ANOTHER Shock and Lift Question

Racer_X

New member
First off, I'm sorry for asking this question and I did do a search and read the info but there is SO MUCH info and it doesn't necessarily address what I'm looking for.

Second, thanks for reading (and hopefully offering advice). It really is appreciated.

Now the meat: I have a '99 4Runner Limited with 210k and the shocks are shot. As long as I'm replacing the shocks, I might as well lift it...just a bit, maybe 2"-3" max (this is just our weekend toy but we don't want to go crazy with the suspension or mods). When we use it, it mostly is to go 4 wheeling but we don't do anything too insane, just offroading in the Sierras usually looking for ghost towns, old mines, or just looking. Eventually we would like to change the front bumper and add a wench but after reading too much it looks like this can be a slippery slope...and we don't want to spend several thousand on a weekend toy with 210k on it ($400+/shocks, $400+/springs, $300+ wench, $600+/bumper, plus misc parts, diff drop, top hats, ect...quick math = $2000+ just to get started).

The short list is just to replace the shocks with Bilstein 5100's front and rear (approx $350 from Wheelers) but should I go ahead and replace the springs too? The rear currently has some droop (even though 99's don't get droop, just ask Toyota). If I do need springs, I'm thinking of the TRD Tundra coils front and OME 906 rear (seems the most popular choice). I already have new lower ball joints that I'm going to replace when I do the shocks and I've already replaced the radiator (to prevent trans cooler failure), is there anything else you would suggest addressing? What are your thoughts? Don't mean to ask stupid nubie questions, but at least I'm willing to own it. Again, sorry and thanks.
 
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Sounds like you got it figured out in your last paragraph! Good choice.

Also:

Wench?

wench-costumes.jpg


Or winch?

warn_winch.jpg




I prefer the wench though.
 
good info. im planning on lifting mine a couple inches soon as well. btw i prefer the wench too. i wonder what my wife would say if i brought that home lol.
 
I would replace the springs. I've got a '99 and the springs were good and settled at 100k. I replaced my '99 coils with 881's and 906's and Tokico Trekmaster shocks. A couple months ago (after something like 4 years of use) one of the front Trekmasters locked up on me. I replaced all the Trekamsters with 5100's and am liking them.

I have the front Tundra 5100's set at the second, from the bottom, step along with a small toytec spacer. I ran the spacer for several reasons. For one I had it on there before so I had longer studs in the top cap. Another reason is that I was shooting for the 3rd from the bottom step and could not get the strut installed at that setting. The second setting left me lower than I was with the Trekamsters so in they went.

My rear setup has Airlift bags and an OME 10mm spacer. With no air in the bags the 4Runner sits level, even with people. With gear in the back it starts to squat so I put air in the bags if I care. If I didn't have the bags and spacers I'd be running the 890 OME coils.

Taller coils and 5100's are used in Soronan Steel lifts. Check out his site and see what other changes/components he specs and read about the reasons why. Things like extended brake lines, bump stops, longer panhard bar, etc. They aren't required but it will work better and be better in the long run.

For what I've been reading here the desired Tundra TRD coils are hard to find.
 
You are going to want to go ahead and change the springs too. New shocks will help the ride tremendously, but your coils have lost a lot of spring over the years and miles (especially the rears). My current 4runner had 200,000 on the springs and my previous 99 4wd had 184,000 on it and the rears coils felt dead even after new shocks.
 
Thanks to everyone for the help. Looks like shocks and springs for me. I'll get the OME front springs as well.

One other thing, I AM (eventually) getting a WENCH and I'll be mounting her hard and firmly on the front (replacement) bumper (if the wife wants to help me do it, that's fine too).
 
I'm in the same boat as you. My tundra front billies and rear ome 906 are going in this Saturday. I will use the front stock coils in the front. I plan on setting the front coil in the second notch from the bottom.

In the bilstein shock. It says the second notch will give you. 1.3" of lift. So i may have it in the 3rd notch. I would buy the one front. But heard it maybe too stiff. Tundra coils are a heafty fee. So i have to hold off. Ill measure the spring and shock stroke. When they are apart. Then ill determine to have the front in the 3rd or 2nd setting. Ideally you want the shock piston to be in the middle of the sanction for the shocks maximum plushness. I guess ill have to wait until Saturday.
 

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