dgrizzly

First off this seems like the best forum I've seen to date(my first post)! I recently purchased a 2002 4x4 Sport(thundercloud grey) and I must say I really, really regret not buying a 4runner 10 years ago! Love at first site is an understatement, on to the point of my thread...

While I do plan to get this rig dirty I mostly drive on pavement and would be very interested in upgrading the stock suspension/shox/springs to gain a smoother/more stable ride. I've searched this forum high and low and only found one meager thread on a 1990 stock upgrade. I'm not interested in lifting her(yet) and need some advice on where and what to get this beauty singing the song she deserves. Also while my wheels are off what bushings(yada yada) would such expert forum members recommend to upgrade for performance or maintenance.

**Currently she's sitting on 275/70/R16 tires which doesn't seem like stock but reflects zero rubbing.

Pictures coming once the suns out...thanks in advance..

Ron Helmuth

You likely already have "butt sag" and I encourage you to also read up over on T4R.org which is 4Runner specific forum. Go to the 3rd gen section for 96-02 4Runners.

No matter which options you choose- you will end up "lifting", unless you simply replace 2002 stock pieces with the same exact factory pieces.

We just lifted the back end of my friend's 01 Runner last Saturday. We used OLD MAN EMU 906 springs and did not touch the shocks.

The choices are virtually endless.

As to bushings-some common replacements are the sway bar bushings and the steering rack bushings. I favor the polyurethane replacements such as those offered by Energy Suspensions-while others favor sticking with replacement stock rubber.

Page backwards on this forum or others-set your range to go back more than 30 days and you will be overwhelmed with the amount of choices for our vehicles.

A solid choice that I just happen to run is: 881 fronts and 890 rear springs-again Old Man Emu.

Welcome to our fine forum- glad to have you aboard!

dgrizzly

Extremely helpful Ron, appreciate the input.

Ron Helmuth

glad to help a newbie out