Daily Driving a 3" lift questions

[KaiLoRunner]

Hey all,

Trying to decided between the Eibach or bilstein 2.5 versus the 3" Bilstein/Toytec.

I've been through a lot of pics of the different lifts and tires, but never with people standing next to them. I can see that it is taller, but can't judge how tall it really sits if your having to climb in and fall out every day like with my old Jeeps.

Those with the 3" lift can you inform me how you like it on a day to day basis getting in and out, loading gear, dogs, kids (babies, not kids that can climb in themselves), etc.

I'm planning the lift in March and want to do it once and the right way. I'm worried of getting the smaller lift on and thinking it's not that bad and then wanting the extra .5"

One last questions - Does anyone have 275's with the 3" lift? I've only been able to find a couple. Thanks!:high5:

EDIT: I don't care about MPG or Cost those I've researched a lot and have a pretty good idea and currently run 275 KO2's stock

 

[shrub1]

Everyone is different on comfort.
I am 3 inches up in the front and 2 in the rear.
Rig drives wonderful. My advice is to get load C tires. I am running 285/70/17 Nitto RG's with Icon stage 2 with SPC UCAs.
No kids to load, but everything is fine unless perhaps you are super overweight or have some other malady.
Going on 25K miles now and plenty of those were off road. Still drives smooth and rattle free.

 

[JSparky]

Right off the bat, running the same size tire before and after a lift doesn’t make sense to me. Either way, I wouldn’t go 3” unless you plan on getting caster corrected upper control arms for the front. Plenty discussed on this so feel free to search, it’s a good general guideline though.

Sliders are a big factor impacting ease of entry/egress on Toyota’s, lift alone isn’t too bad on these as the floor is flat, but bump out sliders make it more of a “reach” and many have complained of wet pant legs from sliders in rainy weather. If you’re loading stuff/little people frequently I’d forgoe sliders on that vehicle, at least those that stick out.

Jeeps have more of a “tub” body where you have to get up to get in, if you remember what I mean. My buddy has a TJ lifted 3” on 35’s and it’s harder to get into than my cruiser lifted 4” on 37’s. The cruiser floor isn’t perfectly flat like the 4Runner either, it’s that tub design in Jeep’s that really killls it for me.

Hope that helps.

 

[KaiLoRunner]

Right off the bat, running the same size tire before and after a lift doesn’t make sense to me. Either way, I wouldn’t go 3” unless you plan on getting caster corrected upper control arms for the front. Plenty discussed on this so feel free to search, it’s a good general guideline though.

Sliders are a big factor impacting ease of entry/egress on Toyota’s, lift alone isn’t too bad on these as the floor is flat, but bump out sliders make it more of a “reach” and many have complained of wet pant legs from sliders in rainy weather. If you’re loading stuff/little people frequently I’d forgoe sliders on that vehicle, at least those that stick out.

Jeeps have more of a “tub” body where you have to get up to get in, if you remember what I mean. My buddy has a TJ lifted 3” on 35’s and it’s harder to get into than my cruiser lifted 4” on 37’s. The cruiser floor isn’t perfectly flat like the 4Runner either, it’s that tub design in Jeep’s that really killls it for me.

Hope that helps.

To your first response, Tires are pretty new ,275/70r17 with 3,000 miles on them, so I'd wait until they wore down before buying 285's.

thanks for the input on the rest, I am very familiar with the tub design and the pain getting in and out. If I'm understanding your post right and the one above yours, then it sounds like even with a 3" lift it is not even close to being as bad as the jeeps were and I shouldn't need to worry to much.

 

[TRD PANTHER]

I added Cornfed 1.5”/1” spacers to my factory Pro suspension, which gives me 2.5” total lift up front with 1” rear. I’m running 275 KO2’s and I find it fairly easy to get in and out. I’m 6’3”. My wife who is 5’2” makes it in without too much problem and my 5 year old son climbs in the back car seat by himself just fine. I like the 275’s as I did not want to do a bmc, remove my mud flaps or modify my front fenders. My concern now is what JSparky mentioned about the sliders. I am installing my Shrockworks angled up, 3 tube, no tread sliders next week. They sit pretty close to the vehicle as compared to others and I don’t need them and don’t want them to be in the way for ingress/egress out of my 4Runner. They may be an advantage for my wife and son. We’ll see. Here is a pick of mine

 

[JSparky]

To your first response, Tires are pretty new ,275/70r17 with 3,000 miles on them, so I'd wait until they wore down before buying 285's.

thanks for the input on the rest, I am very familiar with the tub design and the pain getting in and out. If I'm understanding your post right and the one above yours, then it sounds like even with a 3" lift it is not even close to being as bad as the jeeps were and I shouldn't need to worry to much.

Not nearly as bad, in my opinion. That makes sense on the tires too, didn’t know they were so new. Maybe try to find a lifted one nearby to check out, it’s nothing like a Jeep though. Just watch out for the sliders if mounted.

