4 runner GuRU Help! Suspension HP!

[pain777]

Hi Guys, yes I am spanky new to the froum. By no means to 4 runners as I have been a car dealer for 15 years. So, I bought this 01 Blk 175k 4 runner sr5 loaded. This truck has never been touched painted or dinged and it has zero rust anywhere, u could lick under the doors. Its amazing!!

So question
1. It road floatish so it needed shocks, did that, rides good but still not very stiff, to soft for me. What should i do? if springs are the answer which ones should I put in?

2. The only thing thats not perfect on the truck is th epower antena. Whats my options besided factory.

3. When I hot a bump the steering wheel will shake side to side a little bit. Is there a stabalizer shock that could need replaced?

4. Finally, HP I want more HP. Chip? How do they work? Anybody done one? Intake I'm sure helps but other then supercharging it whats bet to do?

This 4 runner is so perfect i'm gonna keep it for myself! Its unbelievable so any help would be so appreciated!! Thanks Aaron :girl:

 

[downpour11]

Check out OME 883's for the front and 891's for the rear. You can find them at toyteclifts.com - they also sell some real nice coilovers. Also search for the Taco Whip Mod regarding your antenna. My antenna has broke in my past (3) third gens lol...

 

[A.Wilson013]

Check out the last page of the link I n my signature for pics of the Tacoma whip. I love it.

 

[brian2sun]

1. It road floatish so it needed shocks, did that, rides good but still not very stiff, to soft for me. What should i do? if springs are the answer which ones should I put in?

What coils to get depends on if you want to lift it or not. There's a sticky at the top of the 3rd gen page for lift info and also a maintenance sticky that tells you all the things to look out for and when to replace stuff. Those should get you started.

2. The only thing thats not perfect on the truck is th epower antena. Whats my options besided factory.

Taco whip mod like the other said is your best option. If you just get another factory power antenna it will likely break again before long. Very common problem. Mine hasn't worked in years.

3. When I hot a bump the steering wheel will shake side to side a little bit. Is there a stabalizer shock that could need replaced?

This could be a variety of things, but we don't have a steering stabilizer on our 4runners. That symptom is usually associated with worn inner tie rods or excessive play in the steering rack bushings (both of which can be checked). Lower ball joints are a known issue and can be very dangerous when they break so I would definitely inspect yours. I would replace them every 100K or so also.

To check for steering rack bushing play, get on one knee and look under there while you rock the steering wheel back and forth. If the rack itself moves at all, the bushings are shot.

To check the tie rods, lift the front tires separately and skake them side to side. If there is a lot of play then they are likely worn out. The outers you can see, but the inners have a boot over them so you'll have to slip that off or just feel for play. It'll be pretty obvious if they inners have a lot of play and that's what my first guess is for your steering wheel shake/recovery after bumps.

To check the ball joints, shake the tire from top to bottom while it's up in the air. Play in the BJs is a sign they are bad, but they can still be worn and not have any play that you can feel. That's why I think it's just best to replace them every 100K. The upper BJs don't see the stress that the lowers do and aren't a common issue.

4. Finally, HP I want more HP. Chip? How do they work? Anybody done one? Intake I'm sure helps but other then supercharging it whats bet to do?

I don't know of anyone having any real success with chips in our trucks. That doesn't mean that people don't, but it's not a big mod in the 4runner world like it is in many other car and truck worlds. You can do the deckplate and ISR mods, but in all reality they don't add any real power either. They just make the engine louder so it sounds like you're going faster. The SC is really the best option for more power out of a 3.4 IMO.

This 4 runner is so perfect i'm gonna keep it for myself! Its unbelievable so any help would be so appreciated!! Thanks Aaron :girl:

Welcome to the group! I typed my thoughts in red^^.

 

[Singtoe]

Hi Guys, yes I am spanky new to the froum. By no means to 4 runners as I have been a car dealer for 15 years. So, I bought this 01 Blk 175k 4 runner sr5 loaded. This truck has never been touched painted or dinged and it has zero rust anywhere, u could lick under the doors. Its amazing!!


So question
1. It road floatish so it needed shocks, did that, rides good but still not very stiff, to soft for me. What should i do? if springs are the answer which ones should I put in?

