2006 Sport lifted - Need advice

[hamdog]

As most probably know and are sick of, I have been posting on the forum for a couple months in regards to purchasing a 4th gen 4runner. I'm still on the look I took most members recommendation and stepped away from purchasing the 2006 Sport I found for sale locally in northern vermont.

Below are pictures of another sport I found in southern new york area with 37K miles on it, two owner the carfax shows it to be well maintained (kept up with regular service intervals at dealer). It is lifted assuming 2-3" with 285/70R17.

Anyways this vehicle will be mainly for commuting to work (100miles/day), towing our Can-Am side by side and hunting/fishing. The lift will be nice for hunting and getting up to camp but maybe not so great for the commute. I will eventually purchase an older corolla for commuting.

I have no experience with lifted vehicles (only atvs) and was wondering the following questions and concerns?

1) Does the lift add more wear and tear to other stock parts of the vehicle? I know on my atvs the ball joints go quite regularly with the lift.

2) What MPG's shoudl I expect witht he lift and tires?

3) How bad will it look if I put on stock tire size?

4) how does the 4runner handle with the lift and oversize tires compared to stock?

5) If I was say to lower the 4runner to stock (most likely not) what would the cost be?

Sorry for all the questions here, just a newbe and trying to make the right decision with the help from members here. Thanks again for all the help!!!!!

 

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

1) Lifts 3" and under are considered pretty safe and should cause very little if any increased wear. The CV's are angled up from the factory, a 3" lift keeps a similar angle, but reverses it (angled upwards after lift).

2) Gas mileage varies, I'd expect ~2-3mpg different when compared to a stock 4runner though.

3) Looks are subjective, some like it, some don't. If I were you, I'd opt for maybe a 265/70/17 or 255/75/17. These are both taller than stock, but not as tall (or wide) as the current tires on there. With all terrain tires, most people notice a 1mpg loss at most with these sizes. It won't look too bad with one of these sizes installed IMO.

4) How it handles is totally dependent of what type of lift it has on it. Can you get info on the brand/type of lift, or at least maybe a picture of the front struts?

5) Depending on the brand/type of lift, you could probably find someone who would be willing to trade you the stock components for your lift. You may be able to make some money off of a deal like that. If it's using a spacer lift, just remove the spacers, no cost (just labor). Doesn't look like it's using a spacer lift, but hard to tell for certain from those pics. So mainly, this depends on number 4.

 

[8086bruce]

That is a great looking 4Runner I would leave it and enjoy!!!

 

[chaz]

:iagree: that looks nice as is.

 

[hamdog]

ARK_SWAMP_RIDER

Thanks for the info. I'm thinking I'm going to jump on this rig. I have requested more info and pictures of the underside of the vehicle. I will find out hopefully end of today if they will take my car in trade.

I love the look of the vehicle as is but I'm looking to get every mpg I can out of this thing.

Thanks guys!!!!

 

[PWGUNNY]

Nice truck. Buy it. MPG's on my truck after a similar lift dropped on avg. 1.3 mpg. I would buy that, leave it, and love it.

 

[BReardon21]

Truck looks great. I would jump on it if I were you. I would leave the lift, but I am also looking to lift my runner in the upcoming months. I am also less concerned with my MPG's, I drive less than a mile to work everyday. I would find out exactly what they used to lift it and that will give you a much better idea of if its worth changing or not. Very interested on how this turns out. Good luck from MA!

 

[HOJeepster]

Why would you buy a lifted truck if you don't want a lift?

It looks nice as is.

 

[Huskey]

That is a sweet looking setup, but I wouldnt buy it if I was looking for low MPG and no lift like you are as it has a V8 and a lift. Take your time, you will find what you are looking for. However if you get the carolla for the commute then I would definatly recomend this for hunting, camping, towing and fun stuff and would keep the tire size as is.

 

[hamdog]

Why would you buy a lifted truck if you don't want a lift?

It looks nice as is.

I agree it looks sharp, I was just concerned about MPG and increased wear & tear on stock items.

You guys have convinced me now only if you can convince the fiance haha she does not like the look of the lifted 4runner, I guess she will have to get use to it. The dealer is suppose to get back to me hopefully in the morning with the info I requested and what they are going to offer me on my trade.

Thanks!

 

[JD914]

That's funny, I grew up in southern NY, and lived in Vermont for about 10 years before moving to CA. Where are you from and where's the 4Runner located?

 

[hamdog]

That's funny, I grew up in southern NY, and lived in Vermont for about 10 years before moving to CA. Where are you from and where's the 4Runner located?

I currently live in Franklin County, Vermont. The 4runner is located just south of Binghamton, NY in PA.

 

[zimm]

I would ask what kind of lift it is and get a picture of the front shocks. If it's a spacer lift, I would pass on the truck. If it has nice coil-over aftermarket shocks or OME suspension, I'd buy it.

You loose about 2mpg with the lift and 285 tires. The speedo will need to corrected- you do that with a $100 motorcycle "speedo-o-healer" and some DIY wiring under the dash.

 

[hamdog]

I would ask what kind of lift it is and get a picture of the front shocks. If it's a spacer lift, I would pass on the truck. If it has nice coil-over aftermarket shocks or OME suspension, I'd buy it.

You loose about 2mpg with the lift and 285 tires. The speedo will need to corrected- you do that with a $100 motorcycle "speedo-o-healer" and some DIY wiring under the dash.

I would assume that they are spacers unless they removed the XREAS shocks and put in either coil over systems or lift coils & shocks. Am I correct in thinking the only way to lift a XREAS system is with spacers or by replacing the XREAS?

Still waiting for the dealer to get back to me? Apparently they are not in any rush to sell this vehicle.

 

[Huskey]

Am I correct in thinking the only way to lift a XREAS system is with spacers or by replacing the XREAS?QUOTE]

Correct, no XREAS compatible lift kits, only spacers. As for replacing it, its more like just getting rid of it.

 

[hamdog]

Here are some pictures they sent me of the front suspension and underside. How do you tell if it is spacers?

The underside has hard rust in spaces and it looks like they spray painted parts of it. What are your thoughts? Thanks for the help!!!

 

[black_120]

looking at undercarriage pics of trucks up north make me cringe...

It does look like they spray painted the frame rails due to the overspray.

 

[hamdog]

looking at undercarriage pics of trucks up north make me cringe...

It does look like they spray painted the frame rails due to the overspray.

The salt up here does a number on the vehicles.

 

[TheTuckerTaxi]

I don't think it has a spacer lift but it is hard to tell with those pictures. However with the stickers on the front springs I'm inclined to think they are aftermarket.

I'd be worried about the rust, doesn't look too good. I would check out the Limited right next to it .

 

[sonerick]

While I can't be 100% certain because of the photo angles and whatnot, I think it is a spacer lift. What you see on the front coils are the paint markings that Toyota puts on their stuff, I had the same on the springs I removed from my truck. Whether they're stock 4Runner coils or FJC coils, hard to tell.

In the bottom two pictures you can see the hydraulic lines and reservoir for the XREAS system. Most people remove these when they swap for aftermarket shocks. Also, the shock body in the first picture looks factory and is pretty rusted up. Since it is most likely still running the stock XREAS shock, it most likely has a spacer lift.

Also, CV angles aren't too extreme.

As far as the rust issue goes, pretty typical looking for a New England Toyota. It's really just surface rust though, and it looks like someone already took a stab at spraying some rustoleum along the visible portions of the frame rails. Seems like the previous owner was at least semi-interested in maintaining his or her vehicle. Or the dealership is sketchy lol.