Irritating newbie thread of the day

[JSlack]

Having dismissed the Pathfinder and Grand Cherokee, I'm looking to upgrade from the Jeep Liberty to a 4Runner, and I've spent LOTS of time on this forum, searching topics, etc., but I have ended up with a couple of basic questions that I'm sure have been asked a million times (I just haven't found them).

First, what kind of suspension lift can I get that won't impact my warranty? I'm looking for maybe 2.5 inches, nothing drastic. Is this doable? A couple more inches of clearance seems like it ought to be okay, but I don't write the warranties.

Second, does it make sense to lift the V8? Anybody done this? I like the power of the 8 (for highway driving), though I wish it didn't come standard with 18" wheels. Would it be silly to lift a V8, or would you stick with the V6 and 17's if you were going to put in a suspension lift?

Coming from a purely stock Liberty I'm a complete babe in the woods. If I were keeping the Lib, I'd get a lift and some bigger tires, but 90,000 miles down the road I simply don't trust it like I used to. I don't do a lot of hardcore offroading, I won't be tackling the Rubicon, but I travel a lot and have to get to some difficult spots to take photos (no I'm not a pro---just passionate).

I know ZERO about lifts, but I want to learn. Any advice to this rank newbie is greatly appreciated!

 

[toybox]

I would not worry about wheel size when deciding what engine I want, wheels can be changed easily, engines can't. Besides if you get a lift and bigger tires you may want to change wheels anyway. That being said, 18" are not useless offroad, especially since you won't be doing hardcore stuff and there are good AT tires available for the 18" rims.

Plenty of lifts are available from many different sources in as much or as little lift as you like.

The only thing you need to do is NOT get the XREAS system on the Sport edition if you are going to lift it.

 

[Pirate VI]

The wheel size is independant of what engine you have. The sr5 standard is 16, although most have 17inch wheels. The sports have 17inch wheels, and the Limiteds are the ones with the 18inch wheels. Im sure if you were getting the Limited with the 18 inch wheels and wanted to swap them out for 17s there would be plenty of people on here interested in buying them. The lifts look great, But unless you are doing hardcore offroading I wouldn't worry too much about needing a lift to get somewhere if you dont want a lift but just think you need one. The 4Runner can handle a good amount without a lift, although a few extra inches are always good.

 

[JSlack]

Thanks guys. I'd rather have a couple more inches of clearance than the XREAS, so thanks for the heads up. Am I to understand that a suspension lift (say, 2.5") would have no negative impact on the warranty?

Pirate, you're right about the wheel sizes vs. engine size. I've only looked at about a thousand cars in the last month, I was confusing the V8 option with the Limited standard equipment package. But I do intend on getting the Limited, my wife wants leather seats, and according to the Toyota configurator, you can't get the Sport Edition with leather upgrade AND optional side/roof airbags, for some obscene reason. Well, I like leather seats, too. Can't blame it all on the wife...

I've never had a vehicle with a lift, but I plan to go to as many hard-to-get-to places as possible in the next few years. I figure a little more clearance is always a good thing. Plus I can get some kick-butt tires. Maybe a bumper guard, if they make them for more than just show. (not like a full-on bumper switch to a bull bar)

 

[Pirate VI]

It would only void the warantee if they can prove that the lift had a direct impact on whatever broke. It would probably void your warantee for your suspension, but if something in the engine broke or something else not linked to suspension broke they cant blame it on the lift.

Those limiteds are beautiful, Im sure you will be happy with the 4runner no matter what trim you get.

 

[Tucson T4R]

I'm running with 3" OME suspension lift and love it. I agree, the added clearence helps a lot off road. I have had no problems with warrenty from Toyota.

 

[HiVel-JR]

Same here with the warranty issue. I told the service manager at the dealer I had installed a two inch spacer lift and then I asked him if that would void the warranty. The service manager said no, and then he asked what kind of lift it was, who made it, and how difficult it was to put on with the XREAS. So there is another answer on the warranty, plus Private VI hit the nail on the head. Toyota has to prove it was the lift that created the problem on what ever broke...

