I'll give you the truth. Yes, it's going to piss a bunch of people off, but hey, the truth hurts. Warning - Long read ahead:
First, let me dispense with the "I'd rather have it and not need it" "when it comes to suspension" crap. Why be selective if this is your mantra? You should wear two pairs of pants and socks every day then. You should have a spare 4Runner sitting at home. Hell, you should have two identical homes - you know - just in case one blows away. This excuse is just a way to justify things for some people. The truth? Here you go:
Most mod their 4Runner for one reason: Looks. That's it. It looks cool (I agree) and it fits their "image" of who they think they are when they look in the mirror. They mod it not because they NEED to but because they WANT to. In reality, even HAVING a 4Runner for most people is way overkill. What do they think... that the nice divided highway that leads to their manicured subdivision is suddenly going to turn into mush? Zombies? Who knows, but truthfully, 99% of the people, and I think that is an understatement, would do just fine with a Highlander. But they WANT a 4Runner and that's fine. I just wish they would admit it. So, now that we have got the "bro" element out of the way, on to modding.
Larger tires are the ONLY way you get increased ground clearance. Don't buy into the BS hype. Lifting increases your STATIC (sitting still) ground clearance. So, if you want to improve your approach angle why you are sitting still, then by all means lift it for that reason! Your suspension is dynamic - meaning it moves through a range. If you only lift it and do not install bigger tires, then when your suspension compresses while hitting a bump off road then it momentarily is back where it was before lifting! So that rock you thought you could clear by lifting? You might still hit it. Some will tell you "285's are the way to go! Much better than stock!" Well, why did they stop at 285's? Why not run 295's and they will go further. Why stop there? go to 35's and they will go even further. Wait! Let's go to 37's! I can go anywhere! Well, you can, until the guy with 40's goes even further...
Those who want to lift to clear larger tires? If you want to have your tires clear throughout the full suspension range you STILL have to mod the inner fender, BMC maybe, mud flap delete, aftermarket UCA's, etc. Let's move on.
If you do a suspension lift, be prepared to:
Accept that your vehicle will make more noises
Accept that your vehicle will not be as reliable or durable
Accept that your vehicle will require more maintenance
Accept that your vehicle will NOT ride or handle the same on the highway.
Accept that your vehicle will not be as efficient on the highway
Accept that your vehicle could require even more mods to "fix" the mods you just did.
Accept that any issues involving a myriad of suspension and driveline components COULD be denied for warranty consideration if there is a problem.
Now, with that said, the haters are definitely going to hate, but the above is the truth. Well then, why would you even mod or lift? Well,
Lifting, even though it is the best mod visually, is only one minor component of making the 4Runner more off road worthy. To truly make it really good off road, you need:
Skids
Bumpers
Lift
Associated Suspension Components like UCA's
Tires
Recovery gear
You are right to assume that opinions will be biased. That's natural. If I spent $5K on something, I will want it to be the best thing ever, and even if it's not, I will still tell people it's the best thing ever! Human nature. I'm looking at a new mountain bike that's around $5K. Trust me, it will be the best bike ever and I will tell everyone it is when I get it (even if it's not).
Truthfully, lifting, just lifting alone, does very little to help off road and only hurts you on road. But... it looks really good lol. Leveling? Worst idea ever. Purely for looks, terrible for performance like vehicle loading.
Now, why and I writing this, this heretic blasphemy on an enthusiast's forum? Because it's simply realistic. I started modding vehicles almost 40 years ago. I have almost (and have) ruined vehicles from being daily drivers by modding. I have taken perfectly good vehicles and, while making them off road kings, made them big fat pigs with horrible road manners. I have also take vehicles and made them LOOK like they could tackle Dakar.. and ruined their road manners and efficiency in the process.
I go off road more than most and some of it is for my job. My 4Runner is stock and goes off road better than just about any other vehicle in stock configuration. As a matter of fact, my 4Runner will go places that I don't have the courage to take it! Stock.
The one thing my stock 4Runner does not do as well stock? Looks. It does not look as cool as other vehicles, which is why most here mod theirs to begin with.
There you go. I'm not selling anything and I have no reason to lie or justify anything to you. All I have is experience. Evaluate (truthfully) what you really want to do with your 4Runner. Chances are, stock will be just fine and there is no shame in stacking rocks and taking the bypass every now and then. You will appreciate this when you are taking that 2K road trip comfortably and getting 20 mpg and not hearing any creaks and groans every time you hit a speed bump.
But, if you are like me, you will STILL look at your 4Runner sitting in the driveway and think "Damn, it would look too good I I just lifted it and put some different wheels on it..." so far I have been able to fight that demon...
opcorn:
