4biker

Okay, so I finally have something to put down in this section. I started with a nice, stock '97 (a re-titled, Americanized, Canadian theft recovery) with an e-locker that had about 125000 miles. At this point I've had it a year, and it has been a great rig. I changed my first timing belt on this thing, and it has consistently been very reliable and easy to work on (I hate my wife's Acura TL now). It gets me around, specifically to mountain bike trailheads, in style and comfort. When I picked it up from the dealer, he had just put brand new tires with an all-season tread on because he "thought the big offroad tires looked stupid," much to my chagrin. Here's a pic at the trailhead of one of my personal favorites, the Wasatch Crest. The only problem with this thing, is the springs in the rear were so susceptible to sagging - not at normal weight, but they sank like crazy with just a little bit of extra weight - always bottoming out, even with the '97 suspension recall performed. My answer, OME lift springs. I had a '99 Jeep that I put an OME suspension on and I absolutely loved it. I picked up a pair of OME 881's used for pretty cheap, and Doug at Toytec sold me a pair of OME 906's for the rear. Here's the progression: I picked up a set of slightly used Yokohama AT's 265/75/16 (they are sitting in the back of the 4-runner in the picture, that's why it's resting on the rear bumpstops). Before any work: I put the tires on The front with new tires (yes, they rubbed on the lower front bumper trim) The rear with new tires, unloaded rear end Replaced the springs... I was really surprised at how tall the originals were compared with the OME 906 springs, but the number of wraps on the coils is the important thing. You can see my wife's handiwork on the fender flare, as she didn't see the house while backing up Replacing the front shocks was only difficult because the top nut would not come loose. I recommend finding a shop to do it, especially since they will have a fast/easy spring compressor, torch, and air tools. Rear with new coils Front with new coils Comparison shot My understanding is that the coils will settle over the next several months, and that's okay with me. I just don't want the rear bumpstops to hold up the 4runner anymore. I had measurements of before & after, but I think they were wrong, as it averaged just over an inch at each corner - it's definitely more than that. Hopefully soon I'll wreck the running boards and get some sliders. I will try to get out soon and get some action shots. The top of the Wasatch Crest mtn bike trail: Per the rules of this forum, please do not post in this thread, as any posts will be deleted. Thanks for looking!

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1997 4Runner Ltd, E-locker, OME 881/N91SC + 906/N86C, 265/75/16 Yokohama Geolander AT+II's, 1000w inverter, dual batt setup, very custom cargo platform
My Profile
1998 Rocky Mountain Element TO (Canada Red)

4biker

So we decided to drive the 5 hours to St. George in southern Utah. My wife's parents live on the way, so we volunteered to drive them down as well. With the dog, that's at least 4 bags and Jack in the cargo area. I decided to build a cargo platform, based on the sleeping platforms that others had made. I bought a 5/16 sheet at Home Depot and had them make the big straight cuts (since I don't have a table saw). When I got it home I cut the platform corners to size and cut the supports to length. I decided to simplify things by going exactly 10" from the floor. Going 10" gives enough clearance so you don't have to cut out space for the driver's wheel well with the gas filler bump. I decided to put the center support off-center so I can put larger items in if need be, and still have plenty left over. It's plenty strong either way, so I'm happy with it the way it is. To mount the support legs, I screwed 3 strips of 2x1" board to the underside of the platform, then put the platform into the 4Runner. I then screwed the top of each support piece into the side of the 2x1 down the length of the support. The middle support piece looks like it's leaning, but it's straight up & down.
Overall, it's a little tall for Jack, but he still fits fine. We have to leash him in so he doesn't jump into the rear seats or become a projectile in a front-end collision, but it's tall enough for him to stand. Plus, I can fit at least 5 carry-on size bags under the two spaces under the platform. I think the drawers would be nice to have, but I can fit a ton of stuff under this thing and no one knows it's even there. For small stuff I'll just use rubbermaid bins. There is no room for lateral motion, so the screws won't tear out, and It easily supports my weight. I covered the platform with a piece of indoor-outdoor carpet that hides Jack's black & white fur.
The whole project cost about $23 and took about 1 1/2 hours at home. Jack's bed fits perfectly on the side of the heavy cargo mat.



On our trip to St. George, I had 3 passengers (plus me), our medium-sized dog, and about 200lbs of cargo on the way down. I pulled my parents' tent trailer from my sister's house as well with a 150lb tongue weight, so I got to feel the new springs with a load, and see how they held up after hundreds of miles. This shot I took today, showing they certainly aren't sagging. I would happily go with the 881/906 combo again (I don't think I ever bottomed out). I have noticed with the slightly bigger tires, there is a noticeable loss of available passing power on the freeway - I don't know if I'll go to a 33" tire without either regearing or supercharging.

