How high can I.....

[opie74]

Lift the body of a 2001 4runner without disconnecting anything? I am not going after a body lift, I simply want to create some working room to go after rust on the frame and body. I will be taking it off the road while I do this, Im just curious how many inches I can gain prior to needing to start dismantling specific areas.

 

[Swede]

I'd suggest you skip lifting the body for this. Seems like an awful lot of work for something that you can pretty much get everywhere you need to by dropping the spare tire and fuel tank. Otherwise, you'll have to look at releasing the steering linkage and possibly the radiator (though you can probably get away with removing the lower shroud) and front bumper (to get at the body bolts) and you also may have to do the shifter linkage. Not to mention the brake lines, e-brake, and fuel hose. Then you've got to remove the inner trim and pull back the carpet to get at the body bolts too.

 

[opie74]

I plan to pull the bumpers off anyway as both ends of the frame and the bumper mounts need to be dealt with. I plan to coat the entire underside (as much as possible and the areas that dont get coated with grease or oil from normal maint) with a yet to be determined coating. Frame is in otherwise good condition other than the factory welds which is where the rust is present.

Nothing is perforated, its all surface right now which is why I want to deal with it. With the low miles it has on it and its general overall exceptional condition, Id like to prolong its life as long as possible. Son is 10 now and if I can get it to last until he starts driving, Id consider that success.

 

[Doc2012]

WITHOUT disconnecting anything?

1/2-1".

Anything higher you're going to need at least a steering spacer and rad drop brackets.

I'm running 1.5" and needed both, along with the bumper brackets. Until I did my engine lift.

 

[opie74]

WITHOUT disconnecting anything?

1/2-1".

Anything higher you're going to need at least a steering spacer and rad drop brackets.

I'm running 1.5" and needed both, along with the bumper brackets. Until I did my engine lift.

I am not wanting to lift the body so I can have a permanent body lift. I merely want to gain some working room between the body and frame to eliminate rust and re-coat everything. The body will be lowered back to its original point when I am finished.

 

[T4R2014]

I'm assuming you want to do this so you can get to the rear shock towers? Good question, I'd like to hear too. You might as well change out your rear shocks as well if you're going to go that far.

 

[Swede]

I'm assuming you want to do this so you can get to the rear shock towers? Good question, I'd like to hear too. You might as well change out your rear shocks as well if you're going to go that far.

I'm in the middle of doing this exact same thing right now and even with my 3" BL, that rear shock area is the worst area to get too but not impossible to get at by any means. If you just raise the rear end of the body in order to get at that area you could probably raise it 6 or 7 inches if you loosen off the fuel filler hose, fuel pump wiring, steering shaft, shifter linkage, and rear tail light wiring (?) IIRC.

 

[opie74]

I'm assuming you want to do this so you can get to the rear shock towers? Good question, I'd like to hear too. You might as well change out your rear shocks as well if you're going to go that far.

No single specific place I want to get to. Just want room all around. Rear shocks went in with the lift little over 1 year ago.