Stock suspension hitting bump stops too easy

[Carl Fisher]

I'm not sure if this is normal or a sign that I'm about to do some suspension work.

2007 with only 67k miles. It is a V6 Limited.

The truck is new to me so I don't know how it behaves normally. Just going over small speed bumps causes it to kiss the bump stops. Also there is a fair bit of shimmy back and forth if I go up the curb to my driveway at anything other than head on.

Is it typical for the factory suspension to be that soft or should I be looking to new shocks/struts?

 

[ebg18t]

It sounds like your shocks are shot. If the shock cannot control the compression and lengthening of the springs you will feel the car wallowing.

The bilsteins 5100's are $309 from down south Motorsports. Easy replacement.

 

[Carl Fisher]

The bilsteins 5100's are $309 from down south Motorsports. Easy replacement.

I was just looking into those after reading through some of the suspension thread stickies. I think I'll definitely add this to the to-do list in the next few weeks.

 

[ebg18t]

I was just looking into those after reading through some of the suspension thread stickies. I think I'll definitely add this to the to-do list in the next few weeks.

They are easy to swap. Figure 4-6 hrs if you have never done then before. The ride quality will be much improved. If you want to lift it at the sane time the front shocks have adjustments and you can get a rear daystar spring spacer for $20. This can give you 2.5" front/ 1.5" rear lift for under $350.

 

[Carl Fisher]

Can I go a small lift like that without having to do anything else besides an alignment? i.e. sway bar extension, steering issues, etc...

 

[WXman]

Yes, a small lift will be safe without any other mods.

 

[ebg18t]

Can I go a small lift like that without having to do anything else besides an alignment? i.e. sway bar extension, steering issues, etc...

Yep. Just an alignment after and call it a day.

 

[bob3dsf]

What shocks for the rear w/ Bilstein 5100s @ the front?

Wow great timing with the OP's questions. Mine are feeling the same way and with 85k on the odo I figured it's the shocks wearing out. I'm looking at doing the same thing with the 5100's. But for the rears, will a spring spacer necessitate a longer shock?

I guess I'm wondering what are the common rear shocks to use for this job?

Do I understand correctly that the adjustments on the bilsteins eliminate the need for spacers on the fronts? At what pfit height should I consider a diff drop?

Sorry if this has been covered, but the last time I looked through the lift/suspension compilation by Ark_Swamp_Rider, I only found indirect comments, but nothing direct to my questions.

Thanks

Edit: I looked at Down south motorsports website and see that the 309 price is for front and rear.

 

[YotaDan]

Were you hitting the bumpstops Front and Rear or just one or the other?

 

[TRDCal]

Were you hitting the bump stops Front and Rear or just one or the other?

This...if its in the back and your 4runner has the rear air suspension, their could be an issue with that.

Worn out shocks shouldn't cause this to happen over small bumps. Worn out springs maybe but not at that age and mileage.

 

[Doozi]

The stock springs are very soft and the front end are low on these 4th Gens... I used to bounce off of the front bump stops with anything faster than a crawl over the speed bumps at work. FJ Cruiser coils took care of it. New shocks won't stop that from happening... you need coils with a slightly higher spring rate and being a little higher won't hurt either.

 

[bob3dsf]

The stock springs are very soft and the front end are low on these 4th Gens... I used to bounce off of the front bump stops with anything faster than a crawl over the speed bumps at work. FJ Cruiser coils took care of it. New shocks won't stop that from happening... you need coils with a slightly higher spring rate and being a little higher won't hurt either.

Ahh, coils. Got it. Sounds like my issue. I'll just have to try pushing at the corners and look for the bounce for indications of weakening shocks. Haven't done that in a while.