NOOB question for my rear sag

[Toy4RunFan]

I just bought my 2001 Sport Edition and love it. But i hate the sagging rear. What is the best and most economical way to lift the rear about 1" higher?

My friend told me that if i changed the rear shocks to a much stiffer Koni shocks that it should fix it. Has anyone done this or have any other suggestions for me?

Also, if i want my wheels to stick out about 1/2"-1" farther, is there a spacer that i can get to accomplish this?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Toy4RunFan]

Please help my rear sag!!!!

I just bought a 2001 4R and love it! However, i've always thought that most 4R's out there have their rear sagging a bit and would really want to fix it on mine. I don't really plan on 4 wheeling and just want it fixed for cosmetic reasons and raise the rear about 1".

What is my best and most economic options? My friend told me that if i replace my rear shocks with a much stiffer KONI shocks should solve it and it will not sag as much also even if the rear compartment is loaded. Has anyone done this or have any other advice to a noob member?

Thanks in advance.

 

[CJ3Flyr]

Re: Please help my rear sag!!!!

I just bought a 2001 4R and love it! However, i've always thought that most 4R's out there have their rear sagging a bit and would really want to fix it on mine. I don't really plan on 4 wheeling and just want it fixed for cosmetic reasons and raise the rear about 1".

What is my best and most economic options? My friend told me that if i replace my rear shocks with a much stiffer KONI shocks should solve it and it will not sag as much also even if the rear compartment is loaded. Has anyone done this or have any other advice to a noob member?

Thanks in advance.

Welcome. Koni or any other ' HD high pressure' gas shock will lift the back minimally compared with stock shocks. I doubt it will do what you want. If it has a lot of miles and needs shocks then try it first. Shocks do not, as a rule, lift or carry weight. They dampen oscillations.
Exceptions:
There are airshocks which don't work very well and some coilovers load enhance shocks which usually end up squeaking but do work. A real downside on both types is that the shock mounts get stressed excessively. On some applications it can break the shock mounts over time. I don't know if T4R shock mounts are up to the task. Try at your own risk. I would add that I have used these. If you don't highspeed, hardcore 4wheel with the T4R when loaded down you'll probably be fine. Here's a sample of the coilover shock: http://www.jcwhitney.com/RIDE-CONTROL-HELPERS/GP_2005874_N_111+2001+200729268+600003409_10101.jcw


Somebody more familiar with 3rd gen may chime in but if memory servces there was a service bulletin (SB) for rearend sag. I don't know if applied to the '01 model though.

_______________________________________
_______________________________________
You have two 'real' (and one cheap but OK) choices assuming the dealer doesn't want to give you free springs based on the SB.
1) Get the most tame OME springs that offer the smallest lift and minimal increase in rate over the stock springs. I assure you, that would make you very happy based on what you described as your 'needs'.
2) Add an Airlift 1000 or Firestone Airbag system. They do not add much lift. They do add 3/4"-1" at a low pressure setting and allow you load the vehicle, inflate them and enjoy a level vehicle when loaded.
3) Those cheap, squeaky JCWhipme springs.


Someone will chime in and say Airlift/Firestone airbags don't add lift. At the minimum required running pressure they will, in all likelihood, restore the stock ride height. I have put both types on several types of vehicles. 5-10psi in the bags always yields some height and probably the restorative 1" you are seeking. They do not give you the ability to adjust the ride several inches beyond stock height.

Hope that helps and post some pics of the new ride

:cheers:

 

[greyghost4x4]

Air Lift 1000. You can look at them from jcwhitney.com.

Evan

 

[Toy4RunFan]

Re: Re: Please help my rear sag!!!!

Welcome. Koni or any other ' HD high pressure' gas shock will lift the back minimally compared with stock shocks. I doubt it will do what you want. If it has a lot of miles and needs shocks then try it first. Shocks do not, as a rule, lift or carry weight. They dampen oscillations.
Exceptions:
There are airshocks which don't work very well and some coilovers load enhance shocks which usually end up squeaking but do work. A real downside on both types is that the shock mounts get stressed excessively. On some applications it can break the shock mounts over time. I don't know if T4R shock mounts are up to the task. Try at your own risk. I would add that I have used these. If you don't highspeed, hardcore 4wheel with the T4R when loaded down you'll probably be fine. Here's a sample of the coilover shock: http://www.jcwhitney.com/RIDE-CONTROL-HELPERS/GP_2005874_N_111+2001+200729268+600003409_10101.jcw


Somebody more familiar with 3rd gen may chime in but if memory servces there was a service bulletin (SB) for rearend sag. I don't know if applied to the '01 model though.

