I have to lower my moms 4 runner (medical reasons)

[Cole T]

I agree that the running boards are pretty strangely located as they are only a few inches lower than the doors. What about an amp research "power step"? When she opens the door, the step will automatically fold out and be only about 10" above the ground. They're pricey, but I'm sure you might be able to find a cheaper alternative that does the same thing. Link below.

Quality AMP Research Powerstep & Truck Running Boards | AMP Research

 

[3rd gen Mattie]

To address some of the replies I’m 2 states away so I can’t drive her to all her appointments , and you would not catch her dead in a minivan her & my Father would bait people to race them because she was a girl in the 60’s out running
The boys in my teens she passed me going the opposite way in her Audi Quattro so fast it rocked my car so no minivan in her future

 

[IBallEngineer]

To address some of the replies I’m 2 states away so I can’t drive her to all her appointments , and you would not catch her dead in a minivan her & my Father would bait people to race them because she was a girl in the 60’s out running
The boys in my teens she passed me going the opposite way in her Audi Quattro so fast it rocked my car so no minivan in her future

Personally, at stock height I think NO running boards are a better option. They tend to get in the way for entry/exit.

 

[Mudeprived]

I believe you can still keep stock shocks with a lowered spring as long as you leave the bumpstops alone. You will probably be riding the bumpstops more often than usual though.

I say stick the smallest tire you can mentally endure and see how much height you lose then do suspension if you need to drop it more.

 

[AntleredRuin]

Yeah, I feel like comfortably lowering would be just as much work as comfortably lifting (if not more).

I'm not sure, but Toyota likes to use compatible parts across a lot of its vehicles, so maybe frankensteining something from an early Highlander would be an option.

You could always swap in a set of used 01-02 shocks and springs and trim the bumpstops back, but the ride quality would probably be pretty unbearable.

 

[Dezert4Runner]

You’d almost need a shorter coilover and bumpstop because if you trim the bumpstop to allow more up travel, it will bottom out on the shock and we all know that’s one way how LBJ’s fail quicker. Of course this is usually caused by lifts using top plate spacers, which essentially lengthen the shock and make the LBJ take the bottom out instead of the bump stops.

Seems like if you’re leaving the bump stops alone you could either use shorter springs (like the Burtman lowering springs or just use some 01-02 assemblies). The idea of Highlander coilovers is a step in the right direction but they use Macpherson struts up front so that won’t work. So do the older Rav4’s. Any other stock Toyota SUV’s that might work?

I ran across these lowering coilovers for a 01-07 Sequoia. I can’t find any photos of the finished product but they might be an option. They look like a shorter assembly, so maybe you could trim the bump stops or replace them with a low profile one from Daystar or Energy Suspension. Maybe getting a hold of Chassis Tech will provide more info if you wanted to go this route.

https://www.airbagit.com/mobile/pro...agit.com:80/product-p/coilstruts-171348a.htm=