4th Gen. Suspension Lift

[AlexJet]

I've Cornfed 3" Front + 2" Rear Suspension Lift.
I mentioned that this is not enough for some trails I'm going in.
Does anyone know what others Suspension Lift Options?

EDITED:
1. Daystar 2.5" spacer lift --- 2.5" Front + 2" Rear
2. Cornfed 3" spacer lift --- 3" Front + 2" Rear
3. Revtek 3" spacer lift --- 3" Front + 2.5" Rear
4. OME 884/895 coils lift --- 3" Front + 2.5" Rear
5. Downey lift --- 3-5" Front (+/- adjustable) + 2.5" Rear

 

[4fun4me]

I have the Downey lift which is 2.5" rear and 3-5" +/- adjustable on the front.

 

[Thai]

Too high of a lift = CV joint issues and need for panhard bar relocation. The CV joint issue is a big one, especially if you go higher than 2-3" front lift. OME lift is a good one...seems like everyone likes it. I have witnessed OME 2004 4runner in action...pretty damn good. However, i would pick the softer OME shocks if you don't tow much or carry heavy stuff to preserve the ride quality.

Some people have talked about using FJC's front swaybars because they are smaller than stock 4runner's. This is probably doable. However, if you are using your 4runner for daily driving or long distance cruise (with family), then please remember that 4runner is significantly heavier than FJC. Therefore, you may screw up on-road handling (and thus safety). Again, this probably will not happen, but it's something to consider.

Can you get bigger tires?? That may help with clearance issues without facing the above potential problem. Or get more aggressive tires, like Goodyear MT/R or BFG M/Ts.

Personally, i would stay away from higher lifts.

 

[AlexJet]

Too high of a lift = CV joint issues and need for panhard bar relocation. The CV joint issue is a big one, especially if you go higher than 2-3" front lift.

Can you get bigger tires?? That may help with clearance issues without facing the above potential problem.

Is it any way to drop the front diff?
Big tire will fit only in case of ARB or similar bumper.

 

[Thai]

Is it any way to drop the front diff?
Big tire will fit only in case of ARB or similar bumper.

From looking at some of your pics, i think that you're putting the 4runner in a situation where it does not belong. Deep rutted trails or deep mudpits are hell for any midsize (or larger) SUVs. Too heavy. Too wide. My G is about as useless as a Pinto in deep mud! In what you want your 4runner to excel, you need something like a Jeep Wrangler...small, light, easily modded due to solid axles F&R, and cheap to abuse.

My take on this...before you spend MORE money on OME lift, i would consider switching tires to something more aggressive...more at home on your terrains. My recommendations are BFG M/T or Goodyear MT/R. OME lift is very nice because it's more than just spacers. However, it will NOT give you much more than what you have now in terms of clearance. You may gain a tad more articulation in the front, but i doubt that would be enough for YOUR purposes.

Be realistic with your expectations of your 4runner. If you continue to test your 4runners in severe off-road situations, then you find that the terrain will not be nice on your 4runner. Things will break. Trust me, i learn the hard way...my G has a cracked rear bumper and bent front bumper. You have a really nice 4runner...know your 4runner's limitations.

 

[Thai]

I am a bit confused by your signature...do you use the Goodyear MT/R's when you off-road?? For deep mud, the MT/R's do gunk up quick. I think that the BFG M/Ts clean better in deep mud.

 

[AlexJet]

:arrow:
Picking up a set of MT/Rs tomorrow. Have a call this afternoon, the guy received them and they are in his shop now.
My friend has 3rd Gen. and I want to go in places where he can go.
Here are couple pictures of places I need mys suspension be prepare of

 

[Thai]

You need a Jeep Wrangler...notice the common theme in those pics...Jeep Wrangler.

 

[AlexJet]

One more:

 

[AlexJet]

You need a Jeep Wrangler...notice the common theme in those pics...Jeep Wrangler.

But I like my 4Runner and I think it's better then Wrangler.

 

[AlexJet]

I am a bit confused by your signature...do you use the Goodyear MT/R's when you off-road?? For deep mud, the MT/R's do gunk up quick. I think that the BFG M/Ts clean better in deep mud.

My idea was to use MT/Rs in summer and Revos in winter.
I've talked to the people and seen personally on trails MT/Rs and T/A KO on trail on two Rubicons with similar setup. MT/Rs perform better in mix mud/snow condition.

 

[Thai]

My idea was to use MT/Rs in summer and Revos in winter.
I've talked to the people and seen personally on trails MT/Rs and T/A KO on trail on two Rubicons with similar setup. MT/Rs perform better in mix mud/snow condition.

I believe you. MT's do very well in snow for similar reasons why they do well in mud. They clean exceptionally well.

