3rd Gen 4Runner Lift Information and FAQ's

[cobiker]

Im about to pull the trigger on some OME 890s for my sagging rear. I've tried to source some 7 wrap LC coils but cant find any. The 8 and 9 wraps will result in too much lift for me. So the 890s are it.

I'm just not sure about the shocks, which I suppose I will have to change as well (currently stock) since they might be too short. I have access to OME shocks but they are a bit $$$. Any other brands? I'm looking for comfort and would rather not have a too firm ride. I wont do serious 4x4 any more than the weekly or so trips over unpaved dirt roads and jeep trails FWIW.

By the way, up front I currently have what seem to be (edit) Ironman coils and old OME shocks (old sticker style) for what I think is around 2 or 3 inches of lift from stock.

I sure hope the OME 890s will result in a level truck, but a bit of rake is fine with me.

 

[toydavid]

I need your opinion; I have a 02 4Runner Limited 4x4 w/auto trans. I want to put a set of Goodyear Wrangler Dura-Trac tires (33x12.5-15) What do I need to do to make them fit? I want to use my 4Runner for trail riding/daily driver. I would like to keep the cost down to about $1200.00

Thanks for your time,
David

 

[SCRunner12]

I need your opinion; I have a 02 4Runner Limited 4x4 w/auto trans. I want to put a set of Goodyear Wrangler Dura-Trac tires (33x12.5-15) What do I need to do to make them fit? I want to use my 4Runner for trail riding/daily driver. I would like to keep the cost down to about $1200.00

Thanks for your time,
David

Ok are you trying to spend $1200 for tires and a lift or just for the lift? Tires will run you $1200 by themselves. Also you will need to get some 285/75/16 because your 4runner has 16" rims. Plus a 12.5 wide tire would rub like crazy.

There are tons or options for a lift, but for full kits the Toytec ultimate, sonoran steel 1.2 or the OME kit will work great for that application. You will need about 3" of lift and probably some cutting and pounding. A body lift and wheel spacers will help with those issues.

 

[toydavid]

Ok are you trying to spend $1200 for tires and a lift or just for the lift? Tires will run you $1200 by themselves. Also you will need to get some 285/75/16 because your 4runner has 16" rims. Plus a 12.5 wide tire would rub like crazy.

There are tons or options for a lift, but for full kits the Toytec ultimate, sonoran steel 1.2 or the OME kit will work great for that application. You will need about 3" of lift and probably some cutting and pounding. A body lift and wheel spacers will help with those issues.

That is $1200 for everything except tires. I have no problem using 285/75/16's. I was looking at the Revtek 430 suspension lift's.

Can you give me a good detailed list of what to buy and good places to purchase? I have no problem using a combination of Suspension lift, body lift, and spacers.

Thanks for your time,
David

 

[Elton H]

since 05 has been too busy i thought id throw this up for him also noitce how they changed the emblems i like the old style better

 

[96743runner]

since 05 has been too busy i thought id throw this up for him also noitce how they changed the emblems i like the old style better

I agree. Having the "4Runner" badge above the license plate looks much, much better. lol 05's rig makes that 00 runner look puny.

 

[mark8932420]

Thank you so much for the information.

I have a 2001 4runner and want to lift it for better looking.

Cause I am a college student with limit budget, so concider to use 2.5 inch spacer lift.

There is a question that when I went to oder the part in store, the guy told me that lift need to drop the differencial so I need to buy the differencial drop kit.

I am wondering do it really need to drop the differencial and are there any parts thae need to be dropped?

Please shoot me some advices, I am a little bit confuse now

Thank you and have a good time.

 

[EliJohn3for3]

Thanks for the Lift info!

Finally some good lift info that makes sense for a newcomer. thank you for this info and i will do some more research and finalizing before i begin my lift mods on my 'Runner. Thank you to everyone who contributed to making this such an informative page.

 

[EliJohn3for3]

Hey Mark8932420

I am a new user and saw your post above, i have a 02 'Runner and i am college student on a budget haha.
Hey man did you begin the lift work to your '01 'Runner yet? I'm asking because i want to do the same mine and just wanted to know if you found any do & don'ts? Or if you have any recommendations or accessories you found in your budget?

Thanks
ELI

 

[EliJohn3for3]

Hey Mark8932420

I am a new user and saw your post above, i have a 02 'Runner and i am college student on a budget haha.
Hey man did you begin the lift work to your '01 'Runner yet? I'm asking because i want to do the same mine and just wanted to know if you found any do & don'ts? Or if you have any recommendations or accessories you found in your budget?

Thanks
ELI

 

[4ganger]

I have a lift question for my 2000 SR5 sport. I recently bought it and really like the lift and ride it has now. The PO had a revtek kit installed at Les $chwab and from what I can determine it is the Revtec 430 kit:
Revtek Suspension | Toyota Suspensions

I talked to Revtek and confirmed that it should be a kit that is 3" in the front and 2" in the rear and included the drop spacer. Looks like the PO also installed a set of Les $chwab mountain ryder extreme foamcell shocks which apparently are a rebadged version of a Gabriel shock. This was all done back in 2007 when it had 75000 mi on it. Here we are now in 2011 and it has another 50,000 mi on it.

