5th Gen 4Runner Lift Buyers Guide

[kSteven813]

to be honest, there really wasnt much extra gain. Doing the mix and match, I was able to get a higher stage of set of front coilovers for near the same price.



Ill be honest, I'll never use the front coils to their full potential.

I understand. It's great having the more potential for a lower price! I will contact metal tech. Thanks for your help!

 

[Dr_Dooms]

Do all of these lifts listed on the first page fit a 2016 as well?
any of them I have looked at that are on amazon say "this does not fit your 2016 toyota 4runner"
I am assuming that they just haven't updated the item description?
Just picked up my 2016 4runner sr5 4x4 last night!

 

[jjdbike]

Let me answer your questions:

"Is there safety risks by adding a lift?"
If the lift is installed correctly the only safety risk is having a higher center of gravity than the stock 4Runner. This will change handling characteristics a bit. Now, if you add bigger tires or different offset wheels you might have to do a BMC (body mount chop) to keep these from rubbing. The body mount, stock, is designed to deflect the wheel and tire downwards in the event of a crash to keep it from encroaching into the cabin. That is a concern because cutting it will mean it could not protect as well in an accident.

"Is there accelerated wear by adding a lift?"
Yes but not because of the lift. Most people who lift also add larger and heavier tires, higher offset wheels and/or wheel spacers. This can lead to accelerated bearing wear.

"Is there more maintenance required by adding a lift?"
Yes. The OEM components will provide the most reliability and durability for the longest period of time. Aftermarket components, while improving your off road performance could wear faster. Depending on component selection, your shocks will need to be rebuilt. Your UCA could need the uniball replaced, etc. More grease points, accelerated bushing wear, etc.

"Is there an efficiency loss after adding a lift?"
Yes. The heavier, larger diameter tires along with the vehicle being higher could cause a significant loss of efficiency. If you currently average 18 mpg overall you will probably lose 10% after lifting and adding wheels and tires. If you add skids and bumpers and rack you will lose an additional 10%.

"Is there going to be more problems after adding a lift?"
Probably. There are very few complaints (using the unscientific data of this forum) that arise from the stock 4Runner suspension. Most of the suspension complaints you read about here like rubbing, noise and wear come from guys who have lifted their vehicle.

Now, I have honestly laid out all concerns you could have from adding a lift. Is it worth it? Only you can answer this yourself. Some people don't care because to them it is worth it for the "look" or the off road performance increase. Those are the only two reasons people lift it BTW. Hope this helps.

Honestly, I am more concerned with some inattentive idiot texting while driving running into me and destroying my ride after I have made all the effort to make the changes. It's already happened to a couple members in here. I am fairly certain the financial income window that allowed me to do mine is probably closed at this stage in my life, so I would not be able to recreate what I have now. But yes, you have to accept that some components will have more wear and tear on anything that is changed from factory specs. Anyone who wants to do this kind of work should really have deeper pockets or learn some mechanical skills.

Hey 1engineer & 3wbdriver, thank you very much for stilling my anxioty. 1egnineer, thank you especially for such a detailed step by step responce.
JD

 

[LandCruiser]

Me before a lift.

Me after a lift.

 

[3wbdriver]

Do all of these lifts listed on the first page fit a 2016 as well?
any of them I have looked at that are on amazon say "this does not fit your 2016 toyota 4runner"
I am assuming that they just haven't updated the item description?
Just picked up my 2016 4runner sr5 4x4 last night!

Yes. It's still the same body style and drivetrain. I ran into the same runaround when I bought my 14 with the new nose. It just took the sites a while to update their catalogs.

 

[Westsai]

I have an infant that'll be sitting in a 2010 4runner soon...
Does any of these suspension make the 4runner more "lexus-ish" or "infant-friendly"?

 

[Friedom]

I have an infant that'll be sitting in a 2010 4runner soon...
Does any of these suspension make the 4runner more "lexus-ish" or "infant-friendly"?

I think this is a worth while question. Mine is 3 now, but I often wish the ride was more plush like the LE rides.
I did discover that if I add an extra 800 lbs of cargo, my truck rides like a dream. A little springy otherwise.

