How much weight is too much weight for stock suspension?

[aelarson]

Hello All,

I want some opinions on adding weight to our 4Runners (Bumpers, Sliders, Roof Racks, etc.)

I want to keep my TRD Pro stock suspension, but I want to add some sliders and other goodies in the future. Should I be worried about major suspension sag with 90lbs worth of Rock Sliders? Do I need a small lift/level kit?

I personally think that I'll be fine without modifying the suspension, but I want to hear some other thoughts.

Thanks!

 

[mikezehner]

check out the Dobinson's coil threads. tons of different options. I have the one inch extended coils on my trd pro shocks up front, I think they're the 748 spring but I cant remember, I don't notice any sag or brake dive with my c4 bumper. We'll see when the roof rack goes on

 

[jrandom]

Hello All,
Should I be worried about major suspension sag with 90lbs worth of Rock Sliders? Do I need a small lift/level kit?

You only need to worry when you exceed the trucks weight capacity. It's in the door jam. You'll need to add to the trucks weight and subtract from passenger/cargo.

Sliders are pretty evenly distributed weight, 90 lbs centered will not affect you like 90 lbs out and over the front or rear bumpers. front and rear bumpers plus sliders you are looking to add about 300 lbs (if all three your weight is still pretty balanced). That is two passengers or equivalent weight in cargo. So if you take you + three people plus cargo you will come close to exceeding, then you should definitely consider doing something.

EDIT: I should add, if there is a difference in the driving characteristic or notice it visually, it should be pretty obvious you need to consider an upgrade it as well. but not with 90 lbs of sliders.

 

[aelarson]

You only need to worry when you exceed the trucks weight capacity. It's in the door jam. You'll need to add to the trucks weight and subtract from passenger/cargo.

Sliders are pretty evenly distributed weight, 90 lbs centered will not affect you like 90 lbs out and over the front or rear bumpers. front and rear bumpers plus sliders you are looking to add about 300 lbs (if all three your weight is still pretty balanced). That is two passengers or equivalent weight in cargo. So if you take you + three people plus cargo you will come close to exceeding, then you should definitely consider doing something.

EDIT: I should add, if there is a difference in the driving characteristic or notice it visually, it should be pretty obvious you need to consider an upgrade it as well. but not with 90 lbs of sliders.

Thank you for the detailed response! The portion that I bolded is what I am concerned about. Obviously don't want to ruin the drivability, or the aesthetics!

 

[DesertCanyons]

Rock slider weight

When I added Domello rock sliders to my Trail Edition it did not affect my driving experience. It did improve the protection of my rocker panels because they are not getting smashed when I off road. It's the first mod I did for my 4Runner and I did it as soon as I could.

What they said about Gross Vehicle Weight above is the thing to keep in mind. As you add weight you reduce the gear and passenger load you can carry safely.

Appearance is a personal preference. You have to decide whether you like them.

 

[shrub1]

Agree that the addition of sliders will have a negligible feel and effect on stance.

Edit: wanted to add if you are super concerned CBI can make you a set in Aluminum if that suits your fancy.

 

[perf0rmance]

Hello All,

I want some opinions on adding weight to our 4Runners (Bumpers, Sliders, Roof Racks, etc.)

I want to keep my TRD Pro stock suspension, but I want to add some sliders and other goodies in the future. Should I be worried about major suspension sag with 90lbs worth of Rock Sliders? Do I need a small lift/level kit?

I personally think that I'll be fine without modifying the suspension, but I want to hear some other thoughts.

Thanks!

Not be sarcastic, but would a 250lb driver have to get different suspension vs a 150lb driver? (practically speaking, of course)

I'm sure you could get arguments for my question for both sides so that won't be helpful.

I would say what's more important is what your goals/needs are and then move from there as your situation will likely be unique and an good solution for you may not work for others.



Will your vehicle suffer from sag? Technically, yes - you're adding weight that's opposing the suspension. Once you determine what you're adding, then you can revisit the idea of changing out suspension (since you're initial goal is to offset the sag from the weight penalty).

 

[mazatal]

My 2013 LTD rig with complete Budbuilt armor is at 5960# unloaded including my fat ass and a full tank of gas here in the AZ mountains. With Traxda lift it does well, now on new Toyo RT's.

