What did you do with your 4runner today?

[NinjaOne]

Did a little exploring

 

[UnJeep]

RCI Skid plates and a Rigid Light Bar added

Was on my back all weekend. :naughty:

The Diff skid was a PITA. Looking back I would have done the Diff skid before the Fuel Tank Skid. Probably going to be sore tomorrow. :doh:

Check out the results: https://youtu.be/IkeXHj83ur0

 

[4x4Runnr]

Leveled suspension

Well, I finally did it. After much reading, research, and agonizing on what way to do it, I ordered a set of Moog OEM spec replacement coil springs, had them swapped with the original coils, and heated to lower the rear by 2". Heresy to most on here I'm sure (sorry), but I just couldn't take looking at that rake any more. Simply cutting the springs won't work because of how they mount.

I didn't want to lift the front, and ordering an $800 set of springs from Japan just to swap in the rear coils made no sense to me. I don't want a low rider, just drop the rear a couple inches for better on-road handling and aesthetics. It still sits higher in the rear going by the wheel arches, but the running boards are now level with the ground. I figured if I dropped $50 on a set of Moogs & swapped them in, then torched them to do a mild drop, there wouldn't be much lost if I hated the ride, or if something went wrong, because I'd still have the original springs and could always revert to them if I want to.

The ride is a bit firmer in the rear now, but not as stiff as the ride of my old Tundra TRD. I have run it over several different speed bumps to test to see if it bottoms out, but it doesn't. It handles a bit better in the twisties, and that should improve a bit more when I swap in thicker anti-sway bars front and rear. Also might be looking into swapping in a set of shocks for the Rancho RS5000s I have now. The Ranchos are a little too soft IMHO.

Next I'm thinking of deleting the roof rack and Vent Visors, maybe de-badging, or maybe swapping in 3rd gen 4Runner emblems because they look better to me than the blocky font of the 4th gen badges. Just having fun messing around without any permanent changes in case I change my mind.

I have a growing collection of things in the overhead storage area in my shop, like the double-decker storage platform I removed (I did replace the filler panel with the one for T4Rs that came without the double-decker storage system) , the roof rack cross bars I took off to get rid of that rattle, and now the rear coil springs. The rest of the roof rack may be in there soon too!

Any thoughts on a good set of dampers to stiffen the ride just a little bit? Don't want my teeth rattled, just something more like the ride of my old 2007 Tundra TRD. Thanks for any suggestions. Please no flaming on the 2" drop. I believe in to each their own. I like all 4Runners - lifted, leveled, bone stock. Best body-on-frame SUV on the road. I know a bit about the Grand Cherokee, and that's why I drive a 4Runner!

 

[NinjaOne]

Well, I finally did it. After much reading, research, and agonizing on what way to do it, I ordered a set of Moog OEM spec replacement coil springs, had them swapped with the original coils, and heated to lower the rear by 2". Heresy to most on here in sure (sorry), but I just couldn't take looking at that rake any more. Simply cutting the springs won't work because of how they mount.

I didn't want to lift the front, and ordering an $800 set of springs from Japan just to swap in the rear coils made no sense to me. I don't want a low rider, just drop the rear a couple inches for better on-road handling and aesthetics. It still sits higher in the rear going by the wheel arches, but the running boards are now level with the ground. I figured if I dropped $50 on a set of Moogs & swapped them in, then torched them to do a mild drop, there wouldn't be much lost if I hated the ride, or if something went wrong, because I'd still have the original springs and could always revert to them if I want to.

The ride is a bit firmer in the rear now, but not as stiff as the ride of my old Tundra TRD. I have run it over several different speed bumps to test to see if it bottoms out, but it doesn't. It handles a bit better in the twisties, and that should improve a bit more when I swap in thicker anti-sway bars front and rear. Also might be looking into swapping in a set of shocks for the Rancho RS5000s I have now. The Ranchos are a little too soft IMHO.

Next I'm thinking of deleting the roof rack and Vent Visors, maybe de-badging, or maybe swapping in 3rd gen 4Runner emblems because they look better to me than the blocky font of the 4th gen badges. Just having fun messing around without any permanent changes in case I change my mind.

