Forward-thinking Suspension Upgrade

Dear Fellow Runners,


Have to start with the “longtime lurker, firsttime poster”. I appreciate the amount of knowledge you all pour into this. For every person posting, there are legion of us that it helps who never jump on or interact. Thanks for the time investment.


I’ll really try to pare this down. My deepest apologies for length:


I’m a nomad by nature, and live out of my Runner.


My current employment is almost done, and I have to move on for more funding so I can continue building my kit/complete my upgrades.


I have ~1,500 lbs of tools and survival equipment, which I’ll eventually build a trailer for. Leaving in storage till rig is finished.


In the meantime, I desperately need a job I can enjoy while saving up, so want to tour around and work on a river/rave festivals/weird, backcountry tree planting operations, etc. Live the youth I wanted to when my youth was still present.


Since my future will certainly involve towing and ultra heavy loads, but 3 months or so of lighter running, how do I plan a suspension system around that? Is it realistic?


I built a steel tube platform with expanded metal to put my mattress on; square steel tube and expanded metal roof rack; will likely put ~200lbs in Remington boxes up top and 3x180W solar panels. Got some weight, but not like it will.


Of course was looking at OME 891 and 5100 Bilstein rear, but that’s accounting for towing and full kit/future upgrades. Do I get a suspension to grow into, or switch things up according to current use?


Can you all help me figure out how to approach this?

 

How about this......

Get Bilstein 5100's all around and use your stock coils at first.

Once you add your weight, switch out your coils to ones with a heavier spring rate.

 

I like that idea. Thank you.

My rear is sagging almost to the frame, any suggestions on rear coils to get me through?

 

Actually, you know what, I just remembered that when I checked my VIN a year ago, a service recall showed up for a faulty rear suspension. I’m going to call up a nearby dealership to get the skinny on that. If they replace it with stock, 5100 and stock could very well be the solution.

Just in case it doesn’t pan out, if someone gets a moment of insight, please feel free to share your thoughts.

 

I would build your 4Runner suspension to the needs of when it is "light" and add these:
https://www.etrailer.com/Vehicle-Suspension/Toyota/4Runner/2018/TTORSEQ.html?VehicleID=20181014372

I haven't used them on my 4Runner but I have them on my dually and they work amazing for heavy loads. They're like airbags but arguably better, cheaper, and easier to use (no need to air up or down).

I've recommended these before but I have not heard any reviews on them for a 4Runner outside of the eTrailer reviews.

 

Well, those look cool as heck. I’m just now getting into the reviews, but I can’t imagine a situation where they wouldn’t be beneficial. Thank you.

So I imagine the only time you’d even notice they’re there is when they’re needed. That’s awesome.

Have you found any downsides with these I should keep in mind?

 

On the dually, no. I have them on my dually because I have a slide in camper and if you don't know, those things are heavy AF. I have my dually's overload springs permanently engaged and have these to help with the sway (An upgraded rear sway bar is next in line). When there is no weight in the dually, my overload springs are still engaged and the ride is rough, to say the least, but when towing it's great and that's the only reason why I have it, so it works for me. I'd imagine on the 4Runner, the worst thing is if your suspension isn't beefed up for the weight (proper rear springs) then you might ride on them more than you want but like the dually, I'd prefer to be a little spring heavy in my vehicles than sagging and bottoming out.

Personally, I'm curious about how they handle off-road without weight. I push harder in the dirt than most with comparable vehicles and I would hope these would almost act as a bump stop, but I don't know.

 

Ditto on the spring heavy. I was hauling dual steel job boxes and a rooftop tent a couple years ago, and the dirt roads I was driving gave me a permanent fear.

See, them acting as bumpstops on light runs are exactly what popped to mind. I really can’t see any reason Not to have these. That’s the low maintenance, there-if-you-need it multifunction kit that gives me a calm feeling.

This seems like something I need to mention to my horse-hauling associates. D good suggestion.

Btw, verified with several Toyota Service Centers that my rear suspension safety recall is still active. Once I finish these last few things, I’ll go get that taken care of, install the 5100s with the stock springs, get that awesome SAS, and take a few months to educate myself proper on what heavy system works best for my lifestyle.

These good ideas keep flowing in. My mindset is still fluid on this, ready for further influence.

 

2 other devices for heavy hauling trucks that I had not heard of until I deep dived into the truck camper forums:

https://www.etrailer.com/Vehicle-Su...zMev7xGfnoD_eHXAgwiCDbLVR2ShiCqUaAknzEALw_wcB

https://www.etrailer.com/Vehicle-Su...uCgbQ-mi3jRtFuuW9go7gShGpBNYnnoYaAnLiEALw_wcB

The second one is what I have on my dually, I have not used the first style yet.

 

These people are brilliant. This is the sort of stuff you get when you teach people how to modify equipment. Simple, elegant, backwoods solutions turned mass production available.

Again, good suggestion and thank you. I need to go sneak down to my friend’s place and check out his truck. You’ve put the concept of preloading leaf springs in my brain, and I’ll be seeing the potential for it everywhere now.

 

Another possibility is to install springs that are a match for the heaviest weight you plan on generally having. Then deal with the crappy ride for the rest of the time you are lighter.

The reason I say this is because I’d worry bump stop solutions like the ones pictures maybe would limit articulation potential (only important if you need off road capability). They also seem like a compromise solution for when you dont have the option to spring for the weight. Or I guess, for when you have to compromise…lol. So, full circle, depending on if you think compromise is necessary due to the variable loads, Bump stop/helpers might be just what you need. Otherwise, it the springs that match your load would be the best way to make sure it handles as best as possible at the highest weights

 

I agree with most of your points.

FWIW: the timbrens are held in with 2 bolts each and would take less than 10 minutes to remove and put back in the originals which is about as much time it takes me to air my tires back up whereas springs are "permanent". For $250, I might pull the trigger and give them a go this summer when boat season picks up.

 

I may get to experience the full spectrum of these points. It’s looking most realistic to do the stock + 5100s, since I’ll likely keep the shocks regardless of what I do. I’m definitely curious enough about the SAS to spend the cash on those in the event of driving around the occasional ridiculous load for future friends/bosses.

Then, to Spaz’s point, I’ll definitely start building a permanent, heavy-potential spring setup when funds, time, and proper knowledge allow. That way there’s a functional overlap between parts.

I swear… it’s been so long since I’ve had real interaction like this with knowledgeable people. I can’t tell you how good it is having vehicle specific advice. Thank you all.

Last big question of mine, for now: I desperately want to replace the lower ball joints before I go. It’s looking like big lift needs specialty upper control arms, but will standard LBJs handle me throughout this process?

 

Very good point on the ease of removal of the timbrens, i hadn’t thought of that! A little bit of time when necessary will buy you alot of flexibility.

By the way, it’s awesome that you’re doing what you’re doing.

 

Agreed. I’m in love with the idea of a… not sure if “modular” design is right, but a “adjust as you go” kind of rig. Never considered it, before. Maybe on a Unimog, but not on a Runner.

Thank you, brother. We’ll see if a few months of unrestricted fun and exploration can undo some burnout. I’m actually excited for the first time in longer than I’d like to admit out loud.

Ok, I got to ask you all. Since we got a group of us here. As an unspoken but recognized fellowship, is the need to get out and go somewhere wild a part of most of us Runner operators? Is there something even more fundamental shared between all of us?