4Runner -- Sagging?
#1
Registered User
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Bay Area
Posts: 78
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
4Runner -- Sagging?
Guys,
I have a 1999 4Runner. A friend of mine (non-4Runner owner) told me that my 4Runner looks as though the rear part of the car is lower to the ground than the front part of the car. And no, I do not have any heavy stuff loaded in my cargo area.
It looks slightly so after he mentioned it to me; I had not noticed it before.
What do you guys think? Do I need to replace springs or is this normal for a 3rd generation 4Runners?
I have a 1999 4Runner. A friend of mine (non-4Runner owner) told me that my 4Runner looks as though the rear part of the car is lower to the ground than the front part of the car. And no, I do not have any heavy stuff loaded in my cargo area.
It looks slightly so after he mentioned it to me; I had not noticed it before.
What do you guys think? Do I need to replace springs or is this normal for a 3rd generation 4Runners?
#2
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Davis, CA
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
There's nothing wrong with the springs. They roll off the assembly line with soft rear springs. I'm not a 4Runner expert, but I would think that an extra leaf in the springpack on either side should bring it up to about level.
#3
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Thornton, Colorado
Posts: 1,133
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The 2nd gens were prone to sagging. The 3rd gens usually were ok.
Is it a 4 wheel drive and a V6?
You should have cone bumpstops on a 99, check to make sure, they will add an extra 1/4"-3/8" or so in the rear.
Is it a 4 wheel drive and a V6?
You should have cone bumpstops on a 99, check to make sure, they will add an extra 1/4"-3/8" or so in the rear.
#4
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Thornton, Colorado
Posts: 1,133
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by 1tonMike
There's nothing wrong with the springs. They roll off the assembly line with soft rear springs. I'm not a 4Runner expert, but I would think that an extra leaf in the springpack on either side should bring it up to about level.
#6
Contributing Member
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Littleton,CO
Posts: 10,549
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I know they have a recall on the first couple of years of 3rd gens but I thought by '99 they were using better springs and the sagging problem was rare. My mom's '99 Limited has about 65k on it and her springs are fine and I just replaced my springs which had over 90k and they weren't sagging at all but did need to be replaced. I now have Bils and '99+ OEM springs.
Trending Topics
#9
Contributing Member
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Henderson, NV
Posts: 100
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
It's not just your imagination.
I too have a bit of a sag in my 99 2wd. I've had the 99 for a year and a half. About 2 months after getting it i noticed the slight sag. I don't pull a trailer much (and it's a little alluminum fishing boat at that) and have had no large heavy objects (or people) in the back or cargo areas. (well there was that body but thats another story)
It started to bug me and I almost put spacers or swapped to 4wd springs in the rear (supposedly it gives a 1 inch lift).
Then I thought: 1} This is my wife's grocery getter (i do drive it 3 or 4 days/week) 2} This is only going to be on pavement 95% of the time 3} This is a speed deamon compared to my 3.0s
For this reason I have decided that: A 4wd has sag (ie my 94 that hasn't been remedied) But for a 2wd it has a healthy squat (low center of gravity)
*Please disregard if you do go off road
I too have a bit of a sag in my 99 2wd. I've had the 99 for a year and a half. About 2 months after getting it i noticed the slight sag. I don't pull a trailer much (and it's a little alluminum fishing boat at that) and have had no large heavy objects (or people) in the back or cargo areas. (well there was that body but thats another story)
It started to bug me and I almost put spacers or swapped to 4wd springs in the rear (supposedly it gives a 1 inch lift).
Then I thought: 1} This is my wife's grocery getter (i do drive it 3 or 4 days/week) 2} This is only going to be on pavement 95% of the time 3} This is a speed deamon compared to my 3.0s
For this reason I have decided that: A 4wd has sag (ie my 94 that hasn't been remedied) But for a 2wd it has a healthy squat (low center of gravity)
*Please disregard if you do go off road
#13
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: San Diego, CA
Posts: 987
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
my99:
Well, maybe your friend is used to seeing the 4wd's. Comparably, the 2wd's do have less fender gap than the 4wds.
so if the 4x4 sits higher, is that because it does it come with a small lift or just the springs being harder?
