Ballin' on a budget.

[MCObray]

All my free money went to my other hobby (Wakesurfing) for the year, but I so desire to correct my saggy rear end. I like having a small rake, due to carrying gear all summer. I like to get out as much as possible, pending the lake and work. My Runner sits close to level, but as stated, I'd like to sit a little bit higher in the rear than the front. My options as I have been pondering:
1. OME 906 rear coils. These might end up giving more lift than needed (2"), but being a light duty coils, they would probably end up sagging with repeat loads in the rear. I have read that I would be okay on stock shocks for the time being.
2. 99 Tall Coils. It appears that individuals end up seeking about 1" lift in the rear, which is probably what I am looking for. Question is, are there any sources that have these in new condition? Or ould used condition be my only option?
3. Spacer/10mm trim packer. This seems like the easiest, cheapest route to go. Would the 10mm trim packer boost the rear enough to tell the difference?

I'm all about "do it once, do it right", "buy once, cry once", but looks as if a budget will have to hold me over for the year. I plan on replacing the suspension in the coming year or so (OME Coils/Bilstein shocks), but for now I'd like a solution for the rear. Stock suspension is fine, and rides good IMO. If anyone has any suggestions, feel free to add to the conversation. Thanks.

Relatively flat ground:

'00 Toyota 4Runner Highlander. by Bucky Images, on Flickr

 

[Hepar]

Great looking rig. What do you want out of it? Just a little height? Keep the stock ride?

And I love wakesurfing too! I grew up wakeboarding, but that has become WAY too hard on the body. The surfy surf is sooooo nice and chill.

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/U2l46v9UhRw" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[MCObray]

Great looking rig. What do you want out of it? Just a little height? Keep the stock ride?

And I love wakesurfing too! I grew up wakeboarding, but that has become WAY too hard on the body. The surfy surf is sooooo nice and chill.

Great looking rig. What do you want out of it? Just a little height? Keep the stock ride?

And I love wakesurfing too! I grew up wakeboarding, but that has become WAY too hard on the body. The surfy surf is sooooo nice and chill.

Thanks Hepar. I just want about .5"-1" in the rear, to offset when it loaded down for trips to the Lake, as well as convenience when loaded with gear when off-road. I don't mind the ride the stock suspension is giving me right now, quite smooth actually, but just want the rear to sit a tad bit higher.

Wakesurfing is a blast. Everyone, regardless of age, height, width, weight, etc. can do it. I tried Wakeboarding, but got discourage because my girlfriend was repeatedly kicking my ass in it lol. And I hate, HATE that video. What idiot would do that with a $70K boat... Someone was hiding the bow though.

And since you threw in a video, here is my response.
<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/pzRfo5a7Geo" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[Hepar]

Thanks Hepar. I just want about .5"-1" in the rear, to offset when it loaded down for trips to the Lake, as well as convenience when loaded with gear when off-road. I don't mind the ride the stock suspension is giving me right now, quite smooth actually, but just want the rear to sit a tad bit higher.

Wakesurfing is a blast. Everyone, regardless of age, height, width, weight, etc. can do it. I tried Wakeboarding, but got discourage because my girlfriend was repeatedly kicking my ass in it lol. And I hate, HATE that video. What idiot would do that with a $70K boat... Someone was hiding the bow though.

I wouldn't go spacers then. They will put your rear springs under more load and they're already 13+ years old.

Lol. I really dig that video. I figured someone was under the deck but also figured they're only going 8-9, so someone from the other boat could just as easily jumped onto it if the rider fell. We used to wakesurf WAY back in the day with two boats driving side by each. This was long before the advent of V-drive boats.

 

[MCObray]

I wouldn't go spacers then. They will put your rear springs under more load and they're already 13+ years old.

Lol. I really dig that video. I figured someone was under the deck but also figured they're only going 8-9, so someone from the other boat could just as easily jumped onto it if the rider fell. We used to wakesurf WAY back in the day with two boats driving side by each. This was long before the advent of V-drive boats.

Good point. Sometimes it is easily lost in translation how old these Runners are. I think my next best bet would be '99 Tall Coils for the rear, but my only concern is that they are going to be just as old, or in the same condition as my current coils.

P5 does awesome vids. Yeah, ghost riding the whip for no apparent reason will get you in doo-doo pretty quick, but I suppose that's what friends riding side-by-side are for. Nothing like a spinning prop feet away from you, as well as a mouthful of exhaust fumes.

 

[Hepar]

Nothing like a spinning prop feet away from you, as well as a mouthful of exhaust fumes.

They were still ski boats, so inboard engines.

 

[MCObray]

They were still ski boats, so inboard engines.

Even better! From the inboards, to V-Drives slammed with 3000+ lbs of ballast. Oh how technology has advance in the recent years.

 

[BigFishAllDay]

I've wakeboarded... once.

MCObray, I'd say that if it's just a temporary setup, you should go with the 1.5" spacer from Daystar.

