5th Gen 4Runner Lift Buyers Guide

[jjdbike]

Awesome Sundog. Mine is the same color as yours. I wish I could have found a trail edition, but had to go w/ this as it's the best deal I've found, price matters & my current buggy only has hours to live.
Will go w/ that Blistein and spacer setup! I see by your signature you have Blistein front & rear. I'm assuming this is not for lift but for better ride quaility? Will the stock rear shocks work ok w/ the 1 1/2 spacers?

Finally, as I asked in my previous post, w/ that lift set-up, is premature wear on other suspension items a concern (e.g ball joints, CV joints, control-arms)?
Thanks again!
JD

 

[Jhalko]

Awesome Sundog. Mine is the same color as yours. I wish I could have found a trail edition, but had to go w/ this as it's the best deal I've found, price matters & my current buggy only has hours to live.
Will go w/ that Blistein and spacer setup! I see by your signature you have Blistein front & rear. I'm assuming this is not for lift but for better ride quaility? Will the stock rear shocks work ok w/ the 1 1/2 spacers?

Finally, as I asked in my previous post, w/ that lift set-up, is premature wear on other suspension items a concern (e.g ball joints, CV joints, control-arms)?
Thanks again!
JD

Front Bilstein shocks are height adjustable, the rears are not, once you go past 2.5" you likely have to replace Upper control arms for a decent alignment. You still need new rear shocks but yes it does improve ride as well. Some of these details are on the first page of this thread.

 

[Sundog7121]

Awesome Sundog. Mine is the same color as yours. I wish I could have found a trail edition, but had to go w/ this as it's the best deal I've found, price matters & my current buggy only has hours to live.
Will go w/ that Blistein and spacer setup! I see by your signature you have Blistein front & rear. I'm assuming this is not for lift but for better ride quaility? Will the stock rear shocks work ok w/ the 1 1/2 spacers?

Finally, as I asked in my previous post, w/ that lift set-up, is premature wear on other suspension items a concern (e.g ball joints, CV joints, control-arms)?
Thanks again!
JD

I wouldn't (and didn't) stick with stock rear shocks with the Bilsteins on the front. Just didn't seem prudent. I have found that ride is a little firmer, and it rides great on the freeway. Will certainly smooth out the ride on the trails next summer.

Re premature wear, I didn't give it a thought. Will certainly watch for it though.

J

 

[jjdbike]

Will lifting damage vehicle?

I spoke w/ a local Toyota dealer Sevice writer yesterday. I called to ask him if he can recalibrate speedo / odom for taller tires because I'm planning on lifting.
He adamently warned me that I will do serious damage to my vehicle if I lift it. He said he's "seen many blown trannies, damaged drive shafts, torn up CV & ball joints etc. I said I'm only lifting 2 1/2 in front & 1 1/2 in back (Blisteins and spacer). He any lift will do damage.
Is this true, even w/ such a small lift? I certainly don't wanna damage this beauty or even shorten it's life!
How can I get the speedo adjusted for taller tires?
Finally, how can I be sure I won't void my service warrente by lifting?
Lots of questions I know but I'm starting to panic.
Thanks!
JD

 

[BLACK-FL4RUNNER]

Your Toyota dealer is ill informed, or just covering their ass. I wouldn't listen to them. The only risk is to the CV boots, and that is generally with 3" of lift.

You are not able to recalibrate the speedo to my knowledge.

Go find a local 4x4 shop that actually does lifts in your area.

Good Luck!

 

[-dustin]

I'm just gonna go ahead and ask...

4Runner has 4200 miles on it. At home, I've got a set of 5100s (F and R) and the Toytec/Eibach springs.

I can't decide if I want to A) just slap the springs on up front and save the rest until I lay down the $$ on 285s , B) replace front setup completely, set at 0, and leave rear stock, or C) replace it all.

Primary goal is firming up the front end and leveling. Leaning towards A or C for no reason other than "might as well." Yadda yadda yadda...Opinions from y'all?

