By that I mean....I've seen a lot of posts that talk about detailed pros/cons of say a 4-runner '99 versus a 2000 or a '98. If it's all the same generation, is there really that much difference? and if so, where do i find out about it?

I have a 99? I'd like to know about it. Kinda like knowing what your astrological sign is. Where can i find the dope on the various years?

 

96-98 had a more simplified interior and transfer case... 99-02 saw better cupholders and a more complicated t-case...

99-02 also got the fat lip front bumper. besides that, they're all about the same.

 

T4R.org is your place for that kind of info, here's a thread about the '99 upgrades:
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-ge...es-w-pics.html

 

thanks guys.

I do remember reading several posts here that talked about guys getting springs from a 99 (versus some other year), so i was really curious if there was that much of a difference in that.

 

Brian2 sun - where would you go in Socal to get your suspension looked at? any shops you like?

 

I usually order parts from whoever is the cheapest online and I do my own work. The only shop I've ever brought mine to was 4Wheel Parts in Riverside to do my gears and I would not go back to them because they took forever and screwed up all my sway bar links (which is one of the reasons I'm running sway bar-less now).

What do you want to have looked at exactly? I can check it out for ya.

 

B2sun - I have another link in here where i detail the sus issues:

https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f120...oblems-217264/

So far, the replies there have given me some good feedback to check out. If you have any thoughts I'd appreciate it. What i'd really like to know is whether i just bought junk by replacing stock shocks with KYB. After 15,000 miles, they already feel pretty shot to me, but the side to side swaying may be all the other stuff i need to check (sway bar mounts, end links, panhard).

Of the subject, but do you know if I put in 4wd low, does that actually lock the rear axle like a true locker would?

 

Nothing will lock the rear axle except a diff locker. 4Lo is just 4x4 (both diffs are still open) but with a lower ratio to give more torque. I don't have any personal experience with KYB, but I would bounce on the truck and if it keeps bouncing a few more times after you stop, the newer shocks are probably bad.

I read your other thread and new sway bar bushings and link bushings would probably have the most affect on your boat-like handling on the freeway. I would also have your ball joints and control arm bushings inspected (the latter would explain the wandering effect). I would be happy to look at it for you to see if I can find anything wrong with it. I will be at the TTORA Takeover event in Big Bear this wekend, but if it's a dangerous issue, you might want to take it to a 4x4 specialist like 4West. They're a little on the expensive side, but they know what they're doing. The majority of people who work at places like Pep Boys (or any budget mechanic/tire shops) usually just don't know 4x4 suspension well enough to diagnose problems like this. If you PM me, I can give you the # of a really good 4x4 alignment guy who has helped me track down problems in the past.

 

B2Sun - thanks for the info. I can't make it up there but I'll send you a pm to get the # of the 4x4 guy. My tire shop is independently owned, run by an old school family and they pride themselves on tires and alignments. The owner has a '72 K5 with serious lift and it's not pretty, so I get the feeling they are pretty skilled. but it doesn't hurt to get a second opinion.