Body lift question... I know I know I tried searching and read the info stickey

[ellner357]

So I found some rock sliders I like even located in Canada woot. But back on topic. My end goal is to get a small body lift 1"-2" and a 3" suspension lift. Right now I can't shell out for the suspension lift. I'd rather wait till I'm not on a tight budget so I can get it done and done right. But I can afford the body lift portion. Now my question.

I am thinking of getting a 2" I have the 1999 runner v6 automatic. I read 1-1.5" is pretty straight forward. But how much more work is the 2" If it's a real pain I won't bother but I figured I'd ask before I ordered. Also with the body lift what are the biggest tires I can get away with? (This is more curiosity and debate between me and a buddy lol)

Thanks guys

 

[curtperry]

If you are going to body lift then it's good to do it at the start of your build before bumpers and sliders so that they can match the body later.

Personally I don't think I'd ever go more than 1.5" on BL and I'd prefer to keep it at 1". With a 1" BL and some easy modification to the wheel wells (cutting and pounding) you can fit as much tire as you are going to need under there. I'm pretty sure the only thing you need to extend is the steering shaft.

Go higher and the radiator fan shroud starts hitting the fan so that requires relocation- beyond that I don't know but I'd imagine you have to start extending all kinds of things. There's also the consideration that if you do get a winch bumper then the higher your BL the more the winch is out of line with the frame, which means to mount the bumper right and have enough strength there is more time and/or dollars.

Edit: went to Toytec to see what they offer and found they include the steering extension:
Included in kit: 1" Body lift for 96-02 4Runner.
- Steering shaft extension
- Large UHMW Polyurethane spacers and grade 8 hardware.
- Can be combined with our 3" lifts.
- Does not include bumper relocation brackets (Rear bumper is attached to the body and therefore raises with the body)
*****2" body lift includes:
- Radiator drop brackets
- Steering shaft extension
- Large UHMW Polyurethane spacers and grade 8 hardware.
- Can be combined with our 3" lifts.
- Does not include bumper reloaction brackets (Rear bumper is attached to the body therefore raises with the body)

I thought more needed to be done for 2"... still think I'd go with a 1" BL personally. I'd like to do this and then take my front suspension lift down a notch for better CV and ball joint angles.

 

[ellner357]

If you are going to body lift then it's good to do it at the start of your build before bumpers and sliders so that they can match the body later.

Personally I don't think I'd ever go more than 1.5" on BL and I'd prefer to keep it at 1". With a 1" BL and some easy modification to the wheel wells (cutting and pounding) you can fit as much tire as you are going to need under there. I'm pretty sure the only thing you need to extend is the steering shaft.

Go higher and the radiator fan shroud starts hitting the fan so that requires relocation- beyond that I don't know but I'd imagine you have to start extending all kinds of things. There's also the consideration that if you do get a winch bumper then the higher your BL the more the winch is out of line with the frame, which means to mount the bumper right and have enough strength there is more time and/or dollars.

Edit: went to Toytec to see what they offer and found they include the steering extension:
Included in kit: 1" Body lift for 96-02 4Runner.
- Steering shaft extension
- Large UHMW Polyurethane spacers and grade 8 hardware.
- Can be combined with our 3" lifts.
- Does not include bumper relocation brackets (Rear bumper is attached to the body and therefore raises with the body)
*****2" body lift includes:
- Radiator drop brackets
- Steering shaft extension
- Large UHMW Polyurethane spacers and grade 8 hardware.
- Can be combined with our 3" lifts.
- Does not include bumper reloaction brackets (Rear bumper is attached to the body therefore raises with the body)

I thought more needed to be done for 2"... still think I'd go with a 1" BL personally. I'd like to do this and then take my front suspension lift down a notch for better CV and ball joint angles.

That's some awesome information! Thanks! I am torn If I could do the 3 inch suspension lift sooner I'd probably be more keen on the one inch. I eventually want an arb bumper but I honestly doubt I would be doing a ton of winching to be totally honest. So whatever I do when the time comes I'll still put the work into making the bumper solid and winch friendly. It's going to be a slow build but I want to do this truck right for DD and for fun!

 

[curtperry]

If you go with a 2" for now since you won't be buying suspension yet then you could always sell it later and go down to 1" or none. It's definitely the cheapest way to get 2" of lift with the least impact on handling, no need for an alignment. etc...

Just need to figure out how to raise the front bumper. I think some steel plate to relocate the bolt holes on the frame would work for that. I'm sure someone around here has done it.

 

[ellner357]

If you go with a 2" for now since you won't be buying suspension yet then you could always sell it later and go down to 1" or none. It's definitely the cheapest way to get 2" of lift with the least impact on handling, no need for an alignment. etc...

Just need to figure out how to raise the front bumper. I think some steel plate to relocate the bolt holes on the frame would work for that. I'm sure someone around here has done it.

I think the 4crawler sells mounts to raise the stock bumper and I'd probably get the kit from them. Not to mention with the arb if I kept the lift It looks like with some building I could use it as a winch bumper for my level of applications. Not so hardcore and lose the gap. Or I could drop to a 1" when I get the arb and the make the gap fairly small and mount the arb where it wants to be lol.

 

[ellner357]

2" 4 Crawler on order with the heavy duty hardware kit.

 

[Brian757]

Nice. I hope you enjoy your 2" BL!
I hate giving advise on body lifts.
I currently have a 3" body lift on my truck now.
I brought it to my local off-road shop. They charged me $800 but they did an amazing job. They literally relocated everything that needed to be moved or was stressing. My radiator brackets have been extended and they changed out various hosing and electrical.

It looks gorgeous underneath and I believe if done right, a 3" BL cannot do much harm... Other than buying sliders and bumpers of the kind.

 

[Swede]

I have a 3' BL on mine too and I wouldn't hesitate to do it again. Alot less work to do a 2" though. Oh and I've dealt with Roger at 4Crawler too and he was excellent to deal wit btw.

 

[ellner357]

Well as far as the sliders go they're not mounted and I want a little gap so that they can also double as a step. I don't mind losing an inch of ground clearance. This is a double duty rig so I'll live with the reality of needing a step cause I have a short girlfriend lol!

I'll be doing the instal myself but I've done one before. They're a pain but not out of my skill level. I really like the lift blocks 4crawler sells. The added width makes me feel a lot better about running them off road as well. I'm excited I'll be throwing my sliders and lift in as soon as I can and it'll be great a big make over for her!

 

[green 974runner]

Where in Canada

Who sells sliders in Canada I am looking for a set

 

[ellner357]

I got my from www.trail-gear.ca. I am waiting to pick them up on Monday from the courier. They were here the day after I ordered them!

 

[Swede]

I got mine from North Shore Offroad in Vancouver. Under $200 IIRC. They aren't a direct bolt on or anything as they come bare metal and you have to weld the legs on but it's still a great price!

 

[ellner357]

They're actually one in the same! I am dying to get them done. Thinking of powdercoat.