lowering rear end? instead of lifting front?

[Trevloc]

has anyone done this? it didnt really bother me til ive really started noticing it lately.:ybrick: but i was just wondering if it would be easier to lower the back end rather than lift the front end to level it. would it effect gas mileage or anything else? anyone have pics of it? pros and cons? is it cheaper to lift the front rather than lower the back? i would rather lift it, but if lowering it is easier, it would be a temp change. im a deer staring into headlights when it comes to mechanics of a car. electrical no problem but everything else im dumbfounded.

 

[THEROK]

*no*

 

[DocMT]

I don't know if anyone has done it, but if you wanted to lower the rear end, the easiest way would be to swap out the rear springs with a shorter spring. You'd probably have to experiment though, because it would be hard to determine how much any set of springs would lower the rear.

Why not just get a set of spacers and install them on the front? Even a 1" lift will make your 4Runner look much more level. Spacers are inexpensive and easy to install.

 

[cali_axela]

Go talk to your local Hondacura fanboys, they will teach you how to heat and cut your rear springs to lower it. Just be prepared for a horrific and bouncy ride

 

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

Go talk to your local Hondacura fanboys, they will teach you how to heat and cut your rear springs to lower it. Just be prepared for a horrific and bouncy ride

LOL. Cutting the coils would be the easiest way to do it, but a little too much and the ride goes to crap. IMO lowering the rear wouldn't be an option, way too easy to install a simple topout spacer on the front for a leveled look. Go for the front spacer, no change in ride quality and you get the nice level look.

 

[THEROK]

Go talk to your local Hondacura fanboys, they will teach you how to heat and cut your rear springs to lower it. Just be prepared for a horrific and bouncy ride

not necessarily. cutting springs is no worse than lifting your truck with spacers. the shocks just aren't ideally valved for it since it's factory spec.

the reason why those dudes pogo so much is that they're likely driving on blown shocks.

anyways, lowering the rear just to get rid of the rake is :withstupid:

 

[cali_axela]

You're right, cutting springs, when done properly and combined with the right shocks, can work great as long as the shocks can support the increased spring rate and still have enough travel not to bottom out constantly at the lower ride height -- but usually, the existing shocks can't support either factor... especially OEM shocks.

 

[SkylineGTRracer]

If you wanna lower it, here you go. Burtman Industries Whatever you do DO NOT cut your springs. One of my highschool friends did this to his mazda 3 and it drove like crap.

 

[THEROK]

You're right, cutting springs, when done properly and combined with the right shocks, can work great as long as the shocks can support the increased spring rate and still have enough travel not to bottom out constantly at the lower ride height -- but usually, the existing shocks can't support either factor... especially OEM shocks.

totally bud. it's got a stigma attached because lots of people who have uhhhh a tight budget resort to certain backyard uhhh innovations v. going with a proper set of spring/shock combo typically adjustable in height.

it's no different than buying a loweingr spring and mating it to the stock shocks. even the porsche 911 guys do this (which i always question).

so it's like telling a chain smoker to stop eating so much red meat. you've got bigger issues we need to examine like why the heck you'd want to lower the rear of your 4run. the 4th is already sits lower than the super sedan highlander. deal with the rake in a different manner. go higher!

 

[Trevloc]

yeah ill probably end up lifting the front. spacers are cheap, but no way am i gonna try and install it. thats just a disaster waiting to happen.

 

[CAFROG]

I am in a similar situation with a 2WD and NO desire to lift or the need for clearance.....but still don't like the rake of the 4Runner. Not sure if mine is higher b/c of my V8 and the tow package or if its normal rake.

Cutting springs has been done WAY before Honda boys (I been one since '96) were do this. Actually....now a days, its silly to cut Honda springs with a billion manufactures making springs and adj coil over systems. But I (in '98) wanted my 2.25" lowering springs to be lower so I cut one-and a half coils off. But you MUST cut the dead coils.....not active coils that need to spring up and down. It did not affect my ride (from the previous lowered/crap ride lol) Because my shocks were aftermarket and still in decent shape.

You could get crazy/old school low rider and heat the springs up too (not recommended). It will lower the back for sure!

I need to tow my track car and figure if there's a company that make lowered springs for 4R's....I would need an air assist system when towing (more $$$) So I am with everyone else and feel spacers would be a better option to giving the 4R a more level look.

EDIT: Burtman Industries......man that is expensive for only 4 springs! Holy S-Nikes. And you only need the rear.....so roughly $800 for 2 springs.......ouch

 

[S p a r k y]

FJ springs are the best and cheapest upgrade, even for rear. Then add Air bags $99 for rear and your good for towing.

 

[Vantage85]

Cutting your springs is NOT the same as buying a lowering spring!

It is not safe or smart to do in any way.

All springs will have a full circle of spring where the spring meets the tophat. If you cut the spring you will not have the entire spring meeting correctly with the topplate and can cause excessive load on a part of the spring not meant to be loaded.

 

[CAFROG]

Of course lowered springs and cutting stock springs are not the same.

"IF" there are DEAD coils....you can cut them safely. They are not a part of the spring's travel. Its just cheap and not recommended. I Have Done it on a few cars.....no suspension malfunctions at all.

But I do not think the 4Runners have dead coils on the springs.

 

[CJ3Flyr]

has anyone done this? it didnt really bother me til ive really started noticing it lately.:ybrick: but i was just wondering if it would be easier to lower the back end rather than lift the front end to level it. would it effect gas mileage or anything else? anyone have pics of it? pros and cons? is it cheaper to lift the front rather than lower the back? i would rather lift it, but if lowering it is easier, it would be a temp change. im a deer staring into headlights when it comes to mechanics of a car. electrical no problem but everything else im dumbfounded.

LOL. Cutting the coils would be the easiest way to do it, but a little too much and the ride goes to crap. IMO lowering the rear wouldn't be an option, way too easy to install a simple topout spacer on the front for a leveled look. Go for the front spacer, no change in ride quality and you get the nice level look.

I agree and would go this route...

If you wanna lower it, here you go. Burtman Industries Whatever you do DO NOT cut your springs. One of my highschool friends did this to his mazda 3 and it drove like crap.

A less "spendy" option might be to cut some FJC or OME springs. Cutting the already too-soft T4R springs wouldn't be my first choice. IMHO Skyline is right, it would drive like the Mazda3 w/cut springs. The rear would bottom as much as the front does!:bash:
IF lowering/street theme was the goal Burtman would be 1st choice, cut some other-than-stock-spring would be my 2nd choice on how to do it.

I say a simple front-spacer is the easiest, cheapest way out and it will actually improve the ride a bit.