3rd Gen RWD Strut Replacement

[tpierpoint]

I replaced the struts with quick struts and the front end sat almost 2" higher than the rear end. After realizing that the parts store gave me 4WD quick struts instead of struts for a RWD, I replaced with the new RWD quick struts. It still sat quite a bit higher.

I talked to a repair shop owner that had the same vehicle and he said that these 4Runners sat higher in the back right out of the factory? Is that true. I had never noticed this before changing the struts. If the rear end was lower, it was very little and not noticeable.

Also, he said that replacing the rear coil springs would not raise the rear end high enough to sit even with the front now and that I would need 1.5" spacers to raise the rear end high enough. Is this true? I'm sure the rear end is sagging and new coil springs should make it sit high enough, right?

Also, there appears to be a lot less brands that make a quick strut for the RWD than the 4WD. Monroe doesn't even make a quick strut for the RWD, but does for the 4WD. However, they appear to be the same size. Is there any difference?

I'm just looking for input from others that have experienced this since it seems like it might be a common problem.

Thanks in advance for tips and feedback.

 

[JZiggy]

I don’t think the RWD and 4WD struts should be very different. Your coil springs are sagged out. Just get some Moog replacements specified for a 1999 4Runner. That will boost it back where it needs to be. Should not have to worry about spacers.

 

[3bears]

first....a lot of those "quick struts" are junk in my opinion. they are either too stiff or like you are finding...making your rig sit wrong, not just on 4runners I have even seen them way too soft and sit low...but my experience has been stiff and tall. They are made kind of universal to fit many rigs.
ziggy is right on rear moog springs. ( 4wd 16 inch wheels) regardless of the year being put on...the 99's were set taller and even on most called a highlander model as they sat higher than any year 4runner from the factory. does not matter if 2wd or 4wd. they are also considered a cheap lift ( small...1 inch) on all 2wd or 4wd of other year stock 4runners...of course if running big heavy bumpers or a winch...thats a different ball game.

 

[jgue467]

Luck getting Toyota OEM '99 coils/shocks, I've received 1 of 4 units (only left rear) after waiting almost 3 months, still have lots of suspension parts to go, weird only some bushings come in while its partner is on backorder....bummed I may not get it running before hunting season starts in early Nov....

 

[phattyduck]

Adding the full 4WD system to my 2wd dropped the front end around 0.75-1" or so (with 2WD front springs/shocks). There will be a difference in both spring rate and damping between 2WD and 4WD front suspensions. The rear might have different OEM part numbers, but 2WD and 4WD parts will cross over just fine.

It will be a challenge to find quality OEM-height 2WD springs. Hopefully you didn't throw away your OEM parts. The answer is to just use quality front shocks and new top hats and keep your OEM springs (unless they were REALLY rusty or something).

The rear OEM springs do often sag, but mine ~5 years ago were still near stock height.

To get some real information on this thread... measure the center of the hub to your fender lip on all 4 corners and post it up here. The 'normal' height is around 20" for all but the later (01/02) years, though it did vary a bit each year from from '96-'00.

-Charlie

 

[ToyGuy]

Strut Replacement

I replaced my front struts, although I didn't replace the coil spring, just the shocks and now the front end sits 2" higher than the back. Doesn't look right!
Do you think I should replace the rear struts as well and this will bring it back to level. I don't do off-roading in the vehicle just in town commuting and it is 2WD but just looks off kilter. 99' Limited and still going strong. Advice would be appreciated.

 

[phattyduck]

I replaced my front struts, although I didn't replace the coil spring, just the shocks and now the front end sits 2" higher than the back. Doesn't look right!
Do you think I should replace the rear struts as well and this will bring it back to level. I don't do off-roading in the vehicle just in town commuting and it is 2WD but just looks off kilter. 99' Limited and still going strong. Advice would be appreciated.

What did you use for front shocks?

-Charlie

 

[brillo_76]

I am totally disappointed in the 99 rear springs. I bottom out way too much. I had them on less then 3 years...

Sent from my SM-A505U using Tapatalk

 

[phattyduck]

I am totally disappointed in the 99 rear springs. I bottom out way too much. I had them on less then 3 years...

All the OEM springs are too soft. They require the extra cone bumpers for support to increase the spring rate near the bottom of suspension travel (Toyota had a recall to add the cone bumpers to the early 3rd gens that were built without them). Stiffer/newer shocks help a bit too.

