Energy Suspension Bump Stops for the 5th Gen 4Runner – Trail Review and Install Overview

Energy Suspension 8.9104G & 8.9104R Bump Stops for the 5th Gen 4Runner – Trail Tested Review and Full Install Overview

Bump stops often seem to be an overlooked suspension component on many vehicles. However, they shouldn’t be due to the critical role they play in your suspension. Bump stops prevent metal-on-metal contact and over-compression of your suspension. Since the bump stop’s role is to act as the absolute max in up travel, they are usually made of a soft material like rubber to help cushion those harsh impacts. There are many different types & styles of bump stops for the 4Runner; different materials, unique sizes depending on application, hydraulic vs. non-hydraulic, and much more. In this post, we’re covering the Energy Suspension Bump Stops for the 5th Gen 4Runner. Energy Suspension offers a great value option as an upgrade to your factory bump stops without breaking the bank.

Find It Online:

• Black (8.9104G): Check Price
• Red (8.9104R): Check Price

Alternative Option (DuroBumps)

• Front: Check Price
• Rear
  • No Lift Required: Check Price
  • 2″ Lift: Check Price
  • 3″ Lift: Check Price

Why get aftermarket bump stops?

Better Ride:

The stock bump stops on the 5th Gen 4Runners feel almost rock solid and uncomfortable. This makes you cringe every time you know that it’s about to make strong contact with the lower control arm. Aftermarket bump stops are made of softer materials and will help make those large impacts less jarring.

Length:

Over-compressing your suspension will damage it, so you need a bump stop of sufficient length to keep that from happening. Depending on your suspension setup (especially lifted), you may or may not need longer bump stops. You don’t want to limit more up travel than you need to, but you definitely don’t want to over-compress your suspension either.

Another reason for longer bump stops is to keep the tire from stuffing up too far in the wheel well. This is especially the case for those who run larger tires since fender damage could occur.

Energy Suspension Bump Stops

Energy Suspension is a reputable brand known for making polyurethane components for the automotive, ATV, motorcycle, and even commercial fields. They are commonly found on Toyota’s as replacements for worn-out factory bushings. They are also common on body mount relocations on 4Runner’s and Tacoma’s. Also, their parts are made in America!

If you’ve been on the 4Runner forums, you have probably heard about these Energy bump stops. At under $40, it is one of the cheapest ways to get extended bump stops for your front suspension. They were originally designed as rear bump stops for prior generations 4runner’s, but they will bolt right up the front of 5th Gens. They are made from polyurethane material that Energy calls “Hyperflex” and are available in two colors, red and black.

At about 2.5” tall, the Energy bump stops is significantly longer than the stock one, which measures about 1 ⅝” tall. You can tell by the picture above how much more impact material there is versus the stock part too.

In the picture above, you can see an example of the Energy bump stop compressing significantly from its original form:

Review and Trail Test

After lifting the 4Runner with the Eibach Pro-Truck kit, I knew that I wanted to upgrade the bump stops. I never really liked the stock ones due to their hardness upon impact. Also, they wouldn’t be of much use at the height that they were. After searching around, I came upon the Energy Suspension ones that were a bit of an oddball since they weren’t exactly designed to be used for the front of 5th gens. However, seeing how popular they were being used this way and with such good reviews, I decided to try them out.

Compared to the price tags of other aftermarket options, my expectations were not too high for these when I initially bought them. However, in my couple of months of use so far, I am surprised by how well the Energy bump stops have performed and how much I like them.

When off-road, those big sudden bumps that usually made me cringe in the past have softened up considerably. Bump stop contact now feels more progressive than just the “bang” that the stock ones did on harsh impacts. In the video above, you can see how much the Energy bump stops can flex and cushion those big impacts.

I now have more confidence to drive faster on the trail since large bumps are better cushioned. These Energy Suspension bump stops make off-roading more fun, and because of that, I recommend anyone with a lifted 4Runner to get them. At under 40 dollars and maybe half an hour of your time, there is no reason not to replace your stock bump stops with these Energy Suspension ones.

What’s In the Box?

• Energy Suspension Bump Stops (x2)
• Flat Washers (x2)
• M10 Socket Head Bolts (x2)

Installation Walkthrough

Tools Needed:

• WD-40
• Jack
• Jack-Stand (Recommended)
• Channel Lock or Pipe Wrench (At least 3-inch opening)
• Hex Key Set/Allen Wrench/Ratchet with hex key

Step 1: Spray WD-40 On Stock Bump Stop Threads

To make the removal process of the original bump stop easier, take some WD-40 and spray it onto the threads from the hole shown in the picture above. Let it soak there for a good minute or two before proceeding to the next step.

Step 2: Remove Stock Bump Stop

While using a pipe wrench would be the easiest way to unscrew the stock bump stop, a channel lock plier will work just fine too. Either option will require an opening of about 3-inches to fit around the bump stop. Ideally, you want to grab onto the hex portion to get the most leverage to unscrew. However, neither my pipe wrench nor channel lock could fit onto that hex so I just grabbed onto the round portion above it. You have to use quite a bit of elbow grease to remove the bump stop this way, especially if you’re using a channel lock as I did.

Step 3: Clean Mount Area

It’s best to clean this area, along with the threads, since you now have easy access to it. Also as you can see in the picture, removing the old bump stops rubbed some paint off, so touch it up to prevent rust. These are things that you’ll thank yourself for in the future.

Step 4: Jack Up Vehicle

Jack up the vehicle to lower the LCA out of the way. This will give room to install the new Energy bump stops.

Step 5: Setup Hardware for Installation

Place the provided flat washer on top of the bump stop. Then, take the provided M10 socket head bolt and put it through the bottom of the bump stop.

Step 6: Find the Right Tool and Install

Since installing the Energy bump stops requires you to tighten the socket head bolt through the bottom of the bump stop, there is very limited room for a tool to fit. Use a ratchet with a hex socket or a hex key if you can find one that will fit in between the bump stop and lower control arm.

None of my tools would fit so I had to improvise a bit. I took apart a folding hex key set and found that it was the perfect length to fit in between.

Final Thoughts

I have been very happy with the performance of these Energy Suspension bump stops. Off-roading at all types of speeds is much more fun and controlled now with that hard “thud” feeling from the stock bump stops now gone.

I have heard for a long time about how bad the stock bump stops are. After installing these new ones and having a blast on my off-road trips, I can’t believe I waited so long to do this upgrade. Paired with my new Eibach Pro-Truck lift, I am beyond thrilled with how the 4Runner handles both on and off-road now.

For under $40 and a half-hour of your time for installation, I recommend any lifted 4Runner upgrade from stock to Energy Suspension bump stops!