1999 4Runner ride height 2wd

[Rock Slide]

I own a '99 4Runner that came stock w/ the 28" tall tires, the 15" rims and the 3.90 gears. Another words, it looks like a lowered SUV. Anyway, I'm in the process of putting new 31" tires (265/70/16), buying the 16" rims that were common on the "Limited" and "4WD" models and installing 4.56 gears. When all is said and done, I'll have basically made it look like other 4Runners that came like this only stock (besides the gears).

Here's my question: The "Limited's" and "4WD" models that came stock w/ the 31" tires appear to have a higher ride height than mine that came w/ the 28" tall tires. How has the ride height been altered on these 2 different models? Meaning, it's not just the tires that give it the taller stance, could it have something to do w/ the suspension? Or am I just stupid and it has nothing to do w/ the suspension and all to do w/ the tires?

 

[lee]

could it have something to do w/ the suspension? Or am I just stupid and it has nothing to do w/ the suspension and all to do w/ the tires?

yes, 2wd's coils are lower. you can get 99 4wd springs, or you can get performance products lift springs. either one will put you up high enough.

 

[Rock Slide]

Lee, that would make since then that the coils are lower. You don't mean I need just rear longer ones do you? I need longer ones front and rear correct?

 

[Rock Slide]

I checked Performance Products and found these:

http://www.performanceproducts.com/...ce+Products+1+Inch+Lift+Springs&vehicle=27874

Middle of the page from the link above, shows a set of 4, front and rear, will run $369.95.

I know the rear coils are 1" longer than stock, being that is what I used to lift the rear end on my '95, so I'll assume the new front ones are 1" longer too.

So is that the only difference in the coils from a '99 2wd and 4wd, is 1" longer coils?

 

[Rock Slide]

Just got back from lunch. Stopped by a Toyota dealership where I can buy wholesale and I could get new factory ft and rr coil springs for a 4WD model for $300.00 total.

Now this vs. P.P for $370.00, does it make a diff. who I go with? Just curious if I should pay the extra $70 if P.P. coils are stronger and would last longer. Any suggestions?

 

[ebelen1]

Just got back from lunch. Stopped by a Toyota dealership where I can buy wholesale and I could get new factory ft and rr coil springs for a 4WD model for $300.00 total.

Now this vs. P.P for $370.00, does it make a diff. who I go with? Just curious if I should pay the extra $70 if P.P. coils are stronger and would last longer. Any suggestions?

Definitely go with the PP springs as they are made by H&R and are progressive. This means better handling.

If you want to buy 4x4 springs, why not try to get a used set? I bought a set of rear 4x4 springs for the same year for $50 shipped. I'm sure you can also get the fronts.

What I did on my 2WD '99 SR5 was buy a Revtek spacer lift. I wanted a taller stance and upgraded my shocks to Bilsteins b/c the OEM ones were bad. I also upgraded wheels to 16x8 and my tires are 265/75/16 (similar to factory but not exact).

I also have the 3.90 gears and will be upgrading soon to 4.56. I can still go 90 mph on the freeway but only on flat surfaces. There is a real struggle when there are any inclines with the 3.90's. When I regear, I'll also add a rear locker, probably a Detroit TT. The whole regear will run about $700.

Here's a pic:

 

[Rock Slide]

ebelen1,

I like your setup! If mine wasn't going to be a daily driver, I'd probably set mine up like yours, but I've got 2 other 4Runners that are already lifted. I just want to get my ride height equal to those '99 4WD models.

Yeah, I'm also looking at $700.00 for a complete re-gear install. ($400 for the r&p and all the other crap needed to install and then $300 for labor.) I can't wait!

My new toyota rims and 31" tires should be here next week and hopefully after I get those on, I can get the re-gear done very soon after.

I would've rather just bought a '99 4WD 4Runner already set up, but I got such a deal on this one I couldn't resist.

Thanks for the pic, looks good!

 

[lee]

h&r springs are waaaay better than stock. they are advertised as 1" but its more like 2" for a 4wd.. for you it will be closer to 3".

 

[ebelen1]

ebelen1,

I like your setup! If mine wasn't going to be a daily driver, I'd probably set mine up like yours, but I've got 2 other 4Runners that are already lifted. I just want to get my ride height equal to those '99 4WD models.

Yeah, I'm also looking at $700.00 for a complete re-gear install. ($400 for the r&p and all the other crap needed to install and then $300 for labor.) I can't wait!

My new toyota rims and 31" tires should be here next week and hopefully after I get those on, I can get the re-gear done very soon after.

I would've rather just bought a '99 4WD 4Runner already set up, but I got such a deal on this one I couldn't resist.

Thanks for the pic, looks good!

I don't think you need a regear for 31's. I had 31's before my upgrade and I didn't have any issues with power. Your regear sounds a little pricey as well. For $700, I can get the new gears, install and a locker. Well maybe a little more but not much.

 

[Rock Slide]

I don't think you need a regear for 31's. I had 31's before my upgrade and I didn't have any issues with power. Your regear sounds a little pricey as well. For $700, I can get the new gears, install and a locker. Well maybe a little more but not much.

