considering a lift - can i keep my tires?

theliman

Member
Looking for some advice and opinions here as I consider lifting my '08 4runner Sport.

I don't go off-road really at all, and don't plan on doing anything major. But I think the 4th gen sits too low and have been considering a spacer lift for a while. I had always thought if I did a 2.5/1.5 lift, however, I needed bigger tires or it would look stupid.

Then I noticed a 4runner in my lot last night with a lift. When I looked at the tires, I saw that they were 265/65/17s, the same size as mine. With what appeared to be a conservative lift and wheel spacers, I thought that rig looked a lot better than mine - even without larger tires.

Pictured is the lifted 4runner (white) and mine (black). Am I missing something? Are those tires, while the same size as mine, still more aggressive? Or can mine look similar with a lift and wheel spacers? I've been reading the site a lot but still have a few questions since things are always changing.

1 Are spacer lifts still reasonably well-regarded? Which kit is most popular now? I remember the Daystar was popular, but there was some kind of change in that lift kit that I read about (an easy install kit that changed "preload" and "topout" and other things I don't know about). Is it still a good option? Which model specifically should I get for a 2.5/1.5?

2 I am not handy. There is no way I can do this on my own. I was talking to a shop the other day, and they were very happy to do it for me. They seemed to think I should do a "real lift" because either way it's about $500 labor on their part. They were explaining the basics of XREAS to me. Is it ok to have a shop do this? If so, what should I make sure they know about XREAS or what steps should I take to protect myself?

3 I cannot afford $1100 for BFG All-Terrains yet. Do you think a 2.5/1.5 lift would look stupid with my current tires?

4 I don't know much about wheel spacers. Which ones should I get?

Many thanks!

Here is the lifted with 265/65/17:
lift1_zpsd6de8bda.jpg~original


Here is mine not lifted with 265/65/17:
4runner-1_zps684061ba.jpg~original
 
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If you haven't already, you should read over this thread:
4th Gen Suspension Options/FAQ tons of great information in there.

1) I saved up and skipped the spacer lift and went with the full on new suspension. I knew that I was going to end up there in the long run so just saved more and skipped the middle step.

2) I'm semi handy but don't have a garage full of tools - but a guy I work with does. I went to his place and we replaced everything in ~11 hours. Way longer then you'll see most people take. We hit a snag with getting the rear off and tried to use liquid wrench and hammers for ~45 min each side. We ended up getting a sawzaw and cutting the bolt off the top. Wish we would have jumped straight there. We also went to Advance Auto to rent a few tools. I'd be happy to help if you wanted to tackle it.

3) I bought the suspension over the summer and continued to save until I could put the tires on shortly after the lift. It was tough having the suspension sitting on the garage floor for ~6 months but well worth it to get it all done around the same time. With that said, I drove with the new suspension and stock tires for a few weeks. I actually liked it - a lot. Handled a lot better, drove better, and in general just felt better behind the wheel. Really regretted the tires because they are larger and a heavier. It still feels and looks good but the MPG hit hurt. There are also other options out there which are less then the BFG ATs. I'm stuck on them though as is my wife - sooo there wasn't really any other option for me.

4) I'm still sorting this out as well. I believe most here run SpiderTrax. I'm rubbing in the front about the time I have turned the wheel a full 360.
 
I've got an OME lift, and stock size tires on the stock sport wheels. I had 33" mud tires, at first, and then went back to my stock 31" tires for different reasons. At first it looked weird because i was used to the 33" MTs but very quick i got used to it and I like it. No one ever says it looks weird to me either, since they don't know the difference anyway. And still think the truck looks pretty beefy even without the 33s. My 33's were 12.5" wide and had good handling. The truck rides well now, but i think with it being taller maybe wider tires or spacers could make it feel a little better on the road. That being said, after i put 37psi in the tires that woobling feeling went away. So it might be proper inflation for me.
 
All - Thanks for the feedback so far. I think I'll have it done.

I'd be happy to help if you wanted to tackle it.


4) I'm still sorting this out as well. I believe most here run SpiderTrax. I'm rubbing in the front about the time I have turned the wheel a full 360.

Thanks for the generous offer! I moved away from Denver a couple years ago for grad school and never updated my location. I'll hold off from changing it back to Virginia since I hope to move back to Denver when I graduate in a few months.

Also, do you have wheel spacers now? A spacer lift itself wouldn't generally cause rubbing with stock tires would it? I understood this as a problem for those who have a lift with wheel spacers, but I could be mistaken.
 
Thanks for the generous offer! I moved away from Denver a couple years ago for grad school and never updated my location. I'll hold off from changing it back to Virginia since I hope to move back to Denver when I graduate in a few months.

Also, do you have wheel spacers now? A spacer lift itself wouldn't generally cause rubbing with stock tires would it? I understood this as a problem for those who have a lift with wheel spacers, but I could be mistaken.

Where are you in VA? I grew up there, went to college at RU, and lived in NOVA for ~ 5 years.

I don't have wheel spacers yet. I believe the wheel spacers would take care of my rubbing. I had some slight rubbing with stock tires but on a full turn.
 
Where are you in VA? I grew up there, went to college at RU, and lived in NOVA for ~ 5 years.

I don't have wheel spacers yet. I believe the wheel spacers would take care of my rubbing. I had some slight rubbing with stock tires but on a full turn.

Charlottesville, which is where I grew up. Did spend a couple years in Arlington!
 
Buy your parts slowly and avoid a spacer lift.

Eibach front springs 1.6'' lift $169
bilstein 5100s set at .85 lift $399
diff drop kit $30
eibach rear coils 1.5'' lift $169

you will get a 2.5'' lift requiring no ucas (saves ya $500)

yokohama geolanders $171ea $684+mounting and balancing, these days you can negotiate these fees.

For $1400 (you were going to spend $1100 on tires that last 35k miles) this is a sweet setup that will perform well both on and off road!!!

For this price this is a solid setup you will still keep your factory rake. There are more expensive setups but this is a solid option! Put some 265/70/17 yokohama geolanders and your ride will look sick. They are way cheaper last longer and better handling tires than bfgs.

With this setup you will still be in spec for alignment without ucas.

Heres a shot of the tires this set has 50k on them and ots of tread left.
<a href="http://s1106.beta.photobucket.com/user/Ridefast84/media/D854812C-0D09-4F86-88FC-428FE1EF5798-4405-0000077CCEB16495.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1106.photobucket.com/albums/h377/Ridefast84/D854812C-0D09-4F86-88FC-428FE1EF5798-4405-0000077CCEB16495.jpg" border="0" alt="Uploaded from the Photobucket iPhone App"/></a>
 
Buy your parts slowly and avoid a spacer lift.

Eibach front springs 1.6'' lift $169
bilstein 5100s set at .85 lift $399
diff drop kit $30
eibach rear coils 1.5'' lift $169

you will get a 2.5'' lift requiring no ucas (saves ya $500)

yokohama geolanders $171ea $684+mounting and balancing, these days you can negotiate these fees.

For $1400 (you were going to spend $1100 on tires that last 35k miles) this is a sweet setup that will perform well both on and off road!!!

For this price this is a solid setup you will still keep your factory rake. There are more expensive setups but this is a solid option! Put some 265/70/17 yokohama geolanders and your ride will look sick. They are way cheaper last longer and better handling tires than bfgs.

With this setup you will still be in spec for alignment without ucas.

Why Eibach front springs and 5100's at .85 instead of stock springs and setting the 5100's higher? (can't they go up to 2.5?). XREAS only has 60k on it but if the Bilsteins last forever..
 

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