Front coil spring question

[ToolUser1]

I'm still struggling with the handling on my '11 trail edition non-KDSS - nose dive and body roll are driving me nuts. Much worse than the 3rd gen it replaced. It's only got ~65k on the clock so not a lot of miles. I added poly sway bar bushings and Bilstein 5100s, front & rear, a few months back and it's better but not great. I get used to it during the winter, but starting in the spring I drive other cars more and when I get back behind the wheel of the 4Runner every few days I realize I just really don't like how soft the suspension is.

So now rather then dropping a giant wad of cash for a GX or Landcruiser - both of which handle circles around my 4Runner - I'd like to try one last time on the suspension. I'm thinking a front spring upgrade, but I've searched quite a bit and can't find the stock spring compression weight. I've seen aftermarket 600lb, 650lb, 700lb etc. but can't find what a stock Trail edition is. Any ideas what it is? And are all stock 5th gen springs equal or would something like new TRD Pro springs be stiffer? I'd like to keep the stock height if possible, maybe 1/2" higher just to level it a bit.

I also looked for stiffer sway bars as a possible low dollar upgrade so if anyone has ideas on that as well I'd be interested.

Any ideas appreciated,

Thanks

 

[MossJenks]

Dobinson's has a variety of spring weights and heights.

Sway bars would reduce body roll at the expense of independence but wouldn't do anything for the nose dive. If you really want to sharped it up you want stiffer springs - I don't think any stock spring choice is going to cut it.

 

[Crikeymike]

Stock spring rate is like 500-520. This spring here would be good for you, without lifting much.

C59-238 - Stock front end, low height lift, 0.75-1.0" lift. 375/375mm, 17mm wire, 586LB rate

Put that on the struts you own already.

 

[Kamalani Mahie]

non-KDSS

There's one problem. I have KDSS and even when my 4runner was stock I had almost zero body roll. Still had nose dive; I upgraded to Bilstein 6112's with 600 lb springs and it's pretty much gone. So those coils that [MENTION=148378]Dobinsons Mike[/MENTION] mentioned in the above post will probably help out.

 

[ToolUser1]

Thanks for the suggestions - a front spring upgrade from Dobinsons seems like it might be worth trying as long as it doesn't lift the front more than even with the rear.

I'll give them a call tomorrow just to confirm since it doesn't seem like the suggested part number is a match for the 2011 4runner.

And if there was a beefier sway bar anyone knows about I'd be interested in that as well. I know it reduces articulation but I only need that a fractional percentage of the time, and swapping them out only takes a few minutes. Seems like a good trade for better handling the rest of the time.

 

[RIZZOSHARP]

There's one problem. I have KDSS and even when my 4runner was stock I had almost zero body roll. Still had nose dive; I upgraded to Bilstein 6112's with 600 lb springs and it's pretty much gone. So those coils that [MENTION=148378]Dobinsons Mike[/MENTION] mentioned in the above post will probably help out.

It’s kind of amazing how much difference the KDSS makes. In the end I’m glad I got it on mine.

 

[PCRIDE4RUNNERORG]

Thanks for the suggestions - a front spring upgrade from Dobinsons seems like it might be worth trying as long as it doesn't lift the front more than even with the rear.

I'll give them a call tomorrow just to confirm since it doesn't seem like the suggested part number is a match for the 2011 4runner.

And if there was a beefier sway bar anyone knows about I'd be interested in that as well. I know it reduces articulation but I only need that a fractional percentage of the time, and swapping them out only takes a few minutes. Seems like a good trade for better handling the rest of the time.

yes the part numbers don't match, however try this.

C59-599 - Stock rear end, 1" to 1.5" lift (keeps rear end low, allowing to level the vehicle rake with 2" front lift). 390/390mm, 17mm wire, 220LB
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/235263-dobinsons-suspension-4th-gen-options.html



https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06XRSLMPZ

 

[CF_Machete]

How resourceful are you too wise? I have a pair of 7 clip bilstien 6112s that I installed with the bilstien bushings and washers and kyb upper shock mounts.

to make a long story short, I should have used the kyb bushings & washers, and messed up the bilstein bushings and stem threads.

So if you clean up the threads with a tap and die & install the right bushings and washers... which have, you can have a stiff, nose dive free setup thats essentially an adjustable pro suspension for pretty cheap. PM me if your interested.

Why didn't I do this myself? I was between jobs when I noticed an issue. Then I got a job paying substantially more and went with an Icon font end.