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?

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.

cubuff4runner

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.

cubuff4runner

4Runners have had coils in the rear since the 2nd gens came out.

jim1000

I have a 1999 SR5V6 2WD. Is the sagging prone in these vehicles?

X-AWDriver

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.

cubuff4runner

I also thought that in 99 is when they fixed the spring issues in the rear on the 4x4. I don't know too much about the rears on the 2x4

My99

Well, maybe your friend is used to seeing the 4wd's. Comparably, the 2wd's do have less fender gap than the 4wds.

wynn

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

00Runner

I've got rear coils off of my 2000 4x4 4Runner with 40K on them if anyone wants to buy them.

4RUNR

jim1000, call me crazy, but have you ever considered taking a measuring tape and seeing if it is actually sagging?

lee

i suspect its a combo of 2wd and age.

Roadtripr

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. "

jim1000

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.

FORANA

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.

cubuff4runner

I think he is just jealous And wishes he owned a Toyota

4Hummer

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,