Well from what I've heard from other guys who did the same setup, I'll have to regear. My 4Runner came stock w/ 28" tires, 15" rims and 3.90 gears. One guy said when he went from a 28" to a 31", it was equivalent of having 3.53 gears in his. He said he had a definite power loss. Who knows, I'll just have to wait and see how mine performs when I install the new 31's and 16" rims.

Well, a local 4x4 shop that usually has good prices has the complete Precision r&p and install kit for $400, tax included. That's the r&p of my choice. From what I've heard about this other guy who I had planned to do the gear install ($300), he came highly recommended as one of the best in Eastern Alabama.

Where are you located? There are not many guys around here who do gear work, so maybe that's why he can charge more.

 

[ebelen1]

Well from what I've heard from other guys who did the same setup, I'll have to regear. My 4Runner came stock w/ 28" tires, 15" rims and 3.90 gears. One guy said when he went from a 28" to a 31", it was equivalent of having 3.53 gears in his. He said he had a definite power loss. Who knows, I'll just have to wait and see how mine performs when I install the new 31's and 16" rims.

Well, a local 4x4 shop that usually has good prices has the complete Precision r&p and install kit for $400, tax included. That's the r&p of my choice. From what I've heard about this other guy who I had planned to do the gear install ($300), he came highly recommended as one of the best in Eastern Alabama.

Where are you located? There are not many guys around here who do gear work, so maybe that's why he can charge more.

I actually called to make the appointment today and the original quote was not a good one. Total cost on regear, including gears and master install kit is $620. Add any locker you want for free labor and they want $389 for a Detroit TT. For this price I'm now considering just a regular LSD (TRD made by Eaton) instead of the TT. So my original quote to you was off by $300. Sorry for the confusion. BTW, I live in California.

I would suggest trying the 31's first because mine w/ 32's is not bad, only on inclines. Flats I can still fly OK.

 

[Rock Slide]

Well that's understandable then on your price. I should have my 31s and new 16" rims installed this coming weekend. After a week or so, I'll post how the outcome is. I noticed you said you didn't have much of a power loss, are your factory gears 3.90? How about your gas milage, did it noticably decrease?

who knows, maybe I want have to upgrade my gears.

 

[ebelen1]

Well that's understandable then on your price. I should have my 31s and new 16" rims installed this coming weekend. After a week or so, I'll post how the outcome is. I noticed you said you didn't have much of a power loss, are your factory gears 3.90? How about your gas milage, did it noticably decrease?

who knows, maybe I want have to upgrade my gears.

I believe I have the factory 3.90s. I did have loss in power due to bigger tires and higher COG but not as bad as I initially thought. Once I turn off OD, I can rev higher and get more power on inclines. I didn't realize that OD held me back as much as I've driven manual mostly in the past. Other auto trannies I've driven didn't have an OD gear.

Now the big question is mpg. Without taking into consideration bigger tires and such, I'm getting 13-14 mpg. Before the lift, 17 mpg. I do a lot of street driving and when I baby the gas pedal, I may get an additional 1-2 mpg. Not worth babying the gas pedal IMHO. I just live w/ the lower gas mileage but really have fun driving the truck.

 

[Nixin]

What if you just got rear coil spacers? Maybe 1".....?

 

[Rock Slide]

What if you just got rear coil spacers? Maybe 1".....?

Well that might work, but I still have to get the ft end lifted too. I've noticed after driving my '95 that has Perf. Product Progrv. springs and Bilstein shocks, that I'll probably upgrade to the PPP springs and Bil. Shocks on my '99. The height and ride will be much better. It's a very stiff ride on my '99 right now compared to my '95.

 

[ebelen1]

Well that might work, but I still have to get the ft end lifted too. I've noticed after driving my '95 that has Perf. Product Progrv. springs and Bilstein shocks, that I'll probably upgrade to the PPP springs and Bil. Shocks on my '99. The height and ride will be much better. It's a very stiff ride on my '99 right now compared to my '95.

There's a ton of people that run the PP springs/Bilstein setup. I'm surprised though that your '99 ride is much stiffer than your PP/Bilstein setup. My Bilsteins on my '99 are much stiffer than stock but I like it this way. I don't get a ton of bounce if I hit a bump. In other words, the shock rebounds very quickly giving it an appearance of stiffness.

 

[Rock Slide]

I'm surprised though that your '99 ride is much stiffer than your PP/Bilstein setup. My Bilsteins on my '99 are much stiffer than stock but I like it this way.

I don't know what it is, but the PP/Bilstein setup on my '95 absorbs a ton of rough wheeling. Where as my '99 feels like I'm driving it down a set of stairs w/ no shocks. A prime example I experience everyday is just pulling out of my driveway. The gutter seperating my driveway and the street that was repaved is very low. So pulling out feels like I'm crossing a 2ft rut. In my '95 it absorbs the trench and slowly crawls through it. The '99 hits it, and it feels like the tire might just break off. Let's just say it's a very jarring ride when driving the '99. Who knows, maybe I just need new shocks on the '99. But heck, it only has 40k miles on it. Anyway, I plan to do the same setup when I've got some extra cash.