Toyota Rear Bump Stops Installation & Review

The How, What & Why Behind Upgrading Your Bump Stops

 

We all know that certain upgrades or modifications on our Toyotas aren’t just about looks — some are out of pure necessity. Many of the most effective upgrades aren’t even visible unless you crawl underneath your vehicle. Things like skid plates, add-a-leaf kits, upper control arms, U-bolt flip kits, and of course, bump stops, all fall into this category.

While they may not be the flashiest component, upgraded bump stops can make a huge difference in ride quality, stability, and overall performance compared to factory ones. They help absorb harsh impacts, prevent bottoming out, and can even improve load-carrying capability — making them especially valuable for towing or off-road driving.

If you regularly carry heavy loads, tow, or drive on rough terrain, upgrading your bump stops isn’t just an improvement — it’s a smart investment. Even for stock suspension setups, the difference in comfort and control is noticeable right away.

In this article, we’ll cover what bump stops are, what they do, and why upgrading them can transform the way your vehicle rides and handles.

Two Types of Rear Bump Stops

Depending on your vehicle, there are two main rear bump stop options available — one designed for SUVs and another for trucks.

SUV Models (SSR-623-40 Equivalent)

These are ideal for Toyota and Lexus SUVs such as:

• Toyota 4Runner (2003–2023, 2WD/4WD)

• Toyota FJ Cruiser (2007–2014)

• Toyota Land Cruiser 100 (1998–2007)

• Toyota Land Cruiser Prado 120/150 (2003–2021)

• Toyota Sequoia (2001–2007)

• Lexus GX460 / GX470 (2003–2021)

• Lexus LX470 (1998–2007)

Specs:

• Spring Diameter: 3"

• Spring Height: 4"

• Load Capacity: 1,400 lbs at 50% compression

• Weight: 6 lbs

• Dimensions: 11" × 8" × 8"

Truck Models (SSR-610-40 Equivalent)

Designed for Toyota trucks and similar platforms including:

• Toyota Tacoma (2005–2022, 2WD/4WD)

• Toyota Tundra (2000–2021, 2WD/4WD)

• Toyota Hilux / Hilux Vigo (2005–2015, 2WD/4WD)

• Toyota Land Cruiser Pickup (compatible variations)

Specs:

• Spring Diameter: 4"

• Spring Height: 5"

• Load Capacity: 1,000 lbs at 50% compression

• Weight: 7 lbs

• Dimensions: 10.75" × 7.25" × 4.5"

Whether you drive a Toyota SUV or truck, upgrading your bump stops helps improve ride comfort, prevent bottoming out under load, and maintain better stability both on and off the road. They might not be the most visible part of your build — but they’re definitely one of the most impactful.

What Are They?

Bump stops play a crucial role in supporting and protecting your suspension system and frame. Mounted above the leaf springs and centered over the rear axle, they act as a cushion to prevent the frame from slamming down onto the axle and leaf springs — protecting both from damage. They also keep your shocks from bottoming out or failing under heavy loads or rough impacts. Since they’re part of the suspension system, bump stops help absorb harsh impacts from bumps and uneven terrain, improving comfort and ride quality. In short, they make your ride smoother, safer, and more controlled — especially when hauling or off-roading.

What Are They Made From?

Most bump stops are made from rubber or micro-cellular urethane foam. The latter is a high-performance material that traps air in millions of tiny bubbles, allowing it to compress under pressure and then quickly return to shape. This design creates a progressive spring rate, meaning the bump stop gets firmer the more it’s compressed. This progressive resistance helps prevent harsh bottom-outs while maintaining comfort during normal driving.

Why Do I Need Them?

Why Do You Need Bump Stops?
Bump stops are designed to provide essential support and protection for your truck’s suspension system. They act as the last line of defense against bottoming out or over-compressing your shocks. Without them, your truck’s frame could slam into the body, leading to costly damage to suspension components or body panels. This risk increases even more when running a suspension lift with factory bump stops, as they’re often too short for the added travel distance.

