I see a 4th Gen in my near future...lifted t4r owners I could use advice.

[Stol3n]

New guy here and I must say that I cannot wait to purchase my 4th Gen. I've owned mostly fast cars and a few Chevy trucks along the way but have sold all of them due to a growing family. Just waiting patiently for the right t4r to come along so I can snag it.

Looking ahead I've already got the mod bug and want to do a small lift with tires (going to keep the stock 17" wheels - Sport version). I rarely off-road but like the aesthetics of a lifted/leveled t4r with a nice tire. The other day I got to talking about this with my uncle and he's already telling me that I should not touch it and leave it as is. He comes from an extensive background of toyotas, jeeps, off-roading, etc. so I do respect most of what he says. He has a long arm Jeep and a stock 4runner so he is not biased in the least.

I showed him the 3" Toytec lift and he said his buddy has the same lift on a 4th Gen and cannot keep an axle in it (replaces them about twice a year). This has me thinking, should I lift or keep it stock? I love the look but do not want to be constantly fixing things, this is why I am buying a Toyota after all.

Thoughts, opinions, please share your experience and input.

 

[NJshadow93]

New guy here and I must say that I cannot wait to purchase my 4th Gen. I've owned mostly fast cars and a few Chevy trucks along the way but have sold all of them due to a growing family. Just waiting patiently for the right t4r to come along so I can snag it.

Looking ahead I've already got the mod bug and want to do a small lift with tires (going to keep the stock 17" wheels - Sport version). I rarely off-road but like the aesthetics of a lifted/leveled t4r with a nice tire. The other day I got to talking about this with my uncle and he's already telling me that I should not touch it and leave it as is. He comes from an extensive background of toyotas, jeeps, off-roading, etc. so I do respect most of what he says. He has a long arm Jeep and a stock 4runner so he is not biased in the least.

I showed him the 3" Toytec lift and he said his buddy has the same lift on a 4th Gen and cannot keep an axle in it (replaces them about twice a year). This has me thinking, should I lift or keep it stock? I love the look but do not want to be constantly fixing things, this is why I am buying a Toyota after all.

Thoughts, opinions, please share your experience and input.

No offense to your uncle, but that's BS. The 3" lift is designed to respect the factory limitations. . That means, you can throw that suspension on without having to worry about limitations with CV axle angles, brake lines, etc. If you go higher than that, then we're talking a little more than just new shocks and coils The only issue you may have is alignment issues with stock upper control arms. You may be able to align it in spec but not perfect, aftermarket UCAs will correct this. If his friend replaces axles that often, he may be beating the hell out of the truck, using cheap parts, combination of both, etc. My point is, don't worry about it. Hundreds of members here have lifted 4Runners with hardly any more issues that a stock 4Runner would have. Good luck in your search.

 

[Doozi]

Lots of folks on the forum run with the Toytec Ultimate, including myself. You can lift these up to about 3" without any CV issues because, as stock, the hubs are slightly higher than the front differential. I've not had any problem aside from the common leaky CV boot after lifting… they all seem to do it when you first lift them (even guys who haven't lifted can get leaky boots), but I re-booted my axles and all has been fine. Someone breaking CV's every six months is either throttle-happy on the rocks and/or is using cheap aftermarket axles. Most will tell you that if you intend to do any serious off-roading, your best bet is to stick with the OEM axles. There are guys running all kinds of lift that wheel the snot out of their 4Runners and don't go through axles like that. Don't get me wrong, it can happen when you work them hard with big tires, but that's true for most IFS vehicles.

Look through the "Lift and Tire" thread to see some of the set-ups and go with one that you like the look of… be careful… it's addicting!

You'll find lots of help here so good luck!

 

[Stol3n]

No offense to your uncle, but that's BS. The 3" lift is designed to respect the factory limitations. . That means, you can throw that suspension on without having to worry about limitations with CV axle angles, brake lines, etc. If you go higher than that, then we're talking a little more than just new shocks and coils The only issue you may have is alignment issues with stock upper control arms. You may be able to align it in spec but not perfect, aftermarket UCAs will correct this. If his friend replaces axles that often, he may be beating the hell out of the truck, using cheap parts, combination of both, etc. My point is, don't worry about it. Hundreds of members here have lifted 4Runners with hardly any more issues that a stock 4Runner would have. Good luck in your search.

None taken. I'm open to any input whether it be bad or good. Good tip on the UCA's I may look into that as well.

