2WD 3rd Gen T4R Struts/Shock Confusion

W

WhiskeyRiver

Junior Member
Hello all! Greetings from Arkansas!

I'm a member of many other forums... Lesabre T-Type to Lincolns to Ranger pickups. So I'm forum savvy but just a greenhorn newbie here.

I recently acquired a 99 4Runner SR5. It's a 2WD and it's exactly what I wanted. Runs like a top, well maintained, garage kept all it's life and only 117K on the odometer. And it's black. Immaculate paint.

I have no intention of using it off road. Not even a dirt road. Frankly, this rig wouldn't know what a dirt road is. The underside looks almost as good as the very shiny top side.

I really have very few complaints. I didn't like the tires so I went shopping. Since this is going to be a grocery getter/hardware store gizmo hauler, I didn't want truck type tires. I found out in short order that I couldn't buy street/car tires I liked in the original 235/75/15 size. After a quick education snooping around here I purchased a practically new set of 17" FJ Cruiser wheels w/center caps and lug nuts from a tire shop in Oregon and installed a set of 225/65/17 Michelin Defenders. That tire size works out to almost exactly the circumference of the original equipment tire so it didn't upset the speedo.

Tires and wheels are great. And damn! They look great too!

Now, the gist of my question. I'm riding on the original struts/shocks. The ride is pretty rigid. I'd like it to be a little more... Supple. Good control but gentler.

So I'm shopping and I'm not too encouraged by what I'm finding. For example, Monroe quick struts are always listed as 4WD. I'm finding that most struts are listed for 4WD.

I've seen some forums that say they're all the same. Parts stores don't think so. What's the deal?

And... If you have a recommendation for a more supple ride, I'm all ears. I'm not afraid to spend some money on the old girl. I just don't want to spend it and feel like I wasted it.

I'm doing the Tacoma brake upgrade too. If there's something I should know about that... Being that it's 2WD vs the 4WD I see everyone doing the brake upgrade on... I'd appreciate a heads up on that too.

Thanks in advance!

WR
 
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WhiskeyRiver said:
Hello all! Greetings from Arkansas!

I'm a member of many other forums... Lesabre T-Type to Lincolns to Ranger pickups. So I'm forum savvy but just a greenhorn newbie here.

I recently acquired a 99 4Runner SR5. It's a 2WD and it's exactly what I wanted. Runs like a top, well maintained, garage kept all it's life and only 117K on the odometer. And it's black. Immaculate paint.

I have no intention of using it off road. Not even a dirt road. Frankly, this rig wouldn't know what a dirt road is. The underside looks almost as good as the very shiny top side.

I really have very few complaints. I didn't like the tires so I went shopping. Since this is going to be a grocery getter/hardware store gizmo hauler, I didn't want truck type tires. I found out in short order that I couldn't buy street/car tires I liked in the original 235/75/15 size. After a quick education snooping around here I purchased a practically new set of 17" FJ Cruiser wheels w/center caps and lug nuts from a tire shop in Oregon and installed a set of 225/65/17 Michelin Defenders. That tire size works out to almost exactly the circumference of the original equipment tire so it didn't upset the speedo.

Tires and wheels are great. And damn! They look great too!

Now, the gist of my question. I'm riding on the original struts/shocks. The ride is pretty rigid. I'd like it to be a little more... Supple. Good control but gentler.

So I'm shopping and I'm not too encouraged by what I'm finding. For example, Monroe quick struts are always listed as 4WD. I'm finding that most struts are listed for 4WD.

I've seen some forums that say they're all the same. Parts stores don't think so. What's the deal?

And... If you have a recommendation for a more supple ride, I'm all ears. I'm not afraid to spend some money on the old girl. I just don't want to spend it and feel like I wasted it.

I'm doing the Tacoma brake upgrade too. If there's something I should know about that... Being that it's 2WD vs the 4WD I see everyone doing the brake upgrade on... I'd appreciate a heads up on that too.

Thanks in advance!

WR
Click to expand...

in short, i purchased monroe rears and they fixed all my bottoming out and actually were quite a comofortable ride. my personal opinion is to ignore the fact it says 4wd. i then quickly turned and went, 500 miles later, to a 3 inch lift, which i recommend you do! just kidding, but not really. if you are stuck on no dirt roads, which is totally weird, i had NO complaints with the monroes. Some may argue differently but to each their own!
:welcome:
 
Thanks for that advice.

Definately not going to lift it. I like the way it looks. I did replace all the front lighting with new TYP stuff and PIAA bulbs. That looks real sharp now. Got LED '02 tails on order. That's all I'm doing. I think. I am somewhat enamored with Jason Burtman's rear euro spoiler. Still on the fence on that.

I'm having it serviced out with new hoses& belts, water pump/timing belt kit, trans flush and re-doing the brakes.

But when it's all done, it's just a pretty boulevard cruiser.

WR
 
when you can get some pics, post em up. I think you will have a real sharp ride sir! i have a water pump thermo and belt sitting in my office waiting, as well! i think you are right on with all those fixes and maintenance's. Again, dont be scared off from the monroes, but also there is nothing wrong with checking out other set-ups, which you already know.

Again pics, sometimes it is good to see a beautiful stock 3rd gen and let some of us reminisce
 
I'll get some pics in the next couple of days. It's sitting out in the driveway with a pretty hefty thunderstorm falling on it at the moment.

I'd almost air-ride the back of this thing. It's the back that's got the harshest ride.
 
I have some bilstien 4600s off my 02 sport 2-w/d, they have low miles. I will let them go for $150.00 + shipping.
 
I just did the Bilstein on my 01 and they are worth their weight in gold! Rides like a new truck now and makes driving in very pleasing:)
 
xspsi6 said:
I just did the Bilstein on my 01 and they are worth their weight in gold! Rides like a new truck now and makes driving in very pleasing:)
Click to expand...

This is just the kind of info I'm looking for.

I own two Lincoln Town Cars - A '99 that's my daily workhorse and an '03 that's a garage queen. Now, I know I can't expect the T4R to ride like these cars but at the very least it should ride as nice as the '92 Ranger pickup it's replacing. It's a LONG ways from a cushy ride. The Ranger had Monroe gasmatics on it. Cheap shock. Rode much nicer.

WR
 
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