Original post by Arsh Sidhu of Trail4runner
HOW TO CHOOSE THE SETUP THAT IS BEST FOR YOUR BUILD
When it comes to bump stops, you probably have heard of SumoSprings. SumoSprings are the bump stop lineup manufactured by SuperSprings International (SSI) for various vehicle make and models. For 4Runners, SumoSprings come in Black and Blue options for the rear application.
Stock bump stops are usually made of hard, unforgiving rubber and are designed to limit suspension travel and prevent metal-to-metal contact between the suspension components. They are a standard component on most vehicles and are designed to provide a comfortable ride while preventing damage to the suspension.
SumoSprings bump stops, on the other hand, are a more advanced type of bump stop that is designed to provide additional support to the suspension when it is under heavy load or during aggressive off-road driving. They are made of a heavy-duty material such as polyurethane and are designed to compress more slowly and resist bottoming out better than stock bump stops.
In terms of performance, these bump stops are generally considered to be superior to stock bump stops for off-road use. They provide more predictable and controlled suspension compression, which can help prevent damage to the vehicle and provide a more comfortable ride
I’ll be shedding some light on 2 different offerings for the 4runner platform offered by Super Springs International. If you need a detailed overall review of the product and installation process, please check Brenan’s SumoSprings bump stop install/overview post.
SSI BUMP STOP OVERVIEW
Front Suspension Details – SSF-604-40
The SSF-604-40 has a 1,400 lb. capacity when compressed at 50% which is plenty for your full-length steel bumper and winch setup addition to the front end. This model comes in blue color.
SSI recommends not compressing these to more than 70% of their original height to keep the full memory rebound. The front end has only one offering which will handle just about any setup.
Rear Suspension Details – SSR-623-40 (blue)
Like the blue front ones, the rear ones have the same specifications and thereby come in the same blue color offering. The SSR-623-40 has a 1,400 lb. capacity when compressed at 50%. Again, SSI recommends not compressing these to more than 70% of their original height to keep the full memory rebound.
Alternative Option: SSR-623-47 (black)
These are a more heavy-duty option and are made of denser material. This denser material is represented by the black color. These have an 1800 lb. capacity when compressed at 50%. The compression on these shouldn’t exceed 65% of their original height to keep the full memory rebound.
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FEATURES AND SPECIFICATIONS
- Maintenance-free, so no air leaks and no need for compressors
- Reduce and stabilize body roll
- Enhance towing and load-carrying characteristics
- Easy installation with basic hand tools
- Replace factory bump stops with no additional modifications required
- Made in the USA
- Improves ride comfort by decreasing vibration and softening harsh rebounds
- Handmade from micro-cellular polyurethane
- Not a rubber piece but a progressive spring with a very soft initial engagement
- Reduces rear-end sag
CHOOSING BLACK VS. BLUE
BLUE SUMOSPRINGS
Blue SumoSprings are made from a softer density material that takes less weight to compress, which results in a softer unloaded and loaded ride. Black SumoSprings have a higher density, meaning there’s more material packed into the same size SumoSprings, which in turn necessitates more applied weight to compress it. This is what gives the black version a higher load rating, but also what creates a stiffer ride.
Blue SumoSprings are designed for light to medium-duty applications, providing additional support and cushioning to the suspension system. They are typically used on vehicles such as SUVs, vans, and pickup trucks, and are ideal for those who want a more comfortable ride with a little bit of extra load-carrying capacity.
BLACK SUMOSPRINGS
Black SumoSprings, on the other hand, are designed for heavy-duty applications, such as larger trucks and RVs. They offer more support and cushioning than the blue SumoSprings, and are capable of handling heavier loads without bottoming out.
In my opinion from my testing, for the rear end with the aftermarket metal bumper and loaded trunk space with camping supplies the blue option will be adequate.
The black option is designed for the units that are loaded constantly and tow a lot. If your 4Runner is decked out. Possibly with a heavy rooftop tent, metal rear bumper, and drawer system. Or maybe you tow a small trailer (or anything similar). I would go for the black option.
COMPARING BLACK VS BLUE SUMOSPRINGS FOR 4RUNNER
One thing to note here is, the Blue SumoSprings will likely be adequate for 90% of the 4Runners out there. The ride will be close to stock when unloaded for your daily commute and chores. But will be stabilized according to the weight when the vehicle gets loaded for overlanding or your camping setup.
Everyone’s setup is different for the rear as there are many options that need to be taken into account. Such as drawer systems, rooftop tents, rear bumper with single or dual swing-out options, spare tire, jerry cans etcetera. In general, the choice between blue and black SumoSprings bump stops depends on the specific application and the weight of the vehicle. If you have a lighter vehicle and don’t need to carry heavy loads, blue SumoSprings may be sufficient. If you have a heavier vehicle or plan to carry heavy loads, black SumoSprings may be a better choice.
Again, the key takeaway here is that unless you carry an above-average load, consistently, the black option will likely be too stiff for you. Blue is the safest default choice. We have seen a few people try the black version. And even with relatively heavy setups, they ultimately settled on the blue version. Something to think about.
FINAL THOUGHTS
These were a welcome addition to my lifted 4Runner. The stock ones weren’t cutting it with the extended-length shock travel. I could immediately feel the difference in the ride after the installation. The body roll is much less noticeable with these, which inspires driver confidence on the road for sure.
Off-road, these felt great as well. As with stock bump stops, I used to hear a loud thud when the axle would contact the bump stop while articulating, but not anymore! SumoSprings feel way smoother when there’s contact with the axle and you can sense they are doing their job.
Overall, with these installed, you can feel an increase in comfort, way less body roll, and more stabilization both on and off-road. I haven’t towed a lot with these. Although, I’m confident the rig will feel much more planted and stable when I put these to the test.
Lastly, the blue setup will be more than sufficient for moderate to intermediate builds. But, if your rig is super heavy from front to rear. And if you have ample weight on your roof and tow frequently, the black option is for you.
Hope this article helped you decide between Black vs Blue SumoSprings for your 4Runner.
Use our application guide to see what we have for your vehicle.