Lots of folks on the forum run with the Toytec Ultimate, including myself. You can lift these up to about 3" without any CV issues because, as stock, the hubs are slightly higher than the front differential. I've not had any problem aside from the common leaky CV boot after lifting… they all seem to do it when you first lift them (even guys who haven't lifted can get leaky boots), but I re-booted my axles and all has been fine. Someone breaking CV's every six months is either throttle-happy on the rocks and/or is using cheap aftermarket axles. Most will tell you that if you intend to do any serious off-roading, your best bet is to stick with the OEM axles. There are guys running all kinds of lift that wheel the snot out of their 4Runners and don't go through axles like that. Don't get me wrong, it can happen when you work them hard with big tires, but that's true for most IFS vehicles.

Look through the "Lift and Tire" thread to see some of the set-ups and go with one that you like the look of… be careful… it's addicting!

You'll find lots of help here so good luck!

I'm pretty sure he's using good stuff, but he's more than likely beating the snot out of it. I've already conquered the massive lift/tire thread, seen tons of nice rides.

I'm thinking about the Toytec Ultimate 3" lift, spidertraxx spacers, and 265/70/17 Toyo Open Country ATII's (I live local to Toyo and have a few people who can get me great discounts).

 

[Doozi]

I'm thinking about the Toytec Ultimate 3" lift, spidertraxx spacers, and 265/70/17 Toyo Open Country ATII's (I live local to Toyo and have a few people who can get me great discounts).

Sounds like a great combo… I don't think that you'll be disappointed!

 

[Whitebeauty]

Well if u haven't gotten one already mines up for grabs. Lmk if your interested.

 

[ebg18t]

I showed him the 3" Toytec lift and he said his buddy has the same lift on a 4th Gen and cannot keep an axle in it (replaces them about twice a year). This has me thinking, should I lift or keep it stock? I love the look but do not want to be constantly fixing things, this is why I am buying a Toyota after all.

Thoughts, opinions, please share your experience and input.

IMHO your Uncles Freind is doing something wrong. A ton of us run ~3" with no issues. Or your uncles Freind is just BS'ing your uncle. Or maybe he is BS'ing you to convince you to stay stock.

 

[wyanrard]

I run an actually taller lift than the Toytec setup and it's working great. The stuff about not being able to keep an axle in it is BS. I run Somewhere between 3.25-3.5" of lift. FWIW

 

[AKmoney]

My $0.02 but I wouldn't consider a 3" lift a "small" lift on a 4th gen 4Runner. I went a cheaper route and put FJ springs and Bilstein 5100 shocks (set to 0.85") on my truck. Net suspension lift is only 1.5"/0.75" F/R but the higher lift up front improves the stance and the look nicely. If you rarely off-road I wouldn't recommend more than this since you'd just be raising the center of gravity higher unnecessarily and that affects on-road handling, your ability to perform evasive maneuvers, brake dive, etc.

FWIW, I just took my truck on the Fins and Things trail in Moab and there was pretty minimal scrapeage. If it were lifted any higher I doubt it would have made the trail any easier. Since I don't plan on subjecting my truck to the Rubicon Trail (and you don't either) it's something to take into consideration.

A couple things to note: When I swapped out the stock XREAS suspension the ride quality was definitely affected. Impact harshness was increased. You'll lose the creamy ride quality. I wouldn't let anyone else convince you otherwise. You might be OK with this but so long as you understand what you're getting yourself into...

 

[Pritchnakoff]

Great responses so far; I hate to :deadhorse: but I am also running the Toytec 3" Ultimate lift (have been for years) with BFG KM2 (285/75/17) and Camburg UCA, and Spidertrax spacers (yes I realize I no longer needed these after the UCA install, but like the slightly wider stance and matching tread width to the rear).

I have an '04 SE and still running original stock CVs and I've wheeled this thing pretty damn hard, rock crawling, mud bogging, hill ascents/descents, etc. I have to agree with everyone, there is no way the axel swapping story is holding any weight; complete exaggeration or horrible pilot :roadkill:

I think [MENTION=84801]AKmoney[/MENTION] has it just right, 3" lift with no planned off roading might be a bit extreme for your needs, but definitely shouldn't be causing you any problems. Just make sure you think as far out as possible so you don't end up needing/wanting to swap set-ups before the time is due and waste $$$ that could feed other mods!

Good luck!

 

[Stol3n]

IOr your uncles Freind is just BS'ing your uncle. Or maybe he is BS'ing you to convince you to stay stock.

He's actually quite the opposite, normally he'd be the one talking me into along arm kit. Definitely something up with his buddies rig for him to tell me that.