I have a growing collection of things in the overhead storage area in my shop, like the double-decker storage platform I removed (I did replace the filler panel with the one for T4Rs that came without the double-decker storage system) , the roof rack cross bars I took off to get rid of that rattle, and now the rear coil springs. The rest of the roof rack may be in there soon too!

Any thoughts on a good set of dampers to stiffen the ride just a little bit? Don't want my teeth rattled, just something more like the ride of my old 2007 Tundra TRD. Thanks for any suggestions. Please no flaming on the 2" drop. I believe in to each their own. I like all 4Runners - lifted, leveled, bone stock. Best body-on-frame SUV on the road. I know a bit about the Grand Cherokee, and that's why I drive a 4Runner!

Interested in seeing a picture

As far as a new shock, you could look at OME (stiffest) or Bilstiens. You *shouldn't* be bottoming them out either of those shocks, but I could be wrong.

 

[blackoutt]

So what's the advantage of poly bushings on the rear links vs. rubber? Poly is stiffer, so it makes sense to me on-road, but off-road wouldn't rubber be more forgiving and allow for more articulation?

They say they actually allow more articulation over the OE captured rubber style bushing, the inner and outer sleeves in the poly bushings are not attached to each other so technically have 360 degrees of articulation. I have a rear sway bar, and 9.5" of shock travel so I have other things that limit my articulation well before even the stock bushing limits. I will say at 123k miles 6 out of 8 of the rear bushings looked fine, maybe sloppy but still intact, the other 2 (rear upper link, upper/forward mounts) were tearing their bonds from the inner sleeves. Rides a lot nicer on the street, hoping to test offroad this weekend in Kentucky again.

 

[kcdehart]

Did a little exploring

So jealous of you out there in WA. I went out to visit some family/explore the Olympic Peninsula in March and wished I had the 4 Runner the entire time (well, maybe not when getting gas for the 35mpg rental...). That rental Sentra wasn't quite the vehicle needed while searching for a giant cedar tree on Forest Service roads in the Hoh lol. But it was pretty hilarious covering it in dirt

 

[ajsimeon]

It's lifted! Billies all the way around with OME spring upfront and Icon rear springs. Had some rusty bolts that were a pain but overall isn't a bad process to do. Also took off the front sway bar and rides great.

 

[kcdehart]

It's lifted! Billies all the way around with OME spring upfront and Icon rear springs. Had some rusty bolts that were a pain but overall isn't a bad process to do. Also took off the front sway bar and rides great.

Looks good!

Dang, nice edit lol

 

[ajsimeon]

Looks good!

Dang, nice edit lol

Lol - yeah sorry about the upside down picture.

FYI, the TRD wheels will be going up for sale once I get my hands on an order of SCS wheels...

 

[07V8]

It's lifted! Billies all the way around with OME spring upfront and Icon rear springs. Had some rusty bolts that were a pain but overall isn't a bad process to do. Also took off the front sway bar and rides great.

What change did you notice without the front sway bar? Any highway time with it yet?

 

[Ralphman]

They say they actually allow more articulation over the OE captured rubber style bushing, the inner and outer sleeves in the poly bushings are not attached to each other so technically have 360 degrees of articulation. I have a rear sway bar, and 9.5" of shock travel so I have other things that limit my articulation well before even the stock bushing limits. I will say at 123k miles 6 out of 8 of the rear bushings looked fine, maybe sloppy but still intact, the other 2 (rear upper link, upper/forward mounts) were tearing their bonds from the inner sleeves. Rides a lot nicer on the street, hoping to test offroad this weekend in Kentucky again.

I think the best part about them is the front lca you dont have to losen the alignment bolts to freely swing it out of the way, same with the back, losen one bolt and swing it out of your way no need to losen both bolts, you also dont have to tighten everything on the ground now that the sleeves are the only thing held in place

 

[ajsimeon]

What change did you notice without the front sway bar? Any highway time with it yet?

