I just purchased a 2001 Limited 4x4 4Runner with 79,000 miles, This thing was garage kept and even the leather looks brand new. I liked it so much, I'm selling my FJ Cruiser and planning to do some minor upgrades to the 4Runner. I would like to lift the 4Runner about an 1" or maybe 1 1/2" and install some all terrain tires. Here's my question: I lifted & leveled my FJ Cruiser with Bilstean 5100 shocks. Can I do something like that with my 4Runner? I don't want to lift it too high because where I drive, I'm crawling under tree limbs as much as i am crossing creek beds... I do a lot of camping and backpacking in the middle of the national forest. My new (used) 4runner has the locking rear dif as well. I'm used to my FJ Cruiser trails edition (loved it but I'm selling it) so any other advice regarding what I need to be cautious of, preventative maintenance recommendations and recommended modifications will be appreciated. I do a lot of long interstate traveling as well so I appreciate a nice ride as well.
1" Lift Advice Needed - New Owner
- Thread starter OvrLand
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xskydivingdudex
Senior Member
if ur only looking for a small 1" lift then u could go the easier and cheaper route by installing a 1" body lift or u could upgrade ur coils from the stock '01 version to the stock '99 coils.
COShadow
New member
There are plenty of options. I have the Sonoran Steel "best factory suspension" which is '99 coils f and r (supposedly 1" taller than later years) and Tokico trekmaster shocks. The rear coils are weak however and I'm going to replace them with Old Man Emu coils. You'll want load capacity for your camping gear.
You could go with adjustable coilovers in front set to 1 inch. with something like OMEs in the back.
You could go with adjustable coilovers in front set to 1 inch. with something like OMEs in the back.
denvertoyota
New member
If you buy the stock 99 coils, how do you lift the front as well? Or are the fronts taller too?
Ron Helmuth
Senior Member
beware the color codes
not all 99 vehicles are equipped with the tall coils. The way to be sure is in the color codes.
As xskydivingdude mentions-a body lift will give you the 1" you seek. 4crawler.com sells them and that is where mine came from. But just like a suspension lift there are a lot of details to be considered.
Read up here and on Yota Tech. Sonoran Steel website is a wealth of info for suspension lifts also.
not all 99 vehicles are equipped with the tall coils. The way to be sure is in the color codes.
As xskydivingdude mentions-a body lift will give you the 1" you seek. 4crawler.com sells them and that is where mine came from. But just like a suspension lift there are a lot of details to be considered.
Read up here and on Yota Tech. Sonoran Steel website is a wealth of info for suspension lifts also.
Duhockey
Senior Member
good call on the coils, yeah, the 99 tall coils would be one option, but as with most people, you get something done and then decide its not enough, I say get some adjustable coilovers for the front and set them at whatever you want, and then do something in the back like the 99 coils or OME that can support your camping load.
a 1' body lift wont give you any added clearance, so I dont think thats what you are looking for if I read your post right.
and heres the thing, if you go adjustable up front and then do 99 tall coils in the back and decide its not enough, 60$ for some LC coils or used OME from someone and you can lift the back up a few more inches.
cuz honestly 3" is not that much and 1" is miniscule...
Edit:
missed this one! good call Gerdo!
panzer
New member
FYI, our 2001 4runners don't have a locking rear diff unless it is an aftermarket add on (an ARB air locker, etc). Toyota discountinued the locking rear diff in 00 or 99 I believe.
Our 2001 4runners have a locking center differential, described as (taken from another post):
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Your center diff operates like this:
Unlocked 4WD - patchy snow or ice/wet surfaces when you have traction most of the time but need more than 2WD here and there. This is the same as AWD. (Running full 4WD in this situation will bind your t-case in the spots where the road is dry).
Locked 4WD - full dirt or snowy roads when you need regular 4WD and don't have to worry about binding the t-case because the tires will just slip on their own on loose surfaces.
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Just wanted to let you know in case you're off roading and wonder why your rear tires aren't completely locking.
Take care.
99runnerwa
New member
with the sonoran steel 1.2 lift and some at tires you still have the family look, but it is a bigger tougher family look :naughty:
Duhockey
Senior Member
yeah, a 3" standard suspension lift will get that tough look without making it too hard for family to get in the 4runner.
my back end is prob 5-6" and my 4 year old has a hard time getting in but can climb in by himself, so 3" shouldnt be a problem
