3rd Gen 4Runner Lift Information and FAQ's

[CaneCreek]

Improve Ride

Recently bought a '97 T4R after selling CJ8. Could not be happier. It rides and drives like a waterbed though. We want to restore the ride but not really interested in more than 1-1.5" of lift. I want to buy the whole suspension package. Shocks are shot and want to replace all suspension. It is 4wd and has the 3.4 . It will be a daily driver that may be used only on two tracks and logging roads. Do not intend to hit any hard stuff. Will stay with stock height tires in an all terrain tread. May load with tent camping gear from time to time. I have been through the thread from page one. Recommendations on who has this suspension package along with all new bushings, ball joints, etc? Thanks.

Regards,

CaneCreek

 

[jfire]

Could I match the 99 springs with bilstein 5100's?

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

 

[octanejunkie]

I went through most of this thread but didn’t find my info I need. My question is do the bilstein 5100 off of a tundra fit either 2wd or 4wd 3rd gen 4runner?

Yes

Could I match the 99 springs with bilstein 5100's?

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

Yes

I just gave you two the easy answer, but is it the best answer for you? Suspension is a very subjective topic, what feels good to one person may not to another. There are specific combos that work across the board for a particular setup, like stock replacement, which many vendors have packaged; see Toytec, Wheeler's Offroad and others.

In addition to reading the thread you are in, do searches, and read other's build threads to see what they are doing and why.

Recently bought a '97 T4R after selling CJ8. Could not be happier. It rides and drives like a waterbed though. We want to restore the ride but not really interested in more than 1-1.5" of lift. I want to buy the whole suspension package. Shocks are shot and want to replace all suspension. It is 4wd and has the 3.4 . It will be a daily driver that may be used only on two tracks and logging roads. Do not intend to hit any hard stuff. Will stay with stock height tires in an all terrain tread. May load with tent camping gear from time to time. I have been through the thread from page one. Recommendations on who has this suspension package along with all new bushings, ball joints, etc? Thanks.

Regards,

CaneCreek

This is a better question as the author described their use and intent with the vehicle.

OME 880/906 or Toyota 99 Highlander springs all around will pair well with with either stock, stock replacement or bilstien shocks. Do all required PM while you're at it: LBJs, LCA bushings, sway bar bushings, end links, steering rack bushings, etc and if you are so motivated UBJs and UCA bushings. Don't forget timing belt and radiator and all related cooling parts.

 

[jfire]

Is this right?

I've read a bunch of threads on lifts and the information is overwhelming. I think I've settled on the lift that I want. Can anyone tell me if I have this right.

Tundra TRD Front Struts (Used $85 a pop) Is this a good price? I'll need to swap out the top piece with 4runner version? (Can't think of what the proper name of the part is)

LC Rear coils 7.5 wrap ($45 a pop from cruiserparts.net) Opinion on price?
Either Tundra Bilstein 5100's or equivalent Tokico rear shocks (Anyone have the # for Tokico's?) They must be Tundra shocks to handle the flex of the lc coils correct?

Will this lift require diff drop or panhard?

The other lift I'm looking at is the Eibach pro-truck lift on tire rack. I've never seen this mentioned anywhere. Any opinions?


Thank for helping this noob out.

Any help for this noob is greatly appreciated.

 

[Jason7191]

This may have been covered.... google searches have come up empty. Is there a hardware kit sold anywhere for all new bolts that are removed when you install a lift? All my stuff is rotten and rusted and would rather just replace everything. Thanks.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[octanejunkie]

This may have been covered.... google searches have come up empty. Is there a hardware kit sold anywhere for all new bolts that are removed when you install a lift? All my stuff is rotten and rusted and would rather just replace everything. Thanks.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

There's no kit I am aware of, but with a $150 order Camelback Toyota ships free and has good parts pricing. Check their parts website hardware here https://parts.camelbacktoyota.com/partlocator/index.cfm?siteid=214329

Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk

 

[phattyduck]

This may have been covered.... google searches have come up empty. Is there a hardware kit sold anywhere for all new bolts that are removed when you install a lift? All my stuff is rotten and rusted and would rather just replace everything. Thanks.

All those parts are available at Wheeler's Offroad, other than the rear shock lower bolt.

On the front, you would want new top hats, top hat nuts, lower shock bolts/nuts - and depending on what comes in the front shocks, other parts for the front coilovers. New rear shocks should come with new upper bushings, washers and nuts.

