Best shock setup for NO lift or little lift

[socal50]

Hi guys,

I'm not 18 anymore... I dont want to lift my 4runner. 1" or so OK no problem... but I just want a nice riding car. Right now, it's just way to soft. What can I do to stiffen the suspension up and improve the handling on and off road a little bit? I have done alot of reading, but it seems that everyone is looking for lift and MORE lift, that's just not me.

Also trying to not break the bank. I have considered buying 5100's all around, but I'm not sure if it's good to use them without a lift, I may be the only one doing this ever. Also considering Tundra TRD coils and stock shocks. Thanks for the advice in advance :blah:

 

[BigSlim]

I have KYB gas-a-just on my 97 and really like them and so has everyone else that has ridden in my t4r. It is not soft, and yet not harsh. They soak up road bumps really great and feel good on gravel and fire roads. As far as I know there is not lift on my rig. I am running 265/75-17 tires with this set up.

 

[socal50]

I like that TRD sticker.... I am concerned that if I just to shocks its going to still be pretty soft, I wanted to try to harden it up a little bit.

 

[Justin727]

I 2nd the KYB!

 

[mcaz5]

I like that TRD sticker.... I am concerned that if I just to shocks its going to still be pretty soft, I wanted to try to harden it up a little bit.

So are you looking to replace shocks and coils?

To my knowledge there are no replacement coils that are the same height with added stiffness. Are the coils the original ones? If so, that could be while they feel so soft. Has it sagged any? If so, you can read about that here. http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/48552-about-rear-sag.html

There are some OME 906 lift coils that offer 2" of height that are pretty stiff from what I hear. Other than that, I'm not sure if there are any stiffer coils that are smaller in height.

Edit:
Here's a thread that may be of interest if you are trying to replace the rear coils. http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/110650-fj-cruiser-rear-coils-2.html

 

[denvertoyota]

I just upgraded to the standard HD bilsteins. Excellent. Rides smooth, stiffer but smooth and absorbs bumps and the speed bumps like none other. Also, replace your sway bar bushings and sway bar end links. I used the Red poly style replacements, just make sure you grease them up really well before install. I am running 265/70/16 tires

The combination of these two upgrades, made my truck feel very solid, but very smooth and planted.

 

[T4R2014]

I would get OEM shocks if this is what you are after. I never tried the KYB's but I hear that Bilstein HD's and Tokico Trekmaster's are very stiff. The OEM's are made by Tokico but I'm pretty sure the valving is different.

 

[BrianSD_42]

I'm not 18 anymore... I dont want to lift my 4runner.

Hey grandpa just because you're old doesn't mean you are too cool for a lift.

It is possible to lift it without it looking ridiculous or high school like, just look through some build threads.

For you a stock suspension would be the best. Just buy stock parts.

 

[socal50]

Hey grandpa just because you're old doesn't mean you are too cool for a lift.

It is possible to lift it without it looking ridiculous or high school like, just look through some build threads.

For you a stock suspension would be the best. Just buy stock parts.

HAHA I was waiting for someone to say that... no grampa over here, but an uncle, yes!

Thanks for all the input here.

 

[tre9er]

I think the important thing for you is compressed shock length to pair with whatever spring you choose. There are mild OME lifts (ie. 880/906) that would be firmer than stock, just get a shock that's not too long in compressed form since the lift isn't much. You'd want to be in the 12-13" range for stock or a small lift.

I went with RC N2.0 for the rear, and while they're 13.89" and I'll only have a 1.5" lift, I plan to replace the frame bump stops to absorb prior to shock bottom...plus, I don't crawl, so I can't see stuffing a wheel anyway.

For your application these would still be too long, IMO. I'd go with an aftermarket shock like a KYB or Rancho, but I have no experience with the valving on these shocks. It sounds like you want a stiffer ride, though, so perhaps the OME shocks would pair nicely with their coils for you. They are the proper length for a mild lift.

 

[shadow247]

Go with Tundra shocks for the front. They are much stiffer and won't give you any lift. I am running them with stock 99 springs and a 3/4 top plate spacer. The front is nice and stiff and feels really planted in turns. Couple that with longer sway bar links from the rear of the 2nd gen bolted up in the front of your 3rd gen and you will have a nice stiff front.

For the rear. You could go with a 1.5 inch spacer, and any of the Land Cruiser shocks. Bilstein HD's are going to be the stiffest probably, but I am running 25 buck each Monroe's and they are plenty stiff.

 

[Spaceman33]

SoCal50,

I want what you want.

I replaced the stock shocks and kept the OEM springs. It definitely helped but right side seems a little bouncy over a road dip by my house.

denvertoyota - Did replacing the sway bar bushings make a big difference? That is in my list.

Perhaps tie rod ends and ball joints. I have 93K miles

 

[JMWeaver]

I have a 2001 Ltd, only had it about a month, and when I got it the rear was sagging slightly and was very bouncy.

I'm like you, I wanted to firm things up with minimal lift.

Here's the route I went and am very pleased...

Rear: OME 906 springs and Bilstein shocks

Front: Stock springs with ride-height adjustable Bilstein 5100's

The OME coils are perfect. The ride is comfortably firm/stable. They probably raised the rear about 1.5''-1.75''. The ride-height adjustable shocks up front alleviated what would have been too much front rake.

Installed everything myself, so if you have any questions feel free to hit me up.

 

[tre9er]

I have a 2001 Ltd, only had it about a month, and when I got it the rear was sagging slightly and was very bouncy.

I'm like you, I wanted to firm things up with minimal lift.

Here's the route I went and am very pleased...

Rear: OME 906 springs and Bilstein shocks

Front: Stock springs with ride-height adjustable Bilstein 5100's

The OME coils are perfect. The ride is comfortably firm/stable. They probably raised the rear about 1.5''-1.75''. The ride-height adjustable shocks up front alleviated what would have been too much front rake.

Installed everything myself, so if you have any questions feel free to hit me up.

This is the route I'm going, eventually, except for now I will be running RC N2.0's in the rear. The 5100's are my next purchase for suspension, then the 906's. In the meantime it's spacer in the rear for slight rake unloaded.