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1997 4Runner Ltd, E-locker, OME 881/N91SC + 906/N86C, 265/75/16 Yokohama Geolander AT+II's, 1000w inverter, dual batt setup, very custom cargo platform
My Profile
1998 Rocky Mountain Element TO (Canada Red)

4biker

I suppose I should mention my home-made bike rack. I had this in my '99 ranger stepside and it worked very well, but I could just wedge it into the bed. It's just a 2x4 with three fork-mounts bolted to it. With my seat height, with about 1/8" clearance to the ceiling. I just take one ratcheting strap, connect it to both of the rear-most cargo tie-downs, and around the front-most side of the fork mounts. Then the opposite with another ratcheting strap. There is no appreciable motion while driving, and it's out of the elements, and it stays in my possession. At night I just throw a dark blanket over the bike and no one knows it's there. It's not compatible with my new cargo deck, so I'll have to buy a hitch mount now.

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1997 4Runner Ltd, E-locker, OME 881/N91SC + 906/N86C, 265/75/16 Yokohama Geolander AT+II's, 1000w inverter, dual batt setup, very custom cargo platform
My Profile
1998 Rocky Mountain Element TO (Canada Red)

4biker

I was recently asked how my suspension setup looks (i.e. level, squat, or raked), so here is a picture taken 5 1/2 months after the install, with approximately 50lbs of cargo in the rear. I have been very pleased with my 881/906 setup, having towed a camp trailer, my family's boat (21', ~5000lbs), and loads of cargo since putting the suspension on.


I'll update with pictures of my dual battery setup with 1000W inverter, and my improved cargo platform soon.

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1997 4Runner Ltd, E-locker, OME 881/N91SC + 906/N86C, 265/75/16 Yokohama Geolander AT+II's, 1000w inverter, dual batt setup, very custom cargo platform
My Profile
1998 Rocky Mountain Element TO (Canada Red)

4biker

Well I need to update again as there have been some changes. I purchased some newer limited wheels and put my yokohamas on those. I used to get rubbing with the 8" wide wheels before, but now no rubbing. I think it looks better too. I also pulled off the running boards for a trip to Moab in April this year. Here are a couple of shots of the rig, and video from the trip. It's not much, but it gives you an idea anyway.









That second one is the campground "H" hill on Fins, and it actually took me about 5 tries. This is the only one my wife actually closed her eyes on. If you listen closely you can hear the tires complaining on the sandstone during all of the failed attempts. I edited out my frustrated 4th try when I would have had it if I'd just stayed on the throttle. It's amazing what a 4runner with a rear locker can do.

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1997 4Runner Ltd, E-locker, OME 881/N91SC + 906/N86C, 265/75/16 Yokohama Geolander AT+II's, 1000w inverter, dual batt setup, very custom cargo platform
My Profile
1998 Rocky Mountain Element TO (Canada Red)

4biker

Here's a little additional suspension info. This summer has been busy for the 4Runner. It has been to Flagstaff, carrying 4 occupants, plus bags and our dog, then recently to the High Uintas, over some of the roughest fire-roads ever (pulling a pop-up trailer), and bumming around several day trips into the local canyons. Here are some pics:

These are the Uintas trip - the suspension performs very well, even with the little trailer on the hitch. Both of these pics show some squatting, but I think it's just due to the uneven ground. In reality there is a small amount of spring squat with this setup, but not enough to worry about.




A random shot at American Fork Canyon above Silver Lake


Here is a sharp corner in American Fork Canyon. The 4Runner is basically on two wheels, so it gives you an idea of the amount of flex in the suspension.






I wish my wife would have kept filming to see how the locker pulled me right up without any tire spin - Yay e-locker!

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1997 4Runner Ltd, E-locker, OME 881/N91SC + 906/N86C, 265/75/16 Yokohama Geolander AT+II's, 1000w inverter, dual batt setup, very custom cargo platform
My Profile
1998 Rocky Mountain Element TO (Canada Red)

4biker

Okay, so I wanted to show my updated cargo space, and my auxiliary battery setup and inverter.

Starting with the cargo area, I am a sometimes fanatical mountain biker, and with the bike on the hitch rack, I hate dropping the bike down to open the lift gate (four or five times is how it usually goes). So I cut up my cargo platform into three sections and put hinges on them so I can access them with the window down. To fit the battery box in, I raised the platform to a full 11 inches at the liftgate, but it slopes up toward the rear seats.



I put two cargo mats on top for two reasons: I want to disguise the cut lines, and I have a usually-muddy dog that sheds long black hair.



This is the view of the side that I put my biking stuff, or my work bag if I'm working out of the 4Runner. You can see the battery box right behind the rear seat, with a height of almost 10".



This is the larger side, where I can put other gear, including a compressor, tool bags, camping gear, or other stuff that you usually put in your trunk, out of sight of bad-guy eyes.



This is the front compartment, where the battery is, along with my 1000w inverter. I always keep a low-wattage work light and extension cord for just-in-case charging needs.

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1997 4Runner Ltd, E-locker, OME 881/N91SC + 906/N86C, 265/75/16 Yokohama Geolander AT+II's, 1000w inverter, dual batt setup, very custom cargo platform
My Profile
1998 Rocky Mountain Element TO (Canada Red)