Hello all. Searched quite a bit, but most seem to be going for lift... I am just looking for an answer to rear sag.

I have a 96 4runner SR5. Put some new shocks in the rear and want to replace the springs as well. The fronts are holding up well so I just want to replace the rears for now. The current front springs have a white and Red (maybe pink) color coding on them. So I am looking for a rear spring to even out my ride with maybe a slight rake. Something that can handle my camping gear, hitch carrier and my hotch montain bike carrier.

Right now if I have two co-workers in the back seat(both about 6'4", maybe 220lbs each?) on the way to lunch, I can feel the bumpstops hitting on hard bumps.

Have been looking at OME 906's.... Will take some measurements tonight as well as reference pics for sag...


Thanks...

 

Check out the 890's or if you are looking just to replace the rears, try to find someone with '99 coils (junkyard, salvage, etc). 1999 coils were the tallest of the 3rd generations.

 

The bad thing is if I go 99's in the rear, they will probably be too tall for the fronts. And I dont want to mess with the fronts right now.

 

Here's a comparison of all 3rd generation coils if this helps. If you're going to be carrying the bike rack etc, I suggest you look into the 1998 coils.

 

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890s from Old Manu Emu are run by a lot of 3rd gens
the 906s are essentially the same spring, read up on sonoran steel website. FAQ section of the 96-02 Runners.

You can buy "new" 99 tall springs or if you are worried about too much rear lift buy some new 98s or closer yet some 01 or 02s.

I am presuming you want to stay level... but rake-with the butt end sticking a bit up in the air is okay too if you like that look.

Helps the water drain off....

 

I have OME 906's out back in my 97',rest of suspension is stock,except for bilstiens and addco bars.......I am very happy with the 906,they hold up well when loaded down and ride smooth when unloaded,because they are progressive.

 

97ltd4x4 - Can you take some measurements of your ride height? Also, about how much weight have you hauled in the back of your runner, any sag?



I had family in from out of town this past weekend. Three adults in the back seat, about 500lbs(maybe)? I was riding on the bumpstop almost constantly after one day of showing them the area...

So I took some measurements. Sitting on flat concrete, the front is at 35" from ground to the bottom edge of fender lip moulding. The rear is about 34.75"...

Front coil color codes are: FL - red/blue FR - blue/blue
Rear coil color codes are: Both sides - red/white

 

If you don't want to touch the fronts then your choices are slim. You can either go with NEW 96 coils. If you go with any of the OME coils you will lift the rear. 890s would be good for the weight but will be too high.

 

since you dont want to lift it, get airlift 1000 airbags for the rear. it will get rid of the sag and also give your more hauling capacity. i bought mine from jcwhitney for 75 bucks shipped. they will pretty much replace the bump stop that is in there right now.

 

i ran the air lift 1000's for a while while i was moving around a bunch, they worked well but i had 6-700lbs in the back + strap on bike carrier with one bike and my jet ski on a trailer. It was loaded down really good. it didnt bottom out though. I also might have been not been using the bags right. I remember reading somewhere max pressure was 35psi but idk if that is right, maybe someone can answer that quickly.

just last week i put my 890's in the rear of my 4runner. I havent had a chance to load it up but it will be in a couple of weeks. so we will see how they do. I threw the air bags back in the 890s but i dont have any pressure in them and i am essentially level with OME 881's + top plate spacer.

 

Did you get the rear spring and bump stop recall done? It's applicable to 96's although I am not sure if the campaign is still in effect. Anyway, the dealer replaced my springs and bump stops free of charge and gave me a loaner car and I was the second owner. I've never had the problem you describe and I've hauled a lot of gear.

 

Going to check today to see if the recall was ever done and if it is still valid..

It's not that I dont want to lift it or put all new suspension on it. Would like to do some Bilsteins with 99's or OME equiv with a little beefier spring in the rear. Just dont have the funds right now to do the whole thing.... And being that the rear springs are so soft and wore out, I dont want to wait on the rear... So getting some replacement springs will do for now.

As far as springs lifting the rear. I wouldn't mind around an inch or so..

 

Krylon-your rear springs have sagged due to time or weight or whatever. Not much when empty but you saw the real effect with weight in back.

tall 99 rear springs would probably do your ride just fine, or 890s. Several folks online selling the tall 99s, I think Sonoran sells them as well.

 

I find this odd since my 1997 sits at the same height as other 1998s I've parked beside. Plus my 1997 is always taller than the 2001 and 2002 models. I did get the recall work done for the rear springs the bump stops...maybe that's why?

If you haven't gotten the recall work done yet, you might be able to get a new pair of springs and new bump stops for free!

 

If anything, they would probably put in the shortest springs that was safe/compatible for your 97, since the reason they lowered the spring height after the 1999 was because of the Firestone/ Ford Explorer fiasco in 2000

 

Since you asked specifically about 906's, they are the shortest compatible OME spring. I'm sure 890's would be a great choice, but will give you closer to 3" of lift. If you put in 906's, you will have a noticeable rake unless you do something up front (probably a total of 1.5-2" when settled). The OME's are heavy duty compared to your stock springs

That means they will tow and carry loads better, but will be more stiff (certainly manageable, but stiffer than stock). They would work fine for what you're talking about, but the 99's would probably work too.

There are more pics in my profile - just check my sig line. It sounds like 97ltd4x4 is the one you should listen to, since he's running the exact setup you are thinking about. FWIW, my rig had the recall done and it was always jumping off the rear bumpstops.

 

Right now I am thinking of just saving up the cash and replace the suspension all around. Would make sense since the front is probably original as well. Was just looking for a somewhat temps fix til I can replace it all.

Driving around normally I barely get a sag and it rides ok.. But when I have peeps in the back it bottoms out from time to time. And that is with very little in the back.

So I am going to check my finances and see when I can pick up some Bilsteins and springs(not sure which route yet).. And might as well do the balljoints at the same time...

 

Oh and I forgot. Thanks to everyone who has responded so far!

4biker - I like the pics and the stance of your Runner.. And I am very jealous of the scenery you get to look at where you live! haha. Dont know what I was thinking when I moved to FL...

Anyone find publish stock spring rates? I see them posted for OME's, but nothing for stock. Would be nice to be able to compare.

 

Just talked to my local Yota dealer.... The recall is still in affect and I am taking it in next saturday for new springs and bumpstops!

Woohoo!!