How many miles can you expect...?

[Jbot]

How many miles do you think i can get out of original suspension parts? My runner has 190,000 miles on the clock and im 99% sure its on the original suspension. It feels rather spongy to be honest. I realize it depends how/ where its being driven, but is there a point where it becomes a safety issue???

Half of me wants to replace, just so i have an excuse to lift. Money is tight tho, so thats why i havent lifted yet. Truck is my DD and gets offroaded on weekends.

Thanks

 

[Srabai]

How many miles do you think i can get out of original suspension parts? My runner has 190,000 miles on the clock and im 99% sure its on the original suspension. It feels rather spongy to be honest. I realize it depends how/ where its being driven, but is there a point where it becomes a safety issue???

Half of me wants to replace, just so i have an excuse to lift. Money is tight tho, so thats why i havent lifted yet. Truck is my DD and gets offroaded on weekends.

Thanks

It would depend where the 4runner spent most of it's life and what type of driving it did.

I've replaced most every suspension parts on mine at 210000 miles. It started it's life in Canada then it was driven by an old man in ohio for the last 14 years.

I'd recommend replacing the lower ball joints with OEM first. Other than that, upgrade as you have the money. Bad front struts will affect braking distance.
Does it drive alright?

 

[BrianSD_42]

Personally, I would absolutely replace the suspension at 10 years or 150,000 miles.

You will definitely notice a difference for the better.

 

[Kanger328]

I'd say it's toast. You'll feel a huge difference with a new setup. I got lift springs and shocks all around for $520 otd shipped to my house. I thought that was pretty affordable and comparable to what stock suspension would cost new. But like Srabai said, I'd recommend replacing LBJ's first. It'll be easier if you do the LBJ and suspension at same time.

 

[Jbot]

I dont have much idea on how it was driven before. im the 3rd owner and i know it has spent most of its life in SoCal. The LBJs were replaced when i bought it, altho im sure it wasnt OEM. I dont think it has been wheeled at all until i got it.

So i think i might have to start researching lifts now....

 

[the great him]

you could use a new suspension... its not mandatory but it could be useful.

what is mandatory though is new lower ball joints, and only toyota OE parts from a dealer, no after market replacement equivalent junk....

but yeah at 200k id say your shocks could use being replaced. springs are gonna be saggy and well used. id look into some OME springs if your are going for a stock replacement but maybe want to add a slight lift. but Old Man Emu makes great springs that are gonna be cheaper than factory ones

 

[Jbot]

you could use a new suspension... its not mandatory but it could be useful.

what is mandatory though is new lower ball joints, and only toyota OE parts from a dealer, no after market replacement equivalent junk....

but yeah at 200k id say your shocks could use being replaced. springs are gonna be saggy and well used. id look into some OME springs if your are going for a stock replacement but maybe want to add a slight lift. but Old Man Emu makes great springs that are gonna be cheaper than factory ones

ive heard OME is a harsher ride than others, such as toytec for instance
True?

 

[the great him]

depends on the spring, it can be... they are made with carrying a load in mind... if you want a lift there are more options, i was just wasnt sure if you wanted to lift your rig...

if you want to go the full 3" of lift(pretty much max lift for our rigs with out some serious modifications and work) then the toytec 3" coil made by eibach will be an awesome front coil(its what im useing and love it), and then there are the superflex coils for the rear(havent used them so cant say on there ride, but guys seam to like them, have not heard a bad word about them. or you could go with a LC 80 series coil(from the front of a LC) -but that can be tricky sometimes, as there are several different coils that came in those trucks. you can get from 3-6" of lift out of those depending on the coil.

if you dont want to go that high you can go with a first gen tundra coil -the TRD coils are optimal because they are a progressive rate coil -paint codes on the coil are yy/yb(yellow yellow/yellow blue) and those will next 2-2.5" of lift.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/66976-3rd-gen-4runner-lift-information-faqs.html


that should give you some of the basics on springs and height ect.

 

[Jbot]

depends on the spring, it can be... they are made with carrying a load in mind... if you want a lift there are more options, i was just wasnt sure if you wanted to lift your rig...

if you want to go the full 3" of lift(pretty much max lift for our rigs with out some serious modifications and work) then the toytec 3" coil made by eibach will be an awesome front coil(its what im useing and love it), and then there are the superflex coils for the rear(havent used them so cant say on there ride, but guys seam to like them, have not heard a bad word about them. or you could go with a LC 80 series coil(from the front of a LC) -but that can be tricky sometimes, as there are several different coils that came in those trucks. you can get from 3-6" of lift out of those depending on the coil.

if you dont want to go that high you can go with a first gen tundra coil -the TRD coils are optimal because they are a progressive rate coil -paint codes on the coil are yy/yb(yellow yellow/yellow blue) and those will next 2-2.5" of lift.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/66976-3rd-gen-4runner-lift-information-faqs.html


that should give you some of the basics on springs and height ect.

Thank you!
Ive got some studying to do on lifting :thumb3:

 

[Ryan_289]

I've got 112000 on mine with all original suspension. Do I need to change anything yet? The rear sits pretty level unless it loaded down.

 

[marutizhiyi]

I'd say it's toast. You'll feel a huge difference with a new setup.

 

[19963.4lsr5]

At 254,000 when I bought mine all the shocks were bad as well as the rear upper and lower control arm bushings. That and new tires and what a difference.

 

[wc11]

I had a rear shocks done at 190,000 on my '98
Everything else is original and I'm at 292,000 now & I've been towing 2 sleds every winter since new.
My old '89 never had suspension work done. Ever!

 

[dphflytyer]

I have 314,000 and all suspension is original. I am going to change the original shocks this weekend otherwise everything is as i bought it. Great truck.