Is it too late?

john.diachenko

john.diachenko

New member
Hey guys...long time lurker here,

Twice a year I camp/off road in Uwharrie National Forest and after each trip I get the bug wanting to lift my 4Runner. Of course I just got back from my trip and the desire is stronger than ever. I have a 2001 that I've owned since 2004 and it has 245k miles. The front struts are needing to be replaced so before I do that I'm wanting to weigh my options and get some opinions on what I should consider before moving forward with a lift.

I feel like my 4Runner is in good shape, regular maintenance has been completed by my brother in law's shop. Other than the struts, there's something going on with the steering because there's a lot of play (haven't figured this out yet). It's not my daily driver but i would like to sell my car and go back to this.

Orginally I was looking at the cheaper route with the Rough Country option because my lift will mostly be for looks with 3 or 4 trail trips a year. Ive since started looking at the Toytec/Bilstein or "complete OME" lift options because I'm not too excited about spacers on the front.

Couple of questions:
Have I waited too long? Are there too many looming problems at 245k?

How silly would a 3rd gen look with a 3 inch lift while still running 265/70/16s? I just got a great deal on some Kuhmo AT so I'd like to lift my 4runner and upgrade to 285s once these wear out. Online pictures don't seem too bad but I've never seen this set up in real life so how does it look?

Is regearing needed with 285s. Is this something I should even consider at 245k miles?

I'm basically a mechanical newb so I apologize in advance for any stupid questions.

Thanks!
 
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Your front play may be the lower ball joints, lift up the front and wiggle the wheel to look at the play.
 
This is my 02 with a 2" lift ( 5100s & ome ) with 265/70/16 Grabber at/2s. Sorry about the upsidedown pic.
 

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RedSled, have you measured that lift? It looks like a lot more than 2" in the rear. Mine looks like that and I gained about 5" in the rear.
 
as far as its mileage. this will break and things will fail as you use it. Question is are you A: willing to be ok with the expense of stuff breaking. and B: Cool with fixing it yourself or paying to have it fixed.

For me. I dont wheel, but if something break I fix it. I like working on trucks and cars. So for you, the question becomes, "do you like turning wrenches?" BC if you lift a 4runner, you will always turn wrenches.
 
john.diachenko said:
Hey guys...long time lurker here,

Twice a year I camp/off road in Uwharrie National Forest and after each trip I get the bug wanting to lift my 4Runner. Of course I just got back from my trip and the desire is stronger than ever. I have a 2001 that I've owned since 2004 and it has 245k miles. The front struts are needing to be replaced so before I do that I'm wanting to weigh my options and get some opinions on what I should consider before moving forward with a lift.

I feel like my 4Runner is in good shape, regular maintenance has been completed by my brother in law's shop. Other than the struts, there's something going on with the steering because there's a lot of play (haven't figured this out yet). It's not my daily driver but i would like to sell my car and go back to this.

Orginally I was looking at the cheaper route with the Rough Country option because my lift will mostly be for looks with 3 or 4 trail trips a year. Ive since started looking at the Toytec/Bilstein or "complete OME" lift options because I'm not too excited about spacers on the front.

Couple of questions:
Have I waited too long? Are there too many looming problems at 245k?

How silly would a 3rd gen look with a 3 inch lift while still running 265/70/16s? I just got a great deal on some Kuhmo AT so I'd like to lift my 4runner and upgrade to 285s once these wear out. Online pictures don't seem too bad but I've never seen this set up in real life so how does it look?

Is regearing needed with 285s. Is this something I should even consider at 245k miles?

I'm basically a mechanical newb so I apologize in advance for any stupid questions.

Thanks!
Click to expand...
The answers to all of your questions lie here.
 
