When I bought my 2000 Toyota 4Runner, the shocks definitely needed replacing (160k miles, probably still original shocks!). So I decided to replace the springs while at it too. I wanted a small lift, <2". I thought about buying the Toyota '99 coils for a 1" lift, but OME was cheaper so might as well go close to 2"
Parts ordered:
- OME 880 Front Springs
- OME 906 Rear Springs
- OME 90004 Front Shocks
- OME 60028 Rear Shocks
- OME 95PF5 Front Trim Packer (wasn't installed)
- OME 80PF10 Rear Trim Packer (wasn't installed) (but 3 years hindsight says I should have put them in)
I did not get a diff drop or the stainless steel brake line. I got KYB strut mounts since might as well replace the strut mounts while in there.
Pics after install
I didn't get any good before pictures, so all I have is after. Here's the two side pictures...
(whoops hosting for these photos went down, I'll see if I can find them some time)
And a pic of the vehicle fully loaded with camping gear for 5 people and petrified wood...
Measurements
I measured the height from the ground to the edge of the black trim around the wheel wells. Truck was unloaded other than the stock hitch, spare tire, and just over half a tank of gas. Measurements taken about 100 miles after install. These pics and measurements are with the stock 265/70r16 tires (31", or precisely something like 30.6").
- Front driver: 35 3/4"
- Front passenger: 35 3/4"
- Rear driver: 36 3/4"
- Rear passenger: 36 1/2"
The driver side in the rear was actually a little HIGHER!
So I originally thought that my shop installed both the front and rear driver side trim packers, but apparently they didn't... I looked in the box with my old springs, and there were the trim packers in their original bag!
(Old info): Thus, my advice is:
do NOT use the trim packers! The measurements above don't have the trim packers, and clearly the truck sits perfectly! With a full tank of gas, it seems like the driver side might be a bit lower (I quickly measured it again). That's as perfect as you can get.
After like 5,000 miles, the truck is still sitting wonderfully level. Trim packers definitely not needed.
CORRECTION 7/2017: Trim packers NEEDED! 3 years later, my driver side is lower. I started noticing it being lower after 1 or 2 years. I haven't tried putting them in yet though.
Comfort of ride
I was pleasantly surprised by the ride quality. I was afraid it'd be too rough after hearing some people talk about the suspension. It's probably not as soft as stock Toyota springs and shocks (never got to experience a good stock suspension), but it isn't unpleasant or awful either! And that's coming from someone who always drove cars before this, so I still am more used to things riding like a car than "riding like a truck".
The only harsh experience about the suspension is when going a bit faster over some speedbumps... it feels like the rear jumps up off the ground when hitting the speedbump! Maybe if I went even faster (I was only going about 10 mph tops) it would actually absorb the bump.
I was wondering how Bilstein's would feel instead of the OME Nitrocharger shocks. But I'm quite happy with the full OME package.
Off road ride
I still haven't had a chance to go off roading with the new suspension. I've hopped a few curbs just to see how it feels, and it feels much more solid and strong. I'll try to update this after I go wheeling!
Update: OFF ROADING!
I finally did some wheeling. There's definitely different types of off road, so I'll break it down by the type...
Washboard dirt roads
If you're on a dirt road with tons of washboard but otherwise no bumps, the OME setup is quite rough. It doesn't do well absorbing washboard. When I rode in my friend's stock Ford Explorer, I was like "Whoa, your vehicle actually absorbs washboard" haha.
Dirt roads with potholes, big bumps
As long as you go fast, the OME suspension loves absorbing big bumps/potholes. Go slow, and it won't absorb. I like to go faster on dirt roads (where it's safe and can see ahead for oncoming cars), so the setup works well. I love that you won't feel any extra rebound when going over big bumps, it controls the bump perfectly.
Rock crawling
The OME suspension feels perfectly controlled on slower low-range obstacles. It handles drops off rocks perfectly, feels sturdy, etc. Definite improvement over stock. The extra lift has definitely helped clear some obstacles. I scratch the hitch less, and feel less worried about scratching the underside.
