I know it's been asked... but I need help!

[BackpackingDad]

Confession: I'm not a car guy but I'm trying to learn. I'm new to the forum and have spent hours trying to understand the difference between spacers, springs, shocks and struts. But what I want to do seems different than what most people are doing. My 2012 SR5 is my daily commute. But it's also my getaway vehicle when I go backpacking with my boys, which often includes sections of 4wd roads. I hope to do more trips exploring mountain back roads with the family that are not accessible with 2WD vehicles. I am on a budget and so I can't afford the domino of suspension, wheels and tires. I currently riding on Michelin AT2 tires (P265/70/17) that were new when I purchased my used 4Runner. Bottom line... I don't want a 4Runner that looks like all the others. I want some more clearance for exploring off road. I want a good ride for daily commute. So how do I go about getting a 1.75-2inch lift in the front and a 1-1.5inch in the rear? Can I do this and accomplish my goals? I know it's not a full lift with larger tires like most people do, but I think this will work best for me. Am I crazy or does this sort of make sense? Any help would be appreciated and thank you for your patience as I try to work my way through the encyclopedia of information on this forum.

 

[ST1FLER]

why lift it unless you are gonna run larger tires? 265s with a 3" lift has the same pumpkin clearance and 265s and no lift

 

[BobsTrail]

:iagree:

Bilstein 5100s in front set to 1.75 or 2.5 and 1 or 1.5 inch spacers in the rear. Add 5100s to the rear also, it helps with better control off-road. The next step up is 285/70/17 tires..

 

[MTN4RNR]

Nothing wrong with some self education! I would start here: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/65893-post-your-lifted-pix-here.html

There are a lot of photos, and specifications on what was installed/build threads etc. I would start looking over the different rigs to see how you want your rig to look. There are also a bunch of helpful people on this forum that will probably weigh in after me. Good luck!

 

[Intruder]

Replacing your current tires with a good set of AT or MT tires in stock size will do far more for off road capability than lifting an inch or two.

 

[BackpackingDad]

Thank you

why lift it unless you are gonna run larger tires? 265s with a 3" lift has the same pumpkin clearance and 265s and no lift

Well... that's why I'm asking the question. I don't have the knowledge or expertise to know those facts. Thank you for making a valid point. So what I hear you saying is that my lift idea doesn't give me any more clearance than what I already have. Bummer!

 

[bane]

In other words, in order to get more ground clearance you need taller tires.

 

[Engineer]

[MENTION=131488]ST1FLER[/MENTION] said it exactly, just puting a suspension lift on wont gain you ground clearance. For your needs I would say a stock size set of AT tires would be the most bang for the buck. You can consider selling your current tires on Craigslist to get more cash then what the local tire store will likely offer.

No question is a stupid question as long as you have put some effort into searching/trying to understand. Welcome aboard

 

[BackpackingDad]

Replacing your current tires with a good set of MT tires in stock size will do far more for off road capability than lifting an inch or two.

So what I'm learning is that I've got my order wrong if I'm trying to do this in the most affordable step by step process. Apparently, I need to start by either wearing my new Michelins out and replace them or trade them in for larger tires. Then... I do a lift that fits the new tires. Can I use the same wheels or do those have to be upgraded as well? I'm beginning to think I can't afford this domino after all. Again... grateful for the patient assistance.

 

[MTN4RNR]

Well... that's why I'm asking the question. I don't have the knowledge or expertise to know those facts. Thank you for making a valid point. So what I hear you saying is that my lift idea doesn't give me any more clearance than what I already have. Bummer!

It wont increase the ground clearance between wheels on the same axle, but it can increase your break over angle and your approach and departure angle. i.e. you will be able to go up a steeper incline without dragging your hitch or scraping your front bumper. So it is not a lost cause to get a lift, I guess it just depends mostly on what kind of performance you are expecting from your T4R.

 

[Intruder]

So what I'm learning is that I've got my order wrong if I'm trying to do this in the most affordable step by step process. Apparently, I need to start by either wearing my new Michelins out and replace them or trade them in for larger tires. Then... I do a lift that fits the new tires. Can I use the same wheels or do those have to be upgraded as well? I'm beginning to think I can't afford this domino after all. Again... grateful for the patient assistance.

Nope, I'm saying just replace your tires and forget the lift. A stock 4Runner is pretty capable, especially with the right tires. You don't need to worry about suspension upgrades unless you start getting into some more advanced off road trails.