This Spring, I replaced my front and rear suspension. It was time, as the rear was sagging and the ride had really become hard. I replaced the rear with OME906's and fronts with OME880's all with Rancho 9000XL adjustable shocks. This resulted in roughly 2" lift. The ride is 1000% better but I probably would have gone for Bilsteins if I had to do this again--- The Rancho's are fine but they are supposed to be adjustable and I notice little difference between 1 and 9, these Ranchos were approx. 15% more $$.
poleclimber63-albums-progress...-picture41777-img-20160707-04004.jpg

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-g...ogress...-picture41777-img-20160707-04004.jpg
As far as the steering issue is concerned, I've done a number of things over the last few years to reduce the play in the steering. First thing, I replaced the rack bushings, then LBJ's after I discovered the dangerous failures members have experienced. They tested ok but when I replaced them, they were pretty rusted! I replaced TRE's , sway bar bushings and checked all other suspension components. I Then replaced the rack guide and after each component change, I experienced a slight improvement. The steering is acceptable now, but if I was going with larger tires I'd probably look at a few other components ie. steering shaft joint, and the rack.... I'll admit when its time to change tires, I may go slightly bigger--- my Winters are 265 70 17 mounted on 17" Sequoia rims.
 
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Morphyne said:
as far as its mileage. this will break and things will fail as you use it. Question is are you A: willing to be ok with the expense of stuff breaking. and B: Cool with fixing it yourself or paying to have it fixed.

For me. I dont wheel, but if something break I fix it. I like working on trucks and cars. So for you, the question becomes, "do you like turning wrenches?" BC if you lift a 4runner, you will always turn wrenches.
Click to expand...
Well the plan would be to sell my C300 so that would free up a good amount of cash each month I'm already spending on a vehicle. As long as this project doesn't cost more than $500/month on average I'll be coming out ahead (famous last words right?). I don't mind getting my hands dirty but I don't always trust myself to get a mechanical job done correctly haha. I figure there are plenty of forums or how to's for any problems plus my BIL tends to cut me a great deal on labor. Thanks for the response!
 
poleclimber63 said:
This Spring, I replaced my front and rear suspension. It was time, as the rear was sagging and the ride had really become hard. I replaced the rear with OME906's and fronts with OME880's all with Rancho 9000XL adjustable shocks. This resulted in roughly 2" lift. The ride is 1000% better but I probably would have gone for Bilsteins if I had to do this again--- The Rancho's are fine but they are supposed to be adjustable and I notice little difference between 1 and 9, these Ranchos were approx. 15% more $$.
poleclimber63-albums-progress...-picture41777-img-20160707-04004.jpg

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-g...ogress...-picture41777-img-20160707-04004.jpg
As far as the steering issue is concerned, I've done a number of things over the last few years to reduce the play in the steering. First thing, I replaced the rack bushings, then LBJ's after I discovered the dangerous failures members have experienced. They tested ok but when I replaced them, they were pretty rusted! I replaced TRE's , sway bar bushings and checked all other suspension components. I Then replaced the rack guide and after each component change, I experienced a slight improvement. The steering is acceptable now, but if I was going with larger tires I'd probably look at a few other components ie. steering shaft joint, and the rack.... I'll admit when its time to change tires, I may go slightly bigger--- my Winters are 265 70 17 mounted on 17" Sequoia rims.
Click to expand...
Thanks. I'll probably start with the LBJs and work through like you did. There's always been some play in my steering and I'm hoping some is from the worn out suspension. I replaced the rear shocks with a cheap option recently and I couldn't believe how much the ride quality improved so I'm excited to see what a quality upgrade will do.
 
john.diachenko said:
Thanks. I'll probably start with the LBJs and work through like you did. There's always been some play in my steering and I'm hoping some is from the worn out suspension. I replaced the rear shocks with a cheap option recently and I couldn't believe how much the ride quality improved so I'm excited to see what a quality upgrade will do.
Click to expand...

Excellent! I probably noticed the biggest difference after the rack bushing and front shock/spring replacements. Don't forget the rack bushings, here's a great thread I found helpful: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-g...ower-steering-rack-bushings-2.html#post569778
I used the poly bushings from Wheelers.
When/if you do decide to replace the bushings, you will need to disconnect the drivers side OTRE at the very least. At that time, if you (remove the OTRE's) and hold them horizontal then let go, if they drop like wet spaghetti, your ITRE's are probably bad. They should be fairly stiff or they should droop slowly. The shank of the OTRE should also be stiff and boots should have no damage. When you try and re-connect the OTRE's, and you can't torque them to the correct spec. without them spinning, replace them.
 
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