The truck rides fine in its current form, gets blown around a bit in strong winds but I do mean strong winds so not a big deal. Looking at it from the side it looks and feels like the rear is sagged a bit. I'm thinking of upgrading the rear springs and shocks.

Reading this thread and others + looking under the truck it looks like it still has the stock rear shocks so my quesiton is do I just get a new set of rear shocks and maybe the 10mm rear coil spring spacer? Or should I go the full rear re-do with new shocks + OME springs 890 or 891 and ditch the current spring spacer?

Which will fix the rear sag best without spending an abundance?

For the front I am planning to just replace the front shocks with a matching set to what I put on the rear.

Here is a side view pic:

 

[wiretie44]

Hello all I'm moments away from pulling the trigger on a 3" lift for my 97 SR5 but i do have a couple of questions before i do.... first off I am very attracted to remote reservoir coil-over shocks i do not do any aggressive off-roading as of yet but i may once the vehicle is better equipped Is there any benefit to using this style in our trucks or is it over kill? Fox 2.0 remotes have travel options that seem to comply with what I've read (5" up front and 8 IN the rear?). Also if i go this route what type of springs should/would i use? Am I trying too hard should i just buy the toytec ultimate or SS lifts? Sigh i keep going in circles, all of you experts please enlighten me with your wisdom. Thanks in advance

 

[mizzle415]

Just Ordered OME Kit

Just ordered my OME kit for 98 ltd with 120K. Cant wait to install. Got the standard weight 881 for front and 890 for rear as I dont intend to get get aftermarket bumpers anytime soon. Wife was quite resistant, but needing new rear shocks anyway just pushed her over the top!!! Pics after install next week.

 

[Dangerous Davis]

Some SICK 4Runners Here

I appreciate all of the good info on this thread. I am going to look at some of your builds and learn! Thanks!

 

[SuperGrover]

Tundra coils

I'm looking at picking up a set of Tundra struts/springs, but just have one question. Do they have to be off a TRD? Or will the setup off a regular Tundra 4x4 provide the same lift?
Thanks in advance.:cowboy:

 

[zack97ang]

super helpful but still confused

after doing a ton of research i still cant seem to understand how to lift the 3rd gen with the fj80 coils and the tundra trd coils i think its Front: Tundra TRD Coils/Bilstein 5125 * Rear: FJ80 Shocks/Coils. does anyone know this for sure, and does anyone know what that would look like, and how can you run it?

 

[Hatteras-surfer]

OP Thanks much for lift info.
I'm going to do lift on my 96 4runner limited next weekend parts are on the way.
Its a minor lift some may think "huh that's not a lift you will regret not lifting more" but hey ,I'm conservative now big tire days are over for me.
I'm just looking to bulk it up a tad even out 1996 back sag look good on 31' treads.

To be installed,
Daystar kits 1" spring spacers in front & 1"-1/2 spacers on back
Monotube Back & front Struts.

Total cost 240.00

UPDATE:
I pulled step runners off sides finding that ground clearance looks much better - 21' front / 22' rear so I'm going to go with 1-1/2 lift all the way around.
Added kit cost is about 70.00 so not so bad

 

[gotsboost]

Good write up on Spacer install and diff drop.

http://www.revtek.com/inst/INST-430.pdf

Another on air shock install

http://www.4x4wire.com/toyota/4Runner/tech/rear_air_shocks/

 

[MrGoldenArches]

Helpful but still a bit lost.

So

As i am a new owner to a 4runner and completely new to everything off roading wise, I still need some sort of help/explanation.

I am currently looking at getting a 2.5" suspension lift kit. It is a rough country suspension kit. it has spacers i believe.

I don't do any rock climbing and don't plan to but definitely mudding quite frequently, possibly once in a while.

What would be the best option? Should i just purchase the 2.5" kit or should i save money for something better?

Thanks,
Mac

 

[SCRunner12]

So

As i am a new owner to a 4runner and completely new to everything off roading wise, I still need some sort of help/explanation.

I am currently looking at getting a 2.5" suspension lift kit. It is a rough country suspension kit. it has spacers i believe.

I don't do any rock climbing and don't plan to but definitely mudding quite frequently, possibly once in a while.

What would be the best option? Should i just purchase the 2.5" kit or should i save money for something better?

Thanks,
Mac

Most people on this site would recommend waiting till you can afford the better suspension lifts rather than the spacer lifts. The spacer lifts will ruin your coils and the ride quality will decrease over time. You can piece together a suspension lift for about $350-450, using the Tundra lift and LC coils. Or find used OME/Toytec stuff.