Restoring that like-new ride on a 1998 4Runner...

[TripleT]

My poor 1998 4Runner just doesn't ride like she used to.

The tires are new, and I had the front struts replaced a year ago, which didn't seem to help as much as I had hoped.

What are the typical culprits? Springs? Bushings? I feel every bump in the road.

How likely is it I can restore the nice comfortable ride I remember without breaking the bank?

And what can I do myself, vs. what should I pay for? I'm somewhat handy, but by no means a mechanic.

I might be buying a new/newer 4Runner soon, but based on my research so far it seems like I might as well keep the '98 as well.

Thanks!

 

[TripleT]

Or should I cut my losses?

She's running fine at 118K miles. Just a bumpy ride and typical wear for a 15 year old 4Runner. Including some hurting paint on the hood, and the classic rusty rear bumper.

 

[Skidmarcx]

It's probably your rear springs bottoming out... Replace those with new shocks and probably do your front lower ball joints

 

[TripleT]

It's probably your rear springs bottoming out... Replace those with new shocks and probably do your front lower ball joints

Any recommendations for rear shocks that will provide a smooth ride without sacrificing control? I wonder if the safest bet is Toyota.

Are all ball joints created equal... or should I look for a certain brand?

I also see suspension kits that include ball joints plus more, and are less than $200. I wonder if I should opt for one of those.

Thanks!

 

[Skidmarcx]

Ball joints, tie rods, etc. I'd get straight from Toyota... here is a link for good online prices

Camelback Toyota Parts - Genuine OEM Parts - Free Shipping

As far as suspension you'll have to search the forums or look at the FAQ threads... I don't have much experience beyond what I've got which is the OME lift kit... and it doesn't ride like factory

 

[Rocky5000100]

Bushing for sure. Replace the end links and sway bar bushings. I just did mine and its amazing. Get the polyurethane bushings. Was $60 total.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?t=149527


I just did the front but you can do the rear as well .

 

[nodixe]

All are correct. From my extensive reading (I have no 1st hand) it appears that worn bushings, tre's, bj's, as well as tired shocks all contribute to poor ride quallity.
I cant really make any recommendations as I'm in same boat you are as I have a 3mo old black '98 and I am also trying to do what the title says. But I will say fwiw imo all bj's are not created equall and I went all oem....well mostly. I also got oem ubj and otre. As for itre's I'm torn between oem ($120) and proforged ($58). I also got new kyb gasajust but I never heard of them and it wasn't my choice. Springs are next and I'm looking at trd/ome combo. Currently I'm trying to make sense of bushing options. I can find fr/rr sway bar bushings and steering rack bushings for 95-00 tacoma but supposed to be compatible. Is that all there is for polyurethane bushings? What about body mounts? Rubber is better? Oem rubber? Blah blah blah etc. To make a long post longer I am also looking for feedback on this subject from people with more experience than just reading....

 

[WXman]

Coil and leaf springs all sag and grow tired as the years rack up. A good set of replacement springs front/rear combined with new shocks of your choice front/rear will do wonders for your ride quality. The bushings are a good idea if you want but can be a much more difficult job for the driveway mechanic.

 

[nodixe]

Oh really? I'm about to replace i/o TRE's, u/l BJ's, steering rack bushings, f/r sway bar bushings, and body mount bushings. Just waiting on bm bushings. Not by myself. I have TSM, youtube, you guys, plus Im lucky to have 3 old mechanic uncles. Whats the most difficult aspect for diy install? Lack of knowledge of technical details or lack of proper tools or plain ol lack of experience? Any tips?
Oh yeah any suggestions for sway bar end links and new bolts/nuts kit?

 

[Que]

just curious what the OP decided to do.

 

[TripleT]

just curious what the OP decided to do.

Didn't see this in my inbox for some reason. Belated answer...

My mechanic said he didn't see anything that looked overly worn or problematic. Still, I believe replacing the bushings, TRE's, and ball joints would probably tighten things up quite a bit.

But I think I need to find a mechanic more inclined to do such things... and to take my money. This current mechanic seems to be somewhat of a minimalist... which actually is probably a good thing.

Plot twist... my exhaust started falling off. It was a butcher job from Midas, repairing some vandalism that had occurred a few years prior. This time I researched exhaust shops and found a great shop nearby, and got a nice new shiny, solid exhaust.

Why is this significant? The old exhaust must have been swinging and jumping around, making every bump in the road sound and feel worse than it actually was.

Plot twist #2... with a quieter ride, I started noticing other noises... but couldn't pinpoint where the heck they were coming from. After months of this driving me crazy, I stumbled on posts from others complaining of similar symptoms, who had discovered the racket was coming from the rear seat latches! Seems over years they get warn and cause the rear seats to jostle quite a bit over bumps.

So now, it's 2014, and my 1998 4Runner is riding a bit bumpy but much quieter, has some shiny new paint matching the factory, a new exhaust, a new rust-free bumper... and should tide me over for another year or two easily.

I'm hoping the 6th gen 4Runner does for me what the '98 did the moment I spotted it in the lot. If I had my way, 6th gen would be 3rd gen + more ponies. I'd reserve mine today. Same color too!

Oh, and a plastic bumper.