95.5-2004 Tacomas & 96-2002 4Runners 4th gen pickups and 3rd gen 4Runners

Sagging left (driver) side

Old Oct 9, 2022 | 10:33 AM
  #1  
claus's Avatar
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From: WV
Sagging left (driver) side

My son just bought a 2000 4runner Limited, and of course it is lifted.
It's a recent mod, probably a year or so ago, and about 3" lift.
He has been working on it over the last 2 weekends and we noticed that the left side is much lower than the right. The rear is worse, about 2.5-3" difference, measured from pavement to bottom of the wheel arch.
The front is maybe 1.5" lower on the left.
additionally the left rear wheel is inside of the wheel arch and the right is about an inch outside the arch.

Did a bunch of research about the sag or lean, and figured out that the main points of concern are: springs being installed correctly, sway bar and the panhard bar being too short after the lift kit is installed.

One way of checking is to measure the springs, disconnect the sway bar and the panhard bar, and see if it is level or more level than with them connected.

Anyone here have any ideas on how to check and fix the problem?

Thanks!
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Old Dec 10, 2022 | 12:41 AM
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carefreeteddy's Avatar
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Fighting the sag

I bought a 1999 Tacoma back in Feb. 22 And after I got it replaced the front coil overs and noticed the drivers side sag. Did some research and there are a lot of Tacoma's that sag on the left side. I've heard that Toyota actually beefs up the left side coil overs to compensate for the sag and remember the gas tank on Tacoma's are on the left side of the truck. I Do not have any proof that, that's what Toyota does. Just heard that. Anyways after checking out all of the suspension I noticed the previous owner of the truck had 10 leaf's on the right side and 7 on the left. So I started from scratch and replaced both sides with new stock springs and when everything was finished front and rear there it was the drivers side droop. They even make a 1/2 inch spacer for the left front coil overs just for the drivers side droop. Tried that didn't like that took it off and just added more tension on the left side coil overs to compensate for the sag. If you look hard enough you'll find that you are not the only one trying to figure where the sag is coming from. Hope that gives you a little insight into your left side sag problem.
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Old Dec 12, 2022 | 02:52 AM
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claus's Avatar
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Solved!

We figured out what the issue was regarding the lean and the wheel offset in regards to the frame.

The person who did the lift did only that, and after some research we found out, that with a 3" lift, the front sway bar links fit the rear just perfectly, but had to boy new longer links for the front.
This more or less levelled the car.
Also the lateral bar/rod (can't remember the name) also needed a drop link. This is what secures the frame to the axel and this one is actually what caused the wheels to be offset to one side.

I have since noticed other vehicles having the same issue, and I don't understand why lift kits doesn't have these few parts included. For what you pay for a good lift kit, an extra $100-150 for these parts shouldn't break the bank.

Last edited by claus; Dec 12, 2022 at 02:54 AM.
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