 

[billnourse]

I have a ToyTec Ultimate that is set at about 2.5". It makes a difference getting in and out, but not enough to be a bother for me. I also load and unload photography gear constantly and have not found it to be an issue. For shorter people your mileage may vary. Putting small children in car seats might be a bit of an issue.

As far as a difference between 3" and 2.5, I doubt you will notice any real difference, but with the ToyTec Ultimate I think you have the option of more than 1 setting. I do have heavier springs in the front to accommodate the bumper and winch.


I have factory Trail running boards that I don't find real useful for egress and ingress. They stick out far enough that your shins will hit them on occasion. They do keep a lot of gravel and mud off of the rocker panels however.

I have not changed tire size and did not do the lift to get clearance to do so. I lifted to improve approach and departure angles of the front and rear bumpers. Tire size from 265 to 285 is only a lift of about 1/2" so it really doesn't account for much in the way of clearance.

You can argue that bigger tires look better, but I am more about function over form and don't need the aggravation of the speedometer being off and the loss of power when changing tires.

 

[Jbellah]

I added Cornfed 1.5”/1” spacers to my factory Pro suspension, which gives me 2.5” total lift up front with 1” rear. I’m running 275 KO2’s and I find it fairly easy to get in and out. I’m 6’3”. My wife who is 5’2” makes it in without too much problem and my 5 year old son climbs in the back car seat by himself just fine. I like the 275’s as I did not want to do a bmc, remove my mud flaps or modify my front fenders. My concern now is what JSparky mentioned about the sliders. I am installing my Shrockworks angled up, 3 tube, no tread sliders next week. They sit pretty close to the vehicle as compared to others and I don’t need them and don’t want them to be in the way for ingress/egress out of my 4Runner. They may be an advantage for my wife and son. We’ll see. Here is a pick of mine

Hows the ride after putting on the spacers and tires? Seems like everyone has an opinion on adding spacers some say do it some say dont but all I want is to just add more lift while keeping my brand new pro fox suspension. Also how much mpg difference did you end up with? Looks good btw

 

[kso818]

Im on a 3" lift in the rear and 2.25" in the front (raked to accomodate the sag when weighted down with gear) as well as sitting on 33" tires. I have 2 herniated discs, which don't cause to many problems on a daily basis anymore, but I generally have no problem hopping in and out. The sliders help with getting that extra push to get in. I just wish Toyota put a handle on the drivers side a-pillar like they did on the passenger side.

I don't have any kids, but loading gear in and out is fine. Getting gear on and off the roof, a little more difficult especially with the added height of the front runner rack. But not a deal breaker.

I have also had no issues with dogs getting in and out. Depends on your dog though.

 

[TRD PANTHER]

Hows the ride after putting on the spacers and tires? Seems like everyone has an opinion on adding spacers some say do it some say dont but all I want is to just add more lift while keeping my brand new pro fox suspension. Also how much mpg difference did you end up with? Looks good btw

The ride is decent. A little more responsive with the E rated tires and spacers as it preloads the springs slightly. A 'C' or 'P' rated tire would take some of the responsiveness out over bumps, etc. I'm not sure they have a spacer kit for the Fox setup yet. The tires, due to the weight made more of a difference on mpg than the small lift. I lost approximately 1-1/2mpg average with the tires and seems like another 1/2 mpg with the lift. I like that much of the nosedive is gone and it feels slightly better in turns. Everyone I have spoke with say the spacers, if not excessive, are just fine for normal off road use, which I plan on doing. I'm not going to be crawling over boulders like I use to in my previous 4Runner. I like the look and feel overall and would not go back to stock for a slightly cushier ride. Everyone as a different interpretation. Hope that helps.

 

[Jbellah]

The ride is decent. A little more responsive with the E rated tires and spacers as it preloads the springs slightly. A 'C' or 'P' rated tire would take some of the responsiveness out over bumps, etc. I'm not sure they have a spacer kit for the Fox setup yet. The tires, due to the weight made more of a difference on mpg than the small lift. I lost approximately 1-1/2mpg average with the tires and seems like another 1/2 mpg with the lift. I like that much of the nosedive is gone and it feels slightly better in turns. Everyone I have spoke with say the spacers, if not excessive, are just fine for normal off road use, which I plan on doing. I'm not going to be crawling over boulders like I use to in my previous 4Runner. I like the look and feel overall and would not go back to stock for a slightly cushier ride. Everyone as a different interpretation. Hope that helps.

it does help im not going to be doing anything crazy myself maybe a few times crawling but not much. Where did you buy yours from. I did check cornfeds website it shows they have them for the 19.

 

[TRD PANTHER]

it does help im not going to be doing anything crazy myself maybe a few times crawling but not much. Where did you buy yours from. I did check cornfeds website it shows they have them for the 19.