-Charlie

 

[octanejunkie]

All those parts are available at Wheeler's Offroad, other than the rear shock lower bolt.

Wheeler's carries the front shock lower bolt by Toyota, weird they wouldn't sell the rear shock bolt as well

Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk

 

[Jason7191]

There's no kit I am aware of, but with a $150 order Camelback Toyota ships free and has good parts pricing. Check their parts website hardware here https://parts.camelbacktoyota.com/partlocator/index.cfm?siteid=214329

Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk

Thanks bud!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Jason7191]

All those parts are available at Wheeler's Offroad, other than the rear shock lower bolt.



On the front, you would want new top hats, top hat nuts, lower shock bolts/nuts - and depending on what comes in the front shocks, other parts for the front coilovers. New rear shocks should come with new upper bushings, washers and nuts.



-Charlie

Thank you Charlie!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Badong]

Eibach

Been studying this thread for several days and I think I want to try this new Eibach "Pro-Truck Lift System".

I know from the racing community that Eibach makes quality stuff. I'm just afraid of being the first lab rat!

 

[dse911]

King Coilovers

Has anyone used the King coilovers? I am wanting 2" lift for mainly daily driver. I just put on 265/75r-16 and am having some rubbing issues on left turns on my 2002 4runner. ! have had this 4runner since it was new and love it. The coilovers are the original coilovers and would like to up grade. Was just wondering if the price of the King coilovers were worth it and if the ride quality was good with them. Thanks for info. if any.

 

[Devo9000]

Have a look at the billstein 6112s. I just put them on in the last year and am plenty pleased. A sort of step up from a standard set without the price tag of kings or fox. For my purposes a racing shock was not necessary. I think I paid about $800 .



Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[southTX4r]

Just did OME and KYB

My wife's 97 Limited 2WD with 230k. I just installed:

From BilsteinLifts.com (free shipping):
(1) OME Front 1.5-3" Lift Coils for 1995-2004 Tacoma & 1996-2002 4Runner (880) @ $179.99
(1) OME 2" Lift Rear 2906 Coils for 1996-2002 Toyota 4Runner @ $179.99

from RockAuto ($10 shipping):
(2) KYB KG9025 Strut @ $34.79 ea
(2) KYB KG54317 Shock Absorber @ $20.79 ea

total: $481.14

Plus I recently did tied rod ends, rack bushings, sway bar links/bushings, brakes.

Had it aligned today and just took it for a test drive downtown. Wow what a difference! Smooth ride even on crappy downtown San Antonio roads. Wife said it handled great on the highway. I'm happy. :dancin:

Now it just needs a good wash and wax. I think the rims are chrome under all the grime.

Before:


With the front half done.


After:

 

[99runner4me]

Bump.

I'm in the process of rejuvenating the suspension on my '99 V6 2wd(Lock Right auto rear locker) w/ 2.5 Daystar spacer lift. Looking for a budget struts/shocks options to replace the tired ProComp ones on there already. The truck is daily driven, and almost no offroad. Just dirt roads from time to time.


"The TRD Tundra Spring

The front spring and shock from the 2000-06 Tundra TRD can be used to lift the front of the 4Runner. The part numbers and color codes are:

Driver side - 48131-AF100 Yellow/Yellow
Passenger side - 48131-AF090 Yellow/Blue

These springs are a progressive rate coil which means that they start out soft and get stiffer as they compress. this gives the 4Runner and soft ride while still providing good handling both on and off road. These springs generally yield about 2.5" of lift. there are companies selling the Tundra spring with a Bilstein adjustable shock which can be adjusted to get more lift.

Pros: Provides a decent amount of lift, durable.
Cons: Can settle and give a harsher ride, not as adjustable as a coil over"

Does this have to be "specifically" from a "TRD" model Tundra, year 2000-2006? Will a front struts from a Tundra from those years fit?

Also, I'm about to pickup a set of "just removed" OEM 5th gen rear shocks. Any modifications to do to fit on a 3rd gen Runner?

Thanks in advance.

 

[octanejunkie]

Bump.

I'm in the process of rejuvenating the suspension on my '99 V6 2wd(Lock Right auto rear locker) w/ 2.5 Daystar spacer lift. Looking for a budget struts/shocks options to replace the tired ProComp ones on there already. The truck is daily driven, and almost no offroad. Just dirt roads from time to time.