 

[Good Times]

Here's a copy/paste from my site:
=============================
Spacer Technology

Cornfed Suspension: 3" spacer lift front / 2" spacer lift rear
Revtek Suspension: 3" spacer lift front / 2" spacer lift rear
Daystar Suspension: 2.5" spacer lift front / 2.5" spacer lift rear
Tuff Country: 3" lift front spacer only

Coil Technology

OME Suspension:
Medium Duty Coils (front/rear) 884/895
Heavy Duty Coils (front/rear) 885/896
Extra Heavy Duty Coils (front/rear) 886/897

Shocks:
Front - N140S
Rear - N141(Soft), N142(Firm)

Example lift measurement:
OME Mediums 884 front / 895 rear / N140S frontshock / N142 rr shock = 3" lift front / 2.75" rear

Downey Offroad: 2.5" lift rear shock and coil
Deaver Springs: 2" lift rear coil only

Coilover Technology

Donahoe Racing: 3.5" lift front coilover
Sway A Way: 3" lift front coilover
Downey Offroad: 3" lift front coilover

Long Travel Technology

Total Chaos Fabrications: Long Travel Suspension
Camburg: Long Travel Suspension

Upper Control Arm
Total Chaos Fabrications
Camburg

Other things to note:
3.5" lift no problems with the cv's. Don't waste your time adding a diff drop as you won't need it. Get like 4.5+" of lift and then you'll start to see some severe CV issues. At that point cv's will be need to be delt with but damn I wouldn't want to go there at all. Limitation on the front suspension/geometry along with no downward travel left with that much lift.

Panhard bar is not needed with 3.5" of lift. If you need more, you've got issues with the front so you're definitely in the custom at this point.

If you need more lift than 3.5", look into body lifts. I know it's not highly recommended but if you want larger tires, you're gonna have to go this route. 1.5" max due to hardware limitations. I have 1.5" and have had no problems (knocking on wood).

3.5" lift + 1.5" body lift with lots of trimming = 35" tires MTR.

Problem with 35's is that it's really really SLUGGISH on the road. I can't even get my tach to go over 3000 rpm Gears in the works but I won't have em ready for production until end of the year... ugh!

reading up on what your wrote, you want to follow a 3rd gen. I think with a simple 3" lift and some aggressive tires, you should be fine with that combo. The ATRAC system will kick in save you in a lot of places so you should be fine. When my 4runner was close to stock, I was able to keep up with the 3rd gens (lift and tires) so I don't think you'll be that far behind.

Have faith in your 4runner and show em a thing or two. Remember it's all driver skill when it comes to getting across obstacles.

Good luck!

 

[AlexJet]

Here's a copy/paste from my site:
=============================
...
Good luck!

Thanks Lance. This is very informative post. I was looking for some post like that.
Spacer lift is good for looking, but when you off-roading you start feel all cons.
OME is not that expensive, so it's always good way to go. 884/895 should give 3+2.75 lift. If I want more on the front, what would you recommend? Use OME884 + 1" Daystar spacer or try with OME885 (it has 10mm more height). I'm thinking of doing steel skid plate, which will takes ~ 1/2" out of the clearance. Right now bumper is stock, but I have BrushGuard on it and thinking of attaching portable winch there (it's already extra weight: BrushGuard+Full Steel SkidPlate+Winch). In a time I most likely will go with ARB bumper. Rear 895 are medium, what happens if I'll go with heavy 896 and soft N141 instead of N142 with OME895?
Donahoe coilovers are really nice, but the price just for them is 10% more then full OME kit ($995 against $799). Is it worth if I'm not interesting in high speed off-road over the dunes? Do they have more travel? The other point is that they have an extra 1/2" of lift.

 

[Good Times]

All lifts are relative. It's basically what you can afford and how plush the ride you want it to be. If you can afford anything then coilovers may be the best option. If you can not then the alternatives are coils and shock combo or spacers. You really can't go wrong with any single lift type as they all serve the same purpose: give you more lift so you can fit larger tires and hit more difficult trails.

skid plates shouldn't take out 1/2" of clearance. My current skid (which I am working getting a full production one) replaces the stock skid and gives me the same clearance (maybe more since it's just a flat piece compared to the stock skid.

rear: I don't recommend the 896 as it's too stiff for the majority. I have 896 and on an empty load (including my current bumper) makes for one nasty ride. It's harsh and very stiff. With a full load in the rear it's perfect (some things to consider). 895's are a better option with the N142 or N141. Not sure which is exactly better for the shocks since I personally have never used either one.

coilovers are the best ideally speaking for all terrains but the cost sometimes outweighs the performance of the more traditional coil and shock combo. Some say coilovers are better because it's rebuildable but considering how often you need to rebuild it (every couple years) vs how many OME kits you can buy it becomes very lopsided. Bottom line... if you can afford it, get it.

Good luck

Thanks Lance. This is very informative post. I was looking for some post like that.
Spacer lift is good for looking, but when you off-roading you start feel all cons.
OME is not that expensive, so it's always good way to go. 884/895 should give 3+2.75 lift. If I want more on the front, what would you recommend? Use OME884 + 1" Daystar spacer or try with OME885 (it has 10mm more height). I'm thinking of doing steel skid plate, which will takes ~ 1/2" out of the clearance. Right now bumper is stock, but I have BrushGuard on it and thinking of attaching portable winch there (it's already extra weight: BrushGuard+Full Steel SkidPlate+Winch). In a time I most likely will go with ARB bumper. Rear 895 are medium, what happens if I'll go with heavy 896 and soft N141 instead of N142 with OME895?
Donahoe coilovers are really nice, but the price just for them is 10% more then all OME kit. Is it worth if I'm not interesting in high speed off-road over the dunes? The other point is that they have an extra 1/2" of lift.