Scramble
New member
How are you liking the Trekmasters with the 906's?
But all of the cool people are doing it.
.
Last edited:
3rd Gen Specific shocks all around
- Thread starter Cuco
- Start date
How are you liking the Trekmasters with the 906's?
But all of the cool people are doing it.
.
PatrickStapler
New member
Confused On Shocks
I am new to 4Runners and need some guidance on shocks. MY truck recently starting wobbling while driving down the highway. After some reading here it sounds as thought the main culprit might be the rear lower control arm bushings. However, after speaking with the PO, he never changed the shocks on the truck...250K miles. So I'm thinking it might be time to do so.
Based on the VIN and warranty sticker, my '99 4Runner came with 15" wheels and P225/75R15 tires. However, the PO installed larger 16" wheels with I believe P265/75R16 tires. When I looked at OEM shocks online, they listed two different shocks/struts. So I m confused as to which to buy. After reading this thread, I'm thinking I should buy another brand like Bilsteins. I run those on my '66 Mustang GT and I am very happy with them. I also looked at the Shox.com page and they list several different packages for these vehicles...so I'm still confused. I don't believe anything has been changed suspension wise on my vehicle. I don't really do any off-roading...just around town street driving.
Thoughts??? Suggestions...
I am new to 4Runners and need some guidance on shocks. MY truck recently starting wobbling while driving down the highway. After some reading here it sounds as thought the main culprit might be the rear lower control arm bushings. However, after speaking with the PO, he never changed the shocks on the truck...250K miles. So I'm thinking it might be time to do so.
Based on the VIN and warranty sticker, my '99 4Runner came with 15" wheels and P225/75R15 tires. However, the PO installed larger 16" wheels with I believe P265/75R16 tires. When I looked at OEM shocks online, they listed two different shocks/struts. So I m confused as to which to buy. After reading this thread, I'm thinking I should buy another brand like Bilsteins. I run those on my '66 Mustang GT and I am very happy with them. I also looked at the Shox.com page and they list several different packages for these vehicles...so I'm still confused. I don't believe anything has been changed suspension wise on my vehicle. I don't really do any off-roading...just around town street driving.
Thoughts??? Suggestions...
Scramble
New member
What do you mean by wobbling? Your front wheels? Please check your LBJ's. They can fail if not replaced when showing a little play. Hell they can fail without any play! I wouldn't even drive it until you can confirm the lower ball joint isn't coming apart. The wheel can fall right off your truck. Consensus on this forum is that LBJ's should be replaced with OEM ONLY no Moog or other cheap crap, every 100K miles.
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/149467-official-lower-ball-joint-write-up-thread.html
If wobbling is not the correct term then we can talk about other parts that need to be addressed.
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phattyduck
Elite Member
The door tag on most (maybe all) 3rd gen 4Runners says 225/75R16 whether or not it had the factory 16" wheels.
Unless your speedometer is way off (reading slower by >10% compared to GPS), you have a factory 16" truck.
-Charlie
PatrickStapler
New member
Scramble, by wobbling I mean the entire body will start to sway side to side like rocking motion if you were sitting on a large exercise ball in the gym. I'll check the LBJ's. My guess is they have never been changed. Do you have to replace the entire LCA on these or just the BJ? Bolt in or rivet in?
Phattyduck, Good to know on the wheels and tires. I have actually checked the speedo against my GPS and it is pretty close...within 1-2MPH.
Phattyduck, Good to know on the wheels and tires. I have actually checked the speedo against my GPS and it is pretty close...within 1-2MPH.
PatrickStapler
New member
Shocks
So any recommendations on shocks? I verified with the PO that he never replaced them. He did buy the truck used, but I believe it was relatively new when he bought it. So I guessing they are OEM.
So any recommendations on shocks? I verified with the PO that he never replaced them. He did buy the truck used, but I believe it was relatively new when he bought it. So I guessing they are OEM.
phattyduck
Elite Member
Its all in what you want. Stock type ride? Get OEM, Bilstein 4600's, or some of the other suggestions on this thread.
Next level up is Bilstein 5100 for a mild lift (if you want) with matched rear springs if you choose to lift.
There are tons of other choices up from there, full adjustable coilovers, etc.
-Charlie
PatrickStapler
New member
Shocks
I don't need any of that. Just a good solid shock. I have Bilsteins on my '66 Mustang GT and love them. I just didn't know which ones to get for this or OEM.
Thanks for your guidance.
I don't need any of that. Just a good solid shock. I have Bilsteins on my '66 Mustang GT and love them. I just didn't know which ones to get for this or OEM.
Thanks for your guidance.
Scramble
New member
Please change them. Just the LBJ, it's 4 bolts - no chiseling off the rivit's like the old days. LOL see the link I provided above.
I'd start with replacing your shocks & springs. Get springs from a 99 4x4 4runner & the stock shocks & it should ride like a dream.
