5th Gen 4Runner Lift Buyers Guide

[Sleeter]

Local tire and off road shops are telling me I can achieve the same look as an icon stage 2 with just a spacer lift. Is this true? All the really good looking rigs I click on state full suspension lifts. (For wife's car, not much off road)


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"Look" yes, function.... nope. If it were my wife's vehicle I'd leave it stock.

 

[BrokenCompass]

Thanks


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[2016 4Runner SR5]

Local tire and off road shops are telling me I can achieve the same look as an icon stage 2 with just a spacer lift. Is this true? All the really good looking rigs I click on state full suspension lifts. (For wife's car, not much off road)


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You can if all you care about is looks. Spacers ride like crap, can lead to shock shaft failure. They do get the job done, I've been there done that. There's a reason I only did it once and went with a ToyTec Ultimate kit this time around. Once thing I can tell you is the $1350 I spent on the kit was well worth it. Also got a great alignment on stock uppers, no need to replace them. At least not in my case anyway.

 

[BrokenCompass]

Did you install it yourself?


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[2016 4Runner SR5]

Yes I did on both occasions and many other occasions. I've built quite a few Jeeps before becoming a Toyota owner.

 

[stikky]

Hello Family, I just bought an 2011 SR5 (with leather, etc...) with 110k miles in very good condition. Thats 18k miles a year, the guy was a onroad salesman, thats the reason of high milage in 6 years. Looking in the black book and in the avarge sale files, that car should be sold for $18.000 plus tax, but I paid $14,500. My question is, what should I take care of? Whats the most important thing to look with 110k miles? The dealer will do a complete oil change in the car, sparks plugs, etc... This is not my first 4x4, I had own 3 jeeps in the past, XJ, TJ and JK 4doors (35", 3", snorke, etc etc etc.

I also hear that 100k miles in a toyota is nothing because of their reliability.

Thank You.

100k miles really is nothing, i got my first 4Runner at 70k miles, I still drive it.. it now has 275k miles, and all i've done is change tranny, breaks, oil, and tires. good choice on car selection..

i drive my 2017 SR5 premium on the weekends.

 

[2016 4Runner SR5]

So I've done a lot of searching on vibration after lift and it seems most people have issues at speed. After my lift, I have a slight vibration when leaving from a stop. Just a second or two, slight vibration in what feels like either the rear end of rear driveshaft. Nothing at speeds, nothing when slowing down, only when accelerating under normal to light throttle from a dead stop. If I mash it, it's smooth as glass. 2016 T4R SR5 4WD 3" ToyTec Ultimate kit with 285/70/17 BFG KO2 tires.

 

[sleevefullofaces]

So I've done a lot of searching on vibration after lift and it seems most people have issues at speed. After my lift, I have a slight vibration when leaving from a stop. Just a second or two, slight vibration in what feels like either the rear end of rear driveshaft. Nothing at speeds, nothing when slowing down, only when accelerating under normal to light throttle from a dead stop. If I mash it, it's smooth as glass. 2016 T4R SR5 4WD 3" ToyTec Ultimate kit with 285/70/17 BFG KO2 tires.

Try lubing your driveshaft and u joints.

 

[GrimReap3r]

So I've done a lot of searching on vibration after lift and it seems most people have issues at speed. After my lift, I have a slight vibration when leaving from a stop. Just a second or two, slight vibration in what feels like either the rear end of rear driveshaft. Nothing at speeds, nothing when slowing down, only when accelerating under normal to light throttle from a dead stop. If I mash it, it's smooth as glass. 2016 T4R SR5 4WD 3" ToyTec Ultimate kit with 285/70/17 BFG KO2 tires.

My lifted tacoma had the same issue. I always assumed it was the driveshaft. I put about 40k miles on it and it did it the whole time.

 

[SATSTRAIL]

So I've done a lot of searching on vibration after lift and it seems most people have issues at speed. After my lift, I have a slight vibration when leaving from a stop. Just a second or two, slight vibration in what feels like either the rear end of rear driveshaft. Nothing at speeds, nothing when slowing down, only when accelerating under normal to light throttle from a dead stop. If I mash it, it's smooth as glass. 2016 T4R SR5 4WD 3" ToyTec Ultimate kit with 285/70/17 BFG KO2 tires.

Interesting you say this because I have the exact same vibration/driveline shudder on light acceleration from a dead stop. It happens at around 1400 RPM. I have a 2016 trail with just over 2000 miles on it and bone stock suspension. The only thing I have done is added 275 BFG K02 tires but I have noticed this vibration since I took it home from the dealer. My OCD causes me to notice small things like this so I began thinking that it was an issue. On top of that a buddy of mine has a 2015 SR5 that when I drove it I do not notice the vibration. This was telling me that there was some kind of an issue with my vehicle....of course…

However before I took it in to the dealer I wanted to be able to compare apples to apples (sort of) so…

my wife's boss has a 2014 or 2015 trail edition lifted with TRD pro suspension and 285s on it. When I took his truck for a drive to compare I noticed it has the exact same driveline vibration/shudder for just a brief moment right around 1400 RPM. Identical to mine… My friends truck is an SR5 and my truck and my wife's boss' trucks are trail editions.... i'm chalking it up to being normal. Not sure what the difference would be between the SR5 and the trail though…

