I just bought a 1988 4Runner 3.0. I also own a 99 Tacoma. I was just up scouting for elk here in Colorado this weekend and my God man what a difference. My Tacoma went up just fine a very bumpy road but it absorbed the bumps. The gosh darn 4Runner was like the WILD CHIPMUNK ride a Lake Sides an Amusement park here in Colorado. Are they all this bad or is it just my Rig/Shocks they look and feel fine but Holey Hell it was a night mare. It is 1 hour back in on this road I do not think I can do it again. I was seriously scared I was going to get wiplash or a back injury. What can I do or is it just that bad. I believe there are Rancho's on there now. I know what can I expect, on the Tacoma I have Bilstiens. Let me know. I know I was joking around but I really will not take this up there again.

 

Hmm, well make sure you're not sloce to your bump stops, and other than that maybe different shocks? Mine is pretty rough on washboard roads too (Rancho RSX's) but the shocks are great for most other off-roading so I live with it.

 

I would say just make sure your front suspension is set midway between the pump stops (upper and lower) and keep in mind the best ride for IFS comes when the upper control arms are almost flat. Lost of people like to crank up the torsion bars to get a bit of lift but doing this makes the ride very rough. I'm not sure what model of rancho's you have but the 5000's are notorious for being very still off road.

 

hell be glad it wasn't a 85 or below straight axle

 

The solid axle rides nice when stock, I was impressed actually. AAL's stiffen it up too much though.

 

I agree that stock, the older 4runners aren't bad. My stock 4rnr would be great if I got new OEM spec springs, the ones it's running are worn out.

My '83 pickup with Rancho 5k's and "softride" leafs RIDES LIKE A BUCKBOARD. I hate it and that's about 50% of the reason I'm selling it.

 

Be glad both your front and rear leaf springs arent riding on the overload leafs and are close to the bumpstops... ya it sucks.

my 85 4runner makes my 95 4runner feed like a caddy. i'm not kidding either