GTBGUY

Hi there, just wanted to thank everyone in advance for your help.
I'm a new owner of a '95 4Runner V6 4WD w/ auto tranny. I'm looking to lower the 4Runner by 2-3" for better handling on the street. (I don't need a lift kit b/c this is generally used around town and for skiing/snowboarding + camping trips).

Are there any suspension kits or lowering springs out there for the Gen 2 4Runner?

I'll be running either KYB's, Tokico's or Bilstien shocks to compliment the new springs.

I've got some 17" wheels and tires coming, and hopefully the suspension will be able to compliment the new rubber and wheels.

If you do have any info, that would be great. Feel free to email me at gtbguy@hotmail.com

butnut

I don't know anywhere else besides Japan that has lowering springs. Elford is a well known brand. Since you have a 2nd gen, I believe you can crank down the front bars. You just need a rear coil set and maybe the adjustble lateral bar to center the driveshaft after lowering. Maybe Jason B can make the Japan connection for you. Good luck.
Elford page...

GTBGUY

butnut - thanks for the info. I'm guessing the Gen 2 4Runner is basically a Helix Surf 130? That 3" lowering spring is looking v.good It'll definately help save some fuel!

butnut

No problemo. Le (rev4runner) is a member here. Here's an old pic of his Japan style '93. He did all kinds of mods and has a killer show truck. Maybe PM him for some info and tips. Let us know what happens.

91Runner

Hey and welcome to the forum

I'm can't help you with the lowering aspect of your 4Runner, but I wouldn't go with the KYB (The gas charged ones, they have an all white body, and red lettering, I forgot what model they are). I had those on my 4Runner, and I found that they were WAY too stiff and I couldn't stand them mainly because whenever I would go over a bump my truck would start bouncing, and I could feel every little rut and hole in the road. I personally didn't like them.
I installed a set of Bilsteins on my 4Runner a couple months ago (hehe I wish I had waited a bit longer, because I just bought an Xterra a month ago, and would rather have Bilsteins on it instead of the 4Runner ) You definitely can't go wrong with the Bilsteins in my opinion.

So my suggestion would be to buy the Bilsteins, they're awesome shocks, and I think that they have just the right stiffness for driving around town and offroading (even if you won't be offroading, you can't go wrong with the Bilsteins)

Hopefully I was some help And congratulations on the truck

-Braden

butnut

Bills are my next 'upgrade'...those KYB's can't be as bad as the stock POS Toy shocks...can they? I hate 'em, but I can live with 'em a while longer...I'm almost at 100K, I'll see how much longer before they break.

Corey

iTrader: (1)

[Scotty voice] Captain, I don't know how much longer she can take it.
The factory shocks are killin' our delitheum crystals[/Scotty voice]

GTBGUY

butnut - thanks for the info, I'll definately drop Le a email/PM or something.

My main objective is to have a decently handling 4Runner, as I'm going to be using this as a "daily driver/beater". I'd much rather leave my other cars in the garage over the winter (even though they're AWD )

Speaking of which, do you know if Le had any power upgrades? I'm probably going to design a low-pressure bi-turbo set-up for the 4Runner, just for more "oomph" I've got 2 spare T25's that I could probably use.

91Runner - thanks for your warm welcome I've had pretty good luck w/ KYB's on one of my other rides, I've always had a thing for Bilsteins though I'm quite surprised that 4Runner stuff is so much cheaper then parts for my Subarus!

I wonder how those lowering shocks from Elford are? Looks like to be a decent match to their 3" lowering springs.

Robinhood150

[Spock voice] Jim, I believe the one they call robinhood obtained 150,000 miles from his stock shocks. However, he is illogical.[/Spock voice]

butnut

(McCoy's voice) Damn it Spock, my butt can't take another 50,000 miles...I'll be in the sick bay.

Cheetahboy

Let us know how you make out on the lowering springs. I wonder if there is a dealer in Canada for this type of thing.
I want to lower my runner as well. Most people want to pump them up with bigger tires for off road use and stuff. I just want to use it around town and occasionally on camping trips-kinda like a glorified station wagon

Cheetahboy

I just checked out the Elford Suspension coils. They cost $512CDN! One shock absorber is $179CDN. Just to lower the runner will cost some serious coin.

GTBGUY

Cheetahboy - don't worry, I'll let you know. The cost of the suspension is fairly reasonable, as struts for my Subarus costs more then that!

It'll definately nice to ride 3" lower

GTBGUY

Well, contacted Elford a couple times... doesn't look like that's doable.

Anyone else know of any other source for lowering a Gen 2?

butnut

Shuei is another Japanese source for suspension parts. Maybe Jason B or Llyod could get them for you. PM those guys.