Hello everyone,

Just a fellow 4runner owner here. I was wondering if any of you folks could give me some advise on what available aftermarket springs are out there for my 2000 Runner. 2 things I am having a problem with are: 1) the famous rear-end sag; 2) I was hoping I could get it to ride like my buddy's 2001 Nissan Pathfinder (that is, I want it to ride softer than it is riding now). I got my Runner stock with just a little above 100k miles. It runs great, no problems whatsoever, but I notice it rides a little too stiff at lower speeds (below 50mph), even with my airing the tires down to 28 psi. I understand that Toyota must have chosen the stock spring rates for all-around performance (perhaps more for expressway stability), and might have factored in the inherent springiness of the large stock tires. But, as I drive mostly in the side roads with some fairly large gaps and potholes, I was hoping to swap my current springs for softer riding aftermarket ones. Any ideas? Thanks in advance.

 

1999 4runner springs. Best all around setup.

 

Thanks Potomacduck. Does the 99 have softer spring rates than the 2000? I don't drive much on the expressway so I would like a little softness for low speed driving over pothole-filled streets. Also, I was looking to raise up the ride height a little to keep the chassis from bottoming out with the softer springs.

 

you can have the tall 1999 4Runner coils at the back and use the TRD Tundra coils and bilstein 5100 shocks up front and place the spring perch on the lowest position

 

Just put Toytec Ultimate lift w/ Bilstein shocks all around on my 97 4runner to replace (worn out) stock suspension and ride improved 110%. Plus not having to disassemble front struts made it a simple unbolt and bolt install

 

Thanks KZN185W, sounds like you have a good amount of modding knowledge with the 3rd Gen 4Runner. So if I'm understanding you correctly the 99 has taller rear springs? My question for you now, if you don't mind are:
1) Are the 99 rear springs softer rate?
2) Why not use the front springs of the 99 as well?

Sorry to question your expertise here but your suggestion of using the Tundra TRD springs is counter-intuitive if I wanted a softer ride on a smaller truck.

 

Thanks for this suggestion, Tigger. I'm checking out their website and they do seem to be offering a wide range of options.

 

Yes, the 1999 4Runner Highlander 4WD and 4WD Limited had taller springs that gave both about an inch taller than the 1996-1998 4WD 4Runners. the 2WD versions had a lower stance than the 4WD versions.
These are stock springs (front and rear) so will produce stock ride characteristics. Hsofter springs will produce a wallowy ride and more tilting when cornering.

The tundra springs and Bilstein 5100 shocks will produce a firmer ride than having the front 1999 4Runner Highlander coil springs. The 1999-2006 Tundra is not a very heavy truck because the ladder frame is not full tube unlike the 4Runner which has a full tube ladder frame. Also, many tundra front suspension parts are the same as those of the 1996-2002 4Runners.

 

If your looking for a soft ride buy the Lincoln or Caddy SUV offerings .

A soft ride is great for your Mall Crawler just don`t venture far from the parking lot.

You could build a suspension to handle both but it gets expensive real fast.

Me thinking the stock 4Runner rides much to soft already.

 

Thanks for that info, very interesting. Haven't really driven or been on a 99 vs 00 so I can't be sure if they ride about the same in stock trim. Interestingly enough, I've noticed Toyota to be in the habit of switching things a lot between model years. For instance, been on a 96 Corolla vs 93 Corolla (these cars are of the same generation as you know) and the 96 rides a lot nicer than the stiff riding 93. Another example is between an 88 and 91 Corolla--again, huge difference in ride. So far, Toyota is the only company that does this as far as my limited car riding experience goes. Point of fact, the 92-94 3.0 V6 Camry uses the 3vz-fe, while the 95-96 uses the smoother running and rev-happy 1mz-fe.

By the same token, I was kinda hoping the 99 and earlier rode softer than the later versions. I think I'm gonna need to find someone willing to give me a ride in their 99 so I can compare the ride with my 2000, LOL. Otherwise, I'm just going to have to save up for an OME spring upgrade.

 

Nah, I'm not really interested in expensive mall crawlers as you call them. I'd rather have a cheaper leaf-sprung Blazer with an equally soft ride than any of those fancy behemoths, lol.

Yeah, I've never really quite understood why Toyota had to stiffen the 4runner's suspension like that. Other equally offroad competent machines like the Isuzu Rodeo, Nissan Pathfinder, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Land Rover Discovery II, etc. ride much, much nicer, some even with live front axles.