I have a '99 Limited w/ E-Locker etc. A link to this site states that some '99's came with a suspension system with high coils springs which are approximately 1.5" taller than stock. Without doing a side by side measurement on 7 year old 4Runners (which would be unreliable) how can I tell if mine is equipped with the taller coils?

I searched but couldn't find a specific answer.

 

All 99s (not some) had higher coils than other 3rd gen years.

 

Thanks for the quick answer. You guys know your stuff.

 

I've often wondered the same thing. I've read they all came w/ these and others that say only some did. For example, on Steve's site, Sonoran Steel , under System # 3, it says the following: Pay special note to the last 2 sentences.

The 3rd Gen 4Runner was introduced in 1996 and apparently Toyota was not pleased with the original front coils as they were changed for the 1997 model year even though no significant changes were made to the 4Runner. These coils ran from 1997 to 1998. In 1999 Toyota added the extra crush zone up front and the fat lip front bumper to facilitate it. Things were good and the 1999 4Runner sat higher than any 3rd Gen 4Runner to date. At the same time the Ford Explorer/Firestone Tire blowout/rollover media blitz hit. Toyota reacted by yanking the 2000 model year down lower mid production very early in the 2000 model years run. The 2001 and the 2002 are without a doubt the "Low Rider" 4Runners. This kit takes the best the factory had to offer in 1999 and applies it to every 4Runner from 1996 to 2002, 2WD and 4WD. The 2WD trucks will go up 2" from where they sat new and 4WD trucks will go up 1" from where they sat new. Does every 1999 have these magic coils? No way, only a few did and the chances of finding them in a junk yard is possible but, it is very slim that you find a 1999 and only a 1999 with the specific options factory installed, not dealer installed.


So what gives? Did all '99 models come w/ the taller springs or were some '99s just taller than other '99s? Just curious.

Thanks

 

Yep, and it was only about 1" higher.

Easiest way to tell if you have the taller coils is to look for the P/N tag if there is still one (not always still there).
Should be Part# 48231-35210

 

I don't think the "magic" coils were as uncommon as stated since I know people with other stock '99s and they have the same 9 coil winds I do. I also replaced my tired ones with the same "magic" coils from Conicelli Toyota. (partznet.com)

Do all limiteds share them too since mine seems taller than my mom's but I think the lack of running boards and bigger tires on mine just adds to the illusion.

 

What was the production cutoff in 2000 for spring height? My 2000 was produced in 08/99... not that it matter now since it's all OME now but I guess I'd still like to know.

 

The only way to be sure is count the coil winds on the rear.

 

Were the springs the ones that Toyota replaced the 96-98 ones with during that massive recall?

 

I don't think so because I had mine done on the recall and it barely made any difference (just made my 4runner semi-level again.....dumped those like a week after for my OME setup I have now). I still have them lying around somewhere so I should check the P/N just to see.

 

The 99's with the tall coils were 4WD, V6 and 265 tires, from the factory. Everything else is the lower coils all the other years got.

Recall gave you new lower 98 height rear coils.

1998 (top) & 1999 (bottom) Both 4WD, V6, 265.



2001 (left) & 1999 (right) Both 4WD, V6, 265.



Most of the 99's made did not have these, just like most of the 99's were automatics. Also most of the 99's were 2WD.

 

Hey Steve, nice too see you actually went into business... (yeah, I haven't been on this site for almost 3 years so I am catching up)...

I like the looks of your lifts. What do you figure the cost would be to get that stuff installed (gen estimate)? I ask because my local 4x4 shop was offering me a generic kit which I wasn't at all interested in.

 

It should be a 4 hour job to install the kit. That seems to be the re-occuring number.

 

Thanks!

 

Did all the Sport Editions maybe come equipped with the taller coils in '99-00? It does seem at least with the '99s they all sit the same.
Mine had the taller springs from the factory and when I ordered replacement OEM coils from partznet.com I got the taller coils and I definetly made sure they were the ones when I got them in the mail.