Cornfed offroading concerns
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- Start date
Thai
Elite Member
Edelbrock with IAS is an excellent shock choice...the only problem is that they are not available on imports, e.g. 4runner. They are just as good as Bilsteins, but are supposedly slightly more comfortable. I have no idea why but till this day, Edelbrock still does not make shocks for the 3rd gen 4runner. 
Good Times
New member
Since the OP called me out via PM:
1. glad you're having fun on the trails!
kudos to ya.
2. Body roll happens period. It's very hard to distinguish the vehicle in front of you vs your vehicle as speed/terrain/approach of terrain can significantly very the condition/reaction of your vehicle on the trail. So the person behind you stating this is definitely unreliable. too many variables to even make that determination.
3. you'll have no problems in terms of safety with your 2/1 (or with any other popular lift). the only concern is ensuring that the install was done properly and all bolts/nuts are well secured. otherwise the sky is the limit in terms of how much abuse you want to give to your toy. (well until something breaks that is)
4. Please don't mix and match OME's w/ the other lifts. The most I recommend is OME and trim packers but otherwise just either go w/ spacers or OME. You can spend your $$ on coilovers but I'd say that's definitely overkill for the average folks. nothing wrong w/ spacers so don't be depressed if you have em. they're good stuff just cheap. pays more to get more comfy stuff (makes sense right?)
OME's are mid level stuff. if you want better shocks look into higher quality shock mfg's. google is your friend. btw I always recommend OME's over your stock shock + spacers (just cuz it rides 100000% better). but it's not my $ so if you're on budget spacers work. (Hence the reason why they market them to a lot of peeps). Btw OME's have a life span roughly the same as stock suspension parts so over time they'll go bad too (it's expected... they're not lifetime nor are any other suspension parts)
5. CV angles on 4th gens... not even comparable to 3rd gen. we can easily go 3" of lift with ZERO* issues.
*the only issue you'll experience are a few squirts of lube coming out of the crappy hose clamps (easily replaceable with better hose clamps - literally - highly recommended if you encounter squirting). squirting of lube happens so don't freak out like you broke something. just repack if you squirted too much otherwise just tighten clamp and call it a day. wow this sounds pretty darn perverted lol.
note that when you lift your vehicle, your cv angle changes but it's nothing new for your suspension. even under stock suspension when it cycles and encounters the same angles as lifted. the only diff is the neutal standing position changes. think about this one and it'll make sense. so fear nothing you'll be fine. i will agree that "ideal" scenario to ensure durability and long life on your cv's is basically not to let it cycle and stay horizontal. Unfortunately that just won't happen. You enter a driveway, make a hard turn, or even abruptly stop, the suspension cycles and the angles of your cv will change. Excessive wear comes from the extreme angles it's subject to (on the lower and upper end) but this happens because it's a suspension part. don't forget that when you full lock (turn) you're at the extreme angles of the cv joint too so it doesn't necessarily have to be up/down but front/back. if the extreme angles were not designed to be sustained the designers would have lessened the angles so don't worry too much about em as they're unlikely to fall apart even under some harsh conditions.
note 2.. the chances of someone breaking these axles (front) are slim to nil on the trails. Unless you're attempting to drive it like you stole it on the rocks I doubt (seriously) that you'll break it. You'll prob break something else first. the axles are plenty beefy that it'll support really large tires (we're talking beyond 35" tires) so don't sweat about breaking your axles. the physics and the math says it won't happen.
note 3.. tacoma/fj share same suspension geometry. some minimal changes in parts (tie rod, swaybar) but otherwise pretty much the same front end. Hence the universal lift applications for the 4runner/fj/tacoma.
6. whether you modify your vehicle or not things break. this happens because you abuse your truck. (abuse = taking it off some beaten path where your suspension cycles more than on the pavement). this means get used to it! it happens. to avoid this be prepared and research a lot and learn how to repair your own vehicle. this is your best insurance policy cuz there's no way AAA will be out there in the middle of nothing to help ya out (well unless you flash a bunch of benji's). simple hand tools, fsm (factory service manual) and some spare parts can go a long way.
7. go out and have fun life's too short to get all scared and call it quits after a few boo boo's. it happens and it's all part of the fun. well until gas gets too expensive but still... go out and explore! so much land to conquer.
sorry for the long post. just got carried away... been awhile..
1. glad you're having fun on the trails!
kudos to ya.2. Body roll happens period. It's very hard to distinguish the vehicle in front of you vs your vehicle as speed/terrain/approach of terrain can significantly very the condition/reaction of your vehicle on the trail. So the person behind you stating this is definitely unreliable. too many variables to even make that determination.