_______________________________________
_______________________________________
You have two 'real' (and one cheap but OK) choices assuming the dealer doesn't want to give you free springs based on the SB.
1) Get the most tame OME springs that offer the smallest lift and minimal increase in rate over the stock springs. I assure you, that would make you very happy based on what you described as your 'needs'.
2) Add an Airlift 1000 or Firestone Airbag system. They do not add much lift. They do add 3/4"-1" at a low pressure setting and allow you load the vehicle, inflate them and enjoy a level vehicle when loaded.
3) Those cheap, squeaky JCWhipme springs.


Someone will chime in and say Airlift/Firestone airbags don't add lift. At the minimum required running pressure they will, in all likelihood, restore the stock ride height. I have put both types on several types of vehicles. 5-10psi in the bags always yields some height and probably the restorative 1" you are seeking. They do not give you the ability to adjust the ride several inches beyond stock height.

Hope that helps and post some pics of the new ride

:cheers:

Chris,

I appreciate the information. I'm leaning towards suggestion 1 which is to replace the springs. I'll check with the dealer if my 01 is covered with the rearend sag SB. Are the springs only available at the dealer or is it available in most 4x4 stores? Also, would i need to replace my shocks if i go this route?

I'll take some before and after pics once its installed.

Thanks again... :cheers:

 

[Toy4RunFan]

Air Lift 1000. You can look at them from jcwhitney.com.

Evan

Thanks Evan... Is that my only option?

 

[CJ3Flyr]

Re: Re: Re: Please help my rear sag!!!!

Are the springs only available at the dealer or is it available in most 4x4 stores? Also, would i need to replace my shocks if i go this route?

I'll take some before and after pics once its installed.

Thanks again... :cheers:

Don't confuse OEM [orig equip manufacture(r)] and OME. OME is a popular well respected aftermarket company. I would guess the dealer is the only place for OEM springs. OME can be found through many 4x4 suppliers. Check out OME 906's. I have never done business with these folks but they have a great and informative page here: http://www.cruiseroutfitters.com/sus_4runner_gen3.html
I suspect if you called them or some other supplier you could get just the springs.


There's no requirement to change the shocks when you change the springs. I would inspect them for leaks prior to ordering the springs. If they're leaking they should be replaced too.

Good luck!

:cheers:

 

[Toy4RunFan]

Re: Re: Re: Re: Please help my rear sag!!!!

Don't confuse OEM [orig equip manufacture(r)] and OME. OME is a popular well respected aftermarket company. I would guess the dealer is the only place for OEM springs. OME can be found through many 4x4 suppliers. Check out OME 906's. I have never done business with these folks but they have a great and informative page here: http://www.cruiseroutfitters.com/sus_4runner_gen3.html
I suspect if you called them or some other supplier you could get just the springs.


There's no requirement to change the shocks when you change the springs. I would inspect them for leaks prior to ordering the springs. If they're leaking they should be replaced too.

Good luck!

:cheers:

LOL... i thought when u said OME that it was a typo for OEM... thanks for the clarification... i will call our local 4-wheel shops and shall inquire about the OME springs... can't wait to get this sag thing retified.

thanks again... :biggrin2:

 

[One_96TR4]

Replacing the springs are the only way to eliminate the sagging. OME is a good replacement. They will all lift your truck a little though. OME 906 springs will give you the least amount of lift in around 2inches. If you don't do much offroad, I alwats recommend the Performance products 1" lift springs. all for for 200 and there improve the handling alittle at the same time. Plus on a 00+ 4runner you'll likely see about 1.5-2" of lift from them. where as if you just get some OME's for the back you'll have that raked hot rod look.

