Shocks only???
- Thread starter hec983
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Sagging???
I agree with Mike. If they are not sagging, I suggest leaving them alone.
Food for thought:
If you plan to tow with your 4Runner though, I'd suggest looking for an airlift kit. Airlifts are leveling kits that can protect springs from sagging when one tows. My dad and I have installed them on my 4Runner and his Sequoia, twice on each. Each set lasted between 8-10 years, and its a fairly straight forward install. They're also a diy approach for a variable lift in the back. For my 4runner, it adds between 0" and ~1.75" (depending on pressure). They often come with giant 2-3" blocks for the airbags if you ever decide to put in longer springs to the rear for a suspension lift. Again, airlifts are definitely not necessary, but they can benefit towing and some lifting applications.
Spunk
Food for thought:
If you plan to tow with your 4Runner though, I'd suggest looking for an airlift kit. Airlifts are leveling kits that can protect springs from sagging when one tows. My dad and I have installed them on my 4Runner and his Sequoia, twice on each. Each set lasted between 8-10 years, and its a fairly straight forward install. They're also a diy approach for a variable lift in the back. For my 4runner, it adds between 0" and ~1.75" (depending on pressure). They often come with giant 2-3" blocks for the airbags if you ever decide to put in longer springs to the rear for a suspension lift. Again, airlifts are definitely not necessary, but they can benefit towing and some lifting applications.
Spunk
Oh, sorry, I didn't see your response. Sagging is when the vehicle has an uneven ride height. This is often due to springs sagging, or squishing (well that sounds technical). One or more springs may be more compressed than its couterparts, causing the vehicle to lean one way or another. This is a often spring aging problem.
For example, let us say my '99 (generation 3) has a sagging spirng on the left rear. Instead of having a ground-fender clearance of 34 inches like my right rear, maybe it only has 32 or 33 inches. That's a good time to replace springs (both front and rear). I have heard of some years in the Gen 3's having recalls for this issue stock. If anyone else has links or an opinion, feel free!
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Ok now I understand. I don't think they are to be honest. I'll measure it tomorrow tho but I dnt think they are.
TNRunner99
New member
If not then just use oem shocks and your ride will be a lot nicer. Just the springs being a little worn won't hurt the ride quality.
Blitzkrieg
New member
The rear spring sag is way more common on the second gen 4Runners than the 3rd gen.
Poor second gen'ers got stuck with not only saggy springs they have to deal with the infamously horrible 3.0L V-6 which isn't good for much other than a boat anchor (after thoroughly cleaning out all oil and fluids of course).
Poor second gen'ers got stuck with not only saggy springs they have to deal with the infamously horrible 3.0L V-6 which isn't good for much other than a boat anchor (after thoroughly cleaning out all oil and fluids of course).
The rear spring sag is way more common on the second gen 4Runners than the 3rd gen.
Poor second gen'ers got stuck with not only saggy springs they have to deal with the infamously horrible 3.0L V-6 which isn't good for much other than a boat anchor (after thoroughly cleaning out all oil and fluids of course).
Sweet then I'll just get the rear shocks for now!!!! Thanks guys.
PitbullRescuer
New member
It's pretty common on 3rd Gen 4Runners too.
MoveWeight
New member
Im going through the same issue... i really want to get a lift to make the truck look better instead of buying a new truck.
Toytec
ToyTec Superflex Rear Coils (96-02 4Runner)
P/N: 024RCB
Not Sure Shocks.. Was looking at Rear Long Travel Bilstein 5100 Series: Yes (9602R703) Includes extra shipping - $210.00
ToyTec Superflex Rear Coils (96-02 4Runner)
That Combo on there... Come to $399.99 and that is for the REAR END ONLY and does not include install time and labor...
FRONT:
Toytec/Eibach front coil lift springs
TOYTEC/EIBACH FRONT COIL LIFT SPRINGS $163.99
'96-'02 4Runner 3" lift (Will not work on stock length shocks
So Gotta find out what shocks to get for the front...
For that above and thats not including FRONT SHOCKS YET!!!
Shipping is 45$ FED EX..
UP TO 609$ And still need front shocks and most likely some other parts...
Thats alot of Money.... :wtf:
snivilous
Senior Member
Sounds right. My 5100 shock set was $360 and then $190 for the rear springs and $160 for the front springs or something near that, which comes out to $700+ and that's pretty cheap for a decent setup of bilstein/OME/eibach.
MoveWeight
New member
700$ is alot for me I Guess.... Just for a lift.. Then gotta buy bigger new rims and tires to make it look good!!.. thats another few Grand...
How many hours did it take you to install and did you do it by yourself?:rofl:
snivilous
Senior Member
Yea it's definitely a bit of cash. There are cheaper methods, spacer lifts, Rough Country lift, etc. but if you can afford to start out with a good setup that helps save time and money. I actually started out with a 2" spacer lift in the front and air bags in the rear, then got 3" lift coils in the rear, then got all the shocks/new front coils about 6 months later. The shocks improved the ride a LOT but I wheeled just as hard/often as I do now with stock shocks and a 2-3" lift.
I'm running the same 15" rims as when I got the truck from my parents, eventually I will upgrade to 16" rims but that is ONLY because most tires have limited size for 15" rims, otherwise there's no reason to change besides cosmetics really. Though yes, you will probably want bigger tires. Again, work with what your budget can do. Before I had the 4Runner fully lifted I had Wrangler Authorities in a 31" size which truly measure 29", I'm still running those same tires so it looks like I have tons of fender space to stuff tires and I do. I don't think it looks too bad, but instead of saving up for bigger tires I modified other aspects since even though the tires are little undersized they have good traction and haven't slowed me down where I want to go. However, I'm not saying bigger tires are bad but don't feel pressured to have to upgrade your tires/rims right after the lift. Over the summer I'll go to 33" or 35" tires and it'll have been a year since the completed lift was installed.
And yea, I did the install myself. It's fun to work on it and I don't like other people working on it anyways
The only thing I had issue with for the coilover installation was squishing the top hat onto the shock shaft and threading the nut on, even with the coils compressed so they weren't touching the top hat there was such little thread I had to really pull on the washer to show enough thread for the nut to engage and that was annoying. The first time I also had some issues with the rear shocks getting installed, but once I figured out it was easier to just clamp the shock shaft with some vice grips and then thread the nuts on top it was easy, and the rear springs are pretty straight forward. I would take a full day to install it though, it's harder to remove the stock suspension components than aftermarket ones in my experience and obviously if it's your first time/the vehicle's first time there will be little things that need to be learned and figured out, so 6-8 hours. Hope that helps, it's about the longest reply ever so maybe you can glean some information haha
TNRunner99
New member
You can get stock rear shocks for a LC to run with the Superflex coils. They are a bit cheaper and no special bracket needed.
Toytec sells front coilovers already assembled. A lot less work and fully adjustable.