Anyone running Sonoran Steel 3.0?

[Qyota]

I'm seriously considering this kit. I don't need a lift for the driving I do, but I would like to maintain the '99 height, while replacing all components. My truck has OEM everything, and has 143,000 miles...so I just want to replace everything at once.

The kit, with new Toyota parts, Tokico trekmasters, and OEM/JDM '99 springs, fully assembled fronts is about $790 + shipping.

If I went all OEM, I assume it would be at least that much...plus I'd have to put the fronts together myself (can do it, would rather not have to).

Thoughts? Experience?

Thanks.

 

[004Gunner]

I've considered this one myself, but in the end I didn't want to shell out the money for a stock suspension setup. If I change out suspension components I try to upgrade everything. The big deterrent for me on this kit is the Toyota springs. All springs on 3rd gen runners are sub par imo. Even the 99s will start to sag. When I put brand new factory springs on front and back, the rear sagged immediately. Having 99s in the rear and say, 00s in the front would be a little better, but not worth the $$ imo

 

[smallfry]

I had it on my last 4runner and beat the crap out of it on a few trails. I had no compliants about. The ride on the road is good.

 

[CO_FlyFisher]

Based on the research I did, you won't find a better deal for '99 factory setup. The Trekmasters (with lifetime warranty) are a great shock. If I decide not to lift when I replace mine (likely at this point), this is what I will be buying.

If you don't like the '99 OEM/JDM springs, I think Steve at Sonoran Steel is willing to do other springs (OME for example) in this kit for only a minor cost difference. Check with him.

 

[Qyota]

FWIW- I haven't had any noticeable sag on my '99 springs. They are soft in the rear, though...especially with my small pop-up trailer on the hitch. Perhaps swap out the rear springs for some OME 906s? Not sure how those would work with the trekmasters, which as far as I know are not designed for any amount of lift.

 

[jacob7071]

I have it on my truck and I really like it. Of course, I have an '02 2wd, so I got the full 2.5" of lift. I just about wet my pants the first time I saw it installed. The ride is nicer just because they're new shocks. I've only got aout 5-6K miles on the springs, but the rear still looks a little high. It hasn't bothered me though because it's still new and I think they'll sag a little bit.

 

[LaserBeam]

Jacob --

do you have any pics of your truck with the SS 3.0? I have an '01 4wd that I am considering putting the 3.0 and the 7.2 kit on. I only drive on the road and on the beach so I don't think I need a serious wheeling kit.

 

[Soap]

Yes, I would love to see some pictures as well. I was researching this for my 2WD 02 Sport and stumbled on this thread. Pictures would surely help me decide.

EDIT: Are you here in the Houston area?

 

[CajunRunner]

SS 3.0 is good up front, but needs more in the rear

I installed the SS 3.0 system last month on my 97 4WD. I gained 3/4" in the front and only 1/4" in the rear. I'm very happy with the front. It rides much better with the new TrekMasters and 99 model springs. I'm hoping the modest lift won't impact the longevity of my CV joints and boots. :driving:

Here are my stock and SS 3.0 front shocks/springs.


In the rear I notice better damping with the new shocks, but the springs are essentially the same as I was running before...Toyota must have put 99 model springs (or something close) in it when I did the factory recall years ago. I'm considering different springs/shocks for the rear since I ride around with a 100 lb subwoofer box in the back and the kids are getting heavier every month. Looks great when nothing's in it, but the rear leaves something to be desired when it's loaded down. :ybrick:

Here are my stock and SS 3.0 rear springs. After the new ones have been compressed for 10 years, they'll probably look just like my old ones...but I won't wait that long to upgrade the rear again.


Here is my rig after the 3.0 install. Not too shabby, but another full inch of lift at the rear is what I need to make it look and ride better.

 

[Soap]

Thanks for posting the pics. I really think this is the system I will end up going with, My 02 is a 2WD model so I really think I am going to like the system once installed. Shooting for end of the year for this as that is when I plan to purchase new tires as well. Thanks

 

[Qyota]

I'm torn! I want the SS 3.0 front end, but want a slightly higher rear.

 

[Soap]

I was thinking that the SS 3.0 would still have a slight rake (back end higher)?

 

[XJeepguy]

X2 . I have 153,000 miles on mine , still sits as level and sturdy as it did when I bought it . In fact , with the few T4R friends I have locally , no one has had to replace the factory springs yet .

I had it on my last 4runner and beat the crap out of it on a few trails. I had no compliants about. The ride on the road is good.

 

[jacob7071]

Yes, I would love to see some pictures as well. I was researching this for my 2WD 02 Sport and stumbled on this thread. Pictures would surely help me decide.

EDIT: Are you here in the Houston area?

Galleria area. I'm at 59 and 610 in Houston. I can spit on the freeway from my apt.

Here's before and after pics. Before is completely stock except for the grille guard. Then I added SS 3.0, 265/75 tires, and removed the running boards.

Qyota, if you're looking for a higher rear end, mine has a slight rake. The 3.0 kit for 2wd comes with rubber spacers about 2" thick to go on the rear springs. The place where I had the lift installed forgot to put those on, so the truck looked like it was sagging. I took it back to have them fix it, and now the rear sits slightly higher.

 

[Soap]

Cool, thanks for the pics. Great looking ride, same color as mine. I work right by Reliant Stadium on Holly Hall but live in Kingwood (59 North)

EDIT: Looking at the pics again your lift sure looks a ton higher than Cajuns' even though you guys have the same setup I believe??

 

[fenrisx]

Looking at the pics again your lift sure looks a ton higher than Cajuns' even though you guys have the same setup I believe??

I think it looks like that mainly because Cajun still has running boards on.

 

[bulger22]

Would the front suspension from System 3.0 look good with OME 891's? Or would that be too much of a rake? I don't see how that would be too bad of a setup personally. You would have about 2 inches of rake in the rear at most right?

Anybody have that as a setup?

 

[CajunRunner]

I think it looks like that mainly because Cajun still has running boards on.

Yep, that and I'm still riding on P265/70s.

With SS 3.0, ground to front fender flare = 35 1/4"


With SS 3.0, ground to rear fender flare = 35"

 

[Duhockey]

Yep, that and I'm still riding on P265/70s.

With SS 3.0, ground to front fender flare = 35 1/4"
View attachment 30499

With SS 3.0, ground to rear fender flare = 35"
View attachment 30500

so basically, the SS 3.0 is pretty much stock replacement??

 

[Soap]

It must be the angle of the pictures as well. I do plan on still running my 265/70 wheels. Thanks for the pictures guys.