Flame suit on.

 

[jjdbike]

Yes I spoke w/ a custom off- road 4x4 shop. Said no prob unless lifting over 3".
Also, if I limit raising the profile from 65 to 70 (instead of 75 or 85), the dif in speedo / odo will be minimal.
Also gotta admit I was taken back by the cost of even least expensive way of lifting 1 1/2 - 2 1/2. Not winning just expressing surprise. I'm totally new to this. Make me realize how much $$$ some guys have into their rig : 0
JD

 

[96706RROMJP]

Can anyone tell me there experience with daystar 2.5/ 1.5 level kit? How it rides.....etc.? I dont really offroad but i like tho look of a lifted t4r. At the moment im rolling on LE 20 inch rims with 275 55 R20 AT tires.

 

[jjdbike]

The ideal thing would be to get new tires and drive it in different conditions and figure out exactly what is best for your use, then buy the other stuff.

On the lift, adjustable bilsteins with a daystar spacer in the rear can get you 2.5" up front and 1.5" in the rear while giving a very stock like ride , maybe better (very subjective) it would be durable and could be expanded down the road.

Oh and look at your gas tank skid, pretty sure you have only half covered, I'd invest in a full skid there, worth every penny.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/65893-post-your-lifted-pix-here-234.html

Hey Jay & Friends. The above reply was perfect & will follow advice to a T! Thanks again for that guys.
I’ve spoken to off-raod shop & dealer and they said no prob to lift under 3”, over that other things need to be modified. I’m sure you all knoew that.

I still have two questions I can not get answered.
1st, the stock vehicle has a forward lean. Why & what are pros & cons to leveling it when I lift it?
2nd, will lifting it completely void the service plan / warrentee?

Thanks in advance.
JD

 

[cjacob316]

I'm just gonna go ahead and ask...

4Runner has 4200 miles on it. At home, I've got a set of 5100s (F and R) and the Toytec/Eibach springs.

I can't decide if I want to A) just slap the springs on up front and save the rest until I lay down the $$ on 285s , B) replace front setup completely, set at 0, and leave rear stock, or C) replace it all.

Primary goal is firming up the front end and leveling. Leaning towards A or C for no reason other than "might as well." Yadda yadda yadda...Opinions from y'all?

Flame suit on.

It would be a huge waste of time and money to only do half the job now and the other half later if you already have the parts, especially the front. The rear would be easy to add new springs later, but the less you pull apart the coilovers the better. If you can do it, the ideal situation would be to do the whole lift and tires at once and get your alignment done once.

 

[-dustin]

It would be a huge waste of time and money to only do half the job now and the other half later if you already have the parts, especially the front. The rear would be easy to add new springs later, but the less you pull apart the coilovers the better. If you can do it, the ideal situation would be to do the whole lift and tires at once and get your alignment done once.

Cool, thanks. I'll just get it all knocked out at one time. The tires and actual lift will come later on down the road when these tank and once I have needs and wants figured out.

 

[Jhalko]

Hey Jay & Friends. The above reply was perfect & will follow advice to a T! Thanks again for that guys.
I’ve spoken to off-raod shop & dealer and they said no prob to lift under 3”, over that other things need to be modified. I’m sure you all knoew that.

I still have two questions I can not get answered.
1st, the stock vehicle has a forward lean. Why & what are pros & cons to leveling it when I lift it?
2nd, will lifting it completely void the service plan / warrentee?

Thanks in advance.
JD

Some say It leans so when you are carrying a load in the back it will not go nose high, maybe aerodynamics as well. The pro is that many think a leveled truck looks better, in theory you are also making room for bigger tires and more clearance offroad. You'll need to reaim your headlights and get a front alignment. If you lift the front a lot you'll need new aftermarket Upper Control Arms to be able to align it to spec.

