I've got a 2002 4Runner that I installed Bilstein shocks on about 3 months ago. The problem is that right now the truck is my wife's daily driver, so I am not allowed to change the exterior appearance until the day the truck is mine. (Hopefully she'll be getting a new vehicle soon) With that said, I purchased the purchased the bilstein shocks with the assumption that they wouldn't change the stock stance of the truck at all. The stock ride was pretty much even, maybe with a slight rake in the nose.

After the install, I was shocked to see that the front had gained about 2" of lift in the front. I didn't think this was possible since I never touched the springs. The rear might have gained about 1/2" in height. I told myself that the shocks would settle in a few weeks and the truck would return to it's normal stance. No such luck. It's been 3 months now and the truck still sits nose high. My wife is starting to complain and I would like to even things out.

I measured the front and it's about 1 & 1/2" taller than the rear. I am thinking about getting the OME 2" springs for the rear. Will this bring me back to a raked stance, or am I going the wrong way with this? I've also read about the PP 1" springs, but they are $199 for the pair. I can get the OME rear springs for $135. I'm not interested in putting in spacers, as eventually I'd like to get a full OME setup. I tried reading through the OME thread, but It didn't really answer my questions. Actually, now I'm confused as to whether or not I should leave the rear cones in with my new springs. Thanks for any help.
Z

 

I think I remember reading that people gained lift from their shocks when they were installed incorrectly (upside down?). I didn't gain any extra height from my bilsteins, which I don't think you're supposed to anyway. You might want to double check the installation or the front struts.

 

The front shock spring seat was installed upside down...


Here's the post:

https://www.yotatech.com/forums/show...ghlight=upside

 

BINGO!

 

Dooh...I should have guessed that. The front shocks I actually took to a shop since I didn't have access to a wall mounted compressor. I'll take it back and have it fixed, but it looks like they'll be buying me a new alignment since the truck was aligned at the dealer recently.

BTW, I really like the looks of your truck. My 4Runner looks just about the same minus the lift and rims. Thanks for the help,
Z

 

that was my thought exactly, make sure you put the lower spring mounts on in the correct possition

 

A new question. Will I do any damage to my front end by not flipping the spring seat over? I can't see any mechanical reason why it would cause any damage, other that pre-loading the springs a bit. I had the truck aligned with the front end jacked 2" and I'll have to have it aligned again if it's corrected and dropped. I might just go ahead and put new 2"OME springs in the rear and even it out. Then I'll tell the wife it was the only way to fix the rake. This whole mess might just be a blessing in disguise.....thanks for all the replies and patience, since I wasn't quick enough to find the other thread.
Z

 

Actually that is not wise. The Aluminum seat is designed to have all the weight on the other side. The side you have up now has a much skinner lip and over time I bet it will wear down and you will loose lift over time, requiring multiple alignments over time.

Aluminum does fatigue over time where as steel does not. Swap the coil bucket and get a set of spacers if you want lift. After all would you really want your family driving the truck like this?
.

 

Thanks for the information.....obviously I would never consider leaving the truck in an unsafe condition. Right now I'm mad that it has been this way for the last couple of months. The truck is going to go in today to have the seats reversed and a new alignment, at the shop's expense of course.

 

I got a full inch from my Bils and I did check the height before and after but they didn't change the stance.

 

Double bingo! 100% on-the-money!

 

Make sure it looks like this when you get it back:

 

Thanks for the picture, I printed it off and plan on taking it with me. BTW, I'm really happy with the clear turn signals I bought from you....

 

FYI for all BILSTEINers:
After you get these shocks you HAVE TO get your rig realigned otherwise you're going to kick yourself for uneven tire wears. I overlooked this fact and now i have retarted tires.