Brand new 4Runner owner

[The Desert Rat]

Just bought my son a 1995 4Runner today for his first vehicle. I am a long time off roader but have owned nothing but full size rigs including a 90 Bronco, 2 74 Blazers, 76 Blazer, 78 F150, 07 F150, etc. I've always liked the 4Runner and I figured it would be a good rig for him to start with. I do have a couple of items that I need to address though.

1. One of the running boards end caps is missing. Sources? I am thinking Pick N' Pull might be my best bet unless there is a company like LMC but for Toyota trucks out there.

2. The 4Runner didn't come with a roof rack. I can install a stock one and I did see a thread on it somewhere. Anybody else yank one off of another rig and install it on a 4Runner that never came with one? Again, I am thinking about obtaining one from the junk yard just don't know about the install.

3. The truck has butt sag. The rear end is a bit lower than the front, which is a pretty common sight. Fixes?

Glad to be aboard this new forum and thanks for any help I can get. I've been searching the forums and have read a few good threads so far.

 

[mikedks]

Welcome...and I will be the first to say, Search(again) and you shall find...

 

[blrider2001]

remove the running boards they get hung up on things and looks better without them.

 

[Geolander]

remove the running boards they get hung up on things and looks better without them.

YMMV on this one. I originally planned to remove the running boards on mine, but found that I needed them to get to my bike rack. They also help reduce wear on the sides of the seats (sliding in and out). If it's going to be strictly for wheeling, then yeah, pull the running boards. If it's going to be a daily driver, it's up to personal preference. If your son is tall, for example, then he probably won't need them.

For your questions:

Check the For Sale section for part-outs. I'm pretty sure ruskymx still has his up there, and he's got all the end caps besides the rear driver side one.

I don't know anything about roof racks, but I've seen quite a few threads on the same topic.

For the butt sag, there's several routes you can take. If you want to keep stock height, the only real option are the Moog CC255 springs. If you want to lift, you have tons of options, though the most popular seem to be Land Cruiser coils (get them used) or Old Man Emu 900/901 (med. duty/heavy duty). The LC coils will give variable amounts of lift - I've seen people report anywhere from 3-6 inches. OMEs will give about 2-3.

 

[SUBTEGRAL]

Rear-end sag -- either install new leaf springs or install an add-a-leaf kit ..

 

[Hyde802]

Rear-end sag -- either install new leaf springs or install an add-a-leaf kit ..

2nd gens have coil springs with a 4 link in the rear. No leaf springs.

 

[The Desert Rat]

Thanks for the replies. I have searched on each of these topics and found quite a few posts but I still had questions. I would love to see some close up pics of somebody who has a moon roof and the stock rack on top. I plan on a Pick N' Pull run next weekend to see if I can score a rack from a similar rig. I've searched and it may exist but is there a how to thread anywhere with pics on installing a stock roof rack on a rig without one? I did find a thread but the pics are gone or it didn't have any, I can't remember.

On the springs, I was looking at the Moog variable rate CC255 coil springs on Summit Racing. I am content to bring it back to level and am not looking for any lift. Between those coils and new shocks all the way around, can I assume that the rear end will come back up to level? While my boy is learning to drive the missus will have to drive part of the time and a higher rig with no running boards would put me in the dog house. She wouldn't drive our Expedition, never drove my Bronco, and won't drive either of my F150's, new or old. I think the 4Runner is just small enough that she will endure it. She has her talents but driving isn't one of them.

 

[Geolander]

Thanks for the replies. I have searched on each of these topics and found quite a few posts but I still had questions. I would love to see some close up pics of somebody who has a moon roof and the stock rack on top. I plan on a Pick N' Pull run next weekend to see if I can score a rack from a similar rig. I've searched and it may exist but is there a how to thread anywhere with pics on installing a stock roof rack on a rig without one? I did find a thread but the pics are gone or it didn't have any, I can't remember.

