I’ve been researching how to level up my 2nd gen. I’m not looking for any super lift, just to get rid of the sag and make it look right. It looks like the Downey 1.5” HD springs are the mode of choice around here. Or would replacing the stock springs with new from Toyota do it? A couple of questions on the Downeys:
1. Will the ride in the rear of the truck become overly harsh? I’d hate to spend the money and time and then find out that I am shaking the heck out of my dogs riding in the rear.
2. Do I need to replace the stock shocks as well? If I don’t, will that keep the springs from lifting the rear?
3. Central 4WD quoted me $163.80 for the kit, where Downey themselves quoted me $197.67. That seemed strange – any idea why?
Thanks for sharing your experiences and advice.

 

I bought the Downey HD rear coil springs - I am still running my stock shocks
I got about 2" of lift initially but it has now settled some. I have not noticed any harsh ride. It takes a few days to get used to the view out the windshield. I've since added a 1" body lift.
I don't remeber how much I spent for the coils - less than $200.00 though.

I intend to do the ball joint spacers and will either have to get spacers for these Downey coils or swap to the land cruiser coils. The land cruiser coils will add 3'' - 4" of lift in the rear. This is not what you need !
Do the Downeys - money well spent. You going to Tellico ? Come hang out at the campground - you can ride with somebody on the trails - no problem.

 

Thanks, Doc. Yeah, I'm planning on coming to Tellico, just a matter of timing. I don't know if I can get off work early that Friday, if not I'd be driving up at night (I'm thinking it's going to be around 7 hours from here) or coming up Saturday. Both would be a bummer, I think I'd miss a lot. I want to get this rear lift thing taken care of, and hopefully new tires by then, too.

 

1. I think the ride is better, you have less chance of bottoming out.
2. I don't have new shocks w/no problems, but have not gone offroad since I got the new springs, they should be fine and don't affect the lift.
3. I got mine from Central 4wd, Downey costs more 'cuz they (probably) have to sell them at MSRP so they don't compete with their own retailer distributors, wheras the retailers can price them more competetively.

The Downeys make the rig look right, without having to crank the front t-bars. It's how it should look from the factory, especially with the 31x10.5x15 tires.

 

I just got OME 901 coils for the rear, but haven't installed them. The coils were 66 dollars each, and I just picked them up from ARB's headquarters. hth

 

Read This

 

You will not regret the coil installation - your runner will ride and handle better than before. I am a certified marine technician and haul a lot of tools around in my runner. I also haul my 20' Sea Ray and my camping trailer. The coil springs make a world of difference.

About Tellico - you need to make it Friday night or real early Saturday morning. The trails are about 10 miles away and everyone leaves camp around 9:00 The campground is deserted during the day. CB will not help at that distance and once on the trail - returning to meet you would be very hard. e-mail me at dstaley@searay.com if you have questions.

Tellico is a great time - just a warning - once you start modifying your 4 runner - it becomes a sickness - I am always dreaming of the next modification. Reading on Yotatech though I guess you have figured that part out. What's your name by the way ? age ? kids?

I'm an old fart - 47 today - my last kid just left the house - new wife 2 years ago - Life is LOOKING GOOD !!!!!!

 

Thanks, I don't know how I missed that post when I did my search. Question: I'm looking at the photo of your Runner next to a stock Runner in a parking lot, and yours looks WAY higher than the stock -- did you get all of that with just the Downey 1.5s? The gap between the top of your back tire and the wheel well looks a LOT higher.

 

He's got smaller tires on (I think), which makes the gap look bigger, like I said it looks "correct" with 31" tires

 

Cool, that's exactly what I'm looking for.

 

I will try to post a pic tonight...

 

Yea, it is a lot taller, even with my tires beeing on the small side. The coils and a very slight T-bar crank are all I have done. It will be taller whenever I get a set of new 31s. Thoes tires only have about 20% tread left so they are about 1.5" shorter than they were to begin with. The running boards also cause a bit of an illusion:

 

Ah, maybe that's it, the running boards. You could really go to a larger tire, if you wanted to.

 

Yea, I think I have 31s already but they are worn. The 16" wheels make em look small. I was actually tire shoping today although I don't think I can afford tires untill this summer.