Suspension upgrade: 25,000 mile road trip through Central and South America

[aawolf]

Hey Guys-

I'm working on getting my 2000 4Runner in ship-shape for an upcoming trip from San Francisco to Ushuaia. I've worked through all of the engine/tune-up tasks getting the highway gas milage up to a solid 20 mpg. I've done everything myself thus far in order to gain some mechanical aptitude for the trip. Only exceptions being: I paid a mechanic to do the timing belt (bought kit from aircabinman on eBay) and I got a Motorvac cleaning. I've replaced the radiator with a new OEM one. I've added a dual battery + solenoid system, and installed a power inverter.

Now my attention is turning to the suspension (and front end, but that's a separate tangent).

We won't be doing a lot of heavy duty wheeling / looking for trouble. That said, the roads are rough for a majority of the 25,000 miles we will be driving, and I imagine we'll be on mountainous, curvy, dirt roads carrying weight for at least some of it.

Our priorities are:

1) reliability: I'd like whatever I put in to be equal to this task and able to make it the whole way taking lots of abuse.

2) comfort: we'll be driving day in and day out. There will be lots of surprise "topes" along the way. I'd like being the vehicle to not become torture.

For the sake of 1), I really don't want to change very much from the stock geometry. For that reason I've strongly considered stock springs up to this point, though I worry they just won't be up to carrying the constant weight on rough roads.

I've read on these forums extensively about suspension upgrade (translation: please don't reply with "3rd Gen 4Runner Lift Information and FAQ's"... I've seen it- it's not a very helpful guide if you're not looking to add lift).

I'd love feedback on the two options I'm considering:

Option A
Shocks: Bilstein 4600, front and back
Springs: new Stock OEM all around + air lift adjustable rear air springs kit

Option B
Shocks: Bilstein 4600, front and back
Springs: OME 880s front, OME 906s back

With our trip in mind, what would people recommend?

 

[4Runner4TW]

I have the OME 906s in the rear of my 4Runner and love them. They are a progressive spring so they handle weight really well. Last year I took a loaded U-Haul trailer from AZ to WA and back to AZ and the 906's did great. Very little sag and they soak up the bumps well under load. I have them paired with the comfort shocks, 60028 I believe. I would not recommend those they are very stiff.

I do recommend the 906s. I have stock 99 talls in the front, but some day I will switch those out as well.

 

[aawolf]

I do recommend the 906s. I have stock 99 talls in the front, but some day I will switch those out as well.

Nice, that's good to hear. With the 906s in back and the 99 talls in front, how much rake are you getting? And how much lift in general?

When you swap the front 99 talls what do you think you'll go with?

 

[4Runner4TW]

I'm getting an inch difference between front and back. I have never properly measured it, maybe I will do that tomorrow morning since I have a level driveway now. There are two pictures in "My Garage" that show full 4Runner shots (pre lift has a cactus in the back ground. side shot is right after the lift but the ground had an angle).

I would like to go an inch higher all around. So my plan is to swap the rear springs for OME 890 and the fronts to the ToyTec Coil Overs, but I might piece together something different.

I live in Sedona which is home to Pink Jeep Tours. They run every hour about 15-20 modified Jeeps on the trails here in my town. They all run OME setups which speaks volumes to me. I was originally inspired by Xoverland.com and they use OME also so thats why I went with them in the first place.

 

[Robb235]

I've got OME 906 coils in the rear, and the stock '99 tall coils up front. I've got a slight rake, maybe an inch higher in the rear. I've also got the Rancho 9000XL shocks in the rear. The Ranchos get a bad rap because the 5000 series sucks, but the 9000 seem to be doing just fine. I like them because they have 9 adjustable settings for how soft or firm you want the suspension to ride. I still have the stock shocks up front, which I plan to replace with the Tundra Bilstein 5100.

 

[slapdappy]

99 ltd. 1" body lift. Stubb's HD-SKO sliders. Bilstein 4600 shocks. AirLift 1000 airbags. Original Springs, I think. 190,000 miles.

Sliders.
I suggest sliders. Simple add on offers substantial protection, additional easily accessible lifting points, and a step to comfortably reach all the roof stuff. I needed the 1" body lift to install them. Weigh @ 60lbs installed.

Air bags.
This past week I towed 1000 lbs of snowmobile and trailer to Steamboat from Denver. Then transported me, my sister, brother in law, niece and nephew, with the rear cargo area packed to the ceiling, from Steamboat (7000 ft) to Winter Park (9000 ft) over Berhthoud Pass (11,300 ft) to Denver. The Airlift 1000 airbags did their job. No sag. Easy installation, easily adjustable from 5-35 lbs. psi. Deflated them now that I'm back in Denver and the truck is unburdened by cargo.

I use a 20 year old frame mount barrel style bike pump


2 strokes per lb. Get a pump rebuild kit.

Air pump.
You may want one of these small powered air pumps: CyclePump. Small, well built, etc.

 

[slides]

Check out expedition portal also!!!

 

[JoeBand]

Fwiw

our gen 2 was stock.
pm me if you have any questions or want suggestions. great trip, enjoy it!

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/off-roading/191378-el-gran-viaje.html

 

[lhsoulrebel]

I think you are on the right path. I like the sound of the 906's for your application for the progressive rate considering the weight you may carry. Def stick with the billy shocks as they will help smooth out your ride. I've always tried to use bilstein shocks when I can and have never been disappointed.