Noob suspension help 2000 Limited

[Iffykid]

I have a new to me stock 2000 Limited with the exception of 265/75/16 tires I do not intend on going any bigger tires and 125K on the ODO.

measurements from center of axle to fender lip F20.5" R19.5"

I will be adding a front bumper appx 100lbs next week and the possibility of a winch down the road when funds become available.

I do not see myself doing alot of off roading mainly gravel forest roads and logging roads while out on weekends hunting, This might change but I doubt I will get more involved offroading.

I do not get any tire rub at present but would like a little more clearance in case I have to resort to chains in the winter plus the adding the additional weight of the front bumper and possible winch. Suspect I am looking at wanting a suspension lift of 1 1/2"-2" + adding extra weight. What might you suggest without breaking the bank?

I have most of the other maintenance all ready done including LBJs, Front brake upgrade, fluids, TB + water pump, head gaskets etc, But I am at a loss when trying to figure out what will work for my suspension needs and staying at a reasonable cost.

Sorry that got a bit long winded but trying to cover the bases.

 

[spartacus]

bilstein 5100 all around with 881 upfront and 906 rear and look at the suspension thread at the top of the 3rd Gen page.
3rd Gen 4Runner Lift Information and FAQ's

 

[Brian.]

Define "reasonable cost". You can range from about $400 (maybe cheaper if you're good at scouring for used parts) to north of $5000. To some people, $5000 isn't even a number to blink at as it's a tiny portion of the monthly income, for others it constitutes an unfathomable sum.

I spent just over $1k on bilstein 6112 and 5160 with OME 906 rear springs. That was "reasonable" for me and my budget.

FWIW, if you do Just a plate bumper, you're splitting the fence on spring rates (it'll be a Touch soft on 4runner rates, and a Touch harsh on Tundra rates), add that winch and you want Tundra spring rates. I knew I'd never put a plate bumper on (hate the looks, don't have any functional need), so I went with stock 4runner spring rates front and rear.

 

[Iffykid]

Define "reasonable cost". You can range from about $400 (maybe cheaper if you're good at scouring for used parts) to north of $5000. To some people, $5000 isn't even a number to blink at as it's a tiny portion of the monthly income, for others it constitutes an unfathomable sum.

I spent just over $1k on bilstein 6112 and 5160 with OME 906 rear springs. That was "reasonable" for me and my budget.

FWIW, if you do Just a plate bumper, you're splitting the fence on spring rates (it'll be a Touch soft on 4runner rates, and a Touch harsh on Tundra rates), add that winch and you want Tundra spring rates. I knew I'd never put a plate bumper on (hate the looks, don't have any functional need), so I went with stock 4runner spring rates front and rear.

Probably something in the $400-500 spending more for something I will never have need or appreciate I would consider a waist, Similar in the way you feel about plate bumpers I guess.

 

[Iffykid]

bilstein 5100 all around with 881 upfront and 906 rear and look at the suspension thread at the top of the 3rd Gen page.
3rd Gen 4Runner Lift Information and FAQ's

I have read thru the Lift info and faqs but having a hard time figuring out:frusty: what meets my criteria 1 1/2" lift with 150lbs additional front no additional rear weight.

I see recommendations for 1 1/2" lift at stock weight and 3" lift with 150lbs but nothing mentioned for 1 1/2" lift with 150lbs or I am missing that info.

I will try sifting thru the 51pages of INFO and FAQs and see what I can find.

 

[TheSaturnV]

All the off roadies will sneer, but I went with BIL 5100s and Moog 81088 and 81041 and have been very happy with the setup. Gave me a couple of inches and got the darn thing to stop looking like a station wagon!

Rides very nice and at about $475 didn't bust the bank. I completely rebuilt the front and rear suspension and put on new tires so there was a budget. I did put on new KYB strut mounts that added another $30 or so.

The only thing I had to do was add some 1" rubber spacers in the rear to make it sit laser level. Don't know if this setup will work for your heavier bumper and I have no idea how long these springs will stay springy.

 

[Brian.]

Probably something in the $400-500 spending more for something I will never have need or appreciate I would consider a waist, Similar in the way you feel about plate bumpers I guess.

I have read thru the Lift info and faqs but having a hard time figuring out:frusty: what meets my criteria 1 1/2" lift with 150lbs additional front no additional rear weight.

Consider that the shocks/suspension are needed/felt/used/appreciated absolutely Every single time you drive it, anywhere, for Any purpose. Only tires are More important, and brakes are tied. What, exactly, does a plate bumper do for you during the week (making the huge assumption it'll do anything on gravel/USFS roads on the few weekends during hunting season). But I digress...


The lift height is determined by the shock (mostly, the stock shocks with longer springs will get you 21" hub to flare measurements). Want longer than that, you'll need aftermarket shocks with adjustable spring perch with the most common being the Bilstein 5100... not sure if the 4600 is adjustable (or simply long enough to get you the lift you desire).

Then you deal with springs, OME and Moog being the 2 more common options. These you need to buy with weight in mind, 4runner spring rates (650 I believe) will be a bit soft with a plate bumper only and a Lot soft with a winch too. Tundra springs (700 as I recall) will be a bit stiff with just a plate bumper and about the same as stock with the winch.

