tony_4runner

I have a 1999 4Runner. The original rear passenger shock got rusted to the point that it broke. Just removed today. Will ride without the shock until I decide what to do, soon, with your help. Thinking of possibly replacing springs at the same time.
Currently the rear end is sagging. I hardly off road, but tow a 21' boat during the summer. When I hook the boat the rear end looks too low. I would like to fix this, but don't want too harsh of a drive when I am not towing. I don't mind a little lift, but feel that 2" would be too much (such as the OME kit). In my old Runner I had a Downey 1.5" lift springs that were awesome, but they are not in business anymore. Also, I prefer not to lift the front end or change the shocks/springs, if possible. What do you guys recommend? Going with the original Toyota springs? the Moogs? If I were to add the OME's 2" lift in the rear with no change in the front, would it look weird? would it compromise the ride? other options out there that I may not be aware of?
Thanks.

Yota Runner

Have you looked into air bags for the rear. That way it would ride normal and when you want to pull the boat you bump up the psi in the bags...

If you don't want lift I would get some new (stock) rear springs for you 99. Do you know if you have the taller 99 springs or not? As for shocks maybe look into the tokico shocks
http://www.sonoransteel.com/index.ph...products_id=31

shepherd2111

http://www.wheelersoffroad.com/toyota.htm

This is where i got my new rear leafs for the 98 tacoma that i had.
Direct replacement, fit right in. Make sure to get the bushing kit, and new shackles also. I had to cut mine off.

Yota Runner

3rd gen 4runners dont have leaf springs in the rear bud... Coil springs

J2F42C

Check out this thread:

https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f2/2...cemnet-206555/

I have Bilstein HDs both front and rear, with OME 906s in the rear. I put about 200lbs worth of tools in the rear and after 4 months there was little to no rake. Is the rear as soft as with OEM springs? No, but in towing a 20ft, 3500lb boat, I only have about an 1" drop when towing and there feels as if there is less rear lateral flex than before.

shepherd2111

Pay attention to the springs if you pull them off. They are two different sizes. So when you get the new ones make sure they are marked left and right.

http://www.wheelersoffroad.com/gstacoma.htm

This is the shackle kit you will need. Just make sure you get the 4runner one.
I just noticed I gave you the tacoma page

shepherd2111

Oh man.... Sorry about that !

scuba

TheDurk

Rear springs are the same side-to-side, if tall they are both 48231-35210 with green and red paint blazes. The front springs are different side-to-side.

tony_4runner

No idea if I had the tall or short springs. They have a rust layer so no way I can see the paint. There is tons of information out there about this topic, which makes the decision even harder. It seems that a some of you have the OME's 906 with stock front shocks. I may go this route and maybe later on upgrade to OME's 880 in front. From what I read it seems that is better to go with the OME NitroCharger's, So probably I will go with the OME Nitro's 60028s. It seems I can get this combo for about $446. I have read of so many combinations that I can't figure out what's the best shock for the 906.

tony_4runner

pardon my math, $346 for the rear combo

J2F42C

OME 60027 or the Bilstein 2451. My personal preference is with the Bilsteins but either should work well for you.

If you tow that boat a great deal and it weighs over 3000lbs, look into the Tundra brake upgrade for more stopping power over the stock brakes.

tony_4runner

Tonight looking at the springs again I could see what it seems red and green paint at the bottom of the coil. It is either light green or yellow, I am not good with colors. So it seems that I may have the "tall" springs. If this is the case I have couple questions:
1. Would my total lift with 906 OME's be very small? which is what I want.
2. Does having "tall" springs at rear mean that front is also tall?

Yota Runner

If you do have the tall springs you may get one inch over new stock 99 tall springs with the OME 906's, and yes if you do have the tall springs it would be both front and rear.

TheDurk

That perfectly describes the present ambiguous color on my factory tall '99's. If your fronts are blue/pink and blue/yellow, that would pretty much close the book that you had talls from the factory. They did not mix shorts and talls front to back as stated above. A previous owner, of course, might have done anything. Generally, '99 4Runners with 16" wheels got the talls for most of the year.

My understanding is the 906's in back and tall '99's in front have a minimal rake with the rear slightly higher. I have seen a few posts from people who have done this that wanted to correct sag with no lift and came out happy. I am close to doing this myself, so I can't say this from firsthand experience. You would only see a dramatic difference if you are sagging badly in the rear with your original springs.

tony_4runner

I love this forum. Thank you Durk.
Tall it is. I looked at the fronts and they are marked pink/blue and yellow/blue. I am delighted that it is what I have. When I bought the Runner in 2006 it came with the dealer's original equipment sheet. I checked and it came with the 16" wheels from the dealer. It is the upgrade pacakage #4, code GK.
Just ordered the rear OMEs springs and shocks. Will install in a week. I will post before/after pictures and measurements.

TheDurk

Happy to help. Please remember to post back how it comes out. I'd really like to do the same thing--although I'll keep my brand new Trekmasters. We have very similar trucks.

tony_4runner

Yeah Durk, very similar trucks. Mine has 120k and runs great - bought it with 45k about 5 years ago. The only repair so far is replaced the clutch master cylinder at about 80k. However, the broken rusted shock just happened, and then I saw an oil leak from the rear axle (driver side) just starting. I am still debating if I should replace just the seal or also the bearings. I have read many threads and I found threads giving both recommendations. Since I want to keep the truck much longer I may go with the seal+bearings option.

Qyota

Yes, please report back on the 906s. It's looking more and more like the route I will go. Just need to decide on shocks. My plan is to replace the front with OEM "tall" stuff at the same time...hopefully this year.

mylittletacoma

i'm using procomp 9100's, 26" length, 4" blocks and a fabtech aal.