In theory the only thing lifting would void are components tied to the lift i.e. Suspension components and anything else tied to it. An entire warranty should not be affected, but you could find a shop or dealer that won't work on lifted trucks (probably not a good place to go anyway)

These are short incomplete answers, there are extensive threads around on both, the reality is you should read more and make your own decision.
For detailed threads on his stuff search based on your topics, much more knowledgable people than me have answered:
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-g...ner-owner-need-help-searching-start-here.html

 

[jjdbike]

Thanks again J.
I did search and it was very helpful.
Again I have to say I’m so glad I flund you guys and this site!:guitar3:
On the other-hand, I fear it will cost me some money
JD

 

[degooseman]

Picked up 2016 4Runner SR5

Hello fellow 4Runner owners,

I just picked up a new 4Runner last week for a great price 32,800 before taxes. Now I'm looking at upgrading the suspension. I really like the look of the TRD Pro rims but looking at similar aftermarket rims. I'm new to the whole lift thing, I just want the look and the performance. The only shop I found was 4wheelparts but they are a franchise. They offered the Icon kit with installation for 2200. I'm still shopping around. Could you advise me on recommendations. I want the same performance as the TRD pro suspension or better the vehicle will see dirt. Thank you.

Respectfully,
Goose

 

[jjdbike]

So I’m not familiar with the TRD. I just priced out getting 4 Blistien 5100 adjustable shocks & 1 1/2 ToyTec spacers. The price they quoted including parts, instalation, alignment and tax was $1100.
I just picked up my ’11 SR5. I’m not happy w/ the suspension. It’s too soft w/ too much body roll and brake dive. I def wanna stiffen it up.
Good luck.
JD

 

[cutty01]

Hello fellow 4Runner owners,
I want the same performance as the TRD pro suspension or better the vehicle will see dirt. Thank you.

The Bilstein 6112 front shock and 5160 rear shock is similar to the TRD Pro suspension. Pair with a SAW 1.5" SAW or Icon 2" rear spring. If you want little to no factory rack with these rear springs, set the front shocks to 2.5" (4th notch).

 

[cheynespub]

Toytec Boss lift

I just finished installing my lift over the holiday weekend. Took me about 10 hours as this was my first suspension lift. I got it all in and the body roll as well as the leveled look are much better. However, I noticed immediately that there is a bit more suspension noise up front compared to stock. I also added in SPC upper control arms so that I could get it aligned perfectly.

Does anyone else have any feedback on suspension noise? Its not a clunking noise but it sounds like the components are just louder than they were stock. Meaning, I don't think anything is loose, I just expected it to sound like stock.

 

[jjdbike]

Looking for a litte guidance reguarding my suspension please. I just picked up my 1st 4Runner. It’s an ’11 SR5. Like I said earlier in this thread, I intended to lift front between 2 & 2 1/2”. and the rear between 1/2 & 1 1/2”. I was looking to take most of the forward lean out and possibley get a tad more ground clearance. I wanted to minimize my expendature while not sacraficeing performance. I figured I’d do 4 Bilstein 5100’s, the front set at 2 1/2 & 1 1/2” shock spacers in the rear. It was told this would kep the handeling pretty close to original/stock performance.
The thing is, I don’t like the way it handles. It has quite a lot of body roll and break dive. It’s way to mushy for my taste on the highway. I can’t imagine trying to control it on windy, bumpy, technical terrain.
Can you folks recomend a durable set-up that would level it out a bit & firm up the handeling w/out breaking the bank?
Thanks!
JD

 

[Zach_F]

Can you folks recomend a durable set-up that would level it out a bit & firm up the handeling w/out breaking the bank?

Sure thing:

4 Bilstein 5100’s, the front set at 2 1/2 & 1 1/2” shock spacers in the rear.

 

[jjdbike]

So Zach, you’re saying that set-up will tighten up the handeling? Great, that’s what I hoped! Thanks for that reply.
Another thing I need to take into account for the front suspension is most of my beach driving and some of my light trail driving will include a front hitch mounted 100 qt cooler/surf rod rackthat will at times top-out at 200 lbs.
JD