-Charlie

 

[shadow247]

I don’t think the RWD and 4WD struts should be very different. Your coil springs are sagged out. Just get some Moog replacements specified for a 1999 4Runner. That will boost it back where it needs to be. Should not have to worry about spacers.

I have been over and over this issue. My 3rd gen had Monroe Quick Struts on it when I acquired it back in 2020. I search high and low to figure out EXACTLy what springs were on these things. I was never able to get a straight answer.

The parts stores show the same Monroe Quick Strut across all makes and models. Near as I can figure, they are 99 Tall Springs, as they had me sitting about the same height on my 01 Limited 4WD as my 1999 SR5 4WD.

I swapped to OME 880s and Nitrocharger front shocks, and the front end actually sat LOWER, so these springs are WAY over rated for the truck. My truck rides so much better, but I did end up having to use a 1/8 top out spacer to get the truck leveled out.

OP could run 5th Gen Rear springs, that would bring him up to the same height as the Taller Springs he has in front, if he is wanting to stick with the Quick Struts in the front.

 

[tpierpoint]

To get some real information on this thread... measure the center of the hub to your fender lip on all 4 corners and post it up here. The 'normal' height is around 20" for all but the later (01/02) years, though it did vary a bit each year from from '96-'00.

The measurements are as follows:

• Front R - 22"
• Front L - 21.5"
• Rear R - 20"
• Rear L - 19.75"

With these measurements, it's fairly obvious that the new quick struts are making the front end sit higher. Also, I'm not sure that replacing the rear coil springs are necessary since the height is close to 20" on both sides, but may do so anyways.

At this point, I may go ahead and change to Moog quick struts in the front (since the ones I put on there are junk, China-made crap), and plan on putting 1.5" spacers on the rear coil springs. I'm sure the new Moog quick struts are going to make the front end sit higher, just like all the other quick struts. At least that's what I'm seeing. If the 'normal' height is around 20", then it looks like it will end up raising it around 1.5" in the front, which I will need to compensate for in the rear.

Does this sound reasonable and like it will not cause any problems?

Thanks!

 

[tpierpoint]

It will be a challenge to find quality OEM-height 2WD springs. Hopefully you didn't throw away your OEM parts. The answer is to just use quality front shocks and new top hats and keep your OEM springs (unless they were REALLY rusty or something).

Unfortunately, my mechanic did throw the OEM front springs away. DOH!!!Didn't think about all this.

 

[phattyduck]

Does this sound reasonable and like it will not cause any problems?

Thanks!

That height looks like you have "99 Tall" 4WD springs on a 2WD. 1" lift from the "99 Tall" and 3/4" lift from 4WD springs on a 2WD. Unless you want a front end lift (a 2" lift is reasonable, but you will have to get an alignment), you'll need to get 2WD springs on there.

If you are happy with the front end height, get bare front shocks - OEM, KYB, Bilstein 4600 or 5100, Tokico... and put the rest of the parts from your crappy quick struts on there. Moog will be junk as a shock too.

Your rear height at ~20" is not sagged, so be happy about that.

-Charlie

 

[FD7683]

Would grabbing a used set of OEM springs (preferably a complete shock from a salvaged 4Runner) and a nice quality shock absorber be an option for you? Shame that your mechanic threw away your factory springs. Matter of fact, you should call the shop and see if they can hunt down the springs if its not too late.

 

[tpierpoint]

That height looks like you have "99 Tall" 4WD springs on a 2WD. 1" lift from the "99 Tall" and 3/4" lift from 4WD springs on a 2WD. Unless you want a front end lift (a 2" lift is reasonable, but you will have to get an alignment), you'll need to get 2WD springs on there.

Are you referring to the front springs? If so, those crappy China-made quick struts were supposedly OEM for the 2WD, unless they are that crappy. I really do not want a 2" lift on the front. Also, my caster alignment cannot be adjusted because of being seized up. There is a slight right tire pull because of a negative camber and positive caster. This seemed to have gotten worse with the 2" lift in the front.

I would also like to note that my vehicle has 16" wheels. Does that change or clarify anything?

I really do not want any part of those crappy China-made quick struts on my vehicle. Would it be best at this point to try and find some decent OE front springs in a salvage yard, or will that be hard to find? Either that or see if the Toyota dealer can get the OE springs. Those will be so expensive, though.