 

[aelarson]

Not be sarcastic, but would a 250lb driver have to get different suspension vs a 150lb driver? (practically speaking, of course)

I'm sure you could get arguments for my question for both sides so that won't be helpful.

I would say what's more important is what your goals/needs are and then move from there as your situation will likely be unique and an good solution for you may not work for others.



Will your vehicle suffer from sag? Technically, yes - you're adding weight that's opposing the suspension. Once you determine what you're adding, then you can revisit the idea of changing out suspension (since you're initial goal is to offset the sag from the weight penalty).

The analogy you used puts a nice perspective on it. I do understand that’ll technically depress the suspension to a a degree, but I’m curious as to how much. Seems that it will be very minimal. Thanks!

 

[MTN4RNR]

Ran with the heaviest set of sliders known to man on the stock suspension without a profound difference in ride or performance. I wouldn't go much farther than that as far as armor add-ons though before an upgrade. You can keep your TRD shocks and change out the coils as well. Check out the Dobinson's thread here on the forum!

 

[MyanRagahis]

If you're going for a full plate bumper in the future, in my opinion it seemed kind of much for the 600lb springs the Bilstein 6112's I have. But it maybe doable for others. Not sure what the rate is on the stock TRD Pro springs are.

It would just dip down hard on cornering turns. Initially the 6112's got rid of the front end nose dive. It came back with a vengence when I added the bumper lol.
It got too spongy for me so I added 700lb springs and it feels perfect.

 

[jacksparrow]

I installed Shockworks sliders on my trd pro and didn’t notice any difference in looks or performance.

 

[aelarson]

I installed Shockworks sliders on my trd pro and didn’t notice any difference in looks or performance.

I’m leaning towards Schrockworks. Had a full schrockworks bumper on my 4th gen and loved the build quality!

 

[aelarson]

Ran with the heaviest set of sliders known to man on the stock suspension without a profound difference in ride or performance. I wouldn't go much farther than that as far as armor add-ons though before an upgrade. You can keep your TRD shocks and change out the coils as well. Check out the Dobinson's thread here on the forum!

That’s a very helpful thread, thanks for the post!

 

[Jetboy]

FWIW - the spring rates are roughly 600lb/in up front and 180lb/in in the rear. Fronts are a 2:1 lever arm, so basically 300lb/in. (Keep in mind that this is per side)

For 100lbs of sliders - added roughly to the middle - the front will go down by roughly 1/12 of an inch and the rear will go down roughly 1/8 of an inch. I don't think you'll notice any difference at all.

If you add 10 slider's worth of farkle, things start to be a problem.

My advice: Every pound counts. Don't bolt anything on you don't need to. And everything you do bolt on - keep the heavy stuff as low as possible on the vehicle. (I think sliders are well worth the weight penalty - so long as they're not ridiculous heavy ones.)

 

[aelarson]

FWIW - the spring rates are roughly 600lb/in up front and 180lb/in in the rear. Fronts are a 2:1 lever arm, so basically 300lb/in. (Keep in mind that this is per side)

For 100lbs of sliders - added roughly to the middle - the front will go down by roughly 1/12 of an inch and the rear will go down roughly 1/8 of an inch. I don't think you'll notice any difference at all.

If you add 10 slider's worth of farkle, things start to be a problem.

My advice: Every pound counts. Don't bolt anything on you don't need to. And everything you do bolt on - keep the heavy stuff as low as possible on the vehicle. (I think sliders are well worth the weight penalty - so long as they're not ridiculous heavy ones.)

That was very helpful, thank you for the details! I have only modified 1 vehicle before, so there is always something to learn with suspension components!

I do agree that every pound counts, I learned that the hard way with my last 4th Gen 4Runner and a heavy Schrockwors bumper. Given that I have a bumper to bumper warranty on my new TRD Pro, I don't want to modify any suspension components because I added heavy ass parts!

My truck is 95% daily driven on streets. So little weight as possible, and keeping the "build" practical for my use is the key priority! No LawnDart style build for me :violin:

 

[swim.bike.run]

That’s what I said and then I ordered at rack to fit an RTT. The madness never stops.