Considering a 1.5-2" body lift

[jataga]

Hello everyone. I currently have an Old Man Emu 3 inch lift on my 1999 4Runner. I'm considering doing a 1"-2" body lift to reduce tire rubbing when off roading.

For those who have done this type of lift, were there any additional things you had to do like extending your steering linkage, readjusting your aftermarket bumpers, extending your gas tank nozzle, etc?

Any disadvantages to installing a body lift? I know there will be people here to recommend replacing my 3" suspension lift for a 4"-5" suspension lift but I'm only asking about the body lift in this thread.

Thoughts? Pros and Cons of a body lift. What am I not thinking of here...

 

[phattyduck]

A few thoughts:
- There is no such thing as a 4-5" suspension lift in the front. There isn't 4" of down travel from the factory up there. The rear geometry really gets messed up at those heights too.
- What tire size are you running? What offset or backspacing are your wheels?
- 1" body lift is perfectly fine. Above that likely starts to have downsides. You will need a steering spacer at 1", but the rest should have enough slack but may need to be adjusted (brake lines, breathers, wiring, shift linkage, etc.).
- Best geometry and travel happens more in the 1.5-2.5" suspension lift range. You will get WORSE performance off road (and on road!) above that unless you change a LOT of stuff.
- Front bumper is attached to the frame (needs adjustment with a body lift), rear stock bumper is attached to the body - only the hitch will look odd back there.
- Cutting, hammering and a heat gun will get you a lot more clearance up front too...

-Charlie

 

[jataga]

Thanks for the help Charlie. I'm running 285/75/16 (33") Firestone M/T 2s. No wheel spacers.

 

[Zhehan]

Wheel spacers make things worse in the front end. Look up "Scrub Radius" to see why wheel spacers are a bad idea.

 

[phattyduck]

Thanks for the help Charlie. I'm running 285/75/16 (33") Firestone M/T 2s. No wheel spacers.

A good alignment (max caster to push the hub forward) up front and a hammer and heat gun should get you clearance. 33's aren't crazy to fit.

-Charlie