Replacing Stock rear springs for towing

[automated1]

Well as the thread states I want to replace my stock rear springs with an upgraded unit for towing. I really dont want to lift the vehicle so any recommendations would be appriciated. Does anyone sell heavy duty normal height springs?

Thanks,

Jason

 

[badattitude]

what year is your 4runner?

 

[automated1]

Its a 1997 SR5 V6 4x4

 

[Millerad1651]

OME 906s are the closest to stock height that also have a higher spring rate (220#). Unloaded, you may have a little rake, but nothing bad. Loaded, they would drop a little, depending on what you tow. I have them, and towed an 18ft pontoon boat last weekend...they barely moved. Plus I had the back end loaded.

 

[automated1]

Cool thanks. Do you need new shocks with those?

 

[IanB]

OME 906 /thread

They work with stock shocks, stock front suspension, get rid of bodyroll and the wallowy feel of the stock rear springs, you don't need an alignment if that's the only change you make, there is really no downside IMO. You'll be very happy with these.

 

[LittleCaesar]

I upgraded them on mine two years ago while using my 4runner as my main tow vehicle and not only did the rear not sag but it also felt as if I had much more stability when towing what was behind me due to the lack of flexing by the new 906s.

I do have HD Bilsteins on there as well which do help as well.

I'd also spend another $100 and invest in a tranny cooler to keep your transmission temps in working order.

 

[fish0281]

I can second (third?) the OME 906's. I just put them on my truck and they're awesome. The wallowing rear end is gone, I can load up my rig and it doesn't budge, but it did give me more rake than I'd like with stock fronts... so I also upgraded the front to OME 880's. Loving it.

 

[IanB]

I can second (third?) the OME 906's. I just put them on my truck and they're awesome. The wallowing rear end is gone, I can load up my rig and it doesn't budge, but it did give me more rake than I'd like with stock fronts... so I also upgraded the front to OME 880's. Loving it.

Ya, the 01-02's had the shortest stock springs of all the years, they might have too much rake, but all the '96-'99's that I've seen are just fine with stock front springs.

 

[fish0281]

^^I had the '99 talls on mine, but I tend to be kinda picky about rake (in either direction).

 

[JohnsD90]

The 906's, they hold loads a little better than stock, and they sit about an inch over the front suspension, but it looks pretty level. I just wish that they could hold heavier loads like leaf springs, but oh well.

 

[IanB]

The 906's, they hold loads a little better than stock, and they sit about an inch over the front suspension, but it looks pretty level. I just wish that they could hold heavier loads like leaf springs, but oh well.

If you put a heavier coilspring it could, just like people have to add-a-leaf to deal with heavy loads in leaf sprung vehicles, but it would ride worse when unloaded. At the end of the day, it's not a pickup truck.

 

[RunninOnBlue]

You could put in air bags. Mine work great even with gear and a 3500lb boat behind.

 

[bass-o-matic]

Old thread I know...

I have a 2002 2wd
Towing 2800 lb trailer
450 lb tongue weight
Rear end is sagging

1. 906s sound perfect but someone said rake? like too much angle... ass too high?

2. Air springs. Those would also need a compressor right? and do they self adjust? no nothing bout that.

3. My bro said to look for coil over shocks for the rear... can't find any do they make them?

Thanks for any help!

 

[thegipper]

Old thread I know...

I have a 2002 2wd
Towing 2800 lb trailer
450 lb tongue weight
Rear end is sagging

1. 906s sound perfect but someone said rake? like too much angle... ass too high?

2. Air springs. Those would also need a compressor right? and do they self adjust? no nothing bout that.

3. My bro said to look for coil over shocks for the rear... can't find any do they make them?

Thanks for any help!

1. 906's are excellent for towing. You will gain about 2" in the rear so there will be a little rake (front will be a little lower than the rear, I actually prefer it this way, looks great). Your ride will be a little stiffer when unloaded but nothing terrible. You can use your stock shocks if you want or upgrade them while you are replacing the springs. A lot of people on here love the 5100's. I'm using hand me down KYB gas ajusts and they work good too and are pretty cheap. If I had to replace them, I'd probably join the club and get the 5100's.

