My NW Build (so far)

[Aodhan]

I figured after hanging around these forums for a few years now, that I should post up a few photos of my rig, and at the same time ask for a bit of help.

My 4runner is a 1998 Limited with factory TRD supercharger, headers, and exhaust. Currently at 195k miles and running strong. ARB bullbar, Warn M8000 winch with the metal line. Yakima Megawarrior basket on the roof. As for lighting, standard headlamps, with decent bulbs (silverstar, i think), a pair of Hella 500's on the front, and then two Unity Spotlights, one on each of the A Pillars. As for interior lighting, I swapped the cargo lamps outs for some white 12 light led boards and the maps lights to red led boards. Very happy with the outcome.

The issue that I have run into is rear sag. You will see in the later photos as to why I am having the issues, but long story short, I built some drawers in the back, and now have them full with my winter gear, so i would say 300lbs, at least, of extra weight in the back.

The local Les Schwab suggests airbags in the rear to handle the extra weight. Does anyone here have any other suggestions? Not really looking for a lift, but not opposed to it either.

Anyways, onto the photos!!

 

[Aodhan]

More photos

 

[Aodhan]

Last few for now

 

[UnderFire]

A set of rear springs from a 99 would work for you, they sit about 1" taller so would either even it back out or make the back sit even higher.

 

[Aodhan]

A set of rear springs from a 99 would work for you, they sit about 1" taller so would either even it back out or make the back sit even higher.

Awesome, thanks for the info.

 

[rademe123]

Private message sent regarding the A-pillar spot lights

 

[phattyduck]

Airbags would be good if you had a highly variable load, but if you keep that stuff in there all the time, go with stiffer/lift springs. The '99 tall springs may not get you what you want since they are still pretty soft. They will be higher than your current stock stuff though!

-Charlie

 

[Weagle2]

If it helps, I just had the same situation with 200 lbs from a winch and mtn biking gear. I have a '96 limited with new '99 tall springs. '99 springs will not handle more than 100 lbs. Even new they will sag a lot. I put OME 906's in my in '99 limited as an experiment and will be doing the same on my '96 truck. I would not put '99 coil springs with that weight. I tested the OME's 906's with 200 lbs + and they still hold factory height. Even unloaded it drives and handles better with the OME's. Very satisfied with OME 906's.

 

[TrexRunnerGirl]

lovin what you did for storage in the back of this with the cargo holder bars inside. nice touch.

 

[TMP]

I def would not do airbags. Seems like those OME Springs would be a great solution or start looking into a lift package.
I did red leds in my map lights too and I love it. Sooooo much better at night If you need to turn them on - you don’t loose your night vision.

 

[Rock_Rat]

Holy thread resurrection!! The last post from the OP was January 2017. Had his rig up for sale.