Suspension Replacement for 2002 4Runner 4WD Sport

[T4RunnerSteve]

Hi everyone!

I am new to T4R.org -- excited to start my journey with mods to my silver 2002 4Runner 4WD Sport Edition as many of you have done with your 4Runners. The truck has 163K miles and has been well taken care of. It looks exactly like the quintessential stock art for the 2002 T4R Sport so for now I'll use that for my avatar for now.

So the one thing that I've neglected to change in all these miles is the suspension -- it has the original shocks and coils and I believe it is experiencing the sagging issue. I've been reading about the options and since I'd like just a very mild lift (it's my DD for now - and I have to park in parking garages!) I want to go with the '99 (tall) Highlander Edition coils. The Sonoran Steel system 3.0 sounds like a nice choice but it isn't clear that the coils are the *tall* ones from '99... and from what I've read it seems like you can get the same parts for less:

4 Wheel Drive - System 3 - $690.00 : Sonoran Steel, Sonoran Steel Custom Metal Fabrication L.L.C. Custom Toyota Truck Parts

To build this setup myself, using the part #s for the '99 tall coils (to be ordered new online), is there anything else besides the shocks that you guys would recommend? (bushings, etc.) In terms of shocks, what do you recommend for these coils? (Sonoran's kit is Tokico Trek Master R/T or Bilstein 4600s) I plan on doing a fair amount of camping with the Boy Scouts in the years to come and do occasionally tow a 4'x8' trailer... nothing too crazy. I'm going to be getting a set of the Toyo Open Country A/T II tires soon in the slightly larger 265/75R16 size.

Please opine!
Thanks in advance for your help!
-Steve

 

[AZTOY]

Like you said, it's cheaper to order the parts yourself. Tokico or Bilstein either way. Supposedly Tokico gives a better ride on road. I have the landcruiser ones and they perform great on and off road. They are oem Tokico not Trekmaster though. Bushings all around would be good if they are stock. Also check tie rod ends and all ball joints. Plenty of room for the tires mentioned with 99 coils.

 

[Millerad1651]

Many guys have used both of those shocks, can't really go wrong with either. The Billies may be a tad more stiff, but not overbearing.
Another suggestion for coils would be to use 99 Talls in front and OME 906s in the rear, especially if you will occasionally tow. They have a higher spring rate than stock, and won't compress as much when loaded down. Plus they will give you a nice stance and you can use stock length shocks with them.

Glad to see someone else talk about the Open Country AT IIs. I saw them the other day but couldn't find any info on them. Thought about those, but am going BFG Rugged Terrains, which are very similar.

 

[T4RunnerSteve]

Thanks guys! I'm glad you brought up the OME 906s... in terms of height, how do they compare to the '99 Highlander Edition coils? I understand that they'll be better when towing... the truck does sag quite a bit when towing tractors, etc.

And those tires I am very excited about -- the truck has had the Toyo Open Country A/Ts on for the past several years and they have been great! From everything I've seen about the A/T IIs they look even better -- the aggressive sidewall look, better compound... definitely have me hooked:

Interstitial Ad - Modern Tire Dealer

Any overall concerns about the ride quality on the OME 906s?

 

[Millerad1651]

The 906s will get you almost an inch more than stock 99s. I had them and really liked them, thought they rode great. hauled a boat an few times and never had a problem. Only reason I got rid of them was to go higher...you'll be happy with them.

 

[T4RunnerSteve]

So with the 906s on the table I have been researching more and am now leaning towards the 880 fronts w/ the 906 rears and OME comfort shocks. How different is the ride quality here vs the SS 3.0 system? (99 talls w/ Tokico Trekmasters) And, in terms of rake, am I right that this 880/906 setup will be roughly level? (perhaps I should add some spacing to give the rear a little more rake?) What do you guys think of the 880/906 setup w/ comfort shocks for a DD?

Thanks again!
-Steve

 

[4-Ripcord]

dont go with OME 'comfort' shocks. Stick with Tokico or billies.

 

[sooner02r1]

I agree, Bilstein is the way to go if you're going cheap. I have 906s in the rear, they ride soft, lift is perfect IMO, but maybe a little too soft if you plan on towing or hauling much. I did a trail trip with about 3-400lbs in the back for 300 offroad miles and it was definately sagging. Drug the rear bumper quite a few times. SO it looks like with your use I would go 906 minimum. And I'd recommend at least a bilstein 5100 shock.

 

[conchbuggy17]

yea T4runnerSteve im in the same boat as you, im even lookin at the same OME set up and tire set up. I think my stock suspension is goin out so ill be gettin something new in the next month.

4-Ripcord, whats wrong with the comfort shocks?

 

[Millerad1651]

I like my OME shocks. They were a little stuff at first, but have gotten more comfortable over time. I can't compare them to Billies since I've never used them. Now that I added the LC coils, I love the ride in the rear. I'm not sure of the price difference between the two. And also, I read somewhere that the Billies would be a little softer than OMEs,
Not sure I that's true or not.

 

[T4RunnerSteve]

yea T4runnerSteve im in the same boat as you, im even lookin at the same OME set up and tire set up. I think my stock suspension is goin out so ill be gettin something new in the next month.

4-Ripcord, whats wrong with the comfort shocks?

Good to hear that you're in the same place here... What a great place to chat about our beloved trucks!

I heard the OME shocks were made to best handle the OME coils.... Will the Tokico Trekmasters and Bilstein HDs work well with the 880/906s? Are the OME comfort shocks really not so comfortable?

 

[T4RunnerSteve]

Alright, so like many have done I have mulled over this for many moons and am leaning towards:

Toytec Ultimate Lift kit - 600lb coil-overs in front / OME 890s in rear

- AND -

The Sonoran Steel panhard bar, bump stops, extended brake line and parking brake bracket

(so basically a Toytec front / SS 7.2 rear)

After an alignment I'll be getting Toyo Open Country A/T IIs as discussed earlier -- leaning towards the 285 size vs 265/75.

Does anyone run this setup (or something very similar) on the road? I'm curious what I should expect as far as the ride quality... as I'm 99% on-road. It's going to cost a lot but I hate to spend money on the SS 3.0 type of setup and regret it later.

Thoughts?