I have a 98 sr5 and the ride is really stiff; I feel everything on the road. for a while I liked it becuase i felt more in tune with the road but lately its annoying becuase sometimes I just want to go over to a buds house and its like im driving on a dirt road. i know it isnt just the road being bumpy; my mom's grand prix handles the bumps much better. it was the same when I had the 225 tires and when I got the 265s I expected a smoother ride from the bigger tires (more cushion). i think maybe the factory, 8 year old suspension is just plain ol' stiff. what do you guys reccomend I do? deal with it? what options are there for suspension replacements?
very bumpy ride on my 1998
- Thread starter mike1305
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thanks for the info! here's a link for any other interested members:
http://www.thepartsbin.com/monroe/part.php?make=33&model=681&year=1998&part=310
http://www.thepartsbin.com/monroe/part.php?make=33&model=681&year=1998&part=310
Mike1305 what type of tires do you have? What I'm asking is what load range are they D or E. Because if they are it will make the drive more harsh. Also when I changed my front original shocks after 260,000KM they were not soft but hard as a rock.
Beleive me when I tell you they looked like a old 2X4 with all the rust on them and probably worked just as well good as a old 2x4 in the front. If the 4runner is going to be strickly for on road grab your self some monroe sensa tracs or reflex, they are nice and smooth. If you want the best of both on/off road maybe some billies. While you are there put some 881 up front and 906 in back for a good 1.5 to 2" lift trust me on that one.
Beleive me when I tell you they looked like a old 2X4 with all the rust on them and probably worked just as well good as a old 2x4 in the front. If the 4runner is going to be strickly for on road grab your self some monroe sensa tracs or reflex, they are nice and smooth. If you want the best of both on/off road maybe some billies. While you are there put some 881 up front and 906 in back for a good 1.5 to 2" lift trust me on that one.
also you have to consider that your 4runner is on a truck chasis and your moms grand prix is not.
its the same with my 98 and my moms mercedes. Im sure shocks will help, and let me know what happens if you get new ones because i havent ever changed mine either.
also i have D load rating tires
its the same with my 98 and my moms mercedes. Im sure shocks will help, and let me know what happens if you get new ones because i havent ever changed mine either.
also i have D load rating tires
SKO450ES said:
why would I want a lift? the most dirt my rig sees is when I park on a dirt lot when we go camping. I would rather lower it if anything. not saying that i want to slam and ganster out my 4runner, but for a 2wd i would head in the direction of street performance not all terrain or off road performance.
Check tire pressure too, it can make a big difference. Make sure that are 32-35 at most and you might try lower to see if it makes a difference.
I speak from recent n00b knowledge.
I have BFG 265 all terrains (D Range) on a t4r I just got.
I first checked the pressure and they were around mid 20's. I check the sidewall and saw 65psi and thought wow these are low so I put them at 50 and it was like - well lets just say the lady "like it"
Reading around here I found to go by what it says on the side of the door and my ride quality is a lot better now.
I speak from recent n00b knowledge.
I have BFG 265 all terrains (D Range) on a t4r I just got.
I first checked the pressure and they were around mid 20's. I check the sidewall and saw 65psi and thought wow these are low so I put them at 50 and it was like - well lets just say the lady "like it"
Reading around here I found to go by what it says on the side of the door and my ride quality is a lot better now.
trd_style
New member
mike1305 said:
basically, the 4runner is bigger than your mom's grand prix. also remember, the more load you have on the 4runner, the more bumpy it will feel. depending on the roads plus weight.
mike1305 said:
right on brother! i have 2wd also but sometimes slamming it isn't me. especially for a 4runner. sometimes i feel the need for off-roading but for show is where i'm heading. i would personally not mind getting a lift though. just to be different from my asian friends.
RonMAIDEN said:
mine is usually 32. 34 at most. the more pressure you have on your tires, the more tread will be gone.
trd_style
New member
i believe it's the shocks. mine is also bumpy but doesn't make sound. only my subs makes the sounds. but i plan to get better shocks since i never really upgrade any major stuff to my 4runner before. most of the stuff i've done to my 4runner is designs, not performance.
but i have to say, 4runner does block all the sound from inside to the out. i turned up my bass and NOTHING was rattling inside. when i walked outside, only my license plate frame was vibrating. compared to my sister's honda accord, my 4runner is the best. =)
but i plan to get better shocks since i never really upgrade any major stuff to my 4runner before. most of the stuff i've done to my 4runner is designs, not performance.but i have to say, 4runner does block all the sound from inside to the out. i turned up my bass and NOTHING was rattling inside. when i walked outside, only my license plate frame was vibrating. compared to my sister's honda accord, my 4runner is the best. =)
mike1305 said:
Well I guess to each his own. The only reason I recomended the 881 and 906 is because it will give you a firmer more controlled ride over bumps and lumps. and a little lift to boot. Plus if you go camping I know for a fact as soon as you load up the Runner they love to sit ass down. But if you feel comfortable with the ride height then at least get other shocks and air bags in the rear.
I see you say you have A/T tires, thats not going to help your street performance any. Maybe should have considered buying a shaggen wagon with a UNI body instead of the ladder frame 4runner.:awais:
RonMAIDEN
Super Moderator
Too much pressure and you'll get wear in the middle and too little will wear the edges more quickly. You want the right tire pressure to insure even wear. I run my Nittos at 32-35. Right now I'm at 35psi and I rotate (also a key to longer life) every 4000-5000 miles. My Nittos still look new after almost 8000 miles with a few off road trips in there too. I'm expecting to at least see 40k of solid on road performance.
The '98 4Runner has very little upward rear axle travel as it comes from the factory, and is prone to bottom out.
Toyota recalled the '98s around 2001 because of this problem. The fix consists of replacing the rear springs and relocating the bump stops from the frame to inside the spring coils.
Take a look at the rear suspension on your truck. If the bump stops are attached to the frame outside the spring coils, the recall hasn't been done. If this is the case with your truck, I'd contact your Toyota dealer and ask if the recall campaign is still in effect.
If Toyota will still do it free, I'd sure start out with this. Be aware, though, that your '98 is, indeed, a truck and you'll never achieve a carlike, cushy ride no matter what changes you make.
Good luck
Toyota recalled the '98s around 2001 because of this problem. The fix consists of replacing the rear springs and relocating the bump stops from the frame to inside the spring coils.
Take a look at the rear suspension on your truck. If the bump stops are attached to the frame outside the spring coils, the recall hasn't been done. If this is the case with your truck, I'd contact your Toyota dealer and ask if the recall campaign is still in effect.
If Toyota will still do it free, I'd sure start out with this. Be aware, though, that your '98 is, indeed, a truck and you'll never achieve a carlike, cushy ride no matter what changes you make.
Good luck
