07-03-2021, 10:52 PM
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#1
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Junior Member
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Join Date: Jan 2021
Location: Blue Marsh, PA
Posts: 10
Real Name: John
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jan 2021
Location: Blue Marsh, PA
Posts: 10
Real Name: John
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Lift Questions regarding issues
Hey Group. I have a 2019 TRD Pro 4runner and I'm looking to do a lift. However, having had a 2011 FJ Cruiser that was riddled with problems after doing a lift I'm really hesitant to F' up my new 4runner. So my question to everyone with a lift is this: What lift did you install, how many miles have you put on since lifting, and what sort of issues have you had?
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07-03-2021, 11:15 PM
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#2
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Member
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Join Date: Jan 2020
Location: Fargo, ND
Posts: 247
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Member
Join Date: Jan 2020
Location: Fargo, ND
Posts: 247
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I installed a Dobinson's kit along with UCA's. I'd say I have driven about 7-8k miles so far. Issues: front clunking/rubbing that I just can't seem to diagnose. I've taken it in to a local shop that knows their stuff, 4x4 tech looked it over and can't see any issue. I don't think the issue is with the Dobinson's parts, I believe it's likely a shot bushing or a swaybar issue. I'm really pleased with Dobinson's parts and the customer support.
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2017 T4R OR Super White
RRW RR4-V bronze wheels, Diode Dynamics SS3 Fog + Ditch, C4 Fab Lo Pro Winch Bumper + Smittybilt 10k synthetic, UpTop Overland Bravo Roof Rack
Dobinson's full suspension 2.5" front 1.5" rear - Dobinson's UCA - DirtKing LCA
Kenwood eXcelon 10.1 headunit + Kenwood speakers
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07-03-2021, 11:19 PM
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#3
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Member
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Join Date: Aug 2019
Location: Nowhere, Nevada
Posts: 636
Real Name: Dave
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Member
Join Date: Aug 2019
Location: Nowhere, Nevada
Posts: 636
Real Name: Dave
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Spoiler alert - I’m not a fan of lifts. So, my response will not address your question, as in that I’ve never had a lifted vehicle. And I’m not going to preach the pros and cons of lifts, because I have no personal experience. But I’ve seen plenty of experiences good and bad from those of others.
In my opinion, based on seventeen years of ownership of a 2002 Tacoma TRD and a high ratio of off roading it over rugged trails, it isn’t necessary. Unless you want to do Moab type antics. Yes, my Tacoma did (and still does because since 2018 my son still has it) had beat up skid plates, and rocker panel dings, but it took everything I threw at it, including laying it on its side on a badly eroded off camber trail. Toyota did their homework well with the TRD package for real world, off road use.
I can, however, see merit in a front end lift to level the vehicle front to rear. That usually only amounts to an inch give or take.
It really depends on your intended use and how much compromise you’re willing to put up with.
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Dave
~When You Live in Nevada, "just down the road" is anywhere in the line of sight within the curvature of the earth.
2018 4Runner SR5
2012 Subaru Outback Premium
Last edited by DAW89446; 07-03-2021 at 11:27 PM.
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07-03-2021, 11:39 PM
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#4
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Junior Member
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Join Date: Jan 2021
Location: Blue Marsh, PA
Posts: 10
Real Name: John
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jan 2021
Location: Blue Marsh, PA
Posts: 10
Real Name: John
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I used to take my 2011 TT FJ to a local offroad park called Rausch Creek here on PA like twice a year. Other than that it was mostly all daily driver milage. I had a 3" Rough Country lift and 33s. That truck ended up in the garage literally every 6 to 8 months with something wrong. Ball joints, wheel bearings, tie rods, and on and on. It was ridiculous. I don't want go through that again with the 4runner. In fact, I'll probably never even take the 4runner on trails. If I do any offroading at all it will be on the sand when I go to the beach. However, want the "Offroad Look". I'm willing to pay good money for the look if I know it's a once and done thing. I'm not going to shell out money for something like an Icon lift if I hear guys saying they constantly have issues
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07-03-2021, 11:40 PM
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#5
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Member
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Join Date: Jun 2020
Location: Eugene
Posts: 94
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Member
Join Date: Jun 2020
Location: Eugene
Posts: 94
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My experience…I installed Ironman Nitro 3”/2” w/ UCA on my 2020 ORP, I had the faintest of squeaks that could never be found. After 10k miles, my OCD could not let it go.
