1987 4Runner - lift question

[hyak107]

Hello, new guy here from Austin, Texas. I picked up an '87 4Runner a few months back and am about to start doing some work to it. One issue is that one of the leafs in the right-rear pack shifted and wound up denting the shock. Looks like it's been that way for a while. I'm planning to fix the spring pack and replace the shocks, but the 4Runner looks to have a lift and I'm not sure what height is. It looks to be a 3" lift, but I can't tell for sure. I don't have a reference point so maybe it doesn't have a lift at all. Does anyone know a good way to determine the height of a lift? A photo is below, I have 31" tires on it right now.

 

[Quatre Coureur]

Post up a pic of the front suspension so we can see if its got a bracket lift or a torsion crank. Can't really tell from a side shot... Im not sure it has a lift.

 

[Quatre Coureur]

Also one of my leaves shifted a bit. Just hit it with a BFH back into place. It was only shifted about 1/2inch maybe less.

 

[hyak107]

Thanks, I'll take a photo of the front suspension when I get home.

 

[KidVermicious]

That definitely looks lifted.

 

[Quatre Coureur]

In the rear, yes it looks lifted. In the front, I don't think so. Post pics F&R...

 

[hyak107]

More photos are below. If it helps the distance from the top of the tire to the fender is 6.25" in the rear and 7.25" in the front. That's with 31" tires.

By the way, I really appreciate the help. I've wanted a 1st gen for a long time and was finally in the position to buy one. It needs a little work here and there, but for the most part it's solid.

 

[toyokid22]

If it rides really stiff than its probably a torsion crank. I cranked my torsion and barely fit 33's

 

[KidVermicious]

Your CV angles show a lift, but I don't see a bracket or balljoint spacer, I'd say your torsion bars have some crank. Order up a ball joint spacer set from 4Crawler and relax your torsion bars, you'll improve the handling, the ride, and the front travel.

How was the rear lifted?

 

[Quatre Coureur]

The gap between the snubber and the bottom A-arm looks stock. The rear definitely looks lifted. Probably an add-a-leaf which is probably the leaf that shifted. Post a pic of the rear leaf pack. BTW that's a nice soft top u have. Those things ain't cheap...

 

[Quatre Coureur]

My son came home for spring break and I was able to take a look at my front end. KV is right(as usual) your CV angles indicate a bit of lift. Mine is stock and the CVs are nearly horizontal. The gap between the snubber and the A-arm is less also. Somebody cranked up the torsion bars.

 

[hyak107]

Thanks to everyone for the help; it makes sense that a leaf was added and the torsion bars were cranked. Knowing that I might actually lower it back down a bit since I don't plan to go any bigger than 31" tires. I plan to use the 4Runner for camping and hauling my four dogs around. No sense in having that much extra height if I don't need it.

Quatre Coureur - The Softopper is great, it was fairly easy to install and is simple to drop down. I did have one issue during the install, the joints for the bows are plastic and one cracked the first time I put the top up. The joint was a little off center from the factory, which put stress on it when the bows were raised. Softopper was great, though. I sent them a photo and within a few days I had a replacement part.

Although Bestop doesn't make a top for the 4Runner I do have one on my Tacoma. The Bestop is a bit more solid and uses almost no plastic, but the overall design of the Softopper is nicer.

Thanks again for all the help.