2" or 3" lift,whats the difference

[oncewaspfd]

Okay I know it's 1", but what are the advantages and disadvantages of both?

I am a little concerned when the vehicle gets loaded with weight that the 2" may not be enough. I plan on putting a roof top tent on top that weighs 120 lbs. and other camping gear in the back. How much sag is there when you put on a lift kit?

 

[Supermoney]

Depends on shocks / coils and their spring rates, some are stiff, some arent. Some can hold load very well, and some can't. You can get the heavy duty OME coils and they will hold weight well.

 

[vanion2]

I would think that would depend on the lift kit and the weight the springs are rated to

 

[masphx]

Good question. I would also like to know also as I have 31.5 inch tires. I think a three inch lift would look too high for my tires. 120 lbs on the roof of your rig, You might want to reconsider it. That kind of weight on the roof is bad on these rigs. I was following a blog of a guy who had one for awhile but now does not. He said it really cut down what he could do offroad and anytime when u set it up you are stuck in that spot until u can take it down ( no driving to the store for ice etc). Just my opinion but I would not have one unless there were lions and I needed to sleep off the ground. Just trying to save you some $$.

 

[SR5Runner97]

tent on roof is fine for easy expedition rigs, if you plan to do harder trails forget it, just build an in cab sleeping platform with drawers underneath (google "3rd gen 4runner platform"). But the difference between 2" and 3" lift is you have to cut less to fit 285/75's for a 3" lift. if you don't need it, don't get it. That being said, you will want bigger tires. I am considering 315/75 the second my coopers start to bald.

 

[ARC]

Okay I know it's 1", but what are the advantages and disadvantages of both?

I am a little concerned when the vehicle gets loaded with weight that the 2" may not be enough. I plan on putting a roof top tent on top that weighs 120 lbs. and other camping gear in the back. How much sag is there when you put on a lift kit?

May not be enough for what? If you plan to keep constant weight in the rear just lift the rear higher than the front. Like a truck from the factory with rake to help handle the weight of hauling stuff.

Good question. I would also like to know also as I have 31.5 inch tires. I think a three inch lift would look too high for my tires. 120 lbs on the roof of your rig, You might want to reconsider it. That kind of weight on the roof is bad on these rigs. I was following a blog of a guy who had one for awhile but now does not. He said it really cut down what he could do offroad and anytime when u set it up you are stuck in that spot until u can take it down ( no driving to the store for ice etc). Just my opinion but I would not have one unless there were lions and I needed to sleep off the ground. Just trying to save you some $$.

This is BS. Look at the amount of people here who have either an RTT or a basket with a spare and other misc. It is not going to "really cut down" on your offroad capability. Will it raise your center of gravity? Yes, so will any kind of lift or larger tires. If you are going to go with and RTT carefully plan out how you will mount it and keep it as low as possible.

If you are the kind of person that drives back to the store for ice when "camping" then a RTT is probably not for you. They are more popular with the self supported overland adventure type people.

 

[ARC]

tent on roof is fine for easy expedition rigs, if you plan to do harder trails forget it, just build an in cab sleeping platform with drawers underneath (google "3rd gen 4runner platform"). But the difference between 2" and 3" lift is you have to cut less to fit 285/75's for a 3" lift. if you don't need it, don't get it. That being said, you will want bigger tires. I am considering 315/75 the second my coopers start to bald.

Everything about this is wrong. The amount of lift you have has nothing to do with how much "cut" to clear tires. Unless we are talking about body lifts, but I really doubt the OP was concerned with how much a 3" body lift might sag.

 

[snivilous]

Everything about this is wrong. The amount of lift you have has nothing to do with how much "cut" to clear tires. Unless we are talking about body lifts, but I really doubt the OP was concerned with how much a 3" body lift might sag.

Assuming you don't cycle the suspension then a lift will help, a la mall crawler

 

[ARC]

I'm getting a little annoyed with all the people saying certain set ups "Can't do real trails." Or "Is ok for mild trails only." When they obviously have no experience with the setups and likely no experience on so called "Real trails".

Also all these people that don't have the slightest understanding of the fundamentals of how suspension works giving lift advise. I am no expert on any topic here, but I wonder if some of these people have ever been under their truck to see how it works.

 

[SR5Runner97]

Everything about this is wrong. The amount of lift you have has nothing to do with how much "cut" to clear tires. Unless we are talking about body lifts, but I really doubt the OP was concerned with how much a 3" body lift might sag.

go fit 33s on a stock 4runner. go lift it 3" and put 33s on it, there is trimming for both, but a lot less with a lift. A suspension lift raises your frame from the axle giving you more clearance. I'm not talking about stuffage, you cannot turn anywhere with 33s on stock height without cutting.

 

[Project_Mutt]

go fit 33s on a stock 4runner. go lift it 3" and put 33s on it, there is trimming for both, but a lot less with a lift. A suspension lift raises your frame from the axle giving you more clearance. I'm not talking about stuffage, you cannot turn anywhere with 33s on stock height without cutting.

I can attest to that. I have a 2.5" lift and it still rubs like crazy with my 33s. I would go down one size if you plan on only doing a 2" lift. 3" would probably be ok though imho. Granted if you don't have the suspension articulate at 45 mph with the wheel cranked.

