2WD lift question

[SQ.MD]

Man, this forum is frekin' awesome! I love what you guys do to your T4Rs...it's motivating to say the least.

But anyway, I had a quick question for you guys. I have a 97 SR5 2WD and was wondering what is the cheapest/most practical way I can achieve a lift? I've read about coil spacers, actual coils (land cruisers), and stuff but just need some direction. I was reading Liny4runner's thread and he originally used a 2.5in spacer lift from ebay so I was thinking about going that route:

Billet Aluminum Lift Kit 2.5" Rear 4Runner 96-02 2WD - eBay (item 250763028054 end time Feb-23-11 15:51:35 PST)

Would I need back and front spacers? Also, keep in mind I would LOVE to do some wheeling but I have a 2WD and only want the lift for aesthetic reasons. I guess I am unfortunately what you guys on this forum call a "mall crawler"...:hiding: NOT BY CHOICE HOWEVER :violin:

Also, my 4runner is being painted at the moment. My family has had it since 97 and only recently has it started showing signs of major aging. It used to be evergreen forest (or some color) but I decided to go with Shadow Mica. I figured the trim is gray so I would need more of a grayish color for it to not look so bad. Anyway, I shall post pictures as soon as I get it back. This might be the first 3rd gen with Shadow Mica since I believe they started this color on 4th gens (I could be wrong).

Sorry for the long post but figured you guys might need some bio before helping me answer my question! Thanks in advance.

<a href="http://s77.photobucket.com/albums/j67/saadqasim/?action=view&current=DSC06717.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j67/saadqasim/DSC06717.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

future mods:
paint wheels (research-check, need time!)
retro headlamps (research-check, need $$$!)
upgrade AUX lights (black magics, need $$$!)

 

[SQ.MD]

or this:

ComfortRide Suspension System; Lift Kit-RH1

 

[SQ.MD]

80 + views and no suggestions? come on guys!

 

[Hepar]

I'll give you my 2 cents. I say go LC rears. Spacers in the rear are going to make your ride a bit stiffer and not in a good way. LC's are a great way to lift your rear and they're cheap too. You're probably going to want to lift the front too, unless you like the extreme raked look.

 

[jksmyers]

I've been lurking on the site since about August and finally joined in November. As you can see, my post count is still in the single digits. After reading post after post after post after post (you get the idea), here's what I'm doing. Saving up for a complete OME kit. I'm doing either 880 or 881 coils up front with 90004 shocks, and 906 coils with 60028 shocks in the rear. Complete set is 700 bucks, so all things considered it's not that much more than a Daystar lift kit - and I've read too many negative things about going that route. My advice - take a couple months to save up the dough and do it right, even if you're gonna be a mall crawler. Sounds like the spacer route will eventually sag and you'll be back to square one after wasting a couple hundred bucks on spacers. Slight disclaimer - I'm not basing this on personal experience, just the expertise from the posters here. Oh and I also have a 2wd. Detroit Truetrac locker is also in my future.

 

[blcktpgsr]

I've been lurking on the site since about August and finally joined in November. As you can see, my post count is still in the single digits. After reading post after post after post after post (you get the idea), here's what I'm doing. Saving up for a complete OME kit. I'm doing either 880 or 881 coils up front with 90004 shocks, and 906 coils with 60028 shocks in the rear. Complete set is 700 bucks, so all things considered it's not that much more than a Daystar lift kit - and I've read too many negative things about going that route. My advice - take a couple months to save up the dough and do it right, even if you're gonna be a mall crawler. Sounds like the spacer route will eventually sag and you'll be back to square one after wasting a couple hundred bucks on spacers. Slight disclaimer - I'm not basing this on personal experience, just the expertise from the posters here. Oh and I also have a 2wd. Detroit Truetrac locker is also in my future.

Looks like someone did their due diligence..I agree on investing on something that's gonna save you up in the long run..

 

[SQ.MD]

thanks Hepar, Jksmyers, and blcktpgsr...I appreciate all the input and suggestions. I am attempting to do this before I start Med School In August so unfortunately I don't really have months to save up money. Having said that, I guess I might possibly just wait till after medical school for the lift and just do other less money hungry mods in the mean time.

I guess onto buying clear headlamps for the retrofit.

Thanks again!

 

[jksmyers]

Well I guess med school is somewhat of a minor financial commitment.:wink2: And I don't want to rain on anybody's parade. It wasn't until about a month ago that I finally decided on my plan. Until then I was just trying to talk myself out of the shortcut of spacers. I had to think long and hard about it cause we all love instant gratification. And with my wife, kids, mortgage, etc., it will probably take me much longer that "a couple months" to get my funds together, too. Everytime I get started, something happens and eats up my lift money. :ybrick: I won't judge either way. And you'll know when I get it, cause I'll start my own damn build thread! I can't read this stuff without getting extremely jelous!!!