I thought there was a recall on the suspension also, it concerned reduced handling so I would check into that if you qualify.
"NHTSA Recall History
1996: Some 2WD models could lose directional stability when hauling heavy loads and under severe driving manuevers. Although 4WD models did not exhibit this condition, they were also recalled, to avoid confusion. 1996: Sticker alerting driver to "particular handling and maneuvering characteristics of utility vehicles" was not affixed to driver's sunvisor. 1997: Some 2WD models could lose directional stability when hauling heavy loads and under severe driving manuevers. Although 4WD models did not exhibit this condition, they were also recalled, to avoid confusion. 1998: Some 2WD models could lose directional stability when hauling heavy loads and under severe driving manuevers. Although 4WD models did not exhibit this condition, they were also recalled, to avoid confusion. 1998-99: Some wheel lug nuts are defective, causing loss of torque, fatigue fracture of wheel, and possible loss of wheel. "
Well, maybe your friend is used to seeing the 4wd's. Comparably, the 2wd's do have less fender gap than the 4wds.
so if the 4x4 sits higher, is that because it does it come with a small lift or just the springs being harder?
I thought there was a recall on the suspension also, it concerned reduced handling so I would check into that if you qualify.
"NHTSA Recall History
1996: Some 2WD models could lose directional stability when hauling heavy loads and under severe driving manuevers. Although 4WD models did not exhibit this condition, they were also recalled, to avoid confusion. 1996: Sticker alerting driver to "particular handling and maneuvering characteristics of utility vehicles" was not affixed to driver's sunvisor. 1997: Some 2WD models could lose directional stability when hauling heavy loads and under severe driving manuevers. Although 4WD models did not exhibit this condition, they were also recalled, to avoid confusion. 1998: Some 2WD models could lose directional stability when hauling heavy loads and under severe driving manuevers. Although 4WD models did not exhibit this condition, they were also recalled, to avoid confusion. 1998-99: Some wheel lug nuts are defective, causing loss of torque, fatigue fracture of wheel, and possible loss of wheel. "
Last edited by Roadtripr; 07-20-2004 at 09:39 AM.
#14
Registered User
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Bay Area
Posts: 78
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by 4RUNR
jim1000, call me crazy, but have you ever considered taking a measuring tape and seeing if it is actually sagging?
I think you are absolutely right. I will measure the front and back ends. I bet it just looks that way (sagging); at least I hope it just looks that way.
#15
Jim100. I have a 97 runner and my rear end was sagging. You have many options, trust me I know cause I already did all the research. You can replace the coil springs, put in airbag, or put in air shocks. I opted for the latter and am very happy with my air shocks. That way you have control over height depending on load without sacraficing the ride comfort.
#16
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Thornton, Colorado
Posts: 1,133
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by jim1000
Guys,
I have a 1999 4Runner. A friend of mine (non-4Runner owner) told me that my 4Runner looks as though the rear part of the car is lower to the ground than the front part of the car. And no, I do not have any heavy stuff loaded in my cargo area.
It looks slightly so after he mentioned it to me; I had not noticed it before.
What do you guys think? Do I need to replace springs or is this normal for a 3rd generation 4Runners?
I have a 1999 4Runner. A friend of mine (non-4Runner owner) told me that my 4Runner looks as though the rear part of the car is lower to the ground than the front part of the car. And no, I do not have any heavy stuff loaded in my cargo area.
It looks slightly so after he mentioned it to me; I had not noticed it before.
What do you guys think? Do I need to replace springs or is this normal for a 3rd generation 4Runners?
#17
Registered User
Sagging Fix.
I too had a sagging rear end. And here is how I fixed it.
<<<<< See Avatar PIC
the rear off, remove glass and motor, remove spare tire,
<<<<< See Avatar PIC
the rear off, remove glass and motor, remove spare tire,
Last edited by 4Hummer; 07-20-2004 at 12:58 PM.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Flying91
86-95 Trucks & 4Runners (Build-Up Section)
45
04-11-2024 04:39 PM
BeMiceElf
Misc Stuff (Vehicle Related)
7
10-10-2015 09:40 PM
Vargntucson
95.5-2004 Tacomas & 96-2002 4Runners
0
07-04-2015 12:15 PM