 

[ARC]

go fit 33s on a stock 4runner. go lift it 3" and put 33s on it, there is trimming for both, but a lot less with a lift. A suspension lift raises your frame from the axle giving you more clearance. I'm not talking about stuffage, you cannot turn anywhere with 33s on stock height without cutting.

:frusty:

These are IFS trucks.

 

[ARC]

Although I suppose you could roll bad ass drop bracket lift. :mullet:

 

[SL28]

Suspension lift has nothing to do with what size tires that can be PROPERLY fitted to the vehicle. Oversize tire fitment is dictated by trimming, cutting, tubbing, body lifts, bump stop placement, and swinging a big hammer.

A given tire size will rub the same on a vehicle with no suspension lift versus a 3 inch suspension. The difference is that you're sacrificing down travel with a suspension lift, thus allowing the ability to not rub as soon while daily driving / mild off-roading.

Go cycle your suspension off-road, you'll rip your shit apart just the same as no lift.

 

[kolelt]

go fit 33s on a stock 4runner. go lift it 3" and put 33s on it, there is trimming for both, but a lot less with a lift. A suspension lift raises your frame from the axle giving you more clearance. I'm not talking about stuffage, you cannot turn anywhere with 33s on stock height without cutting.

33" tires with 3" lift no cuts anywhere and turn how ever I want. Only slight rib when I turn ALL!!!!!!! the way and it barley rubs. Otherwise it's good.

 

[ARC]

33" tires with 3" lift no cuts anywhere and turn how ever I want. Only slight rib when I turn ALL!!!!!!! the way and it barley rubs. Otherwise it's good.

I want whatever model you bought cause that would not have been possible on mine.

 

[Hog1983]

Good question. I would also like to know also as I have 31.5 inch tires. I think a three inch lift would look too high for my tires. 120 lbs on the roof of your rig, You might want to reconsider it. That kind of weight on the roof is bad on these rigs. I was following a blog of a guy who had one for awhile but now does not. He said it really cut down what he could do offroad and anytime when u set it up you are stuck in that spot until u can take it down ( no driving to the store for ice etc). Just my opinion but I would not have one unless there were lions and I needed to sleep off the ground. Just trying to save you some $$.

I agree on the rooftop tent. I wanted one but realize there are more downsides, IMO. I thing for the price I'd rather buy a pop up camper, park it at a campground.

 

[Hog1983]

I agree on the rooftop tent. I wanted one but realize there are more downsides, IMO. I thing for the price I'd rather buy a pop up camper, park it at a campground.

Think... Damn autocorrect

 

[Doc2012]

Okay I know it's 1", but what are the advantages and disadvantages of both?

I am a little concerned when the vehicle gets loaded with weight that the 2" may not be enough. I plan on putting a roof top tent on top that weighs 120 lbs. and other camping gear in the back. How much sag is there when you put on a lift kit?

Ok. Pissing test over? Can we get back to the orginal topic now?

To answer the OPs question....

3" is about the max you can go on a 4Runner before you start running into issues with the CV axles binding. Some people say 2, but I can tell you, in MY experience, 3 is where it's at.

NOW, the questions for you are as follows:

1) what size tires do you plan on running?
2) What else is going to be in the 4Runner, besides the RTT?
3) Are you running an aftermarket roof rack, or the stock one?


I ask these questions for a few reasons.

Size tires makes a difference in clearance. I can tell you, I'm running 35s, 35x12.5 to be exact, with a 1.5" body lift, a 3" suspension lift, and 3/4" of my fenders cut. I also took a BFH to the pinch weld and the firewall, and have no problems rubbing. I'm also running 1.5" Spidertrax wheel spacers, because I was ON the UCA.

The ammonut of weight you're going to have in the back of your 4Runner, as well as on top, is going to make your truck sag. Ad to the fact you MIGHT be planning on an aftermarket rear bumper, with or without a swing out, as well as a fullsize spare, and that factors even MORE weight in.

The stock roof rack isn't made to handle the weight of a RTT. At least not with people sleeping in it. I would look at a sleeping platform for the back of the truck, or maybe a expo style trailer, or little camper.

Unless you plan on going with an aftermarket rack, which in that case, you'll be alright.


IOT decide which lift to get, you NEED to know all this stuff. You need to have it all figured out.

You can get anywhere from soft, to heavy duty springs, and struts, and the amount of weight, tires, ect is going to factor into what you should get.

What kid of wheeling do you plan on doing? Expo? Rock Crawling? High speed desert stuff?

These questions need to be answered as well, as getting the right set up would be dependant on ALL the above questions.

 

[Doc2012]

Another thing I'm going to add is the RTT.

RTT's are awesome. Large platform in a small bundle, and easily available.

120LBS on the top of your 4Runner might not seem like a lot, but, add to the fact that you're lifting, and possibly bigger tires, and you're going to have a MUCH higher COG, and the possibility for some knarly trail rides.

I know for a fact, that some of the trails I've been on, if I had a RTT, I would have rolled, I was that far on pitch and yaw.

But again, I'm running a different suspension set up than ANYONE here.

I have leaf springs in the back of my 4Runner. And, I have two sets, one for wheeling, and one for street use.

My flex is limited by the amount of give the springs have, which, in most cases, is pretty backwards.

Again, I get back to my point about what style of wheeling you plan on doing, how much weight you plan on carrying, to help with the decision as to what springs or lift you should get.