First Car- Black '05 SR5 4x4, Need Suspensions tips/options

[whiteboy2255]

Got my first car today, and Im happy to say that I am now a T4R owner.

Im fairly new to cars, and wanted to know what my options are for lifting my 4runner. I'm gonna off-road a few times a month ,but not too often. I didn't know if I should go with spacers or a actual suspension lift. I am leaning towards a actual lift, but I have no idea what brand seems to be the best. I have heard good things about Toytec, OME and some others. Im was looking at maybe a 2" to 3" lift.

 

[Ashtonguyton]

Beautiful runner. What other mods are you looking to do to it? I'm the one to help with lift but your car would look good if you plasti dipped or painted the rims and get rid of all the chrome. But that's my opinion and $0.02. But congratulations on the buy and hope to see it lifted soon

 

[chaz]

depends on how much $ you have to spend, but if ya got about from 300- 800 i suggest one of these. Bilstein Height adjustable front and matching 5100 Rear shocks OME full suspension -- Click here for details shop around tho you might find it cheaper elsewhere

 

[wnelax04sr5]

the question you need to ask yourself before you buy anything is what kind of offroading you will be doing. each lift has its pros/cons, and you need to determine what terrain and speed you'll be encountering. rocks, mud, sand, hills, jumping, theres a "best option" for everything. so what kind of wheeling will you be doing? and we can go from there suggesting things. if you think you'll be going off road fairly often, then id skip right past a spacer lift, but if its gonna be appearance centric, then maybe id consider it. having run a spacer lift, i wouldn't do it again, so let us know your application and its easier to suggest

 

[ebg18t]

i would suggest reading the Suspension FAQ sticky: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/102272-4th-gen-suspension-options-faq.html

 

[whiteboy2255]

the question you need to ask yourself before you buy anything is what kind of offroading you will be doing. each lift has its pros/cons, and you need to determine what terrain and speed you'll be encountering. rocks, mud, sand, hills, jumping, theres a "best option" for everything. so what kind of wheeling will you be doing? and we can go from there suggesting things. if you think you'll be going off road fairly often, then id skip right past a spacer lift, but if its gonna be appearance centric, then maybe id consider it. having run a spacer lift, i wouldn't do it again, so let us know your application and its easier to suggest

A majority of my off-roading will be mudding, and maybe some hills and rcoks. The lift will also be for appearance (it just looks a lot better), but from what I have heard and read, I really don't want to have to consider getting spacers.
Im willing to pay up to $800 for a lift.

 

[oljedi11950]

Start saving cause once you lift you'll want tires . Do it once & won't waste your dough !!! Lot of nice pics & builds here , so if in no super hurry observe . Some have spent many $$$$$ so learn from their pain .

 

[thatoneguy]

For those that run spacer lifts, do you like em or loathe them? They seemed like a reasonable budget option. Do they trash the ride, or actually hurt something?

I have an '87 with ruined rear shocks and leaf springs. I don't even remember what a good ride feels like.

 

[ebg18t]

. Some have spent many $$$$$ so learn from their pain .

Yep. Started with spacers, moved to Bilstein's, then to OME setup, now on custom Fox's and I am happy.

 

[whiteboy2255]

Yep. Started with spacers, moved to Bilstein's, then to OME setup, now on custom Fox's and I am happy.

How did you like Blisten's?

 

[oljedi11950]

Bilsteins are good , matter of fact some for sale in classifieds might be cheaper that route then have xtra for tires !!

 

[wnelax04sr5]

How did you like Blisten's?

I've got 5100's right now, been on for a month in fact. compared to stock, absolutely love them. i have them all around, icon rear coils and fj front coils, bilsteins set to 2.5. the right tightens up for sure, but i wouldn't say becomes firm. i like to know the suspension is absorbing the bumps and working, but don't like the mushy feel of stock. off pavement, it is a much better ride, but obviously i lose front end flex as a result of the shocks being set up and the fj coils. but overall I'm incredibly happy, especially considering the investment i put in

 

[RallyBud]

Yep. Started with spacers, moved to Bilstein's, then to OME setup, now on custom Fox's and I am happy.

I have read a lot of responses like this the past 9 months or so since joining the forum. And, that is why I am going straight to King mid travel coil overs. They are being built right now. I'm pumped!!!

 

[ebg18t]

How did you like Blisten's?

They are your basic all purpose off the shelf setup. My last rig had Fox's and once you run a setup like that the other off the shelf stuff just doesn't compare.

If you are on a budget they are fine and will hold up.

 

[vegastoy]

I started with a daystar 2.5" spacer in the front to level out. It served it's purpose but the main problem i found offroad was the stock shocks/struts and springs were just to soft. It was difficult to take any dips or ruts at speed and not be smashing the bumpstops especially when I was loaded down for multiday trips. I don't drive hard or fast either just normal offroad driving. So now I'm running bilsteins with OME springs and Icon UCA's in front with toytec 2.5" springs and Icon non resi shocks in the rear. Feels like a whole new vehicle and I'm very happy. I'm sure some 2.5" coil overs up front with resi shocks in the rear would be better but for what I do I'm very happy with my current setup.

I would think you could piece together something similar for $800 if you stick with stock upper control arms.