4runnerbear

Hello All!

My first post here. I just got a 87 4runner 2 days ago and I love it! I've been looking to find a good deal on one for awhile and I think I just found one. Anyway the 4runner I got has a 2" OME Lift Kit on it.

I was hoping to see what others were experiencing with it. I've done a search to see if others have similar experience but I haven't come up with any comments about a stiff ride. I just took it for a trail ride today and me and my friend were literally getting bucked off our seat because the ride was so bumpy and harsh. It's very rough even on pavement. It was hilarious but also tiresome after awhile.

This is my first experience with a car that has a lift kit attached to it. Isn't the lift kit supposed to soften the ride instead of stiffen it? The previous owner took one leaf out from the rear which I have in my garage. I would assume that would help soften the ride. If it's this rough now, I can't imagine how it would be with the extra leaf in place.

Any thoughts? Is this just how OME lift kits are? Is there something I could adjust to soften the suspension? Anything would be appreciated. Thanks!

clydehatchet

perhaps its OME HD?

myyota

Ive always heard good things about Old Man Emu lifts, if the lift is fairly new the springs need some time to settle in a bit, and the ride should get better.

gary_the_4runner

how old is the lift? it could be HD springs??? i have the dakar leafs and they were stiff when i first bought them, but settled nicely... are you using nitrochargers? or stiffer shocks?

also the rear is going to be stiffer on a 4runner with any quality kit. otherwise you would end up like all other stock or poorly lifted runners, SAGGY REAR

JR

I have a 93 Pickup that has the EMU lift kit. Front torision bar have been replaced with larger size and rears have heavy duty leaf springs. The extra leaf on mine makes it the heavy duty version but it can be removed. Attached is a picture loaded on the scales weighing in at 2430KG (5346 pounds) and the largest part of the load is just behind the axle (didn't want to reload when picking up some heavy bags) . I have nothing to complain about and comparing it to my 98 1/2 ton Chev it is slightler stiffer when empty on smooth pavement and I mean just slightly. However in all load condition, ever road condition below perfectly smooth pavement it out rides and handles the Chev, I should have upgraded the Chev pickup. Empty the rear sits quite high as it is a soft ride.

Check shocks as suggested.

Hmmm have to figure out the picture.

clydehatchet

i would say that the brunt of the rough ride is probably the torsion bars. are they cranked all the way?

4runnerbear

Thanks for all the input guys. I'm still learning my way around this car as I go. I just checked the receipts and the car. This is not the HD version. It has Dakar springs and nitrochargers. As for the torsion bar, I thought this only adjusts the height of the car. Does this adjust the stiffness as well?

vital22re

iTrader: (2)

Whats the load rating on the tires? high load rating and overinflated tires can contribute to a harsh ride.

brown bomber

cranking torsion bars will increase both ride height and stiffness.

CRogers556

I recently purchased a 1994 4Runner and this will tie into my situation as well. The gap between my rear tire and fender is about 2 inches less than the front. Assuming that the front is OE height, would the OME rear 2" lift bring it equal to or higher than the front with medium duty springs? I don't really want to lift my truck. I just want to bring the gap between the rear tire and fender equal to the front and put a pair of Rocky Road SuperSliders on it. That's it! I've gathered the fact that if I replace the rear springs with OE that it would quickly sag as it does now. What is the best way to equalize the damn gap between front and rear? Please and Thank You.

algranger

If the shocks are worn that will probably help. If the lift is brand new it will be a little more rough.

Pretty well any time you lift a leaf sprung truck its a guarantee that it will ride rough.

CRogers556

I'm not worried about a stiff ride.

CRogers556

I take that back...I don't WANT a stiff ride but my goal right now is to equalize the gap between the front and rear tire to fender.

sebastianholmes

the rear fender on the 4runners is cut about 2 inches lower than the front. youre riding just how you should.

CRogers556

I'm thinking about purchasing and installing the OME 2" lift medium springs in the rear only. I'm just afraid if I do this that the rear will sit 2 inches higher than the front. That would be the opposite of how it sits now. Errrgghh! It's frustrating trying to get a strait answer. I've already e-mailed Rocky Road about it and I'm waiting on a reply.

CRogers556

Damn...I was afraid of that. Thanks for the info. I guess I could install a 1 inch spacer and call it good. If I put the OME 2" lift springs on the rear it should equalize the gap but I imagine I would be actually riding ass up even if the wheel well gap was evened out...right?

sebastianholmes

yes that is correct

MTyoda

i would suggest ball joint spacers so u can drop the torsion bars and take some stress of them. really any IFS lift will be stiff in the front unless u have coils, but w/BJ spacers u gain 1.5" with no adjustment to the bars thus not making the ride stiffer. Any lift that calls for cranking your bars out is not a lift, its money wasted on parts u dont need. Also w/ the BJ spacers u can just make the front match the back, or put the extra spring back in and it probley wont be that much more stiff in the back. hell u might get more lift and a smoother ride for under $100. I also know that OME is quality so the parts will all last, i would say buy it!

gary_the_4runner

if you would like to restore your ride height to stock with no lift try by replacing your rear springs with moog CC255 coils. they are stiffer and more responsive as well. about 75 bucks a pair on amazon.

they are actually shorter than stock out of the box, but once installed will improve your ride height.