I've just starting to get my 2000 4Runner modified. It will be mild. Enough to enhance it's offroad capability and set it apart from the mall runners.


As mentioned, don't post in this profile!!!!
If you have any questions, just PM me.

 

Well I put my mild lift on today. TRD coils up front (no spacers) and OME 890s out back. Here is a before and after picture. I got ~2" up front and 3.25" out back. The rear was sagging quite a bit. I know they will settle some still.

Before



After


Specs: Tundra TRD Coils. Left, 48131-AF100 (Yellow/Yellow). Right, 48131-AF090 (Blue/Yellow) Old Man Emu 890 Rear Coils. (A Coil goes on drivers side) Shocks: Front, Bilstein F4-BE5-2450-HO. Rear, Bilstein F4-BE5-2451-HO. (Yellow Body and Blue Boot) I reused my Bilsteins because they are still in good condition. I like the ride. I bought the springs from http://www.trdparts4u.com/
SS Front Diff Drip. http://www.sonoransteel.com/

I also installed Poly swaybar bushings from http://www.wheelersoffroad.com/4runswaykit.htm . And rear swaybar end bushings from AutoZone.

The TRD coils fit:
4wd, access cab, w/off road pkg. 2000 - 2002
2wd Access cab 2003 - 2004
4wd Access cab Left 2003 - 2004

 

A couple of shots wheeling.

 

 

I took some pictures. They arn't pretty but that's not what were looking at. Just a reminder, I have Tundra TRDs up front and OME 890s out back. I don't have any extra spacers, just the springs for lift.All measurements were made from the bottom of the flair to the center of my wheel cap. Unloaded the measurement was: Front 22.25" ,Rear 23". All other measurements will reflect a drop or rise from these measurements. I added 35# sandbags to my rear bumper for weight. This was as close as I could get to hitch weight.

Unloaded the measurement was: Front 22.25", Rear 23".


Loaded with +210 lbs: Front no change, Rear drop of .5"


Loaded with +315 lbs: Front rise of .25", Rear drop of .75"


Loaded with +420 lbs: Front rise of .25", Rear drop of .1.25"


Loaded with +560 lbs: Front rise of .5", Rear drop of 1.75"


This is 560 lbs of sandbags. This is the placement for this test.


My setup in by no means harsh nor is it squishy when loaded or unloaded. My ride was more harsh with the stock spring/shock combo. Stock I had Tokicos, I replaced them with Bilsteins which gave me a firm supple ride. I was still hitting my bumpstops and Jounce Bumbers (rear overloads) I kept my Bilsteins with my new springs. Great ride. Shocks can have as much if not more effect than springs on how harsh a ride can be.

OME Info: "I am giving you the approximate lift heights, your exact amount of lift will vary slightly depending on the condition of your current springs. The front heights are respectively: 880=1.25", 881=1.75" & 882=2.25" and the rears are: 906=2.0", 890=2.75" & 891=3.0" . The 882's are not an ARB/ OME recommended fit, but our experience has shown that they work well with some applications. " (info given from 4X4 Connection)

 

No pictures now but I replaced my 890s with 891s and gained about 3/4". Now I need to add a top out spacer to the front. The nose is a little low, too much rake.

 

The Diff Drop Debate!

I did the diff drop. Do I NEED the drop? Probably not. I think it is cheap/easy insurance. It should prolong CV life.

I dropped my skidplate and did an oil change. I didn't remove my diff drop and measure but as others have said you aren't dropping the whole diff, just rotating it. The rear, driveshaft side, mount is 6" from the axle centerline. The front, where the drops go in, is 7" from the axle centerline. There for when you drop the front 1" the actual axle centerline only drops .462" (~15/32") Just under 1/2". It's hard to tell what strain it takes off the CVs when wheeling and you have full droop.

Is it worth it? That is up to you. I'm leaving mine in.