 

[Toy4RunFan]

Replacing the springs are the only way to eliminate the sagging. OME is a good replacement. They will all lift your truck a little though. OME 906 springs will give you the least amount of lift in around 2inches. If you don't do much offroad, I alwats recommend the Performance products 1" lift springs. all for for 200 and there improve the handling alittle at the same time. Plus on a 00+ 4runner you'll likely see about 1.5-2" of lift from them. where as if you just get some OME's for the back you'll have that raked hot rod look.

Technically, i think the front and the rear are balanced. But since the front has more gap on the wheel well than the rear, it appears that the rear is a little bit lower than the front. I would prefer for the front and the rear have the same gap on the wheel well. Can i get a 1" lift on the front and a 2" lift on the rear? Does Performance or OME carry those?

 

[CJ3Flyr]

Technically, i think the front and the rear are balanced. But since the front has more gap on the wheel well than the rear, it appears that the rear is a little bit lower than the front. I would prefer for the front and the rear have the same gap on the wheel well. Can i get a 1" lift on the front and a 2" lift on the rear? Does Performance or OME carry those?

There's probably a few ways to do it. Jason Burtman of Burtman industries is very well respected and generally liked for great customer service offers lots of stuff. What you may want is his 1" spacer lift for the front and some OME springs in the back. Spacer lifts for one or two inches in the front seem to work well for most people. Over one inch of rear lift and many people claim the ride in the back deteriorates. NOTE: The Cornfed spacers from Burtman are one of many choices...

This guy did a lot with his 3rd gen and has a great resource page: http://www.top4runners.com/ja/index.html


:cheers:

 

[Toy4RunFan]

There's probably a few ways to do it. Jason Burtman of Burtman industries is very well respected and generally liked for great customer service offers lots of stuff. What you may want is his 1" spacer lift for the front and some OME springs in the back. Spacer lifts for one or two inches in the front seem to work well for most people. Over one inch of rear lift and many people claim the ride in the back deteriorates. NOTE: The Cornfed spacers from Burtman are one of many choices...

This guy did a lot with his 3rd gen and has a great resource page: http://www.top4runners.com/ja/index.html


:cheers:

Chris,

I've called a couple of very reputable 4-wheeling shops and they indicated to me that the OME springs would raise my rig 2" and that I would need to replace my shocks because the stock shocks doesn't have enough travel to accommodate the 2" lift. They did give me another option which is to add 1" "spacers" but this route would only address my sag without any load. This means that when loaded, my car will still have a very noticeable sag.

Thus, your suggestion of 1" spacer in the front and OME springs in the back sounds like the best solution for what i want. This way I might even go up a tire size later down the line.

Thanks again.

 

[One_96TR4]

You don't need to replace your shocks with longer shocks. I run the tokico trekmasters with a 2.5" lift in ther rear. It's fine. Many ppl have the same amount of lift with these stock replacement shocks. A longer shock would be ideal but not necessary, especially if your not going to be offroading this thing hardcore.

 

[Toy4RunFan]

You don't need to replace your shocks with longer shocks. I run the tokico trekmasters with a 2.5" lift in ther rear. It's fine. Many ppl have the same amount of lift with these stock replacement shocks. A longer shock would be ideal but not necessary, especially if your not going to be offroading this thing hardcore.

Thanks for the heads up. I'll definitely let the shop know that I want to keep my stock shocks unless its already leaking and needs replacement.

Btw, with just a 2" lift, do I need to make any modifications to my drive shaft since the lift changes the geometry a little? I know that when I lifted my Jeep with a 3" suspension lift, the shop had to modify/lenghten my driveshaft to accommodate the lift.

 

[One_96TR4]

Thanks for the heads up. I'll definitely let the shop know that I want to keep my stock shocks unless its already leaking and needs replacement.

Btw, with just a 2" lift, do I need to make any modifications to my drive shaft since the lift changes the geometry a little? I know that when I lifted my Jeep with a 3" suspension lift, the shop had to modify/lenghten my driveshaft to accommodate the lift.

I believe the driveshaft is good for a 3-4" lift. Might be a good idea to change out your shocks while your having everything done. Installation shouldn't really cost much more if your paying someone to do it. They need to be removed anyhow and the rears can be a PITA.

 

[greyghost4x4]

Airlift 1000 is your cheapest option.

Evan

 

[Toy4RunFan]

Airlift 1000 is your cheapest option.

Evan

Thanks Evan... I'll call some shops today and inquire about the Airlift 1000.