"Rear sag" in a 1999: Fixes?

[Martinjmpr]

Okay, I read the sticky on "rear sag" and it seemed to indicate that the problem was on 96-98 models.

Well, my 98 seems to sag slightly in the rear as well! For a while I was considering a lift kit but even an inexpensive OME lift would push my vehicle up 1 1/2" - 2" and I just don't need that, it's plenty high enough for me right now.

Plus it would cost $600 and honestly, I can think of better uses for that kind of money (like taking a trip somewhere!)

But I would like to cure the "rear sag" if there's a way to do it. Are there slightly longer (say 1 -2") or maybe stiffer springs that will work in the back without having to do a whole lift kit?

The amount of "Sag" is pretty minimal, but I notice it every time I look at the truck.

Anyone else have a similar issue with a 99+ and how did you resolve it, if you did?

 

[manhunter]

I have an 02 that was still sagging after suspension lift and new shocks. I replaced the rear coils with OME 891's for $150. No more sagging and a much better ride.

Rear sagging happens to the best of us, ...., my rear started sagging ten years ago.

 

[Martinjmpr]

I have an 02 that was still sagging after suspension lift and new shocks. I replaced the rear coils with OME 891's for $150. No more sagging and a much better ride.

Rear sagging happens to the best of us, ...., my rear started sagging ten years ago.

Okay, thanks because you just answered the question I was about to ask. :

I was looking at Toytec Lifts web site and I saw the 890 and 891 coils and I was thinking "what if I just swap out my coils for 891s (the "medium duty" coil) and be done with it?

So I assume there's no need to change out shocks if I'm doing that? Only reason I ask is the truck is now 10 years old and I'm fairly certain the shocks have never been replaced, so if I'm under there anyway, might as well go ahead and replace them as well, eh?

 

[TheDurk]

I guess you could also put in the factory '99 "tall" rear springs. Mine are 10 years old (I have them stock) and no sag yet. Read about System 3.0 at Sonoran Steel. I think that would be 1" lift on a '98.

Linky


Shocks won't make any difference to sag, as I am sure you are aware. At 10 years, you probably need new ones--I know I do. (Coming soon).

 

[Ron Helmuth]

96-98 are the recall years-but all 3rd gens encounter butt sag at some point or another.

I would discourage you from going to 891s. You will have severe rake-meaning the butt end sticking up higher than the front. I used to run 891s and they are stiff stiff stiff.

A good resources is Sonoran Steel FAQ section of 96-02 4Runners.

890s are a good all around spring for most people's tastes. Should be able to get for closer to $140 per pair. As you can see I now run the 890s and am happier with the overall ride.

Try my buds at trdparts4u.com also known as Toyota Parts of Dallas. Toytec is local to me but pricewise others do better.

You might choose to just get some new 99 springs-but then they will sag again eventually. You might want to get tall 99 springs while you are at it-or not.

The choices are endless. Yes -you might as well do the shocks while at it, but they are not intertwined within one another as the fronts are.

Change out of the rear springs is not particularly difficult but the rear shocks can be a beast from what I hear/read.

 

[manhunter]

Okay, thanks because you just answered the question I was about to ask. :

I was looking at Toytec Lifts web site and I saw the 890 and 891 coils and I was thinking "what if I just swap out my coils for 891s (the "medium duty" coil) and be done with it?

So I assume there's no need to change out shocks if I'm doing that? Only reason I ask is the truck is now 10 years old and I'm fairly certain the shocks have never been replaced, so if I'm under there anyway, might as well go ahead and replace them as well, eh?

If they are the original shocks, I would go ahead and replace them as well while you have them unhooked, which you have to do to install the springs anyway. That would give you an even better ride. Most recommend doing them both at the same time.

 

[manhunter]

96-98 are the recall years-but all 3rd gens encounter butt sag at some point or another.

I would discourage you from going to 891s. You will have severe rake-meaning the butt end sticking up higher than the front. I used to run 891s and they are stiff stiff stiff.

A good resources is Sonoran Steel FAQ section of 96-02 4Runners.

890s are a good all around spring for most people's tastes. Should be able to get for closer to $140 per pair. As you can see I now run the 890s and am happier with the overall ride.

Try my buds at trdparts4u.com also known as Toyota Parts of Dallas. Toytec is local to me but pricewise others do better.

You might choose to just get some new 99 springs-but then they will sag again eventually. You might want to get tall 99 springs while you are at it-or not.

The choices are endless. Yes -you might as well do the shocks while at it, but they are not intertwined within one another as the fronts are.

Change out of the rear springs is not particularly difficult but the rear shocks can be a beast from what I hear/read.

Ron brings up a good point. If you have no lift at all, then the 891's will lift your rear about 2.5-3". The 890's would probably do better for you. 891's are more for heavy loads and/or frequent towing and pulling loads.

 

[alp]

My 1999 also has slightly noticed rear sag. I have recently replaced original stock shocks with new Bilsteins. After replacement only the rear shocks the
sag was gone. The truck looked perfect! Then I replaced the front shocks and the rear sag came back. Should I use rear spring spacers now? Couls you please recommend what kind and where to get them? Thanks.

 

[004Gunner]

My 1999 also has slightly noticed rear sag. I have recently replaced original stock shocks with new Bilsteins. After replacement only the rear shocks the
sag was gone. The truck looked perfect! Then I replaced the front shocks and the rear sag came back. Should I use rear spring spacers now? Couls you please recommend what kind and where to get them? Thanks.

