thunderunner

Am I the only one who feels seasick while driving?

My 02 runner has stock suspension system, but I noticed that my runner has alot more sways and bumpiness while driving compared to other SUVs like the pathfinder.

The rig does not drive smoothly as I thought it would. My rig seems very sensitive to uneven roads and bumps. I can feel the rig actually jump up and down ... is this normal?

ALBPM

It kinda sucks doesn't it........

I traded in my 93 Runner for an 02 and the 93 felt so much better.

Bilstein shocks will fix the floating and improve handling. A lot of us have replaced the coil springs as well.

I got Bilsteins and 1" lift coils from Performance Products and really like the ride now.


http://www.performanceproducts.com/default.aspx

ravencr

I highly recommend the PP 1" springs and the Addco Swaybars. They will take away that feeling altogether.

Chris

ALBPM

Did you put the sway bars on the front and rear??

I was thinking of just doing the front on my Runner.

Jalaber has a good write-up on his website for the shocks and sway bars.

http://www.geocities.com/jalaber4r/

Look under "Handling"

ravencr

Front and rear! You can run the front by itself, and if you do a lot of off-roading, I would recommend running the front only with swaybar disconnects. I don't do a ton of off-roading in mine, so I got them front and rear, but the rear reduces wheel travel by 5", so I wouldn't recommend it in the rear if you go off-roading a lot. Also, I've heard that you shouldn't buy the addco for te rear and use swaybar disconnects, because at extreme angles it can get lodged somewhere where you won't want it!

Chris

ALBPM

Thanks Chris, I may just do that for the front only.

Did you find some good swaybar disconnects or are you still using the stock connects for now??

Paul

thunderunner

do any of you know wat the type of shocks come factory installed for the 2002 4runners? i notice that many are replacing the stock ones with the billies... i would like to know who makes the original stock shocks.

ALBPM

They are made by Tokico
http://www.tokicogasshocks.com/

My wife's TRD Pre-Runner has the Tokico Trek Master shocks on it and I may replace those with Bilsteins.

ravencr

ALBPM,

I'm just running the stock swaybar disconnects right now, but I've been thinking about them a little and I was wondering what everyone else thought about this idea.

I'm thinking, using the existing stock hardware, you could easily make a good swaybar disconnect. Here's what I'm talking about:

1) Take off the top and bottom bolts.
2) Drill holes at the exact location where a large cotterpin could rest where the orginal boltsrested against the metal spacers.
3) Then, when you want to take them off, pull two cotterpins per side and remove the endlinks just as if you have bought a pair from Nuke or Rockstomper, which I again had no success trying to do.

What do ya'll think? Seems like an easy thing to do to me!

Chris

jalaber

Thanks! My Geocities site was an old mirror of my new site but it is quite out of date. Try the new one it has much more info...www.Top4Runners.com

The Bilsteins will take out most of the floating "seasick" ride. Addcos flatten out the corners very well. If my wite up helps you and you plan to buy from PP after doing your research please use the link on my site, I'm an affiliate and you will get 15% off until the 15th. Thanks.

thunderunner

Tokico? hmm... i read the their bragging rights on the website, however i think it's not all true. What smooth ride are they talking about? I really need my billies... Bilstein has been rated as "best buy" for performance and cost. If every other 4runner owner's are replacing their stock with the billies... i think i need one too. There must a definite advantage to the replacement.

I can't stand the bumpy and overly sensitive ride of my 02 runner anymore.

Rick F.

Ditto on the Bilsteins. My '00 would bounce and roll and I only had about 14,000 on the stock shocks. The Bilsteins did the trick. I don't off-road, so that is all I did to my suspension and I'm quite satisfied with the improvement.

ALBPM

Keep in mind that the stock OEM Tokico shocks are cheapies specially made for Toyota.....LOL

The TRD Tokico Trek Master shocks on my wife's Pre-Runner are better but they are too firm - almost bone jolting. So, they may be replaced soon with Bilsteins as well.


Almost forgot another factor here...........

thunderunner, what is the air pressure in your tires??????????

thunderunner

i haven't check the actual PSI on the tires. However, i had the mechanics inflate the tires when i rotated them about a month ago. The ride is basically the same as before when i picked it up from the dealer.

My tire size is 265/75/16R...

I think the Bilstein shocks are great investment. I'll look into it after pay day...lol.

ALBPM

The dealers tend to over inflate tires. I had mine rotated, balanced and an alignment done and they had my 265/70/16's up to 42 PSI. I like to run the fronts at 35 and the rear at 33 PSI. They wear just right and the ride is much nicer.

thunderunner

thanks for the advice.

i actually have the same tires 265/70/16 not 75 ... my booboo.

i'll try lowering the tire pressure and see how it feels on the road. but i'm wondering if the lower tire pressure will effect the gas mileage?