2. The only thing thats not perfect on the truck is th epower antena. Whats my options besided factory.

3. When I hot a bump the steering wheel will shake side to side a little bit. Is there a stabalizer shock that could need replaced?

4. Finally, HP I want more HP. Chip? How do they work? Anybody done one? Intake I'm sure helps but other then supercharging it whats bet to do?

This 4 runner is so perfect i'm gonna keep it for myself! Its unbelievable so any help would be so appreciated!! Thanks Aaron :girl:

If it is an SR5 then its not loaded. The limited's were loaded.

1) They put weaker springs in the 2001 and 2002 models to lower the vehicle. I find that the floatish feeling is it bottoming on the rubber nubbers. Retrofit 99 springs and struts (The year when 4runners were the tallest) and your ride will be the way it is supposed to be.
2) Buy an antenna mast off ebay for $20 and fix the old one. Super easy and some what cheaper.
3) Replacing the springs will solve your bumping steering problem.
4) There is not much you can do to improve horsepower with the exception of a Supercharger ( A little Expensive). No chip exist and Exhaust, intake, headers are very marginal at the best.

 

[ChildrenOfBodom]

You guys really use your antennas that much?

I replaced mine with a new power mast and it's probably only ever been up once or twice... it's always always always retracted.

 

[Singtoe]

You guys really use your antennas that much?

I replaced mine with a new power mast and it's probably only ever been up once or twice... it's always always always retracted.

I put a switch on mine, so i can make it go up or down when i want. For the most part, I keep my antenna about 6"- catches all the local channels clearly. When I drive out of range, I use the switch to adjust the antenna so that more of it sticks up.

When i go off roading, i go ahead and retract the antenna even though my radio is still on.

 

[hogester]

I put a switch on mine, so i can make it go up or down when i want. For the most part, I keep my antenna about 6"- catches all the local channels clearly. When I drive out of range, I use the switch to adjust the antenna so that more of it sticks up.

When i go off roading, i go ahead and retract the antenna even though my radio is still on.

This is what ive been meaning to do...Mine still has the original and works just fine. But it sucks that i have to keep my music off while off roading so a tree doesnt snag it.

 

[Tomsriv]

My 0.02

1. I run Monroe Reflex shocks, I've had them the last 100,000 miles and it handles like a sports car. Its cheaper and easier than doing springs.

2. Get a non-power antenna from a base model.

 

[pain777]

touched

LOL! Thanks guys so much! I'm getting emotional! LOl! Lots of help. The front end is tight as a rock ball joints etc.. So i dont think that causes that little steering wiggle side to side when hitting a bump. The floatish feeling in the rear sucks, I just put new shocks all the way around and its much much better. I just want a stiffer sporty ride! No float and whip feeling! I dont want to lift it! Just stiffer sport ride! So idk what springs to get to insure money and time not wasted and be happy?

 

[pain777]

So, What kind of springs should I buy to make it ride like a sport utility and NOT a fricking 1985 caprice classic wagon with bad shocks. I hate hate!!! The flipping whippy rear feel it has.. Again, I put new shocks in and its a lot better but I need it to ride stiff like a truck should.. OMG, I could only imagine how it would be If I actually towed somethuing with it! LOL!!!

 

[Tomsriv]

I bet a parts guy would know more about spring rates and that sort of thing. I'm not sure which variation of these between Tacoma, T100 and 4runner had the stiffest springs. If it were me I would upgrade the sway bars first. Or "Stabilizer bar" as Toyota calls it. I recall a company called Addco that made oversize ones for all kinds of cars, might have just been American, but you might look them up.

 

[Volley]

LOL! Thanks guys so much! I'm getting emotional! LOl! Lots of help. The front end is tight as a rock ball joints etc.. So i dont think that causes that little steering wiggle side to side when hitting a bump. The floatish feeling in the rear sucks, I just put new shocks all the way around and its much much better. I just want a stiffer sporty ride! No float and whip feeling! I dont want to lift it! Just stiffer sport ride! So idk what springs to get to insure money and time not wasted and be happy?

Check your steering rack guide. Cheap and quick job. Helped my Runner tremendously.