I jumped at an opportunity to trade into a 2021 ORP. Everything I read told me to stick with .85” to lift/level, but I convinced myself to go with Bilstein 6112/5100 at 2” w/ 1” rear coils & stock UCA’s. Better angles on CV joints, better ride for a DD & better MPG. 4,000 miles in, no squeaks and extremely satisfied with the result.
If it were my TRD Pro, I would be concerned about adding anymore than 1” F/R. My 2 cents, maybe worth less.
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2023 TRD OR, Lunar Rock
Last edited by Run Forrest Run; 07-03-2021 at 11:43 PM.
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07-03-2021, 11:51 PM
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#6
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Member
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Join Date: Jun 2019
Location: NW, Ohio
Posts: 650
Real Name: Jason
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Member
Join Date: Jun 2019
Location: NW, Ohio
Posts: 650
Real Name: Jason
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Based on your intended use it’s interesting you’d want to dump the Pro suspension for something aftermarket. There are mixed reviews on each Pro specific lift that maintains the Fox shocks. I wasn’t interested in changing the front spring rate - no plans to add much weight, so I’ve gone with the Westcott “not-a-spacer” lift in the front and the Eibach springs in the rear (I am adding some weight). Not installed yet, but I’ll likely only add the spring preload spacer and not the top hat.
I’m very pleased with the OEM Fox setup on the road and on light off road trails.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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07-04-2021, 12:09 AM
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#7
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Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: Staunton,VA
Posts: 168
Real Name: Michael
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Member
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: Staunton,VA
Posts: 168
Real Name: Michael
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 1Bad4RunR
I used to take my 2011 TT FJ to a local offroad park called Rausch Creek here on PA like twice a year. Other than that it was mostly all daily driver milage. I had a 3" Rough Country lift and 33s. That truck ended up in the garage literally every 6 to 8 months with something wrong. Ball joints, wheel bearings, tie rods, and on and on. It was ridiculous. I don't want go through that again with the 4runner. In fact, I'll probably never even take the 4runner on trails. If I do any offroading at all it will be on the sand when I go to the beach. However, want the "Offroad Look". I'm willing to pay good money for the look if I know it's a once and done thing. I'm not going to shell out money for something like an Icon lift if I hear guys saying they constantly have issues
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Ball joints and tie rods wear out in all vehicles including stock, non-lifted vehicles… Maybe they were just ready to go. Lifts do increase stress on items and accelerate wear and tear though. I don’t have a lot of experience with Toyota lifts (just lifted mine though) but regardless of make, you usually get into issues when you don’t do all of the improvements that should be done… you lift but don’t get new UCA’s so your ball joint gets stressed, the resulting lack of proper alignment stresses steering components and they need replacing. Some don’t get longer swaybar links and the bushings wear out, etc… While doing all of that turns a somewhat expensive lift into a more expensive one, it may save you from premature failures… Personally, I think it’s a shame to spend all that money on a Pro and change the suspension… I bought my 16 Trail and drove it for 4.5 years before lifting it…. Enjoy it the way it is for a while, then upgrade when things start to wear out…? I needed new tires and rear shocks so I used that as my chance to do a comprehensive upgrade…
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2016 MGM TEP w/KDSS - P285/70-17 Toyo Open Country AT3 on Stock Trail wheels, no spacers - Dobinsons IMS Lift 2.75”/2” (302/505 Springs) - Freedom Off-road UCAs - TRDP Grill - Redarc Trailer Brake Controller - SumoSprings Helper Spring Bumpstops (black)
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07-04-2021, 12:31 AM
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#8
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Junior Member
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Join Date: Jan 2021
Location: Blue Marsh, PA
Posts: 10
Real Name: John
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jan 2021
Location: Blue Marsh, PA
Posts: 10
Real Name: John
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I appreciate everyone's input. My gut tells me to let it alone and be happy with it the way it is. Yet my brain and my heart tell me it doesn't look aggressive enough to wear a badge like "Pro". Especially when I cruise by the Jeep dealership and just about every other Jeep on the lot, even the no thrills base model seems to sit higher than my "Pro" 4runner. Maybe it's just because I remember what my FJ used to look like. It was definitely more rugged looking than my 4runner
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07-04-2021, 02:33 AM
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#9
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Member
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Join Date: Jun 2021
Location: San Jose
Posts: 33
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Member
Join Date: Jun 2021
Location: San Jose
Posts: 33
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I wonder if anyone has a high mileage lifted 4Runner. High mileage meaning 200k+ miles on a lift
Lifts look cool and all with the added clearance. But is it really beneficial to longevity?
