Calling all you Suspension/Spring Gurus

[2002_thundercloud]

I need some spring advice… I’ve read post after post until my eyes crossed and because most of the posts center around those of you who are doing some type of lift, much of the info is hard to apply to my specific case.

My 2002 Limited 4WD has 80,000 miles. I recently replaced the rear shocks with Bilstein HD’s (a nice and noticeable improvement) and will replace the fronts with the same. It sits perfectly level but the rear springs feel softer than I remember on my 2000 SR5 4WD. On less than smooth roads it feels like it is bobbing up and down off of the big rubber center spring (not the axle stop). Visually there is very little axle travel before the spring seat contacts the rubber spring. It’s like the spring is a bit too soft and the rubber spring is too hard. I have a feeling slightly more spring rate or spring height would eliminate most of that bobbing feeling from the rear. And just because… I will replace the front springs while I am replacing the front shocks.

All that to say I need some advice/recommendations for: 1.) Front springs that are generally the same rate and height, a very slight increase in either is o.k. 2.) Rear springs that are just slightly higher in rate and/or height. My thought being that the ride and drivability will improve if I can keep the axle from contacting the rubber center spring so frequently. It’s a daily driver 80% of the time so I would like to retain a decent unloaded ride. I don’t mind a minor increase in ride height or spring rate, as long as the rear remains level or just slightly higher than the front.

Thanks for any advice you have.

 

[DH4Runner]

I'm sure you will hear 1) '99 model tall springs all around and 2) OME 880 or 881 in front and OME 906 in the rear.

Good luck

 

[fenrisx]

I can't say since I've never used the shocks you're using, or ran 99 talls... so just for reference here are the part #'s for the tall springs if you decide to go that route.

FR Springs - Blue / Yellow (48131-35400)
FL Springs - Blue / Pink (48131 - 35350)
REAR Sprigs - Yellow / Red (48231 - 35210)

 

[J-money$$$]

that rubber cone is a bump stop not a spring. when that contacts its called bottoming out.... YOUR SPRINGS ARE SHOT

 

[jrm]

My experince

with the rear 99 talls was that, with the HDs they were really soft. I replaced um with 906s and the rides great. I think the 880s provide .25" more lift then the 99 tall fronts and there cheaper if your buying new. :infidel:

 

[2002_thundercloud]

Pulling the trigger....

So after all the reading... I think I'm going with:

FRONT - OME 880 / Bilstein HD 24-187244
REAR - OME 906 / Bilstein HD 24-024518

I'm hoping this will firm up my ride just a bit over stock and give me just a little lift, but I don't want it to look "lifted". I also want it to sit level or just slightly higher in the rear. I'd love to hear from those that have used this combination of f/r springs on their ride, even if you didn't choose the bilsteins. Are you happy with the setup? Would you change anything?

Regarding the big rubber cone thing in the center of the rear springs. Seems like some of the pics I've seen posted by guys doing lifts do not show it. Is it part of the spring seat? For those who have replaced their rear springs... did you leave the large cone in the spring seat? Someone mentioned it was a bump-stop. The square block slightly outward of the spring is what I'd call a bump-stop. This cone-thing may act kind of like a bump-stop, but it also compresses like a spring when the steel springs compress enough to contact it. Do all 3rd gen 4Runners have that cone?

 

[blcktpgsr]

I am by no means a Suspension Guru:biggrin2: but others have called it spring cone isolators or bump stops and AFAIK will cater you approx. another 3/8 - 1/2" of rear lift.

I'm pretty sure all 3rd Gens came with them, some lifted truck owners choose to leave them in for the extra free lift(I did), some didn't. All depending on the front vs. rear suspension set up and how you want your truck to sit. Metal to metal contact is the other issue associated without it and from what I read- feels more like the springs are shifting during articulation,(e.g. over bumps etc...)causing some clanging noise.....enough to bother some!

Bottom is that 1/2" of extra lift is very negligible and if your the type that loads up your cargo, then that's another bonus.

 

[twitchee2]

Those center cones are as far as i know the "overload" springs and the actual bump stops are on the frame.

as other have suggested 880 or 881 front with 906 or 890 rears would be great for you. if your looking for closer to 99ish height, 880s+ 906 would be a good bet.

 

[jksmyers]

with the rear 99 talls was that, with the HDs they were really soft. I replaced um with 906s and the rides great. I think the 880s provide .25" more lift then the 99 tall fronts and there cheaper if your buying new. :infidel:

I'm also trying to decide between OME 880/906 and 99's all around. I'm surprised to hear that OME's are cheaper. That just made my decision for me.