Ruff ride and need a fix.

[aa010175]

My 2000 4x4 SR5 rides like a semi truck. I talked to a lady that has a 2000 2 wheel drive and she said hers has a very nice ride. Could that be true? And if so can I swap out 2 wheel drive springs (front and rear) for mine? I use mine for road travel only. I have new Monroe strut #71351 and rear is Monroe #37157 for the rear. Will the springs of a 2 wheel drive fit a 4x4? I believe the the springs don’t have enough give. This is a paved road only vehicle. Thanks Dave

 

[RodrickHeffley]

My 2000 4x4 SR5 rides like a semi truck. I talked to a lady that has a 2000 2 wheel drive and she said hers has a very nice ride. Could that be true? And if so can I swap out 2 wheel drive springs (front and rear) for mine? I use mine for road travel only. Thanks Dave

as far as I'm aware, there's no difference in springs between 4wd and 2wd, maybe her springs/shocks are newer or they're aftermarket, could be a lot of factors to it

 

[the_welfare_wagon]

The softest ride your gonna get is gonna be from all OEM shocks and springs,anything aftermarket is going to be stiffer at least in my experience. A “very nice ride” is also very subjective. I happen to like how my 4Runner rides but my friends feel like they are riding the space shuttle Columbia. Make sure your bushings are in good shape as well


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[Bad Luck]

as far as I'm aware, there's no difference in springs between 4wd and 2wd, maybe her springs/shocks are newer or they're aftermarket, could be a lot of factors to it

2wd springs are softer and will cause lower ride height if used on a 4wd.

 

[Bad Luck]

My 2000 4x4 SR5 rides like a semi truck. I talked to a lady that has a 2000 2 wheel drive and she said hers has a very nice ride. Could that be true? And if so can I swap out 2 wheel drive springs (front and rear) for mine? I use mine for road travel only. I have new Monroe strut #71351 and rear is Monroe #37157 for the rear. Will the springs of a 2 wheel drive fit a 4x4? I believe the the springs don’t have enough give. This is a paved road only vehicle. Thanks Dave

If you want an OEM ride you have to use OEM shocks. Anything aftermarket is not going to ride as well at the same ride height. Your ride quality is likely due to the monroe shocks and not the springs. If you use 2wd springs your ride height will be lower than designed/intended and you will bottom out easier on bumps.

Get OEM 99 tall springs for a 4wd front and rear and OEM shocks. Also, keep in mind that tires and tire pressure play a key role in ride quality. If you have LT tires and/or run your tire pressure high then your ride quality is going to suck regardless of the suspension components.

 

[aa010175]

If you want an OEM ride you have to use OEM shocks. Anything aftermarket is not going to ride as well at the same ride height. Your ride quality is likely due to the monroe shocks and not the springs. If you use 2wd springs your ride height will be lower than designed/intended and you will bottom out easier on bumps.

Get OEM 99 tall springs for a 4wd front and rear and OEM shocks. Also, keep in mind that tires and tire pressure play a key role in ride quality. If you have LT tires and/or run your tire pressure high then your ride quality is going to suck regardless of the suspension components.

Thanks for the detailed response! The ride is ruff and with stiffness. It was bad before I replaced the shocks and replacing the shocks didn’t change the bad ride unfortunately. I think the springs need to be softer. Dave

 

[Twisted Sid]

These things are body on frame construction and are 20+ years old and will never ride like a new car.

With that said, do what Bad Luck said and if you are still on the original springs, change them out for the '99 talls and put on some better shocks. Sagged out tired springs will ride like crap and bottom out and putting softer springs on it will make it way worse.

Monroe shocks are low end at best and will not dampen very well.
Put some OEM Tokicos or KYBs and it might ride like a 10 year old truck

 

[Sarki]

When I did a refresh on my 02 @180K as it was still riding on it’s original suspension.
I went with new factory springs all around and KYB shocks/struts as I was looking for a comfortable factory ride for daily highway use.
30K miles later and I’m still very happy with the ride/handling.
In time I also replaced most all suspension bushings which helped as well.