Hey all I’m thinking I’m going to need to upgrade suspension on my 2001. I plan on installing the ARB front bumper with a winch soon. I also keep my RTT (≈150lbs) up top in the rear plus keep my camping gear loaded in the back most the time. Issue is I live in the city and park in garages frequently. Currently I sit at 6’8” with the RTT, and I’m trying to keep it about that height. Trying to find front/rear suspension that will support that weight without adding much or any height to the vehicle. Most of what I’ve seen adds at least 2” lift. I’ve seen Bilstien 4600s and 906’s suggested but not sure. Any suggestions for keeping it close to stock height?
Heavy Duty Suspension w/ No Lift
- Thread starter slothy49
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shadow247
New member
906 is about right for an OEM height. I have 906 in the rear with Airlift bags to compensate when I load up heavy for camping. I don't have an RTT, but it doesn't sag at all with a rack on the back with a 200lb rear axle assembly. I definitely need to air up the bags when towing a travel trailers with 300lbs or more of tongue weight.
For the front, 880 will be too light, 881s might be the sweet spot.
I agree with what shadow247 recommended above. I would go with Bilstein 5100's (or any other front shock with multiple perches) over Bilstein 4600's in case you need to get a little more lift out of whatever front springs you go with. To fine tune your rear height you can add trim packers as needed.
JoeT4R
Senior Member
Agreed with both of the above. For the rear you have some options for sure. I had 5100's in the rear and they lasted me about 110K miles. I could've gone longer, but they were leaking and giving a harsh and bouncy ride. I went over to Tokico shocks for the rear and they are riding great, cannot recommend them enough.
There's a lot of info in this thread: 3rd Gen 4Runner Lift Information and FAQ's - Toyota 4Runner Forum - Largest 4Runner Forum
It may help get you started on what kind of options you have and might clear up some confusion on what direction you want to take your truck with.
There's a lot of info in this thread: 3rd Gen 4Runner Lift Information and FAQ's - Toyota 4Runner Forum - Largest 4Runner Forum
It may help get you started on what kind of options you have and might clear up some confusion on what direction you want to take your truck with.
phattyduck
Elite Member
5th gen front and rear springs plus airbags in the back should keep you around stock height with that weight. They are a bit stiffer to handle the pig that is the 5th gen (compared to the 3rd gen, that is).
5100's are a good choice for shocks.
My wife likes to drive my 4Runner into parking garages when I have the roof box or antennas on top... so I feel you.
-Charlie
5100's are a good choice for shocks.
My wife likes to drive my 4Runner into parking garages when I have the roof box or antennas on top... so I feel you.
-Charlie
shadow247
New member
The only problem I have with 5th gen springs is the Free Length. They are significantly shorter than the OME 906. They provide the same height, but the spring can shift out of the bucket at full droop with OME Nitrocharger shocks. My OME 906's could really use another 1/2 inch of free length. I found one spring shifted after my latest hard send where I definitely used the full droop. I can jack up the truck by the frame, and move the spring with my hand without disconnecting the shock at full droop. That means the free length is too short for the amount of droop.
phattyduck
Elite Member
Agreed - especially since the OME shocks are the longest that fit without bump stop extensions. I run 5100's in the rear with 10mm trim packers and 5th gen springs right now. They are *just* free at full droop, but don't have a way to shift (and won't spit under full flex).
BUT, if the goal is stiffer at (near) stock height, they are about the only option.
-Charlie
96RedRunner
Senior Member
[MENTION=729989]slothy49[/MENTION], Shave frontend weight where you can.
Synthetic rope cuts 40#, size matters 8-9.5k are the lightest, force multiplier in bag in da back.
Smitty XRC9500 Syn rope was lightest att. Get wild with cutoff wheel shave some fat off ARB.
My $.02
4Runner 5100 5 position adjustable. Wiggle room.
880's lift fits height limit, tweak preload with perch adjustment.
906 good idea bag it if needed.
Synthetic rope cuts 40#, size matters 8-9.5k are the lightest, force multiplier in bag in da back.
Smitty XRC9500 Syn rope was lightest att. Get wild with cutoff wheel shave some fat off ARB.
My $.02
4Runner 5100 5 position adjustable. Wiggle room.
880's lift fits height limit, tweak preload with perch adjustment.
906 good idea bag it if needed.
Romeo1
Member
I know it may not be the best thing ever, but maybe air bags might be a part of your solution? I've never ran bags on a 4runner, but I have a set on my 1 ton pick up. It's kind of the only way to really get ride height where you want it to be at whatever spring rate you're trying to accomplish. It's part of why semi trucks use airbags. Everything else is just a compromise. As you can only tune for a certain ride height at a certain rate and force.
I have a set of OME 906s laying around that I have no use for now that I'm running the 890s. I lost too much ride height for my set up with them while using Duro bumps, but that was at a 2 inch lift. I bet where you are wanting to maintain a somewhat stock ride height they would probably work really well for that assuming you run short or stock bump stops.
I have a set of OME 906s laying around that I have no use for now that I'm running the 890s. I lost too much ride height for my set up with them while using Duro bumps, but that was at a 2 inch lift. I bet where you are wanting to maintain a somewhat stock ride height they would probably work really well for that assuming you run short or stock bump stops.
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