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Suspension crash course

Discussion in '2nd Gen 4Runners (1990-1995)' started by tnaracing14, Feb 11, 2021.

  1. Feb 11, 2021 at 1:37 PM
    #1
    tnaracing14

    tnaracing14 [OP] New Member

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    Anthony
    Vehicle:
    1990 SR5
    22RE
    Hello everyone.

    I need a crash course on suspension components. What I'm ultimately looking for is the knowledge of what I need to upgrade my '90 SR5 suspension.
    I believe it is currently all stock, but I'm not entirely sure.
    I want something that will handle off roading alright, but nothing professional or competition grade. I'm not mudding or rock crawling, just going in and out of the mountains where I'll likely be using 4x4 for gravel hills, icy climbs, and maybe a bit of mud. She has the 22RE so I couldn't perform even if I wanted to, this motor ain't winning any races any time soon.

    So far I'm thinking I need:
    -Front: Coilovers
    -Rear: springs and shocks

    Is that about it or am I missing something? Pics for reference. 2 of the front, 1 of the rear.

    20210211_131302.jpg
    20210211_131315.jpg
    20210211_131332.jpg
     
  2. Feb 11, 2021 at 4:20 PM
    #2
    trlhiker

    trlhiker Lazy Bum

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    Since you won't be doing any rock crawling or extreme offroading I would just replace the rear spring and get some good quality shocks for all 4 points. I not sure you can do coil overs up front without some major modifications. If you are not running 31's I would change those too and if you have the money, change your gearing to match. Your vehicle is very capable stock.
     
    tnaracing14[OP] likes this.
  3. Feb 12, 2021 at 12:03 AM
    #3
    tnaracing14

    tnaracing14 [OP] New Member

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    Anthony
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    1990 SR5
    22RE
    Previous owner is bringing me a set of 33s.
    Yeah it looks a little tight up there for coil overs...
    Awesome. I've seen a few packages from google searches with the shocks. I've been looking for lifts though as someone somewhere else said it looks like the torsion bars are cranked all the way up and I haven't measured current height to compare with stock.
     
  4. Feb 12, 2021 at 12:06 AM
    #4
    tnaracing14

    tnaracing14 [OP] New Member

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    1990 SR5
    22RE
    Around 250000 on everything and about 500 on the motor.
    Aaaaand yeah...those rear shocks wiggle at the bottom point. I don't know much about this but I am 100% certain a bushing is supposed to go there.
     
  5. Mar 8, 2021 at 9:33 AM
    #5
    tnaracing14

    tnaracing14 [OP] New Member

    Joined:
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    1990 SR5
    22RE
    Okay so I measured it the other day.
    37" from ground to wheel well all around except rear driver side which was at 35-36ish. 22.5" from center of the wheels to the wheel well. Tires are 30s (didn't grab what was on the sidewall...I forgot).

    So here's what I'm thinking now:
    Google says the stock height should be 21"? So perhaps instead of a lift, I just refresh everything with something decent that will work for offroad and mostly to and from work. So Toyo A/T IIIs (which google says are 28.5?) Which I believe brings it back to stock? Am.i on a proper track here?
     
  6. Mar 8, 2021 at 10:32 AM
    #6
    tnaracing14

    tnaracing14 [OP] New Member

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    1990 SR5
    22RE
    Oh and to clarify, my 22re I feel struggles sometimes. I'm not looking for beefy tires because I rarely ever see terrain that I'll actually need it. I want A/Ts for going to the local lake and trails where it's dirt fire roads and may be slightly muddy during the rain. But otherwise, I drive to and from work. I'm feeling a stock size A/T would be perfect, nothing too big that I have to continuously downshift when driving up a highway hill but something that'll grip when I need it. And they should look just fine I suppose, which i do want a good look but it not a priority.
     
  7. Mar 8, 2021 at 3:18 PM
    #7
    tnaracing14

    tnaracing14 [OP] New Member

    Joined:
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    Messages:
    27
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    Male
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    Anthony
    Vehicle:
    1990 SR5
    22RE
    Tires on it right now are 265/70R16.

    Remeasured the height. The rear driver side is definitely lower than the rest. 35" from the ground, 21" from center wheel.
    Rest are just over 36" from ground and 22.5" from center give or take between 1/4 - 1/2 inch.

    So I think bringing it back to stock and getting a set of A/T IIIs in stock size would be good. Maybe a little wider than stock size.
     
  8. Mar 8, 2021 at 6:19 PM
    #8
    trlhiker

    trlhiker Lazy Bum

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    You basically have 31's on your vehicle right now. It originally came with 225/75-15's. I would go with something in between. Stock size looks small on 4runners. Use this to see the size comparison.
     
    Thatbassguy likes this.

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