If your truck has a lift and oversized tires, bump stops become even more critical. When flexing over obstacles, a tire can tuck too far into the fender if your suspension isn’t properly limited, potentially causing tire cuts or body damage. Upgraded bump stops prevent this by limiting compression and protecting your shocks, springs, and fenders from premature wear or failure — especially during heavy articulation or off-road use.

Bump stops also provide valuable support when carrying extra gear such as rooftop tents, camper shells, recovery tools, or full-size spares. All that additional weight can cause sagging, squatting, and increased body roll, affecting both comfort and handling. Quality bump stops help stabilize your rear end under load, improving ride quality and keeping your truck level when towing or hauling. The result is better comfort, control, and safety on and off the road.

It’s important to note that while bump stops help enhance load stability, they don’t increase your truck’s overall payload capacity. Instead, they improve how your suspension handles the recommended weight — providing a safer, more stable ride. Their progressive spring rate design allows them to start soft for light bumps and become firmer as they compress under heavier loads. This ensures smooth comfort during everyday driving while offering strong support when you need it most.

Install Overview

Installation Overview
The installation process is simple and straightforward. You can remove one tire for easier access, but it’s not required — the job can be done with the wheels on. If you decide to leave the tires in place, all you’ll need is a 13mm gear wrench to get the job done.

Tools & Materials Needed

• 13mm Gear Wrench

• New Hardware (included in the kit)

• Blue Threadlocker (included)

• Breaker Bar (optional)

• Impact Wrench (optional)

Step 1. Remove Factory Bump Stops

After you have parked the vehicle on a hard, level surface and engaged the emergency brake, place blocks in front and behind the wheels to prevent rolling. Observe all safety precautions and wear safety glasses.

Raise the rear of the vehicle allowing the axle to hang freely and rest the frame on the safety jack stands rated for the weight of the vehicle. Removal of the rear wheels is optional. Starting on the driver’s side, unscrew the two bolts and remove the factory bump stop from the underside of the frame.

 

Step 2. Attach AIR SRPINGS to Mounting Bracket

Attach the mounting bracket to the top of the Air springs using the supplied M8 hex bolt and washer after applying a drop of blue thread locker to the threads of the bolt. Use the center of the three holes on the top part of the bracket.

Step 3. Mount AIRSPRINGS

Attach the assembly to the underside of the frame using the supplied M8 hex bolts and washers after applying a drop of blue thread locker to the threads of the bolts. Be sure to position the bracket so that the Airsprings are offset 1/2″ outboard (toward the wheel). Don’t tighten down the bracket all the way just yet.

 

Step 4. Center AIRSPRINGS on Axle

There are slotted holes in the bracket for the bump stops which allow you to move the bracket left or right in order to center the bump stop on the axle. Keep in mind that when the axle flexes, it also rotates forward a little bit with the factory 4-link.

As you can tell in the picture, the previous bump stop was a bit too far forward. With the axle level, place the new bump stop a little bit in front of it and tighten down the hardware. When the axle comes up in this position, it will be centered with the new bump stop.

 

Final Thoughts

Overall Impression
We were thoroughly impressed with the quality and performance of these bump stops. After replacing our previous setup with this new set on the rear of our Toyota, the difference was immediately noticeable.

On and off the road, the ride feels smoother and more controlled. While navigating rocky or uneven terrain, the contact is far less harsh — instead of feeling every axle hit, the suspension absorbs impacts more progressively and comfortably.

These bump stops have noticeably reduced sway, improved driver control, enhanced ride comfort, and provided extra stability when towing or carrying heavy loads.

What stood out most is that they’re available in multiple options to match different Toyota models and driving styles, ensuring the perfect setup whether you drive a Tacoma, Tundra, 4Runner, FJ Cruiser, Land Cruiser, or Hilux.