high mileage suspension upgrade- practical options

[madcanvis]

Is this a dumb idea?
I'd love to lift my 2000 Sport 4wd but can justify cost and CV angles and the fact I've got high miles and mild rust (frozen bolts moslty) so....

Current:
Front: Original 214k miles
Rear: 99talls with Bilstein yellow blue's 4600's (basically new) and 10mm trim spacer on both sides

Dumb or Not::shrug:
Front: Add Tundra 5100 adjustable to the low mileage 98 coils i have on my bench (perch or notch setting?)
Rear: Add OME 906s to the rear

Or: keep rear as is and slap a 1" spacer on the 98's and install

If this is a decent option how difficult is it to adjust the perch from 2-3, 3-4 etc. to level this with the rear?

The upside to this is cost, gain an inch or so, durability, suspension improvement, and upgrade to tundra coils later- maybe?

There is 1 thread at the end of the internet of someone finding the parts he wanted at a junkyard and installing it into his front suspension.

TIA -mike d

 

[benjamin247]

Is this a dumb idea?
I'd love to lift my 2000 Sport 4wd but can justify cost and CV angles and the fact I've got high miles and mild rust (frozen bolts moslty) so....

Current:
Front: Original 214k miles
Rear: 99talls with Bilstein yellow blue's 4600's (basically new) and 10mm trim spacer on both sides

Dumb or Not::shrug:
Front: Add Tundra 5100 adjustable to the low mileage 98 coils i have on my bench (perch or notch setting?)
Rear: Add OME 906s to the rear

Or: keep rear as is and slap a 1" spacer on the 98's and install

If this is a decent option how difficult is it to adjust the perch from 2-3, 3-4 etc. to level this with the rear?

The upside to this is cost, gain an inch or so, durability, suspension improvement, and upgrade to tundra coils later- maybe?

There is 1 thread at the end of the internet of someone finding the parts he wanted at a junkyard and installing it into his front suspension.

TIA -mike d

I asked myself (and the forum) the same question when I bought my t4r a couple months back with high mileage. I bought it with 201K miles and thought I'd just keep it for a few years and resell, but the more I drove it, the more I really enjoyed it. Also helped seeing how others on here on the forum have 300-400K miles on their rigs, and others start doing mods after 200K miles. I went with the TRD coils and adjustable bilsteins and 906 in the back. I just got all my parts in last friday so now I'm just waiting for the install.

 

[benjamin247]

Here's the thread I started when I first got my t4r:
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/183845-would-you-mod-200k-miles.html

 

[Rock_Rat]

Also helped seeing how others on here on the forum have 300-400K miles on their rigs, and others start doing mods after 200K miles.

I've got about 309K on mine, original owner and have just now began to do all the mods. If you change the fluids regularly and only use either Mobil 1 or Amsoil synthetic oil, Toyota OEM "red" coolant, install a B & M transmission cooler and take good care of your engine: IE: denso or NGK, OEM, MAF sensor cleaned, run some seafoam through the vacuum line and good ole regular maintenance you should get at least another 2 -300K or more.

Rule One: PRIORITIZE!!! (engine, tranny and suspension in that order.)
Rule Two: Read...Read...read! These guys have all "been there and done that"
Rule Three: Do not buy anything until you go back to Rule One and rule Two!!!
Rule Four: Contribute back to the site!! Photo's, details, lessons learned etc...Don't be a leach. My own .02 cents.

The problem is, like me, you don't really have any resale value left in the car due to the mileage. Even though mine is in pristine condition I could never get anything out of it. So, kids are in college, time to build and have fun!! I'm adding dynamat, new carpet already cut in the garage, new sound system, CB, led's, bumper with winch from Shrockworks, rear bumper...etc. Maybe even an SC. I'm keeping it so why not?

Have fun!

________________________
2001 4Runner SR5 Sport Package 309K miles
Airaid, Deck Plate, Toytec 890 Coilovers, OME 890 Rear Springs and OME Sport Shocks, SPC Performance UCA's with a 1" diff drop, Weathertech, PIAA Lights, B&M Transmission Cooler, LC Engineering Equalized fuel injectors
Budbuilt Skid, Tundra Brake Upgrade, CBI Sliders, Level 8 MK6 Bronze, -10 offset with Toyo AT II's 285/70R/17

 

[gamefreakgc]

A lot of the older 4Runners and pickups around here and in the Sierras (1995 and older) get turned into rock crawlers at the end of their life. People love picking them up on the cheap, rebuilding the motor and putting some big lifts and 33's or 35's on them. Because of that even a broken down one will still sell for $1500+, and over $3000 if it's in any decent shape.

Don't be scared by the high mileage, these trucks have solid frames and solid engines that will last a very, very long time. You can always rebuild the engine later down the road.

I don't have any input for lift though, mine's pretty much stock.

 

[jreask]

I bought my current 4Runner about a month ago with 194K miles on it. I was thinking the same way you are. I didn't want to spend any money to lift it because of the mileage. I changed the oil. Changed the timing belt, water pump, all rollers, tensioner. I flushed the coolant, transmission, changed front and rear diff fluids and transfer case. I put new plugs, wires in it. Then I decided to buy new springs and shocks for it. If I was going to put new shocks and springs, why not a cheaper lift? So, I put a DS rear spacer on it and a DS spacer on the front. At that point, I said, that's enough. I'll never come out ahead spending all this money. Most of it was maintenance though. That at least made me feel better. Last week I put New Terra Grapplers on it when the old tires would have gone a bit further. I've got a couple of dash bulbs to replace and I might SeaFoam it this week. Looks like I will be keeping this one.