I would recommend the spacers in your case. I added the 1.5" daystar spacers to the rear and it leveled it out

 

[TheDurk]

My 1999 also has slightly noticed rear sag. I have recently replaced original stock shocks with new Bilsteins. After replacement only the rear shocks the
sag was gone. The truck looked perfect! Then I replaced the front shocks and the rear sag came back. Should I use rear spring spacers now? Couls you please recommend what kind and where to get them? Thanks.

I'm confused. Can someone explain to me how this could be true (unless his new rear shocks are bottoming out at rest, which would not be good)?

 

[manhunter]

I'm confused. Can someone explain to me how this could be true (unless his new rear shocks are bottoming out at rest, which would not be good)?

I had a 2.5 suspension lift all the way around. The rear started sagging slightly so I replaced the shocks in the rear, and struts in the front. What happens is that the front struts elevate the front up slighlty higher than just regular shocks do in the rear, so it then looks like the rear is sagging slightly. That may be why they say to replace the coils and shocks at the same time - the next week I replaced the rear coils with the OME 891's, removing my 2.5" spacers, and now the front and rear are both lifted the same and leveled out.

 

[Benski]

Need advise...

I have a 96. I replaced the shocks and struts 2 years ago. The rear has a minor sag and I want to level it out. I carry a bunch of tools in it and pull my work trailer from time to time. Any recommendations?

 

[fenrisx]

I have a 96. I replaced the shocks and struts 2 years ago. The rear has a minor sag and I want to level it out. I carry a bunch of tools in it and pull my work trailer from time to time. Any recommendations?

OME 906's perhaps

Should handle the weight better than factory, and not give you significant rake.

 

[Ron Helmuth]

OME 906's perhaps

Should handle the weight better than factory, and not give you significant rake.

Agree-Old Man Emu 906springs should work fine, or 890s, which is what I am running.

 

[01thunder]

Agree-Old Man Emu 906springs should work fine, or 890s, which is what I am running.

how is the 890 compared to the 906? which one would be the best for a DD that doesn't see any towing/hauling, etc? i want a nice ride.

 

[Ron Helmuth]

Sorry don't know the specification differences between the 906 and 890. I believe both are a good mid-level spring-meaning good load capability while minimal lift.

I've only had personal experience with 891s and 890s in the rear. 890 much more comfortable for daily unloaded driving. 891s were more weight carrying capability.

 

[mckenzieerving]

I have a 98 4Runner and my rear end is saggy.. awfully.
I am curious as to where to even begin? Obviously am wanting to do new shocks and springs. What brands do you recommend?

I've been wanting to do a lift on it anyways but max 4 inch lift. Can I just buy springs and shocks that will give me 2-3 inches? If I do do that will I need to do other work other than just the shocks and springs?? I am confused, lost and don't know where to begin..
But I just need to fix the sag on my car because it looks awful.

**wanting to have a lift but will mostly be city driven, with the occasional up at the mountain. Mainly trying to build a mall crawler.. But still want to have fun every once in a while.**

 

[MONTYMTB]

I have a 98 4Runner and my rear end is saggy.. awfully.
I am curious as to where to even begin? Obviously am wanting to do new shocks and springs. What brands do you recommend?

I've been wanting to do a lift on it anyways but max 4 inch lift. Can I just buy springs and shocks that will give me 2-3 inches? If I do do that will I need to do other work other than just the shocks and springs?? I am confused, lost and don't know where to begin..
But I just need to fix the sag on my car because it looks awful.

**wanting to have a lift but will mostly be city driven, with the occasional up at the mountain. Mainly trying to build a mall crawler.. But still want to have fun every once in a while.**

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/66976-3rd-gen-4runner-lift-information-faqs.html

 

[dgoll75]

I have 99 highlander springs and KYB shocks on all 4 corners of my 97. I had some sagging happen after I added my cargo box and tools. I also carry a 3000# cargo trailer often for work. As a quick and cheap solution I installed an AirLift 1000 kit ($90 on eBay Air Lift 60743 Air Lift 1000 Air Spring Kit for 1996 2002 Toyota 4 Runner | eBay) and I can up/down adjust anytime I want super easy. I thought this was going to be temporary. Been 3 years and I still am happy. Made a rough droopy ride near perfect...well as perfect as these trucks allow anyhow.

 

[BamaDrewski]

I have a 98 4Runner and my rear end is saggy.. awfully.
I am curious as to where to even begin? Obviously am wanting to do new shocks and springs. What brands do you recommend?

I've been wanting to do a lift on it anyways but max 4 inch lift. Can I just buy springs and shocks that will give me 2-3 inches? If I do do that will I need to do other work other than just the shocks and springs?? I am confused, lost and don't know where to begin..
But I just need to fix the sag on my car because it looks awful.

**wanting to have a lift but will mostly be city driven, with the occasional up at the mountain. Mainly trying to build a mall crawler.. But still want to have fun every once in a while.**

Like most of us, I had the same issue. I bought MOOG springs with a online discount code with 30% off from Advance Auto Parts (CODE: TRT30). While I was in there, I install some airlift bags and I can adjust the pressure when I want. Did this awhile back and ZERO ISSUES! (Bought the AirLifts on Amazon...)