What shock/spring setup to use in rear?
- Thread starter whiteboychriss
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teotwaki
Senior Member
Assuming that you'll adjust the DR coilovers to lift the front at least a couple of inches:
Order new rear springs ($250) from Deaver in Santa Ana, CA. You'll save $100 over buying them from a reseller. You'll want 20% to 30% over stock lb/in and 2" to 2.5" taller too. Bilsteins or Donahoe shocks, longer swaybar links and longer stainless steel brake lines will give you function and looks to boot
Order new rear springs ($250) from Deaver in Santa Ana, CA. You'll save $100 over buying them from a reseller. You'll want 20% to 30% over stock lb/in and 2" to 2.5" taller too. Bilsteins or Donahoe shocks, longer swaybar links and longer stainless steel brake lines will give you function and looks to boot
whiteboychriss
New member
by longer swaybar links do you mean the swaybar relocation brackets that come with the front coil over system?...will i need longer brake lines for the front and back?..and also which springs will be better off for my heavy system in the back the 20 or 30% stiffer ones and will it look level being 2 inches taller in the rear?
whiteboychriss
New member
BTW your lift looks awsome, makes mine look like a big car even with the BFG's. What are your front coilovers set to?
I called donahoe and they said they have rear springs that are 15% heavier and monotube shocks which would lift the back 2"...Is that good?
I called donahoe and they said they have rear springs that are 15% heavier and monotube shocks which would lift the back 2"...Is that good?
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teotwaki
Senior Member
whiteboychriss said:
Thanks for the compliments!
My coilovers are from Downey Off Road and are set somewhere between 2" to 3". I measure from the ground to the top lip of the fenderwell at 36 3/4" which includes about 1/2" of tire height.
A stock 4Runner is about 2" low in front and you don't want to go over 3" of lift and impact the CV joint angle. So with 1.5" to 2" of lift in back plus weight in back, 3" of lift in front is about right.
My original Downey rear springs were about 1.5" taller but the metal was soft and they sagged and took a set at almost stock spring height. They were supposedly 20% over stock. Downey replaced them but even then I could not heavily load the back with gear. Now I have my highlift jack and kit, hydraulic jack, tool kit, air compressor, recovery gear, water and more in the back without a problem.
I set the front coilovers so that the back was about 1/2" higher without any weight added.
The front sway bar now has spacers underneath the pivot mounts to adjust the height. The back swaybar links are now longer in order to set the swaybar into the normal operating angle with respect to the frame.
You only need longer rear brake lines.
If you are always carrying 200 pounds in back the 15% DR springs might not be stiff enough. I find 30% to be a bit too stiff unless I have an extra 150 pounds in the cargo area. You'll probably want 20% over. Talk to DR about your application and see what they say and how much they charge.
blk05runner
New member
are the ToyTec lift kits good?
teotwaki
Senior Member
blk05runner said:
Here is my opinion/advice:
Before modifying anything on your vehicle you need to be honest with yourself about two key factors:
1. What is my budget?
2. What am I trying to accomplish?
When it comes to lift kits there are some basic categories with upward spiraling cost factors:
1. Inexpensive spacers, mild clearance gains with limited to no suspension performance gains
2. Spacers and springs, possibly new rear shocks; modest suspension lift and performance gains
3. New coilovers, rear shocks, springs and pieces to make it all work; 2 to 3.5" of clearance gains, higher performance suspension, ability to carry heavier loads. Some offer new front upper control arms.
4. Lifts that exceed factory dimensions and require cutting, welding etc. Irreversible modifications that void warranties and can offer questionable benefits as it can become "appearance vs. clearance" benefit questions as new sub frames must hang low to accomodate IFS. Others throw away IFS and install front axles.
My knowledge of ToyTec comes from looking at their web site so you'll need to find out what their history is like by googling and scanning other forums. They seem to offer almost all of the flavors:
spacers only, replacement springs and all new coilovers and rear shocks/springs.
If they are truly thorough and well thought out they will offer the hardware to keep the sway bars in the right position as well as longer rear brake lines to deal with full axle droop that might tear shorter brake lines in half.
Others can feel free to chime in here. Member "Good Times" has basically tried all of the options, ending up with a highly modified vehicle and he is a wealth of experience and information.
What are you trying to accomplish?
Lifted Pavement Princess where looks are important?
Mild offroading gains to avoid hitting the front skid plate on rocks?
Heavy duty off-roading where flex is king, larger tires a must?
High speed desert roads, dune jumping and more?
You should compare ToyTec to Donahoe Racing, Old Man Emu (OME) Downey Off-Road and others. Search this forum! A lot of answers are already here.
whiteboychriss
New member
sounds good...do you guys think it will look silly with 2 1/2 up front and 2 inches in the back with my 265/70 bfg's
are there any pictures out there with my rims and tire setup and a the same lift i want...i cannot find one
are there any pictures out there with my rims and tire setup and a the same lift i want...i cannot find one
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blk05runner
New member
the kit I am looking at is the 3RUN-FRCC from toytec.
comes with springs and 2 spacers for the front and seems like a good kit. Really I want the ride to feel better and lift the Runner as to me. the stock Runner sits to low. Planning on getting bigger wheels so I am sure that it will ride better and sit higher then done.
thanks for your info on all this. again it ever hurts to hear what others have to say.
comes with springs and 2 spacers for the front and seems like a good kit. Really I want the ride to feel better and lift the Runner as to me. the stock Runner sits to low. Planning on getting bigger wheels so I am sure that it will ride better and sit higher then done.
thanks for your info on all this. again it ever hurts to hear what others have to say.