On the springs, I was looking at the Moog variable rate CC255 coil springs on Summit Racing. I am content to bring it back to level and am not looking for any lift. Between those coils and new shocks all the way around, can I assume that the rear end will come back up to level? While my boy is learning to drive the missus will have to drive part of the time and a higher rig with no running boards would put me in the dog house. She wouldn't drive our Expedition, never drove my Bronco, and won't drive either of my F150's, new or old. I think the 4Runner is just small enough that she will endure it. She has her talents but driving isn't one of them.

Mine has a moon roof and the stock rack, so I'll see if I can get you a picture tomorrow.

The Moogs are your only option as far as stock height springs go. For shocks, you have plenty of options. Pretty sure KYB makes the stock shocks (can't remember which model). Mine currently has KYB Gas-a-Just up front and (I think) Gabriels in the rear from the previous owner, so either of those should work as well. Highest quality are probably going to be either Bilstein or Old Man Emu (OME). Once I muster the courage (and tools) to do a shock install myself, I'm putting in the OMEs. The model numbers you want for those are N98 (front) and N72F (rear). And yes, you should be back to level with new shocks and the Moogs.

 

[Geolander]

Ok, got you some pictures. Let me know if you need any more.

Not sure how visible it will be, but there are screws directly through the roof rack into the roof itself about every foot along the sides of the rack. The rack appears to have holes pre-drilled for this.

 

[The Desert Rat]

Excellent pics, thank you much. I ordered up a set of the Moog rear variable coils today along with four Bilstein shocks. I am hoping that sets me back level. I will see if I can scrounge up a stock rack from a junk yard 4Runner and then I will just have to install it. Will I need a drill to get the rivets out of a factory setup or is it bolts? I found this thread: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/classic-t4rs/82007-installing-factory-roof-rack-95-4runner.html but I wish it had pics.

 

[Geolander]

Not sure; mine looks like it just has Phillips screws holding it down. Haven't tried taking it off though, so I'm not sure if there's anything else.

 

[The Desert Rat]

Looks like the stock setup uses those rivnuts as well. This means I should be able to just unscrew one from the junkyard and haul it home.

 

[Geolander]

Looks like it. From the other install thread, it sounds like you'll have to buy your own new Rivnuts for the installation though. They didn't sound very removable.

 

[Idrv2yotas]

check Performance Products® – Performance Parts and Accessories. for toyota trucks for a taller coil springs. I replaced mine and sits 1.5 inch higher.

 

[The Desert Rat]

I ordered up a set of Moog progressive springs for the rear. I don't want it to exceed stock height, just return it to level and supposedly the Moog springs accomplish this. As for the rivnuts, I think that is how the factory installs the roof racks so I can unscrew the rack but I will have to drill my own holes and install my own rivnuts. I was going to hit the import dismantler yards today but the weather is turning ugly.

 

[willis_bud2]

Not to de-rail but what did the Bilstein's run you? I need to replace as well I've just been checking prices for the last two weeks or so. I don't know if you know this or not but the "summit" brand coil springs are the MOOG brand with summit's sticker slapped on them. Check the part numbers. They were a WHOPPING 10 bucks cheaper.

 

[The Desert Rat]

Usually I go for shockwarehouse.com but in this case, I tried a new vendor as they were cheaper and had the newer model numbers listed. I first went to the Bilstein website to get my exact shock numbers. Then I checked Summit Racing and Shockwarehouse.com and others. Summit Racing had the newer part numbers but were more expensive. Shockwarehouse was listing the old part numbers and the rears were not matching the Bilstein site. I found the cheapest price at autopartsnetwork.com. The shocks were $69.56 a each front and back and the Moog springs were $86.12. I have the shocks but the Moogs are still on their way. Summit and Shockwarehouse wanted to charge shipping but autopartsnetwork was free shipping. In the end, I paid $354.39 for four shocks and a pair of Moog progressive rate rear springs.