*doubt*
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07-04-2021, 06:28 AM
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#10
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: Where ever the Army puts me.
Posts: 1,251
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: Where ever the Army puts me.
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For what it's worth, pushing 40k miles on my setup (Eibach and JBA's). Not going to say how it's doing, because i don't want to jinks anything.
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2018 TRD Off Road Premium. Eibach Pro, JBA, Toyo's, TRD cai.
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07-04-2021, 09:27 AM
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#11
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: phoenix
Posts: 2,293
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: phoenix
Posts: 2,293
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OP check out westcott designs. he machines a spring perch to give you a little extra height and still retain those fancy PRO shocks
Quote:
Originally Posted by 4wheeldrivesmatter
I wonder if anyone has a high mileage lifted 4Runner. High mileage meaning 200k+ miles on a lift
Lifts look cool and all with the added clearance. But is it really beneficial to longevity?
*doubt*
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no one said it's beneficial to longevity. it's beneficial to not ripping off the bumper when youre in a silt bed. or beneficial by having better performing shocks. stock crap shocks are gonna "last" the longest. obviously.
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2016 TE : Grocery Getter, 34/10.5R17 Toyo at3, Prinsu Rack, King Coilovers, DuroBumps, ToyTec HD 2.0 springs, King shocks, King hydro bumps, Total Chaos mounts, DirtKing Fabrication UCA, VIVID RACING Tune, URD Y pipe, RCI skids, Marlin Crawler gussets, DRKDSS everything
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07-04-2021, 10:30 AM
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#12
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Sep 2020
Location: Utah
Posts: 1,356
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2020
Location: Utah
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I have a Rough Country leveling kit (2.5” front, 1” rear). 10k miles. No problems. Just did Alpine loop in Colorado, again.
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07-04-2021, 12:20 PM
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#13
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Member
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Join Date: Nov 2020
Posts: 159
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Member
Join Date: Nov 2020
Posts: 159
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 1Bad4RunR
I appreciate everyone's input. My gut tells me to let it alone and be happy with it the way it is. Yet my brain and my heart tell me it doesn't look aggressive enough to wear a badge like "Pro". Especially when I cruise by the Jeep dealership and just about every other Jeep on the lot, even the no thrills base model seems to sit higher than my "Pro" 4runner. Maybe it's just because I remember what my FJ used to look like. It was definitely more rugged looking than my 4runner
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I’m curious, at what point from 2011 did you install your FJ lift? Were you pretty diligent on alignment? Were things pretty dialed in with UCA’s, diff drops etc?
I’ve done a range of modifications from lowered to lifted and the same rules always applies: Regardless of aesthetics or performance, if the alignment, and supporting components aren’t dialed in on an extreme lower/ lift, things go south fairly quickly on a daily driver.
As much as I appreciate the look of the Pro over a base model 4runner, it’s still Toyota North America’s conservative interpretation of “this is special”. It’s hard not to want to modify when a few of those parts can be added on any 4Runner after spending a day on Ebay.
Our community is pretty robust and this particular chassis has been on the road for so long that you should have no problem dialing things back. I say listen to your heart and make it yours. Besides, if we were good at leaving things as they should be, we wouldn’t be on this forum.
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07-04-2021, 02:09 PM
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#14
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Member
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Join Date: Jun 2021
Location: San Jose
Posts: 33
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Member
Join Date: Jun 2021
Location: San Jose
Posts: 33
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Quote:
Originally Posted by honda250xtitan
OP check out westcott designs. he machines a spring perch to give you a little extra height and still retain those fancy PRO shocks
no one said it's beneficial to longevity. it's beneficial to not ripping off the bumper when youre in a silt bed. or beneficial by having better performing shocks. stock crap shocks are gonna "last" the longest. obviously.
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Never said anyone did lmao. Cool, good to know
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07-04-2021, 02:28 PM
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#15
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Member
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Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: Austin, Texas
Age: 58
Posts: 125
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Member
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: Austin, Texas
Age: 58
Posts: 125
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3 years and 12,000 miles on my Dobinson's 2"/1" lift with no issues.
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2014 Super White TEP, Dobinsons 2"/1" lift, Firestone Destination AT2 265/70‑17, OEM led headlights 81070-35600/ 81140-35610
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