I have to lower my moms 4 runner (medical reasons)

[3rd gen Mattie]

Ok my mother has rheumatoid arthritis and is battling cancer
She loves her 4 runner but is having a hard time getting in and out
And fell the other day trying & got messed up pretty good I have been
looking around for a way but not a lot out there I got her a set of 20’s
So it would fill out the wheel well and not look stupid .
Now for the lowering Part I’m not a fan of heating springs I can deal with cutting them which should keep the same spring rate and ride but then The shocks come in to play they really need to be shorter so they are not bottoming out and riding like a dump truck.
So I’m open to any and all input .
Thanks for any advice or who or where to get any of these parts

 

[HappyHooligan]

what about an airbag system that would lower when you park but raise up when you drive?

 

[LittleCaesar]

Unless the 4Runner is a necessity vehicle, to get her to and from home, buy another one that is lower to the ground.

My mom has RA, it can be tough sledding at times. Find the right docs and good luck.

 

[wcjeep]

Smaller tires with a lower designed suspension? Low style running boards? Electric running boards? I was at an Offroad show n shine this summer. Gentleman had a step he would lower by rope to enter / exit his Jeep.


How much would the upgrades cost vs buying a Corolla?

 

[kevinRR]

How much would the upgrades cost vs buying a Corolla?

I would also suggest buying a cheap car like a Corolla or a Civic for her to drive around in. Better yet drive her to her appointment if you can or have a family member help out.

 

[3rd gen Mattie]

Thanks for the input guys ,I appreciate it . We have pretty bad winters that’s why I bought it 4 her . She has a bug convertible turbo , she is a bit of a speed demon and she does not let this shit slow her down & loves her 4runner so give her props for loving the same rides we do ( not the kind of mom u mess with) my train of thought was 2wd yoda truck parts they sit really low
She seems to have more trouble with the running boards which u would think would help , but they are even aquard for me & I’m 6ft tall . But if I could get it 2or 3 inches lower that would help out tremendously

 

[T4R2014]

You need 2WD SR5 springs. Make sure it's for 4Runners with 225/75/15 tires. 2002 is the lowest year in theory but I think the difference isn't huge across the years.

 

[IBallEngineer]

Ok my mother has rheumatoid arthritis and is battling cancer
She loves her 4 runner but is having a hard time getting in and out
And fell the other day trying & got messed up pretty good I have been
looking around for a way but not a lot out there I got her a set of 20’s
So it would fill out the wheel well and not look stupid .
Now for the lowering Part I’m not a fan of heating springs I can deal with cutting them which should keep the same spring rate and ride but then The shocks come in to play they really need to be shorter so they are not bottoming out and riding like a dump truck.
So I’m open to any and all input .
Thanks for any advice or who or where to get any of these parts

Cutting the springs changes both the rate and the ride. Take a 12" ruler and bend it in the middle. Now cit off 2 inches and try to do the same thing. The length of any spring is an important factor in its function.

 

[Hepar]

Thanks for the input guys ,I appreciate it . We have pretty bad winters that’s why I bought it 4 her . She has a bug convertible turbo , she is a bit of a speed demon and she does not let this shit slow her down & loves her 4runner so give her props for loving the same rides we do ( not the kind of mom u mess with) my train of thought was 2wd yoda truck parts they sit really low
She seems to have more trouble with the running boards which u would think would help , but they are even aquard for me & I’m 6ft tall . But if I could get it 2or 3 inches lower that would help out tremendously

My upmost thoughts with your mom with this battle. She's going to kick ass!

As far as your rig, if you're going to keep it, check out customtacos.com. They have a far larger contingent of people who dig things dropped. And the first gen Tacomas share the same front end suspension as our 3rd gens.

 

[MSRP.]

Getting in/out of a slightly higher than standard (Corolla) vehicle like a Subaru Outback (new or old) is a lot easier as the body ages. Something to think about.

 

[Dezert4Runner]

As far as your rig, if you're going to keep it, check out customtacos.com. They have a far larger contingent of people who dig things dropped. And the first gen Tacomas share the same front end suspension as our 3rd gens.

Just keep in mind although CustomTacos is primarily lowered/ street set ups, most of those are also 5 lug Tacomas. Their suspension is not compatible with 6 lug Tacoma’s/ 3rd gen T4R’s. They have the market for almost all of the available lowering components so dropping the front end of a 3rd gen is going to be challenging to do the right way without spending big bucks.

 

[Dezert4Runner]

I found this for a 1st gen Tundra. I’m not sure this kit fits 3rd gen T4R’s but since everything but the coil isolators fit our rigs I think it’s possible with the right shocks and coils.

https://sosperformance.com/products/sos-performance-2-front-lowering-kit-fits-2000-2006-tundra

 

[Hepar]

Just keep in mind although CustomTacos is primarily lowered/ street set ups, most of those are also 5 lug Tacomas. Their suspension is not compatible with 6 lug Tacoma’s/ 3rd gen T4R’s. They have the market for almost all of the available lowering components so dropping the front end of a 3rd gen is going to be challenging to do the right way without spending big bucks.

Good to know. Is it as simple as 4wd = 6 lug, 2wd = 5 lug?

 

[97t4r81]

Another option could be to put on springs from a lighter vehicle, maybe a Lexus RX or a highlander. If they fit, then you'd be lower and still have a sorta factory suspension. Given the amount of work, I'd be more inclined to rig up a strap from inside to give her purchase to pull herself in with. My front seats have webbing slings around the headrests to allow my children to pull themselves up and into the backseat. Safe travels.

 

[absalom]

One word: Minivan.


There is no other vehicle available on the market that even comes close to matching the ease of ingress/egress that a minivan offers.

They are also dirt cheap, easy to drive, and extremely comfortable.

 

[Dezert4Runner]

Good to know. Is it as simple as 4wd = 6 lug, 2wd = 5 lug?

The reg/ extra cabs came in 5 lug and 6 lug, and the double cabs only came in 6 lug. The 6 lug reg/ extra cabs were either the “Prerunner” model or were 4WD, same as the double cabs. The actual spindles/ UCA’s/ LCA’s are completely different and parts are not interchangeable.

5 lug spindle

6 lug spindle
(Edit: I mistakenly referenced a photo of a 2nd Gen Tacoma spindle, replaced with 1st gen spindle photo)

 

[rallypoint_1]

My mom was in the same boat. Dad gave me his 4Runner and he got a Suburu. Bought a crosstrek at first....after a month didn't like it and got a Forrester. She's happy. Him....jury still out.LOL

 

[Ernesta]

1" 3rd gen lowering springs (yes they exist)

Burtman Industries has some 1" drop springs on their site. the cost isn't terrible imo, so it could be worth a shot. I cant vouch for 'em but it's worth mentioning


Burtman Industries

 

[ToyotaBrah]

I don't have any tips on lowering the 4Runner, but I wish your mom the best and for a speedy recovery.

 

[Scramble]

Sorry to hear about your Mom. In my Mom's last years I was taking her to Dr's appointments in the 4runner at stock height. She used the stock running board & the grab handle to get in the PS & I stood behind her incase she fell backwards. My Mom was 5' or shorter by then (2006). LOL. I'm 6' & never used the running board to get in or out. I think it depends on your height whether they are use full or not.

I'd look into custom running boards or sliders to get the perfect height for her instead of lowering it. Even Nerf bars might work for her. My sliders were from BAMF & they were great at my custom spec requests for angle & top plate to use as a step for my midget GF. :bigok:

Lower cars like Civics & Corollas are harder to get in & out of. I have arthritis in my spine & getting in & out of my 4runner is easier than my Accord Coupe. You could always get something midsize like a Rav4 or Highlander for winter driving.