Finding someone to put all this on may be hard to find, too. Most shops will not put on parts brought in by a customer. My independent mechanic recently moved out of town and I need to find someone to fix this mess. LOL

 

[tpierpoint]

Would grabbing a used set of OEM springs (preferably a complete shock from a salvaged 4Runner) and a nice quality shock absorber be an option for you? Shame that your mechanic threw away your factory springs. Matter of fact, you should call the shop and see if they can hunt down the springs if its not too late.

Yeah, I may have to do that if I can find a decent set of used OE strut assemblies.

The mechanic was actually a friend of mine that did a side-job for me. This was about 2 months ago and he just trashed them because I told him to. I didn't know any better. They are long gone. He's usually pretty keen on all this stuff. Not sure why he didn't talk me out of getting rid of them.

 

[phattyduck]

Are you referring to the front springs? If so, those crappy China-made quick struts were supposedly OEM for the 2WD, unless they are that crappy. I really do not want a 2" lift on the front. Also, my caster alignment cannot be adjusted because of being seized up. There is a slight right tire pull because of a negative camber and positive caster. This seemed to have gotten worse with the 2" lift in the front.

I would also like to note that my vehicle has 16" wheels. Does that change or clarify anything?

I really do not want any part of those crappy China-made quick struts on my vehicle. Would it be best at this point to try and find some decent OE front springs in a salvage yard, or will that be hard to find? Either that or see if the Toyota dealer can get the OE springs. Those will be so expensive, though.

Finding someone to put all this on may be hard to find, too. Most shops will not put on parts brought in by a customer. My independent mechanic recently moved out of town and I need to find someone to fix this mess. LOL

The quick strut applications are probably all lumped together at this point. From the factory, Toyota had a TON of different spring options (2WD, 4WD, auto, manual, V6, 4-cylinder, etc. with all the permutations thereof).

I'll have a set of 2WD springs I'll probably be taking off soon, finally (putting a which up front, finally too much weight for the 2WD springs to handle). Free if you pay shipping from California. They have been weighed down with all the 4WD parts for the last few years, but were still holding the truck up at 20" before the 4WD swap.

At that point, you can also get KYB top-hats and new front shocks from Rock Auto and have quality stuff up front. Swapping front shocks is fairly easy...

Then you'll have to deal with those seized adjusters so you don't eat your tires. That's much more of a shop / grinder issue...

-Charlie

 

[tpierpoint]

The quick strut applications are probably all lumped together at this point. From the factory, Toyota had a TON of different spring options (2WD, 4WD, auto, manual, V6, 4-cylinder, etc. with all the permutations thereof).

I'll have a set of 2WD springs I'll probably be taking off soon, finally (putting a which up front, finally too much weight for the 2WD springs to handle). Free if you pay shipping from California. They have been weighed down with all the 4WD parts for the last few years, but were still holding the truck up at 20" before the 4WD swap.

At that point, you can also get KYB top-hats and new front shocks from Rock Auto and have quality stuff up front. Swapping front shocks is fairly easy...

Then you'll have to deal with those seized adjusters so you don't eat your tires. That's much more of a shop / grinder issue...

-Charlie

First of all, thanks for offering to send me your springs. That's very thoughtful. I might have to take you up on that. :happy: It's either that or get some new MEVOTECH, LESJÖFORS or MOOG springs. These three match the OE part number for my VIN. Not sure which ones would be best. However, LESJÖFORS specifically says they will provide the correct spring rate, and ensure the vehicle sits at the correct ride height, for what it's worth. Do you have any knowledge about any of these springs?

Also, do you think your springs will hold my vehicle up at ~20" even with the load of your 4WD swap for the last few years?

One more thing...I need to get a camber/caster adjusting kit. Would you have any preference on which one to get? Looks like they're all about the same.

I'll be getting the KYB Gas-A-Just struts and mounts.

:thanks:

 

[Bad Luck]

One more thing...I need to get a camber/caster adjusting kit. Would you have any preference on which one to get? Looks like they're all about the same.

Why do you think you will need a camber/caster adjustment kit for your vehicle? Try getting an alignment at your final ride height first.

 

[tpierpoint]

Why do you think you will need a camber/caster adjustment kit for your vehicle? Try getting an alignment at your final ride height first.

My camber bolt adjustment is seized up. It's possible that my mechanic can use heat and penetrating oil, but would like to have the new parts on hand if he has to cut them off.