Suspension Questions - new owner

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yella

New member
Recently picked up a 1997 SR5. I have been searching the forums in my quest to update or "freshen" up the suspension, all 4 corners. I have no plans for a lift, the truck sits relatively high as is. It may see some mild off road ( camping, dirt bike trails, or just some mild fun ) but will not be a dedicated off road truck. I use it as a non daily driver ( I have a work vehicle for that ). Basically the 4R is a rec vehicle that I use on the weekends, sometimes pull a utility trailer or small tent trailer, camping, dirt biking, work, etc.

That being said, what would be a good suspension set up for all 4 corners. I have a supplier that I can get Monroe equipment for fairly cheap - and have used Monroe equipment for other vehicles with good success in the past. I would like to have the back end up a bit, for look and for when I have a load on the back.

I am on a budget, but would like to do springs / shocks - get it all over with in one shot, and don't mind waiting a bit to save up the money.

Tires are currently 265/75/16.
 
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yella said:
Recently picked up a 1997 SR5. I have been searching the forums in my quest to update or "freshen" up the suspension, all 4 corners. I have no plans for a lift, the truck sits relatively high as is. It may see some mild off road ( camping, dirt bike trails, or just some mild fun ) but will not be a dedicated off road truck. I use it as a non daily driver ( I have a work vehicle for that ). Basically the 4R is a rec vehicle that I use on the weekends, sometimes pull a utility trailer or small tent trailer, camping, dirt biking, work, etc.

That being said, what would be a good suspension set up for all 4 corners. I have a supplier that I can get Monroe equipment for fairly cheap - and have used Monroe equipment for other vehicles with good success in the past. I would like to have the back end up a bit, for look and for when I have a load on the back.

I am on a budget, but would like to do springs / shocks - get it all over with in one shot, and don't mind waiting a bit to save up the money.

Tires are currently 265/75/16.
Click to expand...

Monroe is bottom of the line part store equipment.

That being said I think you should get some 1999 OEM toyota highlander coils. They sit the highest. Then get some 4runner specific bilstein's or OEM tokico shocks.

This will last the longest and give the best ride. IMO.
 
Please do not put Monroe stuff on your 4runner. I have used Monroe on 2 cars due to lack of any other options and I think it is crap, especially at the price. It's not that cheap in Canada.

There are better options for the same money such as Bilstien, just do some reading of threads. Essex Distributors ships Billies in Canada for reasonable prices.
 
So Bilstein has the 4600 and the 5100 available. If I am goibg with 99 rear coils, which add approx 1" lift, what shock should I go with? Should I get rear shocks for a 99?

For front springs, i dont know if they are worn out. It seems the general thought is that the front wont or dont sag. I have 278,000km on the truck. I can only assume the springs are original.
 
I have looked at two different websites today ( rock auto and Toyota parts warehouse ) and both list the same part number for 1999 and 1997 4 runner, rear coil spring. the "highlander" model choice was not available when choosing models. something I am missing?
 
yella said:
I have looked at two different websites today ( rock auto and Toyota parts warehouse ) and both list the same part number for 1999 and 1997 4 runner, rear coil spring. the "highlander" model choice was not available when choosing models. something I am missing?
Click to expand...

I believe these are the part #'s. Research to verify.

FR Springs - Blue / Yellow (48131-35400) Passenger Side
FL Springs - Blue / Pink (48131 - 35350) Driver Side
REAR Sprigs - Yellow / Red (48231 - 35210)

Some more info.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/62910-99-tall-coil-color-code-question.html
 
New user here...not meaning to high jack the thread with a for sale but I have 2 OEM 1999 rear springs for sale. Only about 800 miles on them. PM me if interested
 
Monroe's are for sedans and pavment locked vehicles. Meaning they are best for cars that never get off road. I would highly suggest a Bilstien 5100, on a toytech coil. There are three hight adjustments to choose from. You won't be disappointed. She will look like this with the fox 2.0 rear shocks and old man emu 890 coil.
274297c47e8fccd5392f5db99ed83a24.jpg


Sent from my LG-M153 using Tapatalk
 
I don't know if you planned on doing the work yourself, but if you are, this video of installing a basic lift on a 3rd Gen could help you out. You can rent spring compressors and pullers for free at many auto parts stores so don't that deter you from tackling this job yourself.

