Hi guys,

A rather late nite post for me (145am PST) but I finally finished the layout of 4runners.org. Now I gotta write some more articles!

Concurrently, I've been reading anything and everything about suspensions, lifts, etc. I've probably even emailed some of you as well. Thanks for all the great advice so here is what I've decided thus far:

a) 1" Performance products springs (lift not lowering)
b) Bilsteins or OME standard shocks (need opinions)
c) 265/75/16 (can't decide which tires)

The reason why I chose this setup is b/c I want to keep it looking as stock as possible but still have the capability to off-road (not rock crawling). Furthermore, I could add some Cornbred spacers if I wanted to go higher but...

If I got a higher lift (2" or greater), I imagine I would/should get larger tires (285s). And thus, that would defeat my goal of keeping it looking close to stock as possible.

Did I mention all this suspension stuff can add up?!?! Crazy! But I'm sure this is old news for most of ya.

Here's what I'd like to get some opinions on before I make that big decision:

- Are the PP springs any good? What does "progressive springs" mean anyways?

- Seems like most people who do get the PP 1-inchers go w/ the Bilsteins. But has anyone tried OME standards? I've read that the OMEs have a softer ride which is desireable, but I've taken into account sschaefer's dislike for OME's products. Has anyone run this combo?

- 265/75/16s: do they make much of a difference in terms of off-capability? do they fill up the wheel well given the 1" lift?

Sorry to rehash is oft-rehashed topic but I know you guys will chime in nonetheless (or banish me forever!).

Thanks,
Bob

 

Hi guys,

Well I think I have my own question answered directly from ARB themselves. A little excerpt of the email I rec'd from the Western Sales Manager:

"...The reality is that the Toyota Prado is built on the 4-Runner
chassis, but it's a heavier vehicle... requiring different spring rates and shock valving. Consequently, our suspension is not ideal when bolted onto a 4-Runner. Usually a customer ends up with too much lift in the tail (compared to the front) and to compensate up front they use our heaviest coil. What they end up with up front is too harsh a ride and C.V. joints that are running at their limits of flexibility. In truth this isn't our
way of offering a suspension, but a few people out there were willing to work around the difficulties because they were determined to have a more moderate lift. Based on what you've told me about your needs, I wouldn't recommend our suspension at this time. "

I actually appreciated his honesty. This guy has my business in the future! Furthermore he writes:

"I was told today that a request has been made of our engineering department to develop a set of springs suitable
for the 4-Runner, but I have no concrete timeframe to share with you."

Maybe they've listened to schaef's emails?!?!

Bob

 

Hopefully it will mean more offerings for 3rd gens (ie bumpers). Thanks for posting that info

 

Looks like they may have.

 

Booooooooooooooooooob.......

Mike Kapash has the PP1" springs and Bils. Looks really nice w/his BFG k/o 265/75/16. Candido and I saw him at Hollister last Nov. and it looked really sweet. If you decide to go higher after that then I wouldn't recommend added the Cornfed spacers. I remember steve saying they are progressive springs and will not go well w/the spacers. I suggest for your needs to just put some bils on first and ride that out until you want to go higher. Th stock 4Runner is very capable of handling some minor off-roading so unless you need the clearance for off-roading or tires I wouldn't go w/the lift. NOTE: If you haven't had the Recall done then I'd wait til you get your new shocks and possibly springs and have them put it in for you. Who knows they might do it for free since they are taking out the springs anyways. As for your tire selection since you use it as a daily driver and don't off-road much then I'd go w/the Michelin Cross Terrains. I've heard from Numerous friends and tire shops that they are the best all around Tires. I was going to go w/them but I went for looks more then function. As you know I went w/the BFG k/o. I just wanted that aggressive look w/o the noise of a M/T. So far I put 20k miles on them and they still look new and ride great. No problems in rain like some people report. Call me if you have any quesitons.....

daaaaaaaaaaaaave

 

You CAN NOT add spacres to the PP springs. It will ride like ˟˟˟˟!

 

Dave and Steve,

Thanks for the advice re Cornbred and PP springs. I could've sworn that's what PhilR did. Thanks for saving me from that mistake.

I totally forgot about that recall thing for the 1998 4Runners. Gotta make a call to the dealer and/or Toyota Motor Sales USA. I'll have to read up about it some more.

Well today I swapped out the 99 5 spoke wheels w/ the 98 3-spoke wheels. It's pretty trippy b/c the body color says 98, but the trim and the rims say 99!

The 99 tires have about 10-15k more miles of tread left so I'll probably get bigger tires then. The 98 tires are brand new so my brother will be liking that since he won't have to buy tires for a long time.

Bob

 

Bob check out my 4runner site, i have just updated it with new pics. As for my pp springs, i love them. I don't have bilstein's but i still like the ride. But my tastes for ride may be different from yours. I like a stiff ride and like feedback from the road. All of my cars (camry exluded) have had some sort of spring change to make the ride stiffer. I would recommend these springs.