What rear shocks for heavy loads?

[oxfordethan]

Are there rear shocks for the 3rd gen 4runners that are stock height but will hold up better when carrying a load?

We do a fair bit of camping in our 4Runner. With the sleeping platform, coolers, fire wood, etc. the rear end gets compressed pretty good. This also affects the handling a bit on long trips.

Am i looking for an air adjustable shock? air bags? mo' bigger shocks?
Or am I out of luck if I don't use some kind of lift kit? I like the stock height.


TIA

 

[JZiggy]

Are there rear shocks for the 3rd gen 4runners that are stock height but will hold up better when carrying a load?

We do a fair bit of camping in our 4Runner. With the sleeping platform, coolers, fire wood, etc. the rear end gets compressed pretty good. This also affects the handling a bit on long trips.

Am i looking for an air adjustable shock? air bags? mo' bigger shocks?
Or am I out of luck if I don't use some kind of lift kit? I like the stock height.


TIA

Is your goal to *raise the rear suspension height* back to normal when carrying heavy loads? If so I'd suggest air bags. I use them and they work very well. When unloaded I run a minimum psi and don't know they're there. I've pumped them up to the max before to carry tons of crap plus a hitch carrier stuffed with more stuff -- ride height stayed level and handling was improved.

If you feel that, when loaded, your suspension is too soft and bouncy then higher damping rate shocks would help.

 

[oxfordethan]

It's not the squishiness that bothers me. It's the reverse rake and how the handle/steering feels hindered.

i was thinking air bags... what kind of set up are you running, JZiggy?

 

[JZiggy]

Here's mine all loaded down

And the page on my project thread about it:

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/228376-jziggys-grown-up-4runner-build-7.html#post2750679

They are airlift 1000 springs and 99' rear coils. I also don't run those Timbren overload bumps anymore (don't need mega bumps and airbags) but still have them in a box in my garage.

 

[oxfordethan]

Just watch a vid on the Air Lift 1000 set up. Nice and simple. Thanks, man.

 

[sportscarfan]

On the cheap, less than a month from moving, back in 2016 I installed Gabriel 49387 Hijackers Air Shocks. They still work. Pretty good for under $80 delivered.
I made several 100 mile trips with the 4runner loaded with hundreds of pounds of my machine shop stuff.

 

[oxfordethan]

Hmm. What kind of "stock ride quality" do the air shocks provide? Are the air shocks intended/designed to provide lift with heavy loads?

Can anyone provide the pros and cons of air bags vs. air shocks? Both are comparable in price.

 

[gamefreakgc]

If you don't want to sacrifice ride quality, air bags are definitely the way to go. Anyone who tows large trailers or pickups with bed campers will tell you they are priceless.

If you just want to be able to load & go and not worry about filling the air bags, you'll want progressive rear springs. They increase in strength the more they are compressed:

We have linear rate springs stock.

 

[phattyduck]

I'd put in a vote for air bags and good quality rear shocks. Bilstein 4600/5100, OEM, maybe KYB?

If you are OK, with a lift and don't want to adjust airbag pressures, OME 2906 rear springs will also do what you are looking for too (2" lift, progressive rate). They will pair well with Bilstein 5100 shocks.

-Charlie

 

[trackntrail]

The OME 891s I've got in the rear hold up to 500lbs pretty good. As others have said airbags might be a great option for you though.

 

[gamefreakgc]

I'd put in a vote for air bags and good quality rear shocks. Bilstein 4600/5100, OEM, maybe KYB?

If you are OK, with a lift and don't want to adjust airbag pressures, OME 2906 rear springs will also do what you are looking for too (2" lift, progressive rate). They will pair well with Bilstein 5100 shocks.

-Charlie

OEM shocks are nice and plush if he doesn't want any lift. I'm still shocked people don't put them in more, they are only about $40 each for the rears from some online dealers.

 

[phattyduck]

OEM shocks are nice and plush if he doesn't want any lift. I'm still shocked people don't put them in more, they are only about $40 each for the rears from some online dealers.

People probably remember them as super-soft... because they had like 200k miles on them the last time they were on the truck. The OEMs lasted about 3x longer than my old 4600's (one started weeping in both cases).

-Charlie