Hey guys so I'm new 4runners but not new at all to cars and Toyota's (got a 1jz FRS drift car).

I bought a 3rd gen that needs some TLC and recently got some wheels on some 285 tires and clearly I need a lift. I tried looking into the lift info thread and there's so many options, I really don't know what to purchase. The car is my daily driver and I almost never hit trails, so I need the ride to be decently comfortable. Not looking for an extreme lift either but enough to clear the wheels since I rub hard right now when turning (I presume that 2-3" should be fine?) The car is in need of new struts and springs anyways so I thought why not just do the lift instead! Not looking at spending way too much, but I want a good quality strut and spring setup that will last me and makes sense for my use.

Thanks in advance. The cars a 2002 limited




I'm having the most struggle trying to upload a pic of the car on here. Here's the direct link

Imgur: The magic of the Internet

Have you read through this thread: Absalom's Cookie Cutter 4runner Builds - New and Updated! post 158 is where you should start if you haven't.

thanks for that link above. I see that he recommends 99talls, and thats what I have with KYB's. I used Toyota springs, not moog or aftermarket. However now at about 40k on them my new 265/75/16's rub. My old 265/75/16's did not rub. Same brand, size and rating. Put on same time as the 99 talls and no issues back then. Just worn down enough I guess that as the suspension and tires aged they kept their distance.

I think if the OP is running 285/75's he will need to go taller than using the 99 springs.
I am gong to do a full suspension refresh this fall...springs, shocks, bushings etc...also adding a plate bumper and winch..but not gonna do a super high lift, just want enough to handle the front weight and clear my tires....so reading all I can on the stuff....so thanks again for the above link

You're welcome bud. I like that thread because he gives a lot of different options depending on what you're going for, budget, and how involved you want to get. Good to know about a longer term review on the 99 talls w/kyb's. I'm pinching my pennies and rubbing them together to save up for bilstein 6112's myself.

well I do have to admit...b4 moving from Oregon to Alaska I was doing tons of back roads...more than here...then again some main roads here are like back roads
and when I moved from oregon to here last spring...this rig was so so overloaded that all of that could have a play in the life of the springs and shocks
wish I could share a picture of how loaded it was...but not good at saving pictures and shortly after getting here ....fishing...i was deep in water on a salmon and found out...phone in pocket..not good

Hey yeah I've seen that link and for my tire size the 99 spring setup won't be enough of a lift. The 99 setup give around 1" of a lift if I remember correctly. I think I'll need at least 2-3". Ive been looking at some lift kits such as toytec but I'm not sure on how they would ride since this car is a daily

question: if i did 99tall springs and did a bodylift, would that make sense in accomplishing what i want?

Highlander springs might work also

You've got lots of information here, my advice would be to plan ahead. I thought I would only want a mild lift and be done but as went down the path, I installed armor, supercharger, tundra brakes, i needed to go back and do the suspension again

Do it once and do it right

You've got determine ahead of time if you'll be carrying a constant extra load: Heavy bumper and/or winch in front, constant 300 pounds of tools in the rear, etc. Then you've got to estimate how much weight you're going to carry on an occasional basis: Camping gear, 4 passengers, hauling building materials, etc.
If you get a mild lift that works great with an empty truck, it may rub the tires and drag its butt when you load it up. Conversely, if you get a taller lift to prevent sag and prevent riding low when loaded, the empty ride is going to stiffer and bouncier than you might like for around town use.

Makes sense. im gonna do more research. as of now i will be getting metal front and rear bumpers and also the rear mounted wheel swing out. i dont carry much else in there besides a tool box at most and fishing gear.

looking through that thread it looks like for a street setup the 99 talls in the front and ome 906 rears with kyb shocks is the way to go. i may just add a minor bodylift to clear the wheels (285). would i need to go with stiffer springs for future armour upgrades?

Depending on weight you will need stiffer springs to compensate for additional weight. I would highly recommend switching to bilstein 5100's in the front so that you can adjust your front ride height once you add weight to the front. You'll probably want more lift in the rear once you add a rear bumper, but it would be easy to either add spacers to 906 springs or replace them with 891's.

Yes. Which is what I've had to do after changing my plans for the truck