Hey guys, my 4Runner rear end is sagging worse and worse as time goes on.
I know I need to replace the coils in the spring but thought I would see if there is a stiffer rear coil that will help with loading but not lift the vehicle much.

I did see something about putting 99 Highlander springs in a standard 4Runner for 1" of lift but I bet they sag as well.

What do you think?
I am only planning on running 265/65 R16 tires max as this is a truck I use to get to work and have a Jeep on 33s for breaking on the trail.

Thanks

 

sonoran steel's 3. series is a replacement for stock. check it out!
http://www.sonoransteel.com/index.ph...&products_id=5

I'll be doing the 7.2.... soon...ish...

 

My 98 has air-lift air bags in the back. You can adjust the pressure to raise and lower the back and raising it also increases your load capacity. Not sure on cost and difficulty to install as they were on the truck when I bought it. I really like them though.

 

I'd go with the 99 coils.

 

'99 rear coils don't sag, they settle ever so slightly...mine (front and rear) are still good after 12 years and sits level. I've had a decent amount on weight on both the hitch and inside cargo many times plus some wheeling.

 

So the problem was the 96 through 98 runners? Is there any lift at all with the 99 coils?

I am concerned about lift over 1" because of the IFS.

Can you simply swap suspension components for these 2 years or is there a difference in mounting points. I would ideally just do all 4 corners and leave it at that come spring.

Thanks guys

 

You can simply swap in the 99 suspension. It's all the same stuff, just the 99 spings are a little longer. They will fit just fine. The 1999 4runners had the tallest springs. The 1998 4runner had the second tallest. Your 1998 had taller springs than the 1997s or 1996s.

Actually, you could just get the 1999 rear springs and put them in. I'm not sure were to get just the springs however. Getting the entire system 3.0 from sororan steel is a good idea if you have the money. It's just nice to have all new stuff.

 

First off check with a dealership and see if your springs were ever replaced under warranty. If they were not this could solve your problems for free.

Just completed swapping in Old Man Emu 906 springs for my friend's 01 Limited. This was an easy swap but did lift the back end 2". If you are sagging now then any new springs you put in will of course "lift" your back end. I mention the 906 springs only because they almost exactly matched the 01 springs we took out, no spring compressor was necessary.

 

are a better bet then the 99s.i installed 99s with new bil HDs and the ride was awful. Might end up with some rake but that could be taken care of with some spacers.

 

My 97 had the recall work done, but was sagging a bit when I bought it. I never have much of a load, so when I installed new bilstien's that seemed to even things out.

 

No recall for me, I checked with Toyota.
I was hoping there was a variable spring rate spring for the rear that could be put in with an inch or less of lift over stock.

 

Don't waste your time with the 99 coils like I did. I swapped out my old coils for 99's and wasn't very pleased. After about a year I installed the 906's and that has been the best thing I have done to my 4runner. It handles so much better now and you can haul a tool box or 4 adults with out dragging the mud flaps. Just my 2 cents.

 

I don't know your situation but a $600 spring kit + acc isn't my cup of tea, and even 906's are pretty pricey. I redid the rears in my '90 with variable rate Raybestos from Rockauto for <$70, and you could do the same for yours, they call the 98's "professional grade" but they appear to be variable rate. Rides great IMO, and can carry a full load of tools with minimal sag.

Or just go for the stock constant rate ones for $35 if you're not doing much hauling. Even if you had to redo them in 100k miles, it's like a 2 hour job. Don't understand the appeal of sacrificing tire wear, handling and stability for an on road rig by lifting it at all.

 

Even if you put some springs that lift it an inch or so, you can always adjust your front torsion bars to lift it up and inch to even things out.

 

3rd gen 4runners don't have torsion bars like the 2nd and late 1st gens do, so no adjusting the front unless he gets adjustable shocks. All coils will sag over time. If you don't want lift, get replacement '98 coils and call it done for a few years. If you want a little extra weight carrying ability, the taller '99s would be better. Do you want a little bit of rake so you can haul more without sagging or do you want it to sit nice and level when you don't have weight? Most any heavier duty coils will lift it a little.

 

Oh thanks for the info.

 

So will 99 highlander coils fit in my 92 runer without having to custom fab too much?
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