Hey guys,
I'm new here and I need a little help with my upcoming build. I have a '98 SR5 4Runner 3.4L 4x4 with almost all stock parts (except a new Pioneer deck). All I've done so far is take off the running boards. I have a pretty good idea of what I want to do with the build; fit 285 DuraTrac's, throw on some rock sliders (probably from 4xinnovations.com), replace the stock front bumper with something a little more beefy, skid plate, maybe even tube doors, etc., but there's something I need some advice on.

To fit 285's I'll obviously need some lift, but I'm torn between a BL and a suspension lift. Ideally, I'd like a Sonoran Steel 1.2 (TRD coils, Bilstein shocks)(1996-2000 - System 1.2 - $1,279.00 : Sonoran Steel, Sonoran Steel Custom Metal Fabrication L.L.C. Custom Toyota Truck Parts), but the price tag, $1,279, is a tiny bit daunting. So this is where I'm torn.

Option 1
I could opt for a 2" BL right now (via 4crawler at about $160) which would provide me enough room to run the DuraTrac's (I think) if I stayed on the road for the most part. This would allow me to save up for the Sonoran lift. I could also keep this set-up if I did end up getting the Sonoran Steel 1.2 lift. Does anybody know if a 2" body lift would allow me to drive comfortably in the city without drag? That's my only hesitation.

Option 2
I could instead get a WabFab OME Suspension lift kit for $699 (see here: OME Suspension Lift Kit | WabFab Off Road), but again, I'm a little hesitant to get this set-up because I don't know how it compares to the Sonoran Steel 1.2 (ride-wise, clearance-wise).

If anybody has any information regarding these systems, especially how they compare, please provide your thoughts/opinions! Thanks!

For OME stuff, go through Toytec Lifts. Better service and support, and a forum member discount.

OME stuff tends to run a bit stiffer than most. So if you want a firmer ride, go ahead and get OME.


The SS kit comes with a lot of unnecessary parts IMO, and may not be worth the money to some. It is the "Best" kit to get though, quality wise. The SS kit comes with Bilstien shocks, which have a very nice ride quality and are highly recommended.


I would get the suspension lift first, and wouldn't ever get the Body lift. Once you get lift & Tires, you will want to hit the dirt. And that's when a good off road suspension comes into play.

I just wrote this in another post, but whatever you choose, it doesn't really matter. A spacer lift and OME coil are the same exact thing. The OME coil has a higher spring rate. The weight of your vehicle is offset by a higher force given by the spring.

The coil spacer achieves the exact same thing by pre-loading your stock spring to a higher spring rate.

In general the ride will be similar, but there are some advantages to get an OME, or coilover. Coilvers are adjustable on the fly, and are well built, and rebuildable, they are also nitrogen charged so you can adjust the nitrogen pressure depending on the dampening you want.

We arent talking about True coilovers or coil spacers here, just regular springs and shocks.

Only if you never go off road.

Toytec ultimate kit has bilstiens as well even if you upgrade to 5150s still cheaper then ss kit.

Spacers installed in the front struts will weaken the stock springs because they aren't designed to be under that compression all the time. When you hit bumps or flex them out, the coils will get compressed much more than what was intended for them. And so they will wear out quickly and sag and start to ride like crap. A spacer will also limit your up-travel in the struts. I can definitely stuff my front tires a lot more with my OME coils than I could with my old stock coils and spacers.

Spacers in the back don't preload our coils though. Those coils compress the same whether a spacer is between the coil and the frame or not. So spacers back there won't wear the coils out faster like the fronts.

All in all, the difference between the ride quality on and off road, the flex, and the durability of my OMEs compared to my spacer lift is night and day and well worth the $$ IMO.

The basic components from the SS 1.2 kit are definitely the way to go. I didn't have the money either so I pieced together the exact same springs and shocks for around $500. Might as well do it right the first time save a bunch of money as well. I am running 265's but 285's would fit no problem.

I'm running 285/75-16 duratrac's and have managed to "get by" with '99 springs from a local t4r member and a 1" body lift. Yes, the tread lugs can rub on the pinch weld area behind the tire (only at a specific steering angle/suspension compression). I flattened the pinch weld as well as softened the bulge in the fender liner with a heat gun to flatten it as well. A tundra/LC lift is in the future, but with a tight budget this setup works so far - no complaints considering I fab'd my own 1" BL, paid $60 for the springs, and did all the swap/install myself.

Thanks for the help!

The body lift idea is now out of the question. So now it's down to a Toytec ultimate lift or a SS 1.2... time to start saving up.

Baja Runner, I'm not running coil spacers on stock springs, looking to replace springs and shocks

Rc4R, sorry to hear about your accident! The build looks sick, very inspiring. Kinda wish mine wasn't black now but I guess I'll manage haha

Can't wait to get started on this project, I am running with 192,222 miles, but the car has had zero problems so far, so let's hope for the best!

Both of this are very good setups. I would go with the Toytec Ultimate though, more bang for the buck.

Thanks man! I should have it back Wednesday! And it will continue.

If I were you, I'd go for a mix....part together your own lift. IMO, the Tundra front coils and FZJ-80 rear coils are the best all around option. They have the most amount of flex, and soft on-road manners.

You can find the Tundra coils used, but they are not easy to find the exact color code. You would have to most likely buy them from the dealer (toyotapartsales.com) which they aren't all that expensive ($100 each?). The FZJ-80 coils are a dime a dozen and can be found for $50 a pair.

Brian2Sun, as well as others run those Tokico rear shocks, and they are stupid cheap. I bought some and they are just sitting in the garage, I will be putting htem on here soon. I think they were under $50 for both.

The front shocks, I'd go with a OME, or the Bilstien. Those are the two most popular. To get any travel from the front you'll want to get an OME shock, as they have the longest extedended length. You can buy these from wheelersoffroad.com .... or Toytech, or wherever They are $250 for the pair.

So you can peice together a near sonoran steel lift for around $550-$650 if you really wanted to. You'll probably still want to fabricate or buy a rear panhard bar if you go over 3-4" on the rear though to re-center your axle...but you don't need to if you dont want to. ;)

Here are the correct Tundra Coils you would need. Bilstein Coilover Shocks and Leveling Kit

Thoughts on the Toytec Coilovers in front with FJ 80 coils in the rear? Think this is the route I'm going to take. (FYI, the Toytec Coilovers include Bilstein 5100's)

ToyTec Coil Overs (95.5-04 Taco & 96-02 4RUN) - Toytec Lifts: Toyota Lift Kits: FJ Cruiser Lift Kits, Tacoma Lift Kits, Tundra Lift Kits, 4 Runner Lift Kits, Sequoia Lift Kits, Toyota Truck Lift Kits

The coilovers are the same one's that come in the ultimate kit.