There are lots of options for lifts. Cornfed makes a good lift. Most of the members on this forum have cornfed lifts.

click on this link for the cornfed lift.

http://www.burtmanindustries.com/zoomprod.php?id=4run_03_up_liftkit

 

[Tucson T4R]

Just want to think about how you plan to use the 4Runner. If you are mainly using it on the street and want the lifted look with larger tires. Thats cool and spacers are fine. They work off road as well but if you are wanting to get into serious off roading with challenging trails, something like the OME suspension lift would be a better performing choice. Spacer aren't bad, just depends on how you plan to use the 4Runner....lots of choices and we all are different.:biggrin2:

 

[Falls]

You can do a 2.5" lift with having Xreas ( spacer lift) then you will have the best of both worlds. A lot of people off road with them and do just fine. If your getting into harder core stuff , then go with what Tucson ( Brad ) says.

If the truck you get does NOT have Xreas then deff. go the Route Tucson has.

 

[JSlack]

Nothing wrong with spacers, but I wouldn't just be looking for the bigger tire opportunity, I want improved capability. XREAS would be nice, but we got by for lots of years without it and I don't plan on doing any hard cornering. I want an offroad rig I can trust to get me even into scary places, and while the stock 9 inches of clearance is nice, I'm just going to want a bit more, for a little added assurance in the outback. I tend to travel either with just my wife or by myself, and I don't want to become a teeter-totter on a big rock or sustain undercarriage damage 50 miles from civilization. Always a possibility, I know, and much of that is taking precautions while driving, but...well, they do make suspension lifts for a reason, right?

Plus I never had a lifted rig before. I want one.

Checked Rocky Road for the OME, and it lists the individual components for "04-06" separately, then lists a "complete" kit, but only for the 1996+ V6. Got me wondering. I'll check the cornfed units.

Thanks again for all the input! It's like, if you don't KNOW about this, you can't find out just by looking at websites, because to a large degree they all assume a given amount of knowledgability. Which I ain't got.

 

[JSlack]

Oops. Unless I missed something, looks like the cornfed is a body lift.

 

[JSlack]

I'm running with 3" OME suspension lift and love it. I agree, the added clearence helps a lot off road. I have had no problems with warrenty from Toyota.

Looks like you're running with OME on the 4th gen V8, so I guess that answers my "will it fit?" question.

 

[Kmvreter]

Oops. Unless I missed something, looks like the cornfed is a body lift.

Cornfed has a suspension spacer lift.

 

[Tucson T4R]

Looks like you're running with OME on the 4th gen V8, so I guess that answers my "will it fit?" question.

Yep. :biggrin2: Also OME has many different spring and shock choices. I would call Ben at Slee Off Road. He hasa lot of experience with OME and 4th Gen 4Runners. He can get you set up with the right combo for your specific rig and planned use.

Here's a really good write up on 4th Gen 4Runner options to help you decide what you personaly want.:awais:


http://www.toyota120.com/forum/showthread.php?t=424

 

[JSlack]

Cornfed has a suspension spacer lift.

Okay, thanks. I saw "spacer" and drew conclusions based on my complete and total ignorance of lifts.:biggrin2:

 

[Falls]

I have the Xreas and although it is nice I can agree with you . It came on the sport model which it what I wanted.

I agree that we have got along just fine without for years , I don't like a lot of those gadget stuff they come out with.

I too would love a little lift , but still debating that though. I off road a lot and have got by just fine in stock suspension with bigger tires , but it sounds like you want to get into heavier stuff than I'm into.

If you go with a Cornfed spacer lift , Jason can actually make them to any size. Check out Hivels truck , he has a med Cornfed lift and I think it looks better than the full lift , because you can still only fit the same size tires on as I have on my stock truck,unless you go the route that Tucson has.

I think you made a great decision on going to a 4R over the others. I personally think the Pathfinder is a turd and has turned into a street SUV , similar the the Expolrer. Jeep , well ??????? the name says it all.

 

[ProMed]

Read this thread: http://www.chaosedition.com/tech/tech.asp

 

[JSlack]

Read this thread: http://www.chaosedition.com/tech/tech.asp

THANK YOU!!! Very informative, answered many lingering questions I have had since I started looking at lifts. (I even added it to my favorites)

 

[Tucson T4R]

In case you missed this thread, it is also loaded with good info from experienced folks: :awais:

http://www.toyota120.com/forum/showthread.php?t=424

Ya can't have too much info can ya? :biggrin2:

 

[JSlack]

Thanks Tuscon, lots of good stuff in there too. The more info, the better. Now I have the SLIGHTEST amount of knowledge about lifts! Whereas before I only knew absolutely nothing.

Is the reason that lifts seem to run higher in front than in the rear because of the engine weight? Is this related to what I've heard referred to as "levelling?" More commonly used terms and concepts that escape the newbie.