You must buy the shock body the corresponds to the spring rate for best results. Tundra springs, tundra shock. You can split the front and rear, so if the back doesn't have a plate bumper with tire carrier (full time weight), leave it as 4runner weights.

So there you go, 2 shock body options, 2 spring options, just pick what you want. There's not really anything else worth talking about until $1000, and then again not until $2000 (all new pricing). Troll the classifieds for awhile and you Might find better stuff for your price range, or go down the rabbit hole of figuring out some other swap of OEM parts that gets you what you want and might be cheaper, they're out there.

 

[Iffykid]

Consider that the shocks/suspension are needed/felt/used/appreciated absolutely Every single time you drive it, anywhere, for Any purpose. Only tires are More important, and brakes are tied. What, exactly, does a plate bumper do for you during the week (making the huge assumption it'll do anything on gravel/USFS roads on the few weekends during hunting season). But I digress...


The lift height is determined by the shock (mostly, the stock shocks with longer springs will get you 21" hub to flare measurements). Want longer than that, you'll need aftermarket shocks with adjustable spring perch with the most common being the Bilstein 5100... not sure if the 4600 is adjustable (or simply long enough to get you the lift you desire).

Then you deal with springs, OME and Moog being the 2 more common options. These you need to buy with weight in mind, 4runner spring rates (650 I believe) will be a bit soft with a plate bumper only and a Lot soft with a winch too. Tundra springs (700 as I recall) will be a bit stiff with just a plate bumper and about the same as stock with the winch.

You must buy the shock body the corresponds to the spring rate for best results. Tundra springs, tundra shock. You can split the front and rear, so if the back doesn't have a plate bumper with tire carrier (full time weight), leave it as 4runner weights.

So there you go, 2 shock body options, 2 spring options, just pick what you want. There's not really anything else worth talking about until $1000, and then again not until $2000 (all new pricing). Troll the classifieds for awhile and you Might find better stuff for your price range, or go down the rabbit hole of figuring out some other swap of OEM parts that gets you what you want and might be cheaper, they're out there.

Thanks I was missing the part of the shocks controlling the height and now slightly better understand how they interact with the springs.

I still do not quite understand how the 80lb winch effects spring choice any more than if a person does or does not have a 200lb passenger in the front seat:noidea:Yes I do understand the winch weight would be further forward acting on the moment arm principal but still.

I personally like the looks of the plate bumper over the fat lip oem bumper YMMV and it also gives me a attachment point for winch and lights plus recovery points for helping self/others or pulling downed trees off the road, Most other times the entire vehicle will sit in the driveway not just the front bumper/winch waiting for hunting season.

 

[4Runner4Leon]

I have what's probably the cheapest set up for a 2" lift in my '97.

In the rear, stock KYB replacement shocks and OME 906 springs, for a 2" lift over stock. Note that "lift" means nothing since we all start from different heights depending on year, so my rear hub to flare height is now 22.5".

In the front, stock KYB replacement shocks with a 1/2" strut top spacer. Note that the 1/2" spacer is supposed to give a 1" lift - I got 2", no idea why. Hub to flare is also 22.5".

If I ever get more weight up front, I might get some heavier springs, but for now this works great.

The truck rides beautifully, not too firm not too squishy.

I'm not sure I understand the comment about shocks controlling the ride height. Shocks provide damping, not height control. The only time a shock controls height is when it's a coil-over, like our front shocks, and use adjustable perches for the springs like the 5100s. In all other cases, shocks do not control the height, springs do.

 

[Brian.]

I In all other cases, shocks do not control the height, springs do.

Well, I was thinking about the fronts since the rear is more or less a fixed quantity with other parts adding to the limitations.

Don't most plate bumpers need a body-lift anyway? Not sure as they aren't my bag (and yes, I hate the fat-lip too, I'm going to put a 98 chrome bumper on mine soon).

 

[MarkBlack]

Check the classified on here. Got a Icon 2.0 set up with UCA's for $1800.

Or if you dont get lucky everyones happy with the Bilstein's. Id spend the money and get the 6112's over the 5100 just because I see a lot of people get the 5100's and then jump to 6112

 

[Iffykid]

Does this list sound like it will achieve what I am looking to accomplish?

4Runner 96-02 Rear Old Man Emu 2906 Medium Load Springs (Sold in Pairs)
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1
$163.25
5100 Rear Shock Set for 1996-2002 4Runner (0"-2" Lift)
5100 Rear Shock Set for 1996-2002 4Runner (0"-2" Lift)
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1
$180.00
Wheeler's T1 Front Coil Spring Pair for 1995-2015 Tacoma, 1996+ 4Runner and 2007-2014 FJ Cruiser
Wheeler's T1 Front Coil Spring Pair for 1995-2015 Tacoma, 1996+ 4Runner and 2007-2014 FJ Cruiser
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1
$159.99
Bilstein 5100 Ride Height Adjustable Front Shock Set for 99-06 Tundra (Also Firmer Valved Alternative for 96-02 4Runner) [24-261425-X2]
Bilstein 5100 Ride Height Adjustable Front Shock Set for 99-06 Tundra (Also Firmer Valved Alternative for 96-02 4Runner) [24-261425-X2]