German Convert Joining The T4R!!

[Rainen]

Hey everyone just wanted to say hi and thank you for all these amazing posts I have emersed myself in the site checking things out and for the first project of the 4runner.

I am going to start with a picture I have a 2003 Limited with the Height Adjustment and from what I have read they can provide some pain to owners. I feel I might be one of them, adjusting it does not seem to work I hear a very faint "clunk" sound. I have read that you can take the 4runner to a stealership to get them to disable and return the ride height to normal. My question is this.... am I at normal already?

[/URL]

Uploaded with ImageShack.us[/IMG]
Shot of the back height I have Firestone 265 70 17 with 95% tread life with what looks to be 7.25 inch from the bottom of the wheel trim to the top of the tire. It just feels high to me I do not pull anything ie "boat, camper" so disabling it seems to my prime choice I live in alberta canada so winter driving with sand and salt and prove to be a strong adversary to sensors so if paying out 1000+$ and it will work for the rest of its life then sure i'll go with that but if its every 2 years I think i might just disable it. Any help would be amazing.

Thxs everyone I can hear my vwvortex friends turning in there graves right now. Go Toyota:lookout:

 

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

I've got a 03 running 255/75/17's which are taller than your 265/70's. All measurements will be from the top of the tire to the fender, just as you've done.
Ignition off-5.5"
Ignition on/normal-6"
Ignition on/high-7"
Since my tires are taller, I'd say your stuck on high. There have been several people in Canada who've had issues, and they've pulled the rear air suspension and have had coil springs put in its place. It requires a little fab work, but isn't too bad. Most any off road shop could do it. If you're interested, I'll dig up some links to info on the swap.

 

[Rainen]

Are there any negatives to running the 4runner stuck on high? Or would lifting the front a inch or two be another option. I will be leaving for holidays in 5 days so i don't think I can get it done before then so will driving it stuck on high be a problem? Or dangerous.

 

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

As far as I know, the only downside will be that the ride will be rough, but that's it. I've known people who've adjusted it so that the "normal" position was higher so it provided a little lift to match the front once leveled out. I don't see anything that'll hurt for a short amount of time.

 

[Rainen]

ok haha, short amount of time.... I will be putting 2000 km in the next 3 weeks should I push to get this fixed now or just baby it while i'm gone?

 

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

I'm no technician, but based on how I've seen it run you will be fine. I see it no different than lifting the rear with a spacer, the concept is the same, so no damage done.

 

[Rainen]

Awesome big relief. Got no worries now, thanks for the help ARK_SWAMP_RIDER i'm a little out of my element with trucks used to putting 20 pounds of boost into my BBM screw compressor to get all 4 tire of my syncro wagon to spin, and "lifting"??? in my world its called "lowering". I'm excited to spend countless hours on the 4runner and I can see your lift post coming handy very soon.

 

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

Good deal, glad to help. I would still advise getting it fixed (before I'd pay a tech to set it on normal, I'd swap out to rear coils). However, for the time being IMO it'll be just fine (even with several thousand km's) for a while. This thread is a good read if you'd consider swapping to coils, and also several guys in your neck of the woods who've made the switch. I'm not sure how far it is, but maybe the shop that did their work is close enough you can work something out. Here are a couple other threads worth reading:
Rear Air Suspension Problems
Auto leveling problem

 

[Rainen]

Cols thxs again for the help i think when I get back my brother in-law and I might tackle the lift issue and get it rocking with a new rear end and scrap the height control system.

Probably a simple answer for this question but.... why cant I put the girl up on the lift yank then sensors and put new ones in seem simple are they hidden inside a secret black box that toyota doesn't want anyone to see. Sensors in my past of german cars have been plug and play maybe the japanese are different.

Cheers