I need to be talked into or out of lifting her a touch

[beamer4prez]

I've been lurking on this board ever since I bought my SR5 back in September. And every day I waffle on whether or not I want to pick her up a little bit. You see, no matter how much I love the 4runner, I just can't shake the itch for a more aggressive stance. I guess driving a lifted Jeep for 6 years will do that to you.

Right now I am tenatively considering the Bilstein 5100's set at 2.25 in the front and probably pick the back up about 1" with the goal of throwing some 285/70r17 MTRs under her. But I just can't bring myself to pulling the trigger, probably because I don't really want to shell out the cash.

Damn me for being addicted to the lift. But I just miss that stance and "nice truck" comments on a daily basis.

 

[Jesse1983]

if you aren't going to wheel it, and just want the bigger tires etc., throw a spacer lift on it. a lot less money and you get what you want in looks.

 

[beamer4prez]

if you aren't going to wheel it, and just want the bigger tires etc., throw a spacer lift on it. a lot less money and you get what you want in looks.

I've thought about that, and I definitely don't plan on wheeling like I used to in the Jeep, but its hard for me to shake the whole "do it right the first time" mentality. But realistically, outside of snow, mud/dirt on the jobsite, and sand there won't be much hard 4wheeling done for me.

Are there any long term effects I should worry about with the spacers since I plan on keeping this truck for another 8-10 years?

 

[Brad2064]

will there be a significant ride difference betweein the 5100's and a spacer kit?

 

[tlflow]

don't do it

I've thought about that, and I definitely don't plan on wheeling like I used to in the Jeep, but its hard for me to shake the whole "do it right the first time" mentality. But realistically, outside of snow, mud/dirt on the jobsite, and sand there won't be much hard 4wheeling done for me.

Are there any long term effects I should worry about with the spacers since I plan on keeping this truck for another 8-10 years?

No not at all, there is ample space in the console for your purse, it will be out of sight at the mall and soccer fields, so no worries. :trophy:

 

[Thai]

Are there any long term effects I should worry about with the spacers since I plan on keeping this truck for another 8-10 years?

Any lift beyond 1-2" will decrease durability of suspension components. I would argue that, IF your goal is to keep your truck 8-10 years, then i would NOT lift it at all! I would just get aggressive tires, maybe +1 size. If you really want to level the truck, then get 1" front lift. Other than that, anything beyond this will result in decrease durability and reliability of components down the road. I know that some will kill me for saying it, but facts are facts.

 

[tlflow]

my bad

Unless you replace the components with better components, then the reliability will be improved ... unless you roll it.:roadkill:

 

[Ryan_S]

Level lift makes it look like it should. If you don't need a real lift, for tires, then just level it and call it a day.

 

[harper7]

Any lift beyond 1-2" will decrease durability of suspension components. I would argue that, IF your goal is to keep your truck 8-10 years, then i would NOT lift it at all! I would just get aggressive tires, maybe +1 size. If you really want to level the truck, then get 1" front lift. Other than that, anything beyond this will result in decrease durability and reliability of components down the road. I know that some will kill me for saying it, but facts are facts.

What parts exactly do you think are going to start failing with a spacer lift or any lift for that matter?Out on the rocks ,he with the most clearance is King!

Ya , Maybe you'll only get 500k/25 years miles instead of 600k/30.!

Here is a FACT...not on paper or a theory...One of my good friends has a 96 Taco with 430,000 miles on it and he wheels the heck out of it.The first thing he ha done is put a 3 inch spacer lift,body lift and a rear locker right after he got it.He bought it new and has kept up the maintenance on it religiously and THAT is the key to longevity with a Toyota truck.

Original drivetrain except......
He replaced shocks with Billys at 200k.
He replaced the 4cyl engine on it at 330k miles with a junkyard one with 29k miles because of noise.....it turned out to be only the balance shaft bearings were shot and making noise and the engine could have still lived on.You don't even need the balance shaft in the 3RZ's.He kept it as a spare.lol
Now just a couple of weeks ago the 5 speed tranny gears starting dropping gears and going out and he's doing a tranny swap with Marlin Crawler who rebuilds them. He'll be back up and running next week.......lift spacers and all.
Original ball joints , cv axles , f and r axles,etc and every thing .

This is him down at Rock Creek Offroad Park awhile back....

<iframe title="YouTube video player" width="480" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/l4LKpw5p1u4" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[Thai]

What parts exactly do you think are going to start failing with a spacer lift or any lift for that matter?Out on the rocks ,he with the most clearance is King!

He's lucky? I have seen lesser lifts on toyotas cause other issues...it is not hard to find these unfortunate souls. Your call. Lifts will cause premature wear and stress to your CV boots and ball joints...some have had issues with the steering rack.

With a lift, by definition, you're putting the CV in an uncomfortable position. Sleeoffroad wrote recently to better explain it: "CV Boots fail on the joints (accordion piece) and increasing the angle increases the flex on the rubber part. You are also asking the balls to move a further distance off center. Imagine CV straight, there will be no flex in the rubber and the balls will stay stationary in the cage. As soon as it rotates in a angle the rubber flexes and the ball moves back and forth in the cage (channel)."

Here is a guy who has torn his CV annually: http://www.yotatech.com/f2/blown-cv-joint-boots-again-209036/

 

[Hawkdog21]

well I guess the 140k miles I put on my old 4runner with a lift and 35s without suspension or steering or tranny issues was a miracle! Thank the lord!

In all seriousness, lifting your truck a couple inches isn't going to kill you. Keep up with maintenance and you will be fine (maintenance involves ball-joints, CVs and steering as well, keeping that stuff full o lube is muy importante)