Anybody got a good lift set up that tow's well?

[AW199]

Just brought home my first 4Runner. I picked up a 04 Sport V8.

I am looking to get rid of the X suspension and lift it up a bit. I am going to do some towing on a regular basis and I'm not sure what lift would be best. I'll be towing 20ft trailer with 4-6 ATVs or snowmobiles and if my wife gets her wish, 17-20ft boat. I did some searching around and I didn't see much info on towing with the lift set ups that people are running. OME was brought up a few times, but just looking to see what everyone recommends.

If I can, I would like to have a nice ride unloaded. I really don't want to stress the front out to much with too high a lift either. Let me know what you think. Thanks.

 

[Rocket61]

Just brought home my first 4Runner. I picked up a 04 Sport V8.

I am looking to get rid of the X suspension and lift it up a bit. I am going to do some towing on a regular basis and I'm not sure what lift would be best. I'll be towing 20ft trailer with 4-6 ATVs or snowmobiles and if my wife gets her wish, 17-20ft boat. I did some searching around and I didn't see much info on towing with the lift set ups that people are running. OME was brought up a few times, but just looking to see what everyone recommends.

If I can, I would like to have a nice ride unloaded. I really don't want to stress the front out to much with too high a lift either. Let me know what you think. Thanks.

I really like my 895s in the back. Tow often. Had to get used to a stiffer ride unloaded but love it now.

 

[wnelax04sr5]

nice ride + load carrying capacity and id say go with a decent set of springs, not ome cause they're pretty stiff once you move into the 896/897 sets, and couple those springs with firestone airbags for load leveling if you want to minimize squat.

if you want the best load carrying capacity, i would make sure you have the receiver that ties into the frame rails, the full width one, a trailer brake controller, an potential a weight distributing hitch. [MENTION=86678]ebg18t[/MENTION] has a lot of knowledge on towing and WDH's, he's a great guy to ask about it.

As for what you're towing, I've used mine (04 v6 sr5) to tow 3 atvs, firewood, lawnmowers, etc. it handles it well, just balance and secure the load properly and you'll be fine, trailer brake controllers make a world of difference, as do the airbags, someone who has those would be [MENTION=44862]macoyle[/MENTION]

in the pictures i attached, the first two i have 5100's and icon rear 2" springs, the last photo is stock suspension with a 3/2 spacer lift

 

[macoyle]

I run the Toytec Ultimate 3" lift with the softer rear springs (Its been years since I ordered it and I dont remember which ones they were, but I went with the softest available). I also run the airlift airbags since I tow quite often and its not mandatory but it does help a LOT! In the picture with the Cutlass 442 on it, you can see the rear end is sagging quite a bit since I didn't have the airbags at the time. Then, look at the pictures with the 6x10 or the 6x12 U-haul. Those are both LOADED down and the truck sits just right with the bags.

Before airbags were installed:


After airbags were installed:







Now, since you are lifted, and looking at towing often, I would highly recommend getting a scan gauge or some type of gauge to monitor your trans temp. I also have an Aux trans cooler with an aux fan. Its a little overkill, but better safe than sorry-




Pics of the rear suspension:

 

[bzettler83]

I 2nd the AIR Lift 1000 Kit.

I tow a 23ft Mastercraft, and a 10x14 trailer with 3-4 ATV's fairly often and I like the ability to fill the air bags when towning, and deflate them when I want the soft ride back.

When I am towing I feel a considerable difference in the rear "sag" and stability of the vehicle with the air bags. Plus I dont sacrifice suspension flex off road when not towing.

I did go with an ARB Compressor over the air lift compressor because it offers the ability to add a locker (which I did) at a later date, and is a much nicer compressor.

 

[macoyle]

Now, IMO, this is the perfect setup for me. My back is completed $%#& and after 15 back surgeries I still have problems driving for an hour or more. The biggest issue for me is the constant bumps, so I have to have something that has a nice ride. My current setup is great, the ride is nice and soft, not harsh or jarring at all. Along with the airbags it allows me to do everything that I need it to do. I would highly recommend this setup, or something similar. The rear end is so soft that I could even tell when the tank was full or not lol.

The pictures above with the enclosed trailers probably weigh in around 4-5K loaded, plus about 1000-1400lbs in the 4runner including cargo and my wife and I. This should show you how valuable the airbags are!