"The TRD Tundra Spring

The front spring and shock from the 2000-06 Tundra TRD can be used to lift the front of the 4Runner. The part numbers and color codes are:

Driver side - 48131-AF100 Yellow/Yellow
Passenger side - 48131-AF090 Yellow/Blue

These springs are a progressive rate coil which means that they start out soft and get stiffer as they compress. this gives the 4Runner and soft ride while still providing good handling both on and off road. These springs generally yield about 2.5" of lift. there are companies selling the Tundra spring with a Bilstein adjustable shock which can be adjusted to get more lift.

Pros: Provides a decent amount of lift, durable.
Cons: Can settle and give a harsher ride, not as adjustable as a coil over"

Does this have to be "specifically" from a "TRD" model Tundra, year 2000-2006? Will a front struts from a Tundra from those years fit?

Also, I'm about to pickup a set of "just removed" OEM 5th gen rear shocks. Any modifications to do to fit on a 3rd gen Runner?

Thanks in advance.

TRD coils might be too stiff for a stock front end, but if you go that route you must get the prescribed ones to get the same lift and ride. Shocks are another story; the tundra bilstiens are used with those coils but again, in a heavier front end (winch, heavy bumper, armor, etc)

Not sure about 5th gen shocks, I don't believe they are a direct fit on to a 3rd gen or everyone would be doing it. IIRC [MENTION=139000]phattyduck[/MENTION] answered someone else asking the same question in another thread not too long ago

Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk

 

[BrianSD_42]

Was just wondering if the price of the King coilovers were worth it and if the ride quality was good with them. Thanks for info. if any.

[MENTION=43152]dse911[/MENTION]

Please do a search for "king" using the how to search sticky linked in my signature.

The short answer is yes they are great but why do you need them. Definitely would be overkill for daily driver or anyone who doesn't do a whole lot of offroading.

 

[rufast]

So much info

I recently picked up an 01 SR5 Auto with 95,333 miles.

Has many of the upgrades I would have wanted, leather, moonroof, flares, power everything.... etc.

It is a 2wd that will likely NEVER see any off road (as a 2wd). I found a GREAT deal on a set of NEW 285/75/16 BFG KO2's which I plan to mount to either the stock rims or to a set of new wheels when/if purchased. Stock being 7" I think a set of 16x9s would compliment the ties a lot better.

I've looked and looked at the various suspension lifts and it's a little confusing and overwhelming, which is why I'm posing the question in this post...

I am looking for a lift that will not ride like a 2 cart wagon but will allow proper fitment and clearance of the 285s. This will be my main daily driver once it's all finished and I understand that with basically 33s the MPG will drop. Not worried about that. I want a CLEAN, LEVEL, LIFTED 4R that rides comfortably and allows me to run the 285s.

Wondering if I should look at a complete setup from ToyTec or consider Bilstiens all the way around. I know I want the shocks/struts and springs ALL replaced because the rear are already shot, which is why I want to go ahead and do the lift at the same time.

Can someone who has 3rd Gen 2wd help me out as to what you did? The search string returns so many posts that it still just gets the water muddy. Tires will be here this week and I'd like to move forward with the lift within the next two weeks. Oh, and the timing belt/water pump is being replaced Tuesday so that's out of the way.

I certainly appreciate any responses ya'll may have. Looks like a LOT of knowledgeable folks in here! Hopefully the attached pic comes out right.

 

[BrianSD_42]

My advice to you is lose the running boards, get a 1.5 - 2” mild lift, and only go with 265x75x16 which is essentially at 31.5” tire. If I had a 2WD I would definitely not go with 33s. 33s hmmmm worse gas mileage, less power, more wear and tear on the truck.

Siince you may only need mild 2” lift there are lots of ways of doing it.

Did you by chance search for “mild lift” and did you use the Sticky, not the forum search. I agree there is a lot of info.

BTW welcome to the forum. That looks like a really nice truck.

 

[Vansnxtweek]

I agree with Brian, what a good looking truck!!!!!

Def. drop those running boards..that's a free lift right there and you'll never believe the difference it makes. I really stressed about pulling mine but once I did, I loved it.

The good thing about doing less of a lift is a better ride! I'd def. read that first page of this thread very carefully and see what suits your needs.