Billstein shock lift + body lift?

[Sup41]

First off, I am the proud new owner of a shiny 2002 4runner. This is my first thread and i'm pumped to have a resource like this.

So i've been exploring inexpensive lift options (with ground clearance) and I was talking to the local off road mechanic. He said for 1k he'll install the adjustable billstein 5100's that will give me about 2 1/2 inches of clearance. I then asked about a full suspension to get 3 +" and he quoted me around 3k.

Then I thought...what if we do those shocks + a body lift..but he's saying with body lifts you've gotta move the bumper, the steering rack, and a whole host of other things. I hadn't read that....is that true? I know body lift won't give me ground clearance..but aesthetically i'd like a little more height than 2 1/2".

Ideas? Thoughts?

Thank you!

 

[JohnMc]

I have a 1" body lift on mine (clearance for tires). I think the first two items pretty much covers it, there's nothing else. Certainly not a 'whole host' of them.

The front bumper mounts to the frame, when you lift the body there will be a 1" gap between it and the grille/headlights. This doesn't look right, but then again, it doesn't look that bad. It's pretty easy to fix if it bothers you.

My body lift also came with a 1" spacer for the steering rack, plus longer bolts to match. Just unbolted the steering column at the rack before the lift, and then installed the spacer afterwards.

Other than that all the places where brake lines go between the body and frame there are springy coiled sections that are very easily capable of handling the 1" lift. There are no issues with wiring or fuel lines, there's plenty of slack everywhere.

I have a manual trans and I did move the lower shifter boot plate back by about an inch as well to help with clearance in 2/4/R gears. That was just drilling 4 holes in some sheet metal.

It's a pretty easy install, I just did one side at a time. I spent the majority of the time on one single body mount bolt that was frozen in place (front most mount on the driver's side). Both ends of it broke off, normally that's a victory because you just remove the middle section and party on, but in this case that part was frozen *solidly* in place with rust and wouldn't let anything move. Plus access to it was horrible. *GRRRR*

 

[jgue467]

...I then asked about a full suspension to get 3 +" and he quoted me around 3k.

Then I thought...what if we do those shocks + a body lift..but he's saying with body lifts you've gotta move the bumper, the steering rack, and a whole host of other things. ...

Well that is Very expensive quote, not sure why. If I were you, I'd get some other estimates.

A BL kit from FatPats is about $130 with the front bumper brackets. You could do it yourself in about 2-3 hours, just a few bolts and a couple jacks involved. Besides the front bumper brackets (could do with/out but would have gap above front bumper), there is NOTHING else necessary to do with either a 1 or 1.5" lift. Luck and enjoy the Cali weather! :cowboy:

 

[Chief Yota]

So i've been exploring inexpensive lift options (with ground clearance) and I was talking to the local off road mechanic. He said for 1k he'll install the adjustable billstein 5100's that will give me about 2 1/2 inches of clearance. I then asked about a full suspension to get 3 +" and he quoted me around 3k.

Adjustable 5100 bilsteins run for about $230... I'd shop around for another shop unless your feeling generous.

 

[rkntoy]

Adjustable 5100 bilsteins run for about $230... I'd shop around for another shop unless your feeling generous.

Find out what exactly he is going to install. If the shop is just throwing on Bilsteins and reusing your stock springs and throwing spacers on back it is expensive. Drive up to Bend and I will do that and a 1" body lift for $999.

If you are swapping new Bilsteins on the front, you should put new longer shocks on the rear. And I would at least throw some 1999 springs on the front. In the back you can get away with a spacer but it would be better to throw a set of springs on - which ones depend on what you plan on doing with the 4Runner. Lots of threads (too many actually) on that.

I have the Bilstein fronts with Tundra TRD springs and back is Bilstein with a set of OME 890 springs. All from Wheelers Offroad. And I have a 1" body lift.

 

[Sup41]

Thanks for the info. The 1000 price is for all 4 shocks to be replaced and put at their maximum height, and then an alignment. No body lift.

Sounds like I need to do some shopping around?

Find out what exactly he is going to install. If the shop is just throwing on Bilsteins and reusing your stock springs and throwing spacers on back it is expensive. Drive up to Bend and I will do that and a 1" body lift for $999.

If you are swapping new Bilsteins on the front, you should put new longer shocks on the rear. And I would at least throw some 1999 springs on the front. In the back you can get away with a spacer but it would be better to throw a set of springs on - which ones depend on what you plan on doing with the 4Runner. Lots of threads (too many actually) on that.

I have the Bilstein fronts with Tundra TRD springs and back is Bilstein with a set of OME 890 springs. All from Wheelers Offroad. And I have a 1" body lift.

 

[JohnMc]

The rear shocks don't set suspension ride height. He might be using a spacer on the springs?

Spacer lifts aren't all that great if you want to off road it, they're mostly just for looks.