 

[AW199]

So far the consensus is a good set of springs w/ firestone or Air lift 1000 bags. Toytech seems to be a pretty popular lift option. Anyone else got and input or ideas?

 

[CXS]

I have an OME suspension and tow a 3500-4000lb trailer quite often. Can't even tell the trailers behind me outside of the drop in mpg's. Rides great on and off-road and pulling. I highly recommend it with a weight distributing hitch and brake controller.

 

[macoyle]

Honestly the brand of the lift isn't the biggest determining factor. Its how you plan on building your entire system. If your wanting the easiest lift kit that will work while towing, your going to want a firmer suspension and heavier duty springs. If your planning on adding the airbags, then you can get as soft as a suspension as you want and you will still be able to have a decent payload and all of your towing capabilities the 4tr is designed for.

I would recommend the softer setup with airbags simply because it will give you the nicest ride on and off-road, better flex, and the airbags won't interfere. Its just a little more expensive up front.

 

[AW199]

I was looking on the Toytec site and I think a good option would be the Toytec springs front and rear on Bilstien 5100's. I would get the superflex in back and run air bags so I don't have to worry about my heavy tow loads. I am going to be putting in my brake controller soon for my 20ft trailer, so now worries on that. I also have the hitch that is bolted to the frame. I believe its the weight distrubuting hitch. The truck comes witha trans cooler so I think I should be good there too, but the trans guage is a good idea.

Anybody got input on this set up Toytec 2.5 springs front and rear on B 5100's?

 

[Toyotadude88]

I've got the complete heavy duty OME suspension package on my 07 V8. It is primarily used for towing a tandem axle trailer with 5k to 7k on it most of the time. Handles great while towing, it's a little stiff empty. It's been on since new with no issues.

Bought the OME setup from Slee..

 

[sasha11]

I have the factory RAS system and added a 3 inch lift easily.

 

[guardsred944s]

The Air Lift 1000 comes in a variety of sub-models, what size does everyone use? Does it depend on your rear spring choice? A lot of us run Superflex or OME, is there a difference in air bag sizes for these?

 

[macoyle]

The Air Lift 1000 comes in a variety of sub-models, what size does everyone use? Does it depend on your rear spring choice? A lot of us run Superflex or OME, is there a difference in air bag sizes for these?

I ended up calling airlift and they gave me the correct air bag number for the taller springs. I still haven't "upgraded" to those since I already had the normal 4runner/fj air lift airbags though. It really isn't needed. The only reason I called them was because when I installed them the bags were shorter than the springs but they function 100% still. So I think you would be just fine with either the taller or the normal air bags

 

[MandAtaco]

Do you have the number for those taller bags by any chance? Thanks!

 

[macoyle]

sorry I dont, if you call them they can help you out though

 

[thewestcoastguy]

I run the Toytec Ultimate 3" lift with the softer rear springs (Its been years since I ordered it and I dont remember which ones they were, but I went with the softest available). I also run the airlift airbags since I tow quite often and its not mandatory but it does help a LOT! In the picture with the Cutlass 442 on it, you can see the rear end is sagging quite a bit since I didn't have the airbags at the time. Then, look at the pictures with the 6x10 or the 6x12 U-haul. Those are both LOADED down and the truck sits just right with the bags.

Before airbags were installed:


After airbags were installed:







Now, since you are lifted, and looking at towing often, I would highly recommend getting a scan gauge or some type of gauge to monitor your trans temp. I also have an Aux trans cooler with an aux fan. Its a little overkill, but better safe than sorry-




Pics of the rear suspension:

Hi there, I was wondering if when you lifted your v8 4runner, were you able to keep the stock compressor to use with the aftermarket air bags? Thanks!

 

[Powder_Hound]

I pull a 25’ ( tongue to bumper) 5000 lb+ travel trailer about 6 times/ year. I went with an OME 885/Toytec RCC2.0HD combo with the recommended OME struts. This gave a 3 x 2 1/2” lift with a decent ride I’m usually loaded with gear so the added weight helps and it works great for off roading too! I run a Curt WSD hitch and as I have the towing package with my V8 I have the tranny cooler, better hitch and it’s prewired for a brake controller. I still have my Airlift 1000 airbags which I ran with stock springs and a Daystar lift, however I don’t inflate them for towing as they’re 1-2” short with the new springs.