About a month ago i bought a 02 sr5 and once i drove it for a little and was able to look past the excited "ohh i got a new 4runner" stage and i realized that there was something weird with my rear suspension. I looked and realized i had less then 1/2in of up travel before i come down on the bump stops. So i figured i know the guy towed a small trailer for his motorcycle and the springs are just saggy. I was able to get a hold of some 97 rear coils from a member on the forums. knowing the 02 sits lower then other year i figured this would be just fine. Well i got them in and it didnt do a thing....still riding on the bumps. Its making ride very bouncy and not absorbing any bump at all. Anyone have any ideas on why the new springs didnt do anything? Im trying to save up to get a OME lift im almost there but its still a few months away and i just found out need to get a new head light mount...found out that is broken today In the mean time what would you suggest i do to get the rear up a little, its a good 1/2in -1in lower then front too. i was thinking i could get some 1 in spacers for relatively inexpensively? Could i just take the cone bumps out of the rear for a few months?

As far as weight in the back, I currently ~80lbs just some tools. But in roughly 3 weeks im going to be packing my dorm room in to the back and its gonna be loaded really heavy so i would rather not be riding that low from chico down to LA.

Thanks.

 

trim off the bumpstops one rung and add a coil spacer

 

Find some used 99 coils. My 97 is sagging REAL hard right now. I understand completely what you are feeling about the axle. Spacers may do the trick for a little while, but honestly, if these are tired springs, they just need to go.

 

where can i get some spacers for fairly cheap and cutting the bumps wont hurt anything correct?. I dont think these 97s are saggy. they are 6 mo old and still have the original tags on them.

 

or trim more and add airbags for now to be ready when you load it up to move. Then new springs when you got money

 

I am going to be getting rid of my 1.5in coil spacers and my ome 890's if you are intersted in either. Both for the rear... Pm me if intersted I will let them go for pretty cheap

Bobby

 

ive got my '99 shocks and springs still.

im lookin to sell them.

 

I was thinking about having some coil spacers made, i just dont have the dimensions and my 4runner is parked a good 1/4 mile away. I have the original spring sitting next to me but i dont have the bump stop measurement. i could easily have this made. what do you think?

 

All that work is already done for you just take a look at wabfab.org. He has complete spacer lifts for sale that you need only install.

 

im actually seriously considering an airlift 1000. My only question is will it work with a lift?

 

The Napa airshocks work just fine for the on-the-cheap fix. I think it was under $70 for the set for the back and you get new dampers to boot. Totally adjustable rear ride height. Even allows you to play what-if type games to figure out how much lift you want when you do have the money to spend.

They are Gabriel units, sold via Napa. Very inexpensive. I've got 40k miles on mine and they work fine. Just be carefull not to over inflate and run with the rear waaaayyyy up in the air - it results in messed up front camber and mire tire wear.

I find that I tune the air inflation so I get 2-3" of travel between bump stop and axel, after loading the truck. Seems to work well. Rarely ever bottom out anymore reguardless of in-truck or trailer loading.

Installation is maybe 15mins/side depending on how much mud & dirt you have to get off the top-nut. Then another 10mins of line routing and you're done!

 

I share your frustrations! My 02 has about 3/4 of an inch before it rester on the bump stop. I tow my 4 wheeler and boat occasionally and i feel that this has led to thier saggy demise. I have looked at the Sonoran Steel 3 kit (99 coils and shocks). Steve told me i need to go with a bigger kit. I really dont care for the lift i just want something that wont go saggy..... suggestions?

 

Im really considering the airlift for 80 bucks and i have a $50 gift card so i can get a air compressor from costco for essentially free. i think it will be worth it. What does everyone think?

 

You don't need a compressor. A bike pump and pressure gauge is plenty (you probably have both). Airshocks are easier to install than airbags though (you have to cut down the bumpstop cone plus compress the springs to get in there easy).

 

i live in a dorm. i have a telescoping hand pump thats about it. should i just go cut one ring off the springs and will that be ok?

 

I do not mean to still this thread…

Quattro,
would you say that those Air shocks feel as a stock shocks or they more harsh (stiff)?

 

A hand pump is plenty you don't need much air to get the recommended minimum 5 psi pressure. You can even pick up a bike pump with a pressure gauge include. A compressor might be good to have for tires and other things but you can get by w/o it.

Search the forum regarding cutting a "puck" or two of your bumpstop cone. You can do that easily but I am not certain about the shock and compression (too much or fine with outside bumpstops).

https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f2/y...uestion-82969/
https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f2/s...-shocks-85263/

 

well im pretty sure cutting the cone bump will fix the prob. Should i just cut them and not worry about the air bags and just save the money for the OME lift i want to get soon? Im guessing ill be loaded down with about 400-500lbs of junk plus a single waverunner trailer (500-600lbs ski and trailer combined guessing around 80-100lbs tongue weight.) So i guess my main question would, can the stock springs handle this and if i cut it down a little extra? Im assuming the outer bumps will be the limit as to how much everything can compress?

 

It would fix it for everyday driving, but for towing you will potentially hitting the now lower cones (not sure how loading will work with your old springs). You could probably survive in the short run.

When you get the OME lift you could add the airbags to have if you are going to tow/load 600lbs a lot in the long run (or get higher rated springs).

 

im was thinking i was gonna get the more heavy duty springs when i get the lift. The one thing ive been unclear about is, if i get air bags will they still fit if im lifted?