 

[Engineer]

QUOTE=BackpackingDad;2153693]So what I'm learning is that I've got my order wrong if I'm trying to do this in the most affordable step by step process. Apparently, I need to start by either wearing my new Michelins out and replace them or trade them in for larger tires. Then... I do a lift that fits the new tires. Can I use the same wheels or do those have to be upgraded as well? I'm beginning to think I can't afford this domino after all. Again... grateful for the patient assistance.[/QUOTE]

You are on the right track but for the record the stock 4runner with a set of All Terrains or Mudd Terrains is going to be far more capable then what you are as a driver (myself included). In the world of off-road driving experience and common sense goes a lot further then small modifications.

You really don’t need any extra ground clearance, the type of tyre (sorry couldn’t resist) is going to be more helpful then the size within reason. You can have discount tire mount the new tires on your current rims and they will work just fine. My 2 cents if you feel your current 4runner is not able to get you where you want to go or you want to have more insurance that you will make it in/out I would

*Get a set of All terrain tires in the stock size to minimize hit to gas milage, ride, power loss etc
*Get a shovel/traction mats if you are going on your own
*Get a decent portable air compressor to allow to air down (~20psi) when driving on rough off road roads – helps for traction, ride, damage to the trail

*ALWAYS let someone know where you are going and when to expect you back

Enjoy the ride and backpacking with your sons

 

[ST1FLER]

Well... that's why I'm asking the question. I don't have the knowledge or expertise to know those facts. Thank you for making a valid point. So what I hear you saying is that my lift idea doesn't give me any more clearance than what I already have. Bummer!

no worries, the lift does do things like look cool, provide clearance for larger tires and whileit does help with break over/approach/departure unless you pair it with larger tires really it is a minimal improvement. for what you describe I would drive it as is right now and see just how capable it is in present form. Adding AT tires would be step #1 and in my personal opinion once you drive it and see other rigs you will want to lift it so why not just hold tight, save up and do it right? Icon on 285s

 

[nadalem0]

Like everybody has said - a lift with stock size tires will not change ground clearance. I would recommend just a good set of off-road tires and go from there. Getting rid of the stock worthless tires was my first move and the Duratracs have yet to let me down. The runner in stock form is super capable and can handle about 97% of whatever you throw at it. If you decide to get super into it and have started to hit the limits of what your 4Runner can do in stock form with just a change in tires then it is time to start spending serious time on here and some serious cash.

 

[T4R2014]

He already has a nice set of A/T's on it.

 

[Engineer]

He already has a nice set of A/T's on it.

Didn't catch that in the 1st post! Should be all set then

 

[enapa]

Get some goodyear wrangler duratracs and call it a day.

 

[BackpackingDad]

Like everybody has said - a lift with stock size tires will not change ground clearance. I would recommend just a good set of off-road tires and go from there. Getting rid of the stock worthless tires was my first move and the Duratracs have yet to let me down. The runner in stock form is super capable and can handle about 97% of whatever you throw at it. If you decide to get super into it and have started to hit the limits of what your 4Runner can do in stock form with just a change in tires then it is time to start spending serious time on here and some serious cash.

Thanks to everyone for the input. My takeaway is this: Go big or go home.

If I want the look and off road clearance capability of a lifted 4Runner, I need to save my money and do the suspension and tires at the same time. Since I have AT tires and a limited budget, I might be best served with driving as is until I encounter something I can't do.
That being said, what about just leveling the front. I understand that I don't gain clearance but I think I like that look better. I have also noticed on hard brakes, the front end takes a nose dive. Would a leveling kit help that issue or am I just a bad driver.

 

[ST1FLER]

I have also noticed on hard brakes, the front end takes a nose dive. Would a leveling kit help that issue or am I just a bad driver.

nope. if you preload the coil with a spacer it would stiffen it a tad, but anything short of new coils/shocks isnt gonna do much

 

[ToyotaDoodz]

Confession: I'm not a car guy but I'm trying to learn. I'm new to the forum and have spent hours trying to understand the difference between spacers, springs, shocks and struts. But what I want to do seems different than what most people are doing. My 2012 SR5 is my daily commute. But it's also my getaway vehicle when I go backpacking with my boys, which often includes sections of 4wd roads. I hope to do more trips exploring mountain back roads with the family that are not accessible with 2WD vehicles. I am on a budget and so I can't afford the domino of suspension, wheels and tires. I currently riding on Michelin AT2 tires (P265/70/17) that were new when I purchased my used 4Runner. Bottom line... I don't want a 4Runner that looks like all the others. I want some more clearance for exploring off road. I want a good ride for daily commute. So how do I go about getting a 1.75-2inch lift in the front and a 1-1.5inch in the rear? Can I do this and accomplish my goals? I know it's not a full lift with larger tires like most people do, but I think this will work best for me. Am I crazy or does this sort of make sense? Any help would be appreciated and thank you for your patience as I try to work my way through the encyclopedia of information on this forum.

For "your budget and needs", tires, tires, and tires. Invest in decent AT tires first and add other stuff later if needed.