3. you'll have no problems in terms of safety with your 2/1 (or with any other popular lift). the only concern is ensuring that the install was done properly and all bolts/nuts are well secured. otherwise the sky is the limit in terms of how much abuse you want to give to your toy. (well until something breaks that is)
4. Please don't mix and match OME's w/ the other lifts. The most I recommend is OME and trim packers but otherwise just either go w/ spacers or OME. You can spend your $$ on coilovers but I'd say that's definitely overkill for the average folks. nothing wrong w/ spacers so don't be depressed if you have em. they're good stuff just cheap. pays more to get more comfy stuff (makes sense right?)
OME's are mid level stuff. if you want better shocks look into higher quality shock mfg's. google is your friend. btw I always recommend OME's over your stock shock + spacers (just cuz it rides 100000% better). but it's not my $ so if you're on budget spacers work. (Hence the reason why they market them to a lot of peeps). Btw OME's have a life span roughly the same as stock suspension parts so over time they'll go bad too (it's expected... they're not lifetime nor are any other suspension parts)
5. CV angles on 4th gens... not even comparable to 3rd gen. we can easily go 3" of lift with ZERO* issues.
*the only issue you'll experience are a few squirts of lube coming out of the crappy hose clamps (easily replaceable with better hose clamps - literally - highly recommended if you encounter squirting). squirting of lube happens so don't freak out like you broke something. just repack if you squirted too much otherwise just tighten clamp and call it a day. wow this sounds pretty darn perverted lol.
note that when you lift your vehicle, your cv angle changes but it's nothing new for your suspension. even under stock suspension when it cycles and encounters the same angles as lifted. the only diff is the neutal standing position changes. think about this one and it'll make sense. so fear nothing you'll be fine. i will agree that "ideal" scenario to ensure durability and long life on your cv's is basically not to let it cycle and stay horizontal. Unfortunately that just won't happen. You enter a driveway, make a hard turn, or even abruptly stop, the suspension cycles and the angles of your cv will change. Excessive wear comes from the extreme angles it's subject to (on the lower and upper end) but this happens because it's a suspension part. don't forget that when you full lock (turn) you're at the extreme angles of the cv joint too so it doesn't necessarily have to be up/down but front/back. if the extreme angles were not designed to be sustained the designers would have lessened the angles so don't worry too much about em as they're unlikely to fall apart even under some harsh conditions.
note 2.. the chances of someone breaking these axles (front) are slim to nil on the trails. Unless you're attempting to drive it like you stole it on the rocks I doubt (seriously) that you'll break it. You'll prob break something else first. the axles are plenty beefy that it'll support really large tires (we're talking beyond 35" tires) so don't sweat about breaking your axles. the physics and the math says it won't happen.
note 3.. tacoma/fj share same suspension geometry. some minimal changes in parts (tie rod, swaybar) but otherwise pretty much the same front end. Hence the universal lift applications for the 4runner/fj/tacoma.
6. whether you modify your vehicle or not things break. this happens because you abuse your truck. (abuse = taking it off some beaten path where your suspension cycles more than on the pavement). this means get used to it! it happens. to avoid this be prepared and research a lot and learn how to repair your own vehicle. this is your best insurance policy cuz there's no way AAA will be out there in the middle of nothing to help ya out (well unless you flash a bunch of benji's). simple hand tools, fsm (factory service manual) and some spare parts can go a long way.
7. go out and have fun
life's too short to get all scared and call it quits after a few boo boo's. it happens and it's all part of the fun. well until gas gets too expensive but still... go out and explore! so much land to conquer.sorry for the long post. just got carried away... been awhile..
simple said:
00328
Senior Member
Re: Re: Cornfed offroading concerns
Good Times gives great advice.
I can't speak to the Cornfed spacer lift, but I always knew I was going to do a lift. Question was which one. I went round and round for probably a couple years reading every lift thread trying to figure out what the best way for me to go.
I was pretty much all set to get the big money coilovers. Then Good Times posted some sage advice in one of my questions about lifts.
Long story short, I just got the OME lift that Good Times recommended. I have driven my Xreas equipped 4R for three years and the OME suspension is just flat out better.
I realize this lift is not for everyone, but if you are considering a 2/1 spacer lift, one inch more is of no consequence.
My advice is to scrape up the extra dough and go OME!
I have only had my lift on for 3 months now but I am impressed and my CV angles look just fine.
Good Times said:
Good Times gives great advice.
I can't speak to the Cornfed spacer lift, but I always knew I was going to do a lift. Question was which one. I went round and round for probably a couple years reading every lift thread trying to figure out what the best way for me to go.
I was pretty much all set to get the big money coilovers. Then Good Times posted some sage advice in one of my questions about lifts.
Long story short, I just got the OME lift that Good Times recommended. I have driven my Xreas equipped 4R for three years and the OME suspension is just flat out better.
I realize this lift is not for everyone, but if you are considering a 2/1 spacer lift, one inch more is of no consequence.
My advice is to scrape up the extra dough and go OME!
I have only had my lift on for 3 months now but I am impressed and my CV angles look just fine.
