Are all suspension lifts the same? Or are there different ways of doing suspension lifts?

It's the quality of the materials that are used and the extra's that come with it. For example, some will not include grade 5 bolts, but will try to give the minimum quality. Others will give you just the kit and the bolts, but not the brake line extensions or the extra long shocks (if needed), so you are stuck if you have not done all of your homework.

Basically there are two types of lifts for body on frame applications.. Suspension lift (more $$, better ride, better handling, retains same steering characterics and appearance) and Body lifts (none for the 4Runner that I know of). Body lifts involved putting "hockey pucks" in between the frame and the body and the tranny/transfer case and the body. This is really easy and cheap, but you change the way the tranny sits in the vehicle and I have seen people using inferior grade materials have the whole body shift a couple of inches on the frame.

There a number of different options when it comes to suspension lifts. I'll discuss ones relavent to 4th gens.

First is spacer lifts, which baiscally retains the stock suspension components like coils and shocks. It just adds spacers on top of the coils and front strut to lift the vehicle higher. Daystar and Revtek are examples for this. (Revtek does replace the rear shock, but not required)

Next you get lift kits that replace the current components, with uprated components for different duties. OME from ARB is a prime example. You basically replace the shocks and coils with their stuff. Pending on the "load" you choose they give you different coils/shocks. This gives you lift, but also gives you more articilation (flex). Another advantage is that if you fit heavy aftermarket bumpers, sliders, skids, subs in the back, etc you can compensate for it with stronger coils. Make sure you match correctly to not have a bad ride.

Lasrtly you get coil overs for the front, this is normally used with either of the previous in the back. COilovers allow you to set the ride height, as it has a screw mechanism to preload the coil springs in the front. It allows greater felxibility as you can compensate for various load conditions, ie. bumper, winch or stock for front. Normally coilovers is used with eplacement upper a-arms to allow more flex in the front. Choose spring rate and height setting carefully to get a good ride, lift and flex. This is the most versatile, but most expensive option. Downey has kist now for the 4th Gen, SAW has it now as well, DOnahoe will be releasing by March.

If you have XREAS you can only use option 1.

Option 2 or 3 is actually better as it allows more flex for offroad and can support a greater number of configurations for offroad setups. Offroading additions like bumpers, sliders, etc normally increases weight, which will overwelm the stock suspension at some point. Also keep in mind lift is only one thing to look at when lifting a vehicle, lift (obviously), ride quality, handling, offorad articulation (flex) are some of the big ones.

Thanks for the detailed explanation. That is exactly what I wanted.

Well since I can only choose option 1 then I don't have a choice on the other criteria you mentioned, right? Or do those different characteristics show up between spacer lifts?

btw I love your valentine avatar. Is that your true love

Spacers can be made of different materials and have slightly different designs.

So does that lead to any pronounced differences in spacer lifts or do they all pretty much perform the same?

Metal can rust, polyurethane can compress.

A bit more info...

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showth...&threadid=6832

I'm not sure how different preload spacers and top spacers affect the lift.

Why do they not make spacer kits with the option of replacing the rear coils for the 4th gen? This would work even with the xreas wouldn't it?

Well the point is that you can't replace the shocks, if you want to retain the XREAS feature.

You can replace the coils, but it is probably not a realistic option currently.

So your choices are much Revtek, Daystar and if you want you can get Toytech front and use (revtek or Daystar back). Toytech uses aliminium which is probably the best choice, but the actually make for the Tacos so you can only use the front.

Daystar and Revtek are the most known and tested so far. On the front you get a pre-load and top spacer in both. The Revtek has a lot more pre-load, so it will stiffen the ride in the front more than the Daystar. Teh Daystar will kepp your ride the closest to stock, but it offers 1/2" to an 1" less lift than the Revtek. Your choice. Also Revtek normally ships rear shocks with, which you can't use, thus making it more expensive. If you can get the Kit without the shocks, it is probably the better choice. Remember to paint the top spacer if it is metal so it wont rust.


avatar, my G/F dressed him up for Valentuine's day. I thought the pictures she took were funny.

True, but apart from Downey rear coils nobody has brought anything to market.

You can defintely experiment with different setups and see what works. I dont know if the OME coils will fit the front struts, but you can defintely use them in the rear when they are released.

The reason why most people stick to spacers is to retain as close as possible stock ride and handling of the 4Runner.

WHen you replace coils, etc you open a whole new world.

One last question. Sac State posted about the Cornfed spacer lift, how would you compare that to the Daystar or the Revtek?

To my knowledge Cornfed has not made anything for the 4th Gens yet. Their spacers are put in very high regard at all the places I visit, but I dont know.

Thanks again for the reply. As posted by Sac State, they will be available at the end of February.

If and when Cornfed does that'd be the best one out in my opinion

They're slow on production because this is is parttime gig between serving the country so if he's slow give him some time.