I just want a little lift - what would be the best setup?

[robotkiller]

Thanks everyone for your replies. Let me tailor the question a little more.

Are there any Trail owners w/KDSS that have upgraded to the Bilstein 5100's? If so, how does this setup compare to stock?

For those of you that have run spacers, do you need front and rear or just front? Does your 4runner handle much differently with spacers or is it just 1 or 2 inches higher and pretty much handle the same? I do understand the higher you raise the vehicle, the higher your center of gravity.

I like the idea of a simple cost effective spacer lift although I will spend whatever I have to do it safely, effectively, and correctly the first time.

I too, only want it an inch higher...anymore will give me parking issues etc as I drive for work and am in the city allot and need to deal with parking garages, etc.

I have KDSS w/Bilsteins and a rear spacer. The Bilsteins have superior compression dampening and handle small bumps, chatter and large dips with better control than the stock struts. If you are going to the trouble of spending $200-300 to install a lift and alignment, I'd at least go with Bilsteins. Excellent bang for your buck.

I chose the 1.5 inch rear spacer because I have ~90lb of static weight on the rear end of my truck. Without that, I think a Cornfed 1 inch spacer would be probably be well matched to 1.75 Bilstein front end lift.


With the lift, my center of gravity is higher, so cornering is not as good as it was before when I'm really pushing it (which is not often). I don't notice it in daily driving and the car feels solid and doesn't wallow or feel boaty. Steering seems about as precise as before, maybe a hair less buttoned down.

The truck feels and looks bigger (in a good way) and ground clearance is definitely much better. I think it's a worthwhile upgrade. I may eventually ante up and go for custom coilovers, UCAs and 285s. We'll see.

 

[azn-sensation]

If it helps you any my lift was set at 2.5" when installed. With the 285 Duratracs it measures about 78" to the top of the side rails. I have parking issues too, but I'm able to fit in most places.

How tall is it from the roof to the top off the rack? I would guess 2-3" Im just trying to figure out whether my SR5 will fit in my garage. Thanks!

 

[4Funnr]

Now that Overland Warehouse is out of business, what are the options for a modest lift that is the next lowest step above just moving to Bilstein 5100s?

 

[brockeverly]

Now that Overland Warehouse is out of business, what are the options for a modest lift that is the next lowest step above just moving to Bilstein 5100s?

Toytec has a Radflo kit that will be very similar to OW kits. I would not call either of those kits "above just moving to Bilstein 5100s" though. They are full adjustable coilovers, that is a pretty big jump. I would say a better kit for just above 5100s would be an OME lift, then adjustable coilovers.

 

[Mick1]

another option, and something I considered for awhile, would be to keep the rear all stock and get coilovers in the front. I would choose Icon.

set them to adjust the front to match the rear height. later when you decide to get more height or 6 million other "reasons" you'll make for spending money, it'll be as easy as springs and shocks in the rear.

No wasted money on parts or labor. :guitar3:

Labor is the big cost. It is like painting with **** paint like Behr or something good like sherwin williams. A bit of difference in price but completely offset by all the time you spend prepping to do the actual painting.

 

[Dewfang]

I think I'm going to try the Bilsteins (set at 1.75") all around with stock front coils and Sway A Way 1.5" coils in the back. I saw a couple of pictures of 4shorerunner's setup that way and it seems like a good setup as far as lift goes. As far as ride? I'm not sure...

Another popular setup is the OME 884's in the front and OME 895E's in the back... either with stock shocks or Bilsteins or OME shocks.

This is what it looks like set up as quoted. To me it's perfect