Burtman Industries. Talk to Jason. He is on the forum.

 

[KaiLoRunner]

Hey all,

Thanks for the responses and the photos. I was looking at the 2.5” and all your comments. I don’t believe the .5” will make or break how easily it is going to get in reading through the responses

With that said.. I made the decision to go with the 3” Toytec/bilstein lift and SPC UCA. I’ll be getting it installed soon and will post before after pics once it’s done.

Ok a side note: I was able to get in and out of a lifted 4Runner with sliders and can concur with a previous poster it’s easy to transfer dirt on to your pants if your not paying attention to it- this one has the step so it stuck out little farther

 

[shrub1]

Hey all,

Thanks for the responses and the photos. I was looking at the 2.5” and all your comments. I don’t believe the .5” will make or break how easily it is going to get in reading through the responses

With that said.. I made the decision to go with the 3” Toytec/bilstein lift and SPC UCA. I’ll be getting it installed soon and will post before after pics once it’s done.

Ok a side note: I was able to get in and out of a lifted 4Runner with sliders and can concur with a previous poster it’s easy to transfer dirt on to your pants if your not paying attention to it- this one has the step so it stuck out little farther

Congrats.
My bet is you will love it.

 

[deepsoutht4r]

3 inch lift for daily driver

i have the Toytec 3" coilovers w/ billstein 5100's on front with 1.5 in spacers on back and bilstein 5100's there too. been on for 5 months and love the sportier handling when cornering or braking, much less body lean. i have the stock Terra Grappler tires on it that came with the package and have no problem getting in or out of the truck(i'm 5ft. 5in. tall).

 

[matoolie]

You did right thing to get the UCA's. I had a 3"/2" spacer lift and was able to get alignment with factory UCA's. Now I have gone with a 3-3.5"/2" Dobinson setup and was no longer able to get alignment. Finally got the Dobinson UCA's after being on back order for two months and waiting to get alignment done, and I have been assured by Dobinson the alignment should go OK.

I am 6'1" and can climb in without using my sliders, but will hit the pants leg. My 5' 12 old son uses the sliders to step in.

 

[Bergz]

Hey all,

Trying to decided between the Eibach or bilstein 2.5 versus the 3" Bilstein/Toytec.

I've been through a lot of pics of the different lifts and tires, but never with people standing next to them. I can see that it is taller, but can't judge how tall it really sits if your having to climb in and fall out every day like with my old Jeeps.

Those with the 3" lift can you inform me how you like it on a day to day basis getting in and out, loading gear, dogs, kids (babies, not kids that can climb in themselves), etc.

I'm planning the lift in March and want to do it once and the right way. I'm worried of getting the smaller lift on and thinking it's not that bad and then wanting the extra .5"

One last questions - Does anyone have 275's with the 3" lift? I've only been able to find a couple. Thanks!:high5:

EDIT: I don't care about MPG or Cost those I've researched a lot and have a pretty good idea and currently run 275 KO2's stock

I went with the Toytec Boss lift w/UCA's and 275 K02's w/E rating - I took off the front mud flaps to eliminate rubbing - the ride is WAY better than the XREAS my LE came with. I do find the set up a bit harsher around town on the small bumps, crack or man hole covers, but once you get to bigger things like speed bumps, it's amazing. Also, the off-road performance of this set up is outstanding. I may switch to a C rated tire down the road (not certain however as the E's are way more durable) but I couldn't be happier with the ToyTec Boss kit. The new redesign w/UCA's is awesome... IMO

 

[pDubs]

i have the Toytec 3" coilovers w/ billstein 5100's on front with 1.5 in spacers on back and bilstein 5100's there too. been on for 5 months and love the sportier handling when cornering or braking, much less body lean. i have the stock Terra Grappler tires on it that came with the package and have no problem getting in or out of the truck(i'm 5ft. 5in. tall).

Wow those tires look TINY. Makes me wonder if keeping the 265s and going 2.5/1.5" will look like this or if it's because of the flares.

 

[KaiLoRunner]

Hey Everyone,

thanks so much for your help! reading on all the posts really helped me make the decision to go with with the 3" lift and I couldn't be happier.

I just got my 4runner back yesterday with a 3" Bilstein/Toyotec lift installed with SPC UCA's. The current tires are 275/70r17's and they dont look bad IRL. I will more than likely go one size bigger once these wear out.

 

[TRD PANTHER]

Hey Everyone,

thanks so much for your help! reading on all the posts really helped me make the decision to go with with the 3" lift and I couldn't be happier.

I just got my 4runner back yesterday with a 3" Bilstein/Toyotec lift installed with SPC UCA's. The current tires are 275/70r17's and they dont look bad IRL. I will more than likely go one size bigger once these wear out.

Looks good. Will look great with 285’s. I like the trail wheels without the black accents like yours.