'98 Limited... Coilovers or Sonoran lift?

[YFZsandrider]

I recently went on the search for a 3rd gen 4Runner with plans to lift and build a DD/mild expedition and weekend wheeler vehicle. I picked up a '98 Limited that the previous owner put 285/70 A/Ts on 17" FJ wheels, with stiffer coils, Koni Monomax shocks, and aftermarket oversized sway bars front and rear... so it corners very flat, but has a rough ride. Not my cup 'o tea.

Here's what the rig looks like right now...

The more I look at lifts, the more I'm overwhelmed and a little confused about what I should get.

At first, I was pretty well set on getting a Toytec BOSS coilover kit... then I started looking at Icon Vehicle Dynamics. However, Icon doesnt offer a rear suspension solution.

I want this vehicle to wheel quite well, but also be half way tolerable on the street.


So, questions are...

1. If the offroading I do is alot more forest service road driving and slow rock climbing, would I benefit much from anything with a remote reservoir? or is there any reason to spend as much as Icon systems go for, when it only takes care of the front suspension? ...or would a Toytec BOSS system meet my needs?

2. How does a Sonoran 1.2 or 1.3 compare to a coilover setup? I like the idea of the adjustability in a coilover system. But what does a Sonoran kit offer in flex compared to a coilover system?

3. Contrary to some, I dislike the look of the 17" FJ wheels, and plan on a 16 or 17" wheel wrapped in Duratracs. I need to also swap on some 231mm Tundra calipers.. so, is the fitment issue with some wheels, only a matter of the spokes rubbing? Meaning that the fitment is fixed with wheel spacers? If thats the case, won't I likely be running wheel spacers regardless in order to fill out the Limited flares?

I know thats a lot of questions guys, so thanks!

 

[BrianSD_42]

Why don't you just call Steve at Sonoran Steel on Thursday.

Then afterwords call ToyTech.

I would say more but I'm at gym.

I have SS 1.2 and am quite happy.

 

[dirtbike250x]

From what I've read in your post I think you would benefit from a lift consisting of coilovers from toytec, and some OME (890 or 891 for added weight) rear coils along with shocks.

From what it seems, the truck wont see any terrain where the much more expensive ICON stuff is close to being needed. So my advice is stick to the traditional lift parts. They ride great, much better than worn stock components, plus give you more than acceptable off road performance.

I have no experience with the Tundra brake upgrade so hopefully someone else will chime in

I assume your a quad rider?

 

[mrtucker80]

How much lift are you after? I have been rolling around the same type thoughts lately and my 98 LTD is my DD. I bought a stock highlander suspension a few months back and I have bounced around a number of the same options and I think for now I am just going to throw that on with a set of toytec top side spacers and see how it goes.

I will have to agree that unless you are just looking to burn some $$, then I wouldn't jump in on any SAW, ICON, FOX, etc CO's. I like the idea of them, but I just can't see dropping that kind of cash on something that I am likely never going to see any benefit from.

 

[YFZsandrider]

I'm wanting 2-3" of lift, something that can fit around 33" or 285 size tire.

 

[BrianSD_42]

I'm wanting 2-3" of lift, something that can fit around 33" or 285 size tire.

The SS 1.2 is pretty much the min lift (2.5" & 3.5" rear) I would go with for 33s.

 

[Millerad1651]

I would go with the suggested ToyTec coilovers in front, and OME 890s (891s if you plan on hauling heavier loads) w/ some Bilstein 5100s in back. That will get you the lift required to clear 285s, and will be a little less than the SS kit. Although you don't get a few of the extras, they're not 100% needed.

As for wheels, many aftermarket wheels fit. If you look up BigFishAllDays thread, he has a list of known wheels. I've found that an aftermarket, 16x8 wheel, 4.5" backspace and -6mm offset fit almost perfectly. It clears the UCA, widens the stance, fills the wheel well, and has minimal rubbing with a 3"lift. With a limited you may have to trim the front bumper flare a bit.