ericm82

Hey everyone, first time posting here.

I recently just bought my wife a 2002 4Runner SR5 4wd to replace our 02 Dodge Durango. Took a little getting used to for her to adjust to the smaller vehicle but I think she is starting to like it.

The only thing that we have both noticed, is that this thing rides like CRAP! Every little bump sends you bouncing around...it reminds me of back in my high school days being in a car with lowering springs.

I did some searching around on the site, and noticed there is a difference in ride heights from 1996-2002. I understand the 99's were the highest of the years. My 2002 is considered the "low rider" version.

I have been throwing 2 different scenarios around: #1 Get a 3" complete spring lift (which will actually net me 4-5 inches for my 02) with new shocks & struts...but I understand this might make it ride even worse. #2: Spend the money on a set of 99 springs, get a slight increase in height and possibly a better ride?

I have already ordered a set of (4) new Tokico Trekmaster shocks & struts for it, as it does have the original's in with 88,000 miles. My questions for the experts is: Will I get a better ride with the 99 springs over my 2002? I don't want to spend the extra money on the factory 99 springs if it will not help the ride any. I will spend the money on the 3" lift springs instead if there will be no improvement in ride.

Thanks in advance for any advice...

rearviewmirror

The pre-2000 springs were just taller, ride is the same. (I owned both.) You're best bet is to replace the entire setup with something aftermarket. When I put the OME setup on my 2000 4WD it lifted it about 2 1/2 inches, which brought it to ~ 1 inch higher than the pre-2000 4runners. Ride quality was exponentially increased, no longer did a simple speed bump make the truck feel like it was going to fall apart.

I can also fly down fire roads now, the suspension is very progressive, even at speed.

ericm82

What OME setup did you go with...and where did you purchase it? Of course I have already ordered the Tokico shocks/struts...

I was looking into ToyTec's part# OME3-RUN kit with 3" springs front and rear...I'm assuming this isn't the setup you have?

rearviewmirror

I got mine from TRDPARTS4U (Toyota of Dallas). I went with the medium front and rear. The ride quality is great on and off road. My setup is OME only. I didn't trust piecing together with parts from different companies, I was afraid it would sag in the front or rear or just not be quite what I wanted.

http://trdparts4u.com/MC-IGH-BBHG.aspx

2000t4rAKS

I was also considering going the ToyTec route or the SS# 3 Kit. Haven't decided which one I should get.

rearviewmirror,

Did you install a diff drop kit?

ericm82

Which front springs did you use? 880 or 881's? Top spacer? Did it sit level after? Do you have any before/after pictures?

Sorry about all the questions...I just want to make sure I do this right the first time!

rearviewmirror

No diff drop required, it's only 1" over the 99 ride height.

rearviewmirror

I have 881's and 890's.

2000 w/ STOCK ride height.




Pic of OME lift to come shortly.. got to dig through my hard drive.

2000t4rAKS

Ha Ha, that's exactly how my Runner sits right now..its so LOW. Since you didn't require the diff drop, I am really interested in your setup. It seems really simple and functional at the same time. And since my Runner is a daily driver and sometimes hit the trails, I think it would be the perfect setup. How long have you had the OME setup? I ask because supposedly, the OME shocks are too long for the Runner....have you had any problems? I am also glad to hear that the ride quality increased because I feel the same thing when I go over speed bumps.

ninjarunner

the ride problem is the shocks. but personally if your going to do it, get all new OME the 891's are freakin sweet, just put them on my buddies FJ cruiser, anyway, you don't really need a diff drop unless you go over 3in lift, some people are overly scarred, but if your not wheeling it a ton don't worry i ran a 3in lift for a lot of miles and hod no diff drop and zero problems.

2000t4rAKS

Thanks ninjarunner for the confirmation. Yea I really do not go wheeling as much as I would like and again it is my daily driver for the next few years so I really don't want that crazy of a setup. The CV joints were my conern and that's why I am not going over 3" and hopefully with the setup below, it won't go over 3" according to rearviewmirror. I have heard from people that since the OME products were not made for the 4Runners in the US, its not a wise choice. Anyway, this is the proposed setup I am thinking of getting, please tell me what you guys think. Thanks

Front:
OME-N91SC shocks
OME881 springs

Rear:
OME-N86C shocks
OME890 springs

rearviewmirror

Ok.. Got some pics up.

Another pre-lift pic...




Post-lift:

In the garage








EDIT:

I wouldn't even call this a lift, I'd call it restoring the stock/proper ride height in a post Firestone tire failure rollover world. The pictures I have of my 4Runner after is ~1" higher than a pre-2000. Of course the ride is so much better on/off road.

2000t4rAKS

Thanks for the pics, they were very helpful. Yea I would agree with you about that whole firestone fiasco. So your rig now sits probably an inch higher than even the '99 coils, no? Is my proposed setup, the same as yours and how many miles have you put on the OME setup? Thanks for answering my questions. O yea, sweet looking Runner by the way...I just wish the fender flares were the same color like yours, mine are like a light gold while the rest of my rig is silver.

rearviewmirror

Yes, 1" higher than a pre-2000. I've put ~10k miles on my OME setup. My 4Runner is up to 54k miles or so. 2000 had millennium silver, by far my favorite color.

2000t4rAKS

According to the sticker, mine is a desert dune metallic. Not even sure what thats suppose to be. I just might have a paint shop just paint the fender flares to match the rest of the rig. I guess its settled, I am going to get the OME setup all around. Thanks for your input.

rearviewmirror

My 99 is Desert Dune.. Check out the stock ride height, looks like a "lifted" 2000.

2000t4rAKS

Ha Ha, yea I see what you mean. My 2000 is the exact same height and looks exactly like yours except for the gold package.

MTL_4runner

That's gonna ride high in the ass end (been there done that).
Go with the same setup I have in my sig and you'll like it alot better.

skjos

MTL is right 881/890 will ride ass up.
I have that setup and I just ordered the toytec spacer to even me out.

This is what the 881/890 lift did for my 2002:

Front: 2 9/16" lift
Rear: 3 1/4" lift

2000t4rAKS

Thanks alot MTL_4runner and skjos, I knew a few yotatechers would have experience with that setup. Thanks alot for the input.