dave148

This is what I am looking for in 98 4runner rear suspension:

1. Remove excessive sag from existing situation. Yes I still have the
original recalled springs installed. Shocks have been changed out for KYB
565002. Just loading the vehicle for a week trip puts the back end very
low, and I wouldn't be surprised If It was on or very near the bump stops
already just with this. When I towed a trailer recently, the bump stops
were probably smashed.

2. Some sort of preload adjustment so I can get a consistent sag with
different loads. In dirt bikes, this was called "race sag", and the
specification for rear race sag was typically 4" for a 12" travel suspension.
The race sag could be easily adjusted with a pair of spanner nuts on the
spring assembly to get a different preload with different riders weights.
This same arrangement would work fine for me on the '98 4runner, since
this adjustment would not have to be made often (no need for the
complication of air adjust).

3. Keeps the wheels on the ground as much as possible. If I use too soft
a spring rate, the springs will bottom and my wheels will bounce. If
I use too firm a spring rate, I won't have enough sag (see #2 above), and
the wheels will leave the ground over a dropout. Even if I have a good
1/3 of travel sag dialed in as listed in #2, I will bottom hard if I get even
a little airborne. Are progressive rate springs available? Do They have
some sort of problems compared to fixed rate springs?

Can I get anywhere close to the above? The suspension on the
2012 FJ Cruiser-tt does pretty well in keeping the wheels on the
ground, so If I ended up with something like this on the '98
I would be in pretty good shape, but I'm not sure I can get this
consistently without the preload adjustment.

Dave