Rear suspension setup for towing.

[Rendell]

My 97 limited, has stock shocks, stock springs and 3 inch lift spacer. Works great, except when I hook up my trailer. I immediately get some noticeable sag. at least 2 inches. I've been searching the forum for information, and do not have any definite part numbers, or real payload information.

I've read home about FJ80 Springs, FJC springs... Even read about some highlander springs, but not a solid part number, and no real discussion of payload handling.

The trailer is a single axle, 6x10 wood floor trailer. Just basic.
I do not offroad much, maybe a little going to the deer camp and needed clearance more than anything else.

What would be your suggestions for replacement springs and shock for holding my rear end up with a load on.

Thank you in advance.

 

[thegipper]

I would get a set of OME 906's, you'll get about 2 inches of lift and they are awesome springs for towing. Ride is a little firm at first but they loosen up with time.

They are about 165 bucks shipped.

 

[Rendell]

I would get a set of OME 906's, you'll get about 2 inches of lift and they are awesome springs for towing. Ride is a little firm at first but they loosen up with time.

They are about 165 bucks shipped.

Thank you, fellow Wisconsinite. (I have been transplanted, but it never leaves you) I'll look into that. I would need to total 3 inches to level the truck, as I have 3 on the front. Is there a model that is an inch taller?

Heck, My 4runner has 240K miles, and I'm sure they are original springs.. I my just need new spring, to go with my current spacer.

I did find the LC spring sticky, Great right up. I didn't find much in the way of load ratings.

 

[thegipper]

Yes, OME makes taller springs than the 906. I can't remember which one it is but go to wheelers off road or the OME site and you should be able to find it.

Wisconsin > the rest =)

 

[Rendell]

Yes, OME makes taller springs than the 906. I can't remember which one it is but go to wheelers off road or the OME site and you should be able to find it.

Wisconsin > the rest =)

Thanks.

Yes, it is... I miss it sometimes. Then I go home in January and remember why I live in Arkansas... lol.

Remember Drink Wisconsinably..

 

[DeepSea88]

OME 2896s

Yes, OME makes taller springs than the 906. I can't remember which one it is but go to wheelers off road or the OME site and you should be able to find it.

Wisconsin > the rest =)

OOOOOOOOHHHH heeeeey theeerrreeeee!

Fellow WI transplant here! GO PACK GO! I have a 5th gen with the OME 2896s 3" lift without a rear bumper. Stiff with no load and softer than fresh fallen WI snow with a load. And honestly, 50 lbs is enough to give it some softness.

Also, the stiffness is only noticeable because the 5th gen has such a soft stock suspension. I'm also running King 2.5" shocks with remote reservoirs.
If you order some suspension parts I highly recommend @totalautomotiveperformance. Zero tax and zero shipping.

Happy trails!

 

[SoFloT4R]

I believe the 891 is the 3" lift coil for extra weight

 

[Rendell]

OOOOOOOOHHHH heeeeey theeerrreeeee!

Fellow WI transplant here! GO PACK GO! I have a 5th gen with the OME 2896s 3" lift without a rear bumper. Stiff with no load and softer than fresh fallen WI snow with a load. And honestly, 50 lbs is enough to give it some softness.

Also, the stiffness is only noticeable because the 5th gen has such a soft stock suspension. I'm also running King 2.5" shocks with remote reservoirs.
If you order some suspension parts I highly recommend @totalautomotiveperformance. Zero tax and zero shipping.

Happy trails!

Thanks Deepsea88,

I just found some OME 2891 springs on Wheeler's, that might do the trick, like Door County Wine, doocha know. I do have a 2x10 box, and a stock bumper so Should be enough to soften the 2891's ride...

I might just get a set of MOOG Replacements, If I can findout what The difference between Standard and professional are.. I'm feeling like my 240K stock springs are just getting tired.

I might even be on a unicorn hunt right now. I want stock ride, 3 inches of lift, and an extra 500lbs of towing...

 

[yella]

I am also in the pricess of getting new springs / shocks. I read that MOGG springs may give lift, but sag a lot and quickly, with any load.

I tow sometines, my springs actually dont sag to bad as is, but I am lookibg at the 906 for the smaller lift.

 

[Rendell]

I believe the 891 is the 3" lift coil for extra weight

Thanks SOFloT4r.. Greatly appreciated..

 

[Rendell]

I am also in the pricess of getting new springs / shocks. I read that MOGG springs may give lift, but sag a lot and quickly, with any load.

I tow sometines, my springs actually dont sag to bad as is, but I am lookibg at the 906 for the smaller lift.

Thanks Yella.. I believe we are both chasing the same dog. I have to tow sometimes, and I am leaning towards 240K miles, and 20 years OEM (Not OME) springs may just need some newer ones..

Anyone went with the LC-7 coil on the 4runner, and have some input on sag during towing?

I still researching and The more I search the interwebs I get more questions.
I'm guessing the OME 2891s are constant rate springs? And would variable rate be better. I could be completely wrong on all of this.. If I read correctly the Constant rate Springs would give less sag under load than variable.

 

[phattyduck]

Since you like the unloaded height and performance of your current suspension, why not just get some in-spring airbags (airlift or similar). Run them at minimum pressure for daily driving and put in whatever you need when towing.

