Observations
Now that I've had my 98 4Runner for a few days I've noticed how much I dislike the stock suspension. Specifically in the rear. I understand that the rear is known to sag, but mine isn't doing that yet. I also heard that there's something like a voluntary recall to get the car upgraded with stiffer rear springs and beefier bump stops. I don't know if my car has had that done yet.

It seems that the truck gets upset about relatively small and sharp bumps, but absorbs big ones very easily. But then there is little shock damping after absorbing the big bumps. I think the truck gets upset about the small sharp bumps because of either relatively stiff bushings or just because of the size and weight of the wheels and tires. So I can live with that.

But it seems under sprung and under damped, especially in the rear. That will become intollerable when I start towing and have a 500lb weight on the tongue. I know going to a load levelling hitch will help, but I want to solve the problem instead of working around it.

How are Ranchos?
So now I'm looking for a mildly stiffer rear spring and new shocks. The stockers are VERY soft (unless it's just mine that are worn, but I only have 55k miles). For shocks I was thinking of putting those Rancho RS5000s in the front and the adjustable RS9000Xs in the rear. The website says with their remote adjustable system you can adjust the rebound and compression of the shock. Does that mean that they're separately adjustable, or does it mean that adjustment of the shock adjusts both compression and rebound? If I go to stiffer springs I won't want to increase my shock compression rates, it'll already be be increased by the spring rate! Then I'd have the choice of either a stiffer or underdamped ride than stock. Hrm. Then again, a mildly stiffer spring probably wouldn't upset the balance enough to make a difference. So maybe that was just theoretical.

Are Bilsteins better?
I've noticed on this board a lot of people talking about using the Bilstein shocks. Are these the ones to get? I've liked what I've read about the road going versions, so I'm sure these are great. I would gladly trade adjustability for a better quality shock if that's the case.

Towing-specific issues
So when I start using my truck for towing I was thinking about just getting some air bag inserts for the rear springs. I figure this will have the least negative effect on the handling. The weight on the rear will be increased, but the effective spring rate will also be increased. Has anyone tried these?

Sorry about the novel and all the questions! Thanks!

 

To me, it doesn't sound like you will be doing too much off-roading... if that’s the case, you could try the same route that I'm taking. Performance Products carries 1" lowering springs that have progressive spring rates. As for the bil/rancho, I better leave that up to someone else. I went with the bils because of the life time warranty as well as their reputation. My dad has been putting them in his cars since way before I was born. I can tell you that the Bils will not be as cushy as the stock. My setup is in the mail, so I have yet to have them installed, but I will be sure to post my thoughts when I get them in. Gadget previously had the setup, and he apparently liked it, but he now has lifted his truck. You can read his thoughts at Gadget's Website
Good luck!

 

Turboale,
Keep us posted on your 1" lowering springs and Bils. I want to add the same setup to mine in the next few months and I have been looking for some feedback from others running the same. I've talked to Gadget and he did like it when he had it. Later.

Matt