Here's the video:

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/0HJx6HH2yno" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

And, for anyone coming across this thread looking for a video that includes more component replacements like UCAs, extended brake lines, diff drop, adjustable panhard bar, and extended bump stops, this would be the video for you:

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/yXjioXyZa_M" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
 
yella said:
So Bilstein has the 4600 and the 5100 available. If I am goibg with 99 rear coils, which add approx 1" lift, what shock should I go with? Should I get rear shocks for a 99?

For front springs, i dont know if they are worn out. It seems the general thought is that the front wont or dont sag. I have 278,000km on the truck. I can only assume the springs are original.
Click to expand...

The front do sag but it's hard to tell sometimes. A good way to check is to brake firmly to a stop and if the car "dips" the front coils are done. They should only budge ever so slightly. Watch the end of the hood and you can tell.
 
ridetime4 said:
Monroe's are for sedans and pavment locked vehicles. Meaning they are best for cars that never get off road. I would highly suggest a Bilstien 5100, on a toytech coil. There are three hight adjustments to choose from. You won't be disappointed. She will look like this with the fox 2.0 rear shocks and old man emu 890 coil.
274297c47e8fccd5392f5db99ed83a24.jpg


Sent from my LG-M153 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...


Sweet looking truck. I dont feel that I need the height adjustment. Truck will probably see more pacement than off road. My main concern is for having a load on the ass end. But also that the truck has 278,000km and its probably time. I dont mind buying the good quality parts; but I also dont like paying for stuff I wont use.

Waiting to hear back on a OEM set of 99 springs. I assume just for the rear.
 
gamefreakgc said:
The front do sag but it's hard to tell sometimes. A good way to check is to brake firmly to a stop and if the car "dips" the front coils are done. They should only budge ever so slightly. Watch the end of the hood and you can tell.
Click to expand...



To my untrained eye, the front end dipped a bit on braking, I would not call it excessive. I was taking a look at the struts themselves and they appear to be factory units.
 
I learned when I bought mine that there was a recall on the rear springs and bump stops, should contact your dealer and check that the recall has been performed. I too am sitting at stock height, my front springs are OE with roughly 450,000km on them, I measured during an alignment and found that my front was barely sagging at all, still within specification. Last year I put a set of Bilstein 4600's all around, is a great shock, has good on road and highway manners, handles those gravel washboards well, and the best part is the lifetime warranty. I've always know Monroe to ride very stiff, and being in the auto business I knew I wasn't going to buy them, nor recommend them to anyone. Honestly get that rig somewhere level and measure the ride height, you may not need to spend much dough to freshen up the ride.
 
yella said:
So Bilstein has the 4600 and the 5100 available. If I am goibg with 99 rear coils, which add approx 1" lift, what shock should I go with? Should I get rear shocks for a 99?

For front springs, i dont know if they are worn out. It seems the general thought is that the front wont or dont sag. I have 278,000km on the truck. I can only assume the springs are original.
Click to expand...

Oem or bilstein shocks with the 99 coils. You can't go wrong with either. You can however go wrong with many other shocks, as I have learned from experience. If you want slightly softer go with oem tokicos. If you want more "sporty" go with bilstein
 
So, I think I will do the Bilstein 5100's . They are readily available in Canada and it seems that a lot of people are using them. They are only slightly more expensive than the 4600's and are heigh adjustable.

The springs - trying to find a set of oem tall springs in Canada is difficult, and I am wondering if it would be more cost effective to go with aftermarket.

In the end it looks like I will end up with 1-2" of lift. Im hoping that with the adjustable shocks, I can keep the truck level.

Edit

I was just looking at a "discount toyota parts" site. Front springs were $200 each and rears were $170 each. Seems pricey

Edit #2

Centre of wheel to fender is 20.5" , except the drivers side rear which is 20.25"
 
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