 

[96706RROMJP]

1"cornfeds vs daystar 1.5 rears

Does anyone know how much of a difference it will be from switching 1"cornfeds to Daystar 1.5 rear spacers rears? Im planning to adjust my bilstein 5100 fronts from 1.75 to 2.5 setting.

 

[Duluthmn]

I'm getting a 2016 TEP and wondering about the installation of 5100's for the fronts... At this point I'm just looking to go to maybe just .85, with the goal of leveling things up a bit. Is an alignment suggested or necessary for this?

 

[Foques]

I'm getting a 2016 TEP and wondering about the installation of 5100's for the fronts... At this point I'm just looking to go to maybe just .85, with the goal of leveling things up a bit. Is an alignment suggested or necessary for this?

Absolutely

 

[GiGi's 1996]

I'm getting a 2016 TEP and wondering about the installation of 5100's for the fronts... At this point I'm just looking to go to maybe just .85, with the goal of leveling things up a bit. Is an alignment suggested or necessary for this?

.85 will not level your truck. Bilstien 5100s set at 1.75 will level your truck.
Yes, get an alignment for sure.

 

[Duluthmn]

Ok thanks for the alignment info.
(And the shock adjustment info !)

 

[Zach_F]

.85 will not level your truck. Bilstien 5100s set at 1.75 will level your truck.

1.75 will look level based on the wheel well arches, but will have a reverse rake if you measure ground to frame.

 

[Duluthmn]

Ok, thanks... I guess I'll have to try'em out at each step...

 

[96706RROMJP]

Does Daystar KT09127BK will these fit 5th gen?

 

[T4RSeabee]

5100's

I tried reading a lot of threads but no definite answers. I've already made up my mind on getting my 5th gen (2016) some new 5100's but unsure if I need anything else besides the shocks. Local shop recomended fj springs but another said I can use the stock springs on all 4's

Trying to just level it out and give my SUV a better ride with saving as much $$ as possible.

Question is, can I install just the shocks with stock springs if so what are the cons. If not, what else do I need.

 

[Cymon]

I tried reading a lot of threads but no definite answers. I've already made up my mind on getting my 5th gen (2016) some new 5100's but unsure if I need anything else besides the shocks. Local shop recomended fj springs but another said I can use the stock springs on all 4's

Trying to just level it out and give my SUV a better ride with saving as much $$ as possible.

Question is, can I install just the shocks with stock springs if so what are the cons. If not, what else do I need.

Yes you can use the stock springs. The 5100's are actually designed to be run with the stock springs. You would want to change out the stock springs if you either want to increase the rear lift without spacers (because the rear 5100's do not lift the truck) or if you need to increase the spring rate because you are consistently driving with a heavier load (i.e. bumpers, winches, full cargo area, towing etc...). You can also just add spacers to the stock springs for more lift if you are doing it more for the look but not necessarily performance.

 

[Rhino11]

Does Daystar KT09127BK will these fit 5th gen?

Yes. I have those exact rear spacers sitting beside my front 5100s in the garage. Hoping to make some time or take to get installed in the next couple weeks. I'm going 2.5 in front and throwing those on back. Will eventually put 5100s on the back too. Check online. I was able to find them for 28.xx and free shipping on ebay. open box, but never used.

 

[MattAK]

Does Daystar KT09127BK will these fit 5th gen?

Yes. I have those exact rear spacers sitting beside my front 5100s in the garage. Hoping to make some time or take to get installed in the next couple weeks. I'm going 2.5 in front and throwing those on back. Will eventually put 5100s on the back too. Check online. I was able to find them for 28.xx and free shipping on ebay. open box, but never used.

I put these on my '16 TEP last week and they definitely fit. I only set my front 5100s @ 1.75 so I still have a bit of rake.

 

[Rhino11]

I put these on my '16 TEP last week and they definitely fit. I only set my front 5100s @ 1.75 so I still have a bit of rake.

I have considered 1.75 as some suggest aftermarket UCAs at 2.5. I believe the rule of thumb is 3 or more and you need them. That is partially why I haven't done much til now. But I have a feeling I would end up wanting to reset at 2.5 if I did not. I'm just going to make sure I find a good alignment shop/tech.