The vibration/shudder is even visible by looking at the transfer case shift lever while it is happening.... again I'm thinking it's probably normal. Though I suppose it couldn't hurt to shoot a pump or two of grease into the driveline joints as was mentioned by another poster. Though I doubt this would be the issue on a brand-new vehicle

 

[2016 4Runner SR5]

Truck came dry, shocker right? My 2016 Tacoma came with dry grease fittings also. I went over everything and greased it the day I brought it home however I now have 1600 miles on it so maybe some of that grease worked it's way in. I'll get under it one day this week or coming weekend and hit everything again. I'll post up with the results. I don't think it's normal, I believe it happened after the lift but I could be wrong since I installed the lift when the truck was only a couple weeks old. I'm 100% certain the dealer would blame it on the lift so I won't bother bringing it in. My 2016 Tacoma did it also, installed a carrier bearing drop and that did nothing to help it. Installed shims to clock the rear diff, didn't help. Who knows!

 

[Wifes_PreRunner]

thanks for this list!

Does any suggestions for buying the Bilstein adjustable shocks to level the front but I need some sort of spring or spacer for the rear to go with the shocks. any ideas?

 

[clweathers]

I have tried going back and looking for something in this thread that'd come close to what I'm trying to do, but it gave me tired head.

We are making a run to Moab in August and I'm planning on ditching the XREAS with toytec spacers on my '16 limited.

So far I think I've decided on the OME kit. But the spring rates have me a little confused on what I should order. I plan on running the vehicle on a daily basis with the Gobi/RTT, sliders and we are fabbing up a hitch mounted swing out spare tire carrier(think hitch gate, but a tad more stout). I was thinking maybe the 884/885 for the front, but with that much constant weight, would i be safe in running the 2898's in the rear?

 

[thebwlife]

I have tried going back and looking for something in this thread that'd come close to what I'm trying to do, but it gave me tired head.

We are making a run to Moab in August and I'm planning on ditching the XREAS with toytec spacers on my '16 limited.

So far I think I've decided on the OME kit. But the spring rates have me a little confused on what I should order. I plan on running the vehicle on a daily basis with the Gobi/RTT, sliders and we are fabbing up a hitch mounted swing out spare tire carrier(think hitch gate, but a tad more stout). I was thinking maybe the 884/885 for the front, but with that much constant weight, would i be safe in running the 2898's in the rear?

I think the 884/895 would be a good choice. Close to what I did.

Looking back I wish I would have done adjustable coilovers to begin with.

 

[2016 4Runner SR5]

So I have the ToyTec Ultimate kit and I have a question for you guys. If I hit something like a speed bump head on at maybe 10 MPH, I get what sounds like the coil spring sound. Almost like I can hear the spring load and slam back down if that makes sense. Nothing is hitting, plenty of room between the coil and sway bar, everything seems tight. I had this exact same sound with my 2016 Tacoma however I have a cheap bolt on coil spacer kit on that and assumed that was the cause. I spent the extra money to do it right on this truck and avoid this kind of thing. Anyone else experience this?

 

[mybabydaddy]

thanks for this list!



Does any suggestions for buying the Bilstein adjustable shocks to level the front but I need some sort of spring or spacer for the rear to go with the shocks. any ideas?

.85 front setting will level it more out but leave you with a tiny bit of factory rake.

1.75 front setting and nothing in rear will make level TO THE EYE, so fenders are level, but the frame will actually have about a 1/4 inch of NEGATIVE rake.

1.75 front setting plus 1 inch rear spacer will yield (again) a small amount of factory rake (but not as bad as stock) and put a mild lift on front and back. Ride will be quite a bit stiffer. (My current setup)

2.5 setting and nothing in rear will make you nose high for sure. Some will say that's not true, but I promise if they measured, it's nose high. Most guys add springs to lift the rear if they're going with this front setting... but it's not the only way to get it done.

These are not the only scenarios... but a general guideline that may be helpful.



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[Brimstone10]

Replace Toytec

I currently have a Toytec 3" leveling / lift kit on my 2011 SR5. (BEST SELLER! 3" FJ Lift Kit w/spacers and rear ToyTec coils)

I'm looking to replace it as it was installed by the previous owner and I'd like to upgrade a little. I'm looking to go with Bilstein 5100's all around. What all would be needed to level it out and lift it 2-3" inches? I've read of others putting the 5100's on the front and setting them to 2.5" or whatever the max is and putting 5100's on the rear with a daystar spacer. I dont believe I'd need a spacer in the rear since the toytec kit comes with a 2" lift via coilovers. It sounds like I'd just need to remove the front spacer and replace the front shocks with the 5100's set to max as well as replace the rear shocks with the 5100's. Am I missing anything, or would anything else be needed? Any help / info is appreciated.

 

[SATSTRAIL]

If you are happy with the current lift height on the rear as it currently is then your strategy seems sound.

 

[Brimstone10]

Ok, thanks for the reply. I like the height of everything as it is now, I'm just looking to replace / upgrade my shocks, especially being that I'm the 2nd or 3rd owner. As far as I know it still has the originals on it with 107k miles.

 

[doxiedad]

Took my 4Runner out for the first time this weekend. A couple of berms I scraped the skid plates, so that got me thinking maybe a lift would be in order. I found this kit. Toytec 3" would that be enough? It's a 2016 with 8,000 miles. It's 95% highway driving more than likely so I don't want to go crazy with the lift. I've seen other kits that include shocks, would I need to upgrade or are my stock ones good enough?