2. I'm assuming you are talking about air bags. It's essentially a super heavy duty air balloon that goes inside your springs in the rear. There is an air line with an fitting on it that hooks up to a standard tire pump to raise and lower the pressure of the air bag. You can leave it with little to no pressure when you are not towing or pump it up to reduce sag in the rear when towing heavy loads. I've never used them but many people really like them. Personally, I'd rather have better springs than air bags. You do not need a air compressor to fill them (on the truck or in your garage) but it does make inflating them quicker/easier.

3. The rear suspension on our trucks has a separate spring and shock, not a coil over like the front. It can be done, but based on what I know, it's mainly for hardcore off roading (long travel setups etc). It would also be super expensive when there are much cheaper options for what you need to do (air bags or better springs).

Install some 906's and you'll love them. Think they are about 180 bucks shipped. If you can turn a wrench, it's a easy DIY job with some basic tools. Plenty of videos showing exactly how to do it too.

 

[thegipper]

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

It has everything you need to know about upgrading the suspension on these trucks.

 

[bass-o-matic]

thanks for the tips!

I think I'll go with the 906 and the 5100 for now

The air bags sound too complicated.

 

[bass-o-matic]

One last thing.

Part numbers?

I guess the Tall 99 are coils for 1999 4 runner? 2wd or 4? I have a 2wd...If that matters.

and the shocks are?

Bilstein 24-100144 Rear

https://www.amazon.com/Bilstein-24-...pID=31u6dvCy2KL&preST=_SY300_QL70_&dpSrc=srch

 

[bass-o-matic]

Ok, ok ok…. I think I got it…

Rears only since the 99 springs will only add an inch. I can replace the front shocks if necessary and keep the factory front coils.

Parts list:

1. Genuine Toyota 48231-35210 Coil Spring, Rear (Amazon $124 Each OEM) $250
2. Bilstein (24-100144) 5100 Series Shock Absorber Rear (Amazon $70 each) $140
3. Daystar, Universal Hourglass Shock Eye Bushing Std. 3/4" I.D. Pair, KU08007BK, Made in America, Black (Amazon $6 a pair) $6

Total Cost $396~

Sound about right?

 

[spartacus]

Safety is the the key to towing at least for me. I notice people coming down passes that makes me think about their and others safety that share the roads with them. 3rd gen* and 5th gen 4runners require tandem axles for towing trailers over 2000lbs. I would read the owners manual.
* Unleveled truck and trailer will drastically increase tire wear, the suspension will go through more stress, and braking ability will be compromised.* While a rig may be rated from the factory to haul a specific load, that load can and will drastically change the driving characteristics of a vehicle. If the vehicle is loaded heavily in the rear with a trailer or cargo will cause the suspension being unloaded at the top of its travel. Plus the angle of the vehicle to the road will be off.An unloaded front end will most definitely reduce steering response. another problem has to do with braking. With a sagging tow rig and trailer combo under hard braking due to the un-level combo, the trailer will push the rear end of the tow truck into the ground, thus unloading the front suspension, reducing steering control and braking ability substantially (front brakes generally handle 70 percent of the vehicle’s stopping power) the end result is less control of the vehicle, this when the WDH system and electric brakes prove their worth.
*Airbags are great for their quick adjustability. Unloaded, the ’bags need only a small amount of pressure (7 psi average), Once loaded, the ’bags can be filled to level the vehicle and will then still offer a smooth ride.* Airbags are a perfect fit. Sure, there’s a risk of air leaks or blowouts, but Airbag systems are now extremely reliable.
I carry a portable
DEWALT DXAEJ14 Jump Starter: 1400 Peak/700 Instant Amps, 120 PSI Digital Air Compressor https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06XD6XBCM/ref=cm_sw_r_other_taa_i_ohq8Ab57KSS32
it's got a jumpers, USB ports,air compressor* and works well I had a stanley before I had the dewalt.
I liked air bags for towing I put them in my 5th gen 4runner too. you can go with ome 809,s I have them with hd4600 in my t4r. they are great but you are pulling close to max tow and your tongue weight of 450 pounds will make them sag. It takes no time only a few minutes air up or down the bags and for me towing has been relatively stress free.