I order all of my OEM parts from here, free shipping on order's over $150.
https://parts.camelbacktoyota.com/partlocator/index.cfm?siteid=214329
Definitely start reading older suspension threads. There's a ton of info to read & it can be overwhelming with all of the things that can make these trucks vibrate when they get old. Since you seem like a car guy with that 66 Mustang so I'm sure you can handle it. If the shocks & springs dont fix your issue we can look into the bushings for front LCA's & rear upper & lower control arms, even the track bar
octanejunkie
Elite Member
If you have 250K miles on the clock, and nothing has been updated or maintained, you should plan on doing the entire front end. Then, as [MENTION=7105]Scramble[/MENTION] says, it will ride like a dream regardless of what shocks and springs you put on it. The suspension bushings make a yuge difference and the old ones are old and very likely need to be replaced; if not now, very soon.
Here is the order I would recommend:
LBJs
--
LCA bushings
Sway Bar bushings
End links (or just end link bushings)
Steering Rack bushings
--
ITREs
OTREs
UCA bushings
UBJ
Also, if your radiator is brown with hairline cracks running through it, replace that as well. The OEM Denso rad is $120 at camelback (link above)
You can do shocks and springs anytime but the items above are both safety and handling critical items that should not be ignored favoring shocks and springs.
Luck and drop some 'stang pics!
T4R2014
Elite Member
Oh yes, that's definitely rear LCA bushings. That sway can get very violent. Check the current LBJ condition. If you see grease built up around the boot then it's likely in need of replacing. I wouldn't call it urgent since the sway is from something else.
PatrickStapler
New member
Wow...thanks for the input guys and the parts link too. I had been buying some parts from toyotapartsdeal or something like that. BTW, that earlier pic is scary. Ill be checking over everything this weekend for sure now...
PatrickStapler
New member
Mustang Pic
Requested photo...
Requested photo...
GeoFlory
Junior Member
A good question. Originally my '98 was sagging a bit in the back, and with four guys in the vehicle, it would slam the bump stops at every little bump in the road. Upon checking into it, I found the following:
"The (Technical Service Bulletin) TSB SU002-98/or new recall addresses the rough ride with people in the back seat or a heavy load in the rear. It applies to 96 through early 98 4Runners. The TSB replaces the original rear coil springs with shorter, stiffer coils, adds a hollow rubber inner spring, and replaces the original long bump stop with a shorter unit. Toyota will do this for free if you have any remaining on the 3 year/36000 mile warranty, were part of the class action law suit concerned with this issue, or you responded to a survey form sent out by Toyota and answered the survey stating that you were unhappy with the ride and that you also frequently had rear passengers or frequently carried heavy loads. This fix is now a RECALL so it's free for everyone now." [That was for a limited time only.]
My '98 had missed the recall, so I purchased the upgrade kit from Toyota except for the springs; I wasn't convinced that their replacement springs would deliver the full rated payload for the vehicle. Apparently it varies, but the 2906 springs lifted my '98 by 1.25 inches and went from a sagging rear to a slight rake. I never discerned any problem with the front and kept the OEM springs. While some may like lifted vehicles, I just wanted a normal ride height capable of full GVWR. It changed my original wimpy suspension into a real SUV which hauled all the lumber to build a large house addition, hauled trailers and took the boat to the lake, and didn't embarrass me when all the guys piled in to go somewhere. I have since traded it in on a 2007 V8 4WD Sport Edition to give me 7000 lb towing capacity and more payload. The OEM suspension on the '07 appears to be fine as it is.
Shocks struts
I replaced all 4 corners last April 2022 on my 2002 SR5 RWD with KYB.
Model KG9025 front 565002 rear. The ride is about the same as previous, I'm now sure what was replaced, I think OEM w/190K miles.
Anyway my concern is that the housings on the new parts are starting to rust. Pics are from Jan 2023 after about 9 months in Southern California, no snow/salt or even much rain. Is this normal?
The ones I replaced were leaking fluid but not rusty.
I replaced all 4 corners last April 2022 on my 2002 SR5 RWD with KYB.
Model KG9025 front 565002 rear. The ride is about the same as previous, I'm now sure what was replaced, I think OEM w/190K miles.
Anyway my concern is that the housings on the new parts are starting to rust. Pics are from Jan 2023 after about 9 months in Southern California, no snow/salt or even much rain. Is this normal?
The ones I replaced were leaking fluid but not rusty.
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JoeT4R
Senior Member
Looks like surface rust to me but I wouldn't worry too terribly much. It's probably just a cheaper metal to produce. If it gets bad then I'd start to get really concerned. It does seem a tad bit strange though.
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Spiker Engineering
official vendor
I had the same rust with KYB's in sunny southern CA after only about 6 months. It was just surface rust, but looked terrible, so I sold them on Ebay and bought some Dobinsons. KYB must use the world's cheapest paint, I can't imagine how they look after a few months in the rust belt.