I run an actually taller lift than the Toytec setup and it's working great. The stuff about not being able to keep an axle in it is BS. I run Somewhere between 3.25-3.5" of lift. FWIW

good to know, thanks!

My $0.02 but I wouldn't consider a 3" lift a "small" lift on a 4th gen 4Runner. I went a cheaper route and put FJ springs and Bilstein 5100 shocks (set to 0.85") on my truck. Net suspension lift is only 1.5"/0.75" F/R but the higher lift up front improves the stance and the look nicely. If you rarely off-road I wouldn't recommend more than this since you'd just be raising the center of gravity higher unnecessarily and that affects on-road handling, your ability to perform evasive maneuvers, brake dive, etc.

FWIW, I just took my truck on the Fins and Things trail in Moab and there was pretty minimal scrapeage. If it were lifted any higher I doubt it would have made the trail any easier. Since I don't plan on subjecting my truck to the Rubicon Trail (and you don't either) it's something to take into consideration.

A couple things to note: When I swapped out the stock XREAS suspension the ride quality was definitely affected. Impact harshness was increased. You'll lose the creamy ride quality. I wouldn't let anyone else convince you otherwise. You might be OK with this but so long as you understand what you're getting yourself into...

I've actually thought about the 5100's and fj coils but I can never seem to find either at a good price so that's what got me to looking into a complete kit. I don't really "need" the 3" lift but I definitely want to "level" out the front some and maintain a slight rake. I may look into other options because this is going to me my daily driver as well.

Great responses so far; I hate to :deadhorse: but I am also running the Toytec 3" Ultimate lift (have been for years) with BFG KM2 (285/75/17) and Camburg UCA, and Spidertrax spacers (yes I realize I no longer needed these after the UCA install, but like the slightly wider stance and matching tread width to the rear).

I have an '04 SE and still running original stock CVs and I've wheeled this thing pretty damn hard, rock crawling, mud bogging, hill ascents/descents, etc. I have to agree with everyone, there is no way the axel swapping story is holding any weight; complete exaggeration or horrible pilot :roadkill:

I think [MENTION=84801]AKmoney[/MENTION] has it just right, 3" lift with no planned off roading might be a bit extreme for your needs, but definitely shouldn't be causing you any problems. Just make sure you think as far out as possible so you don't end up needing/wanting to swap set-ups before the time is due and waste $$$ that could feed other mods!

Good luck!

Thanks for the info and suggestion. The Daystar seems to get a lot of attention, but I'm not completely sold on a spacer lift or how it would hold up long term. I'd like to maintain most of the stock drivability so maybe something under 3" would be better suit my needs. I'd like to bring the front up and clear 265/70/17's or 275/65/18's with out any problems.

 

[Doozi]

My 265/70's fit while running stock suspension. Even after the lift, they rubbed as soon as I installed Spidertrax wheel spacers.

Just leveling the front with the rear makes a noticeable difference.

 

[Stol3n]

My 265/70's fit while running stock suspension. Even after the lift, they rubbed as soon as I installed Spidertrax wheel spacers.

Just leveling the front with the rear makes a noticeable difference.

So the 265's will fit stock, but it sounds like I'm going to run into rubbing once I install spacers. If you rubbed with the 3" I wonder what all I will need to do to resolve it with a smaller lift.

 

[Stol3n]

Just came across this picture and I think it's perfect! It's a 2.5/1.5, bigger tires, stock wheels.

 

[Doozi]

Just came across this picture and I think it's perfect! It's a 2.5/1.5, bigger tires, stock wheels.

I think that J.A.'s Runner... he has a VERY detailed website!

 

[Doozi]

So the 265's will fit stock, but it sounds like I'm going to run into rubbing once I install spacers. If you rubbed with the 3" I wonder what all I will need to do to resolve it with a smaller lift.

You'll need to trim the corners of the front bumper (right in front of the tires), move the fender liner forward about an inch, and trim or remove your mud flaps… sounds like a lot, but that's about 20 minutes of work. I trimmed the "hump" out of my mud flaps so that I could keep them functional.

 

[Stol3n]

You'll need to trim the corners of the front bumper (right in front of the tires), move the fender liner forward about an inch, and trim or remove your mud flaps… sounds like a lot, but that's about 20 minutes of work. I trimmed the "hump" out of my mud flaps so that I could keep them functional.

Alright, hopefully I can snag a t4r soon. I think I've got my combo figured out. I'm the type to buy my lift, tires, wheels, etc. before even getting a t4r. I hate waiting for parts, I like to get started asap when I get it.

FJ Springs
Bilstein 5100's - front set @ 1.75"
1" rear spacer (maker undecided)