New is $3700, that's a lot of money for 62HP considering it is boosted. The silver lining is that Magnuson is looking to sell a new supercharger that will replace the current version. That will make the used old units a bit cheaper so it may be prudent to wait until that happens (and if it happens, keeps getting delayed).

When you do slap one on feel free to reach out to me if you are craving more power on top of that. I'm active both on here and on the 3.4 Supercharged group on FB although I'll warn that there's a lot of bad advice in that group. Advice is more solid here as we are all, well, a bit older.

I have zero plans of ever selling the truck so I don't really see it as money being misspent. I will definitely reach out to you, I very much appreciate the offer. I'm itching to pull the trigger this fall but the talk of a new SC model has my curiosity piqued.

 

[poisedforflight]

I just got an email from ToyotaPartsDeal saying that the front springs are indefinite backorder. I'm going to place an order through McGeorge but am worried I'm going to hear the same from them. Partsouq is showing them unavailable and Amayama wants $110 in shipping...

Am I SOL or is there a way to search a national dealership database to see if anyone still has some in stock?

 

[poisedforflight]

McGeorge had front and rear 99 tall springs in stock and they're on their way.