Daystar KT09107BK Comfort Ride 1.5" Lift Rear Coil Spring Spacer Kit : Amazon.com : Automotive

I put a set of those on my Wife's 2000 (on stock coils) to take care of the saggy butt. They worked out great.

Before:

After:

 

[MCObray]

I've wakeboarded... once.

MCObray, I'd say that if it's just a temporary setup, you should go with the 1.5" spacer from Daystar.

Daystar KT09107BK Comfort Ride 1.5" Lift Rear Coil Spring Spacer Kit : Amazon.com : Automotive

I put a set of those on my Wife's 2000 (on stock coils) to take care of the saggy butt. They worked out great.

Before:

After:

I'm intrigued. It really does seem easiest way to get the rear to where I want it to be. I'll have to double check the rear coil springs and make sure that they are not rusting away/cracking. If they are in good condition, it might be something I am willing to try. The OME 906 would be a good fit, but when I end up pursuing the suspension components I want, the 906 wouldn't do it. I'm looking at OME 881/890, with OME shocks in the front and Bilstein 5100s in the rear. Decisions, decisions. What tire size are those in the after picture? I only see this a temporary solution for less than a year at tops.

 

[BigFishAllDay]

245/75r16 BFG A/T KO's in the first pic, and 265/70r16 Yokohama Geolandars in the second pic. These two tire sizes are within 2% of each other with respect to O.D.

We've had those spacers on her 4Runner for well over a year. Because the factory springs were already well settled, they haven't gone down any more. The spacers don't preload the coil at all, so they don't contribute to accelerated sag when used in the rear. The stock rear springs have a rate of about 160lbs/in. To get them to sag 1.5 inches, you'd have to load 480lbs in the back of your 4Runner, at which point it would sit where it does now.

The way I see it, you can buy the 906's now for $160-ish... use them for a year and sell them for $100-125.

Or... You can buy the spacers for $40... use them for a year, and sell them for $30.

Tie up less money over the course of the year, and lose less when you sell them on the used market.

 

[Brian757]

Man, I miss my 5 Stars. They look great and one the best looking OE wheels Toyota produced back in the day for us.

 

[cj80cruiser]

Rear spacers don't preload the springs like they do on the front. Id go with the spacers for sure.

 

[Hepar]

Even better! From the inboards, to V-Drives slammed with 3000+ lbs of ballast. Oh how technology has advance in the recent years.

Lol. We still had close to that in ballast in them between fat sacks and lead bars. Pretty sure we were over the load capacity before one person was on the boat.

Rear spacers don't preload the springs like they do on the front. Id go with the spacers for sure.

I stand corrected!

 

[MCObray]

245/75r16 BFG A/T KO's in the first pic, and 265/70r16 Yokohama Geolandars in the second pic. These two tire sizes are within 2% of each other with respect to O.D.

We've had those spacers on her 4Runner for well over a year. Because the factory springs were already well settled, they haven't gone down any more. The spacers don't preload the coil at all, so they don't contribute to accelerated sag when used in the rear. The stock rear springs have a rate of about 160lbs/in. To get them to sag 1.5 inches, you'd have to load 480lbs in the back of your 4Runner, at which point it would sit where it does now.

The way I see it, you can buy the 906's now for $160-ish... use them for a year and sell them for $100-125.

Or... You can buy the spacers for $40... use them for a year, and sell them for $30.

Tie up less money over the course of the year, and lose less when you sell them on the used market.

Some good information here. I think I might go the rear spacer route for the time being. Cost effective, as well providing the results that I seek. Thanks [MENTION=44220]BigFishAllDay[/MENTION]. One last question, Is the front completely stock?

Man, I miss my 5 Stars. They look great and one the best looking OE wheels Toyota produced back in the day for us.

Love these wheels! The only other wheels I would contemplate are; Stock steel wheels that come on the spares, but I'm not a fan of the extra weight that comes with them. FJ80 wheels. Nonetheless the 5 stars are here to stay as these are my favorite wheels.

Rear spacers don't preload the springs like they do on the front. Id go with the spacers for sure.

Thanks for the information. Good stuff!

Lol. We still had close to that in ballast in them between fat sacks and lead bars. Pretty sure we were over the load capacity before one person was on the boat.

I stand corrected!

Oh wow. I can only imagine how many times ya'll took some water over the bow. Your rub rails must have been in the water.

 

[Hepar]

Oh wow. I can only imagine how many times ya'll took some water over the bow. Your rub rails must have been in the water.

Surprisingly very little. We had it well spaced with most of it in the rear. And we knew it's limitations and didn't drive it like jackasses when it was loaded that much.

 

[BigFishAllDay]

Some good information here. I think I might go the rear spacer route for the time being. Cost effective, as well providing the results that I seek. Thanks [MENTION=44220]BigFishAllDay[/MENTION]. One last question, Is the front completely stock?

The only thing that was changed at the front was new shocks. I put Bilstien HD's at all four corners (Yellow/Blue, 4600 series), and 231mm Tundra Brakes.