Giving my 4runner to my wife

[tomzapf]

We're going to have a baby in a few months. Currently I have a black 2000 4runner limited with original suspention, rides kind of rough, no other issues, change oil regularly, transfer case, ront and rar diffs, need to get the spark plugs done too. its got 155k miles, already changed timing belt and water pump at 90. I would like to lower it a little and set it up with a car like suspension so that its not to rigid for her nor the baby. Will suspension from the 4cyl 4run work? Has anyone done anything like this yet? I know this is a truck meant to be out in the elements, It had its share of climbs, descends and fun trips, unfurtunatly she has a 2 door civic, would work well with the baby seat and I have a 4 door truck, whoch would work much better with the baby. Please give me some advice as time's approaching quickly. thanks.

 

[JohnsD90]

Buy 01 or 02 coils, but i am confused as to how the ride height makes a difference, i find it much easier to put kids in my 4runner than my dad's lowered jetta. Unless it is for looks i don't forsee a reason to lower the truck.

 

[fightman80]

Buy 01 or 02 coils, but i am confused as to how the ride height makes a difference, i find it much easier to put kids in my 4runner than my dad's lowered jetta. Unless it is for looks i don't forsee a reason to lower the truck.

2X on this, I find it easier to load my daughters into my Truck than my car....car is an 04 Impala....so both are roomy...

 

[fenrisx]

I'm sure his wife isn't as tall as we are, and it would probably be easier for her if the ride height wasn't as high.

 

[cj80cruiser]

I'm sure his wife isn't as tall as we are, and it would probably be easier for her if it were a few inches shorter.

What woman has ever said that??? lol

 

[fenrisx]

fixed.

 

[MAD 69]

Instead of chopping and lowering the 4Runner just sell it and get a mini-van. That would be a hell of a lot easier but I would just put new stock OEM shocks on the Runner - I believe they are called Tokico shocks, that should soften the ride for a mom and newborn.

 

[fenrisx]

Just make sure you get the OEM Tokicos, and not the Tokico TrekMaster RT's.. as those won't soften anything up.. make it a little stiffer feeling if anything.

Maybe one of the Monroe shock offerings will provide a softer ride. Then grab some of the shorter 2002 coils.

 

[Bandit Runner]

I have a set of rear coils from my '02 with about 65,000 miles on them. I'll sell them to you cheap. PM me if interested.

 

[quicksilvr]

High quality shocks are going to do TONS for your ride quality. I would actually recommend Bilstein shocks with some 2002 springs. The OEM Tokico's wouldn't be a bad choice either...but the Bilsteins will last forever.


If you take the 4runner to a reliable shop to have the work done, you could ask them for the softest riding shock they sell. Hopefully you are talking to an intelligent humanoid when you ask this question, and they will actually get you their best soft riding shocks. You'll just have to use your judgement as to the intelligence of the person/place you are ordering from.

 

[chris360hawks]

Probably new shocks all the way around would be the easiest and cheapest thing to do.

 

[hdoggie24]

i too am looking for a soft shock specifically for street use. i've been hearing either the stock tokico shocks or possibly monroe sensatracs. anybody have any ideas about the monroes? im planning to put them on with 99 coils for a lil extra clearance tho.

 

[sawtooth3]

we have a 17th month old boy riding on the original stock shocks, only 86K miles on the T4R though. Tell you what, the baby doesn't notice a thing, likes the high up ride actually, always looking around and yelling out stuff. This work is all for the spouse. Which makes it doubly important, I know that. If it were me, I'd just have her practice getting the little one through the back door, and leave things be. I emphasize the safety aspects of the truck for protecting the baby, and that has gone over pretty well. (The new shocks isn't a bad idea either, if you want to do that.)

 

[dd210]

I have the monroe sensatracs and I think they ride like crap a little bit better then my stock shocks I had on with 215k miles but not by much.

 

[THEREALTOR1]

As others have posted, maybe try some monroe sensatracs to make the ride a little smoother. Buy Bandits 02 coils or get a set of theseBurtman Industries and maybe look into replacing the front and rear sway bars with addco's to tighten up the steering response Toyota 4Runner Sway Bars

 

[makakio]

When the OEM shocks on ours died at 90k mile I swapped in Monroe Sensamatics. At 165k they're done. Don't go that route - just get the OEM setup: cheaper and they're made to work with the OEM spring rates.

Putting a baby (now finally big enough to do her own belts at 4yo) into the 4Runner is waaaaay easier than my 3 series. Kids LIKE a bouncy ride. And it puts them to sleep, yo.

 

[NorcalChris]

IMO, i wouldnt change the shocks or ride height. It way easier to load a child into a truck than a car, especially a volvo... i still stoop a little when loading my 4 year old into the 4runner. Also, just remember, kids are growing and changing and are adaptable. to me, its not worth all that work when they will just get use to the ride....and like makakio said, the bouncy ride mellows them out....