VaTech4wd

I have finally chosen a suspension kit after over a year and a half of researching all the different options for my 2002 4Runner. I ended up choosing the Ironman 4x4 from Camel4x4.com. Here is alittle background information about the kit and company. Ironman 4x4 has just recently become available in America through the only U.S. and Canadian distributor, Camel 4x4. However, they have been in business for many years serving the off-road community in many other countries. Their kit is not meant to be a suspension lift, but a suspension kit. The idea behind this kit is to provide the driver with an improved ride and a better handling vehicle on and off-road. In addition, their products provide the ability to carry more weight without sagging or overstressing the factory suspension. Along with these benefits, a 3rd generation 4runner will receive a lift of about 1.5”-1.75”. I decided on purchasing this kit for a couple different reasons: their warranty, great customer service at Camel 4x4 (thanks Eli), good price, and that fact that no one else is running this kit in America.

After the kit was installed I noticed a big difference in handling and ride quality. I am really happy with it.

Here are some measurements I took of before and after measurements at the lip of the wheel well.
Before install:
front- 33 7/8"
rear- 33 3/4"
After install:
front- 35"
rear- 37 3/4"
After lift
Before lift

I will try and post some more pictures later this week.

Deceptiwave

So is it coils and shocks? spacers? extended brake lines?

VaTech4wd

My mistake, I did not post that information. The kit includes new front struts and coils, and new rear shocks and coils.

naksukow

Did you take any pictures of the kit before you put it on?

SkidPalace

So you got a little over an inch in the front and 4" in the rear?
"Suspension kit"? Call it whatever you want, what you got is a mis-matched lift.
What did the system cost?

michalik_piotr

what skidplate said......

jkloeker

Looks like it goes for about $650

http://store.camel4x4.com/category/1...=SuspensionKit

CYi5

funny . Going along the same principal as OME it seems. They sell "suspension kits" but they usually turn out a little more evenly raked. Props for trying a new kit though.

VaTech4wd

Well, maybe after the first off road trip it will settle some in the rear. Really not to concerned. It rides great and will be able to handle the heavier loads from cargo and pulling a trailer without sagging. In addition, I wanted to try something new. Overall, I am pleased with the new kit.

fireball

As they say, YMMV, but I'd be pretty pissed if I dropped a bunch of money on a complete "suspension kit" and it had a 3" rake.

brian2sun

That's not Camel4x4's idea, that's just what happens when you replace old saggy coils and worn out shocks with new ones.

Looks like their #'s are a little off cuz you got 1"- 4". I would be calling them and making sure they sent you the right coils, but that's me.

Either way, like CYi5 said, props for trying something new. Just be sure to wear your seatbelt so you don't fall through the windshield when you're stopped, J/K haha.

Fink

If you're happy with it that's all that matters but is it supposed to be like that?
Is that there way of allowing it to take more weight in the back? Versus just putting a stiffer spring/shock combo?

Not knocking it just asking to get more info on the kit - if it's not supposed to be like that though then I would call them and make sure it is installed right.
If it is then you're good to go.

Fink

VaTech4wd

brian2sun and 4x4Fink thanks for the input. I will call and check with Camel 4x4 on Monday to see if there maybe something I did wrong on the install. I was pretty confident I put them in correctly, but maybe I overlooked something. I though maybe I got that additional lift on the rear due to extremely worn out springs in the rear. I thought the 1.5-1.75" of lift might have been based on a height increase over brand new factory suspension and not worn out suspension. i will check.

CYi5

If the front struts are supposedly height adjustable why don't you move the spring collar to a higher setting?

VaTech4wd

It is actually a small spacer that is inserted below the collar that adjusts the height. I would really like to keep the front at where it is. I did not want to lift it to high due to CV wear. If I could get the rear to drop about .75- 1" that is where I would like for it to settle. Correct me if I am wrong, but don't all springs settle after a couple months and a few trail runs?

Going back to the lift height. I think maybe measurements for this kit were determined off of a new factory suspension. If this kit is installed on a new vehicle it will get 1.5-1.7 inches of lift. If I am not mistaken 2001-2002 4runner had the lowest springs. With 8 years on them they will be even lower. So these 4runners will see the largest amount of lift. On the other hand, if put on a 99 4runner with the "magic coils" it may only gain .75-1" of lift. That might be why I saw such a large increase in the rear. I don't know. Just a thought.

brian2sun

Regardless of how saggy your old suspension was, that still doesn't explain the steep 3" rake on the new setup. Either the fronts need to be adjusted up like CYi5 said, or the rear springs are too long (or rated for 1000 extra lbs. or something). You could easily go up an inch in the front without ruining your CVs, especially if you get a diff drop.

Maybe that's just how they like their stance overseas, i dunno.

VaTech4wd

brian2sun,
your right, still does not explain the 3" rake. That maybe how they like it overseas. I will contact them on Monday and try and get this all straight. Also, looks like I might have to invest in a new panhard bar and brake lines.

JWaldz

iTrader: (1)

Let us know what they say, cus if they are providing "kits" that result in such a rake I believe they need to fix something on their end. I dunno what you mean when you say you need a new panhard bar or if you need the drop but If your staying at over 4" lift in the rear I would suggest the drop but it's not necessary.

One cool thing I did find from that site though is they offer rear 20mm and 30 mm trim packers... NICE!

Fink

With that high of a rear-end I would definitely suggest at least some extended brake lines, a modified panhard bar would be good too - or just a bracket.

Fink

008keith

take out the conical bumpstops in the rear thatl drop the rear bout 3/4"-1". did the same to mine except i have the ss 1.2 lift