I've had about 500 miles with the highway since the lift. I visited my brother in Florida and he helped me install the lift and drove back last night in rain and pretty brutal conditions. Had to abrubtly swerve from some vehicles and did not notice any handling issues. I think the bilsteins do a good job handling any kind of body roll. Never felt in danger losing control.

 

[4x4Runnr]

Pics

Interested in seeing a picture

As far as a new shock, you could look at OME (stiffest) or Bilstiens. You *shouldn't* be bottoming them out either of those shocks, but I could be wrong.

First one is before lowering - I know it doesn't give a good perspective, but it's what I have right now.

After drop:

As far as bottoming out new shocks, I would think that any shock that would allow travel to the bump-stops would work since those were left as-is. Thanks for the suggestions on dampers.

 

[Pgshields]

Sadly took it to the shop to get worked on.

 

[flipflopnfly]

I actually got a different part no. for the bags. I found a website that listed which bags to get depending on how much lift you have. So yes, I cut off all four sections.

Yeah, installing airbags with lift coils on the rearend I think it's best to install a taller airbag.

For instance, using Firestone CoilRites, 4th Gen stock height is the 4135 kit. 4.75"W, 7.5"H, 1000lb capacity, 5-35psi.

The commonly used 2" rear lift coil, recommended is the 4107 kit. Same 1000lb capacity, same 5-35psi, but 4.75"W, 9.0"H.

4107 kit comes with a 1/2" plastic puck for the top of the bag, cut off all four cones, put the puck on top of the bag, run the air lines in.

http://www.truckspring.com/products/Firestone-Coil-Rite-Air-Bag-Kit-GM-Bonneville-LeSabre-Electra-Ford-Crown-Victoria-Grand-Marquis-Rear__4107.aspx

 

[YetiX]

Yeah, installing airbags with lift coils on the rearend I think it's best to install a taller airbag.

For instance, using Firestone CoilRites, 4th Gen stock height is the 4135 kit. 4.75"W, 7.5"H, 1000lb capacity, 5-35psi.

The commonly used 2" rear lift coil, recommended is the 4107 kit. Same 1000lb capacity, same 5-35psi, but 4.75"W, 9.0"H.

4107 kit comes with a 1/2" plastic puck for the top of the bag, cut off all four cones, put the puck on top of the bag, run the air lines in.

4107, Firestone Coil-Rite Rear Air Bag Kit for the Ford Crown Vic | TruckSpring

I got my info from this site: LINK

I got the 60744 kit since I'm running FJ coils with 5100's. Fit perfectly.

 

[NinjaOne]

First one is before lowering - I know it doesn't give a good perspective, but it's what I have right now.
As far as bottoming out new shocks, I would think that any shock that would allow travel to the bump-stops would work since those were left as-is. Thanks for the suggestions on dampers.

Looks good.

So jealous of you out there in WA. I went out to visit some family/explore the Olympic Peninsula in March and wished I had the 4 Runner the entire time (well, maybe not when getting gas for the 35mpg rental...). That rental Sentra wasn't quite the vehicle needed while searching for a giant cedar tree on Forest Service roads in the Hoh lol. But it was pretty hilarious covering it in dirt

Hahaha, I remember you posting pictures? a couple months back. Everytime I think of moving, I realize how spectacular the PNW is and stick around. Colorado might tempt me away though.....

 

[Sporin]

Waffling a bit on whether to sink a bunch of money into upgrading my 2005 with 176k miles* vs. finding a 07-08 V8 4Runner with lower miles to replace it with instead. It doesn't help that my preferred dealer has a really sweet V8 Limited on their lot right now.

*Needs a radiator and full suspension to replace the tired XREAS, plus I was going to do sliders and skids)

 

[Powder_Hound]

I installed my RCI sliders and swapped my ski racks for 4 bike trays in prep for Moab vacation starting on Thursday! Now I just have to drive through a late season snow storm with my camper in tow to play in the desert! We're hoping to run Fins N Things and/or Top Of The World!

 

[Bigrupp]

We're hoping to run Fins N Things and/or Top Of The World!

If you haven't been there before- run them both. Two very different trails and both amazing.

Sent from the Far Side