Otherwise, the 906's will be the 'best' for mild lift and towing (highest spring rate), but other OME springs are available for more lift. No matter what, the springs will compress a bit when loaded...

-Charlie

 

[Rendell]

Ok, so called my buddy at the Toyota parts shop. We discussed several question's I had.

He said Bags would be ideal, but he agreed that my OEM springs are probably tired. He recommended replacing the stock springs with some professional grade variable rate AC Delco springs from Rock Auto. said they have a 780LBS rating, that is substantially more than OEM, see how it works and if it sags under load add bags.
This sounds quite a bit like a viable option because of the cost of the OME shocks vs. the AC Delcos at Rock auto. I'd be in to $80 vs $180. and I can use the spacers I have to set the ride height. I would know it wasn't wore out springs..

Thoughts?

I appreciate the input from everyone.

 

[thegipper]

Not sure about the AC delco springs but most of the "cheap" aftermarket springs do not last very long. Some people have had good results with Moog but many others have not.

If the AC delcos only last a couple years before sagging again, was the 100 bucks savings worth it? That's up to you.

OEM/OME or some of the other quality springs will last much longer. Those springs are $80 a set for a reason. OME is a nice compromise of good quality but not super expensive (cheaper than OEM I think).

If you plan on keeping your truck for awhile, spend the money and get a quality set of springs. Buy once, cry once....

P.S. When I hook up my #2500 boat/trailer on my rig with 906's, it barely lowers at all. The ride quality of the 906's while towing is excellent! I also keep a bunch of stuff in the back (tools, sub, etc).

 

[Rendell]

Since you like the unloaded height and performance of your current suspension, why not just get some in-spring airbags (airlift or similar). Run them at minimum pressure for daily driving and put in whatever you need when towing.

Otherwise, the 906's will be the 'best' for mild lift and towing (highest spring rate), but other OME springs are available for more lift. No matter what, the springs will compress a bit when loaded...

-Charlie

Thanks, Charlie.
It looks like the 906 (I'm actually seeing P/N 2906 on Wheeler's sight) gives about 2in lift and a 230 load rate, I have 3in on the front. the OME 2891 give about 2.5 to 3 and have a 210 load rate. They would seem comparable in all aspects except lift, where the 2891 would give more.

Hope this helps explain my understanding of the part numbers.. I am always willing to listen to others, and there is a chance I'm wrong.

 

[phattyduck]

(I'm actually seeing P/N 2906 on Wheeler's sight)

Every OME spring part number starts with a 2, so most guys omit it.

The 2891's will give you that 2.5-3" lift when loaded, so keep that in mind (they are designed for trucks with heavy bumpers, etc.). When unloaded, it will probably be more like 4" of lift.

Sadly, this is a question with no 'right' answer...

-Charlie

 

[Rendell]

Not sure about the AC delco springs but most of the "cheap" aftermarket springs do not last very long. Some people have had good results with Moog but many others have not.

If the AC delcos only last a couple years before sagging again, was the 100 bucks savings worth it? That's up to you.

OEM/OME or some of the other quality springs will last much longer. Those springs are $80 a set for a reason. OME is a nice compromise of good quality but not super expensive (cheaper than OEM I think).

If you plan on keeping your truck for awhile, spend the money and get a quality set of springs. Buy once, cry once....

P.S. When I hook up my #2500 boat/trailer on my rig with 906's, it barely lowers at all. The ride quality of the 906's while towing is excellent! I also keep a bunch of stuff in the back (tools, sub, etc).

That is probably the best answers right there.

Now I'm mostly convinced, a set of the OME 2891 springs, for the 3 inch lift. so I don't have to rebuild up front in this deal.

ACDelco, is a brand.

I appreciate your input. Now I better get down town and get my Gigolo (giggitty) hustle on to pay for this..

 

[Rendell]

Every OME spring part number starts with a 2, so most guys omit it.

The 2891's will give you that 2.5-3" lift when loaded, so keep that in mind (they are designed for trucks with heavy bumpers, etc.). When unloaded, it will probably be more like 4" of lift.

Sadly, this is a question with no 'right' answer...

-Charlie

Roger that.

I'm guessing 100 lbs of sub box, and 70 lbs of toolbox and 40-50 lbs crap will close to offset the heavy bumper weight some. Then the question for me would be if the 891s (I'm good with that) are probably 4 inch unloaded, then the 906s are probably 3 inch unloaded. then the only thing is to try them, because of the variances of each truck. Which brings me back to just using an after market set, Like the ACDelco 45H2131 professional series (larger weight rated variable) Probably built for a larger truck also but seems like near stock ride height. that would leave me with a 750 lbs load rating at stock height, to replace tired springs. Then get the 3 inch lift from my current spacers. I'm not doing a lot of off road, other than deer camp road..
I'm undecided again.

This is why this subject hasn't been a larger conversation, in the past. it is a lot of

 

[SoFloT4R]

I got 2" exactly unloaded, stock bumper from the 2906 coils

 

[Rendell]

I got 2" exactly unloaded, stock bumper from the 2906 coils

Thanks again.