leveling kit

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lewjonesrd25

New member
First time post and I have a few questions. I have a 2004 SR5 V6 4runner and would like to level it. I have been searching on here about what kit to go with, but have had no luck. What I would like to do is lift it about 1 - 1.25" total. I do not want to do anything with the rear. I also do not want to lift the front higher than the back. I tow my boat with my 4runner so I do not want it to sag. Also how much difference is there between 265/70/16 and 265/75/16 tires? Would the 265/75/16s fit after I level it? Any help would be much appreciated.
 
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The tire size difference is only 1 inch bigger in diameter. You can check out the size different with this tool: Tire size calculator. As for the lift cornfed has a top out only 1" spacer for the front so it shouldn't change your ride at all. Daystar has a budget boost but it will give you a little more lift than the 1" - 1.25" you're looking for. Here's a tread discussing the lift gained from the budget boost that advertises 1.25" but will lift your front more than that (might be taller in the front) http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/43642-lift-help-please.html.
 
1/2" thick spacer is gonna be the way for you to go. I just got done doing this on my 03. I chose the Toytec 1/2" spacer (it's listed to give 3/4" on their site, but does give 1") mainly due to price ($70 shipped, much cheaper than Cornfed). I wanted slightly more than an inch, so I chose to add FJ Cruiser springs to the front as well. Total lift was 1.5", very nice stance. I know you said you want to leave the rear alone, but I'd highly recommend doing the 1/2" spacer up front and FJ springs all around. It'll raise the rear a little (.5") but will help the ride tremendously. Click where is lists the lift/tires in my sig and it'll take you to my writeup on the setup I'm running. I should also note, the ONLY reason I didn't do FJ springs in the rear is because I have the OEM rear air suspension so I couldn't.
 
Many people run 265/70/17's (same size as the 265/75/16) stock. The only ones you may have issues with are the more aggressive mud tires or BFG A/T's. With the lift in the front you'll be fine. I've got 1.5" of lift and I'm running 255/75/17's, which are taller than the 265/70/17's and have no issues with rubbing. The best place for FJ springs is Toyota FJ Cruiser Community, but they can be found here, craigslist, or ebay. You can swap just the springs, no need for shocks (unless you want them). I swapped just springs and stuck with my stock shocks. The ride is firmer, but in a good way. Little imperfections in the road aren't felt like they use to be, going over railroad tracks and such is much smoother.
 
Since we have the older 4th gens, and I have 92,xxx miles in my original shocks, installing spacers to my front shocks that already "needs replacement" is not practical. I don't tow or offroad but my 4 shocks are already leaking.

So, why not Change the shocks and at the same time leveling the front.
Adjustable Bilstein 5100 front shocks, can lift the front from 0"-2.5" it cost $180/pair. So how much difference if I/you buy spacers and realize a few months that you will need new shocks. :)
Bilstein
Bilstein 5100 Front and Rear Shocks from Wheeler's Off-Road, Inc
Edit: 03 and 04 Runners..experience how the shocks fades?? evident unsafe body rolls during turns? buying $80 each shocks plus $50 spacers for the purpose of leveling cost more than buying adjustable shocks at once...my opinion..
 
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The Bilstein's are a great option, IF you want to go that route. You're right with the points, no questioning that. I'm at over 130k miles, and have zero issues with my shocks. No leaks with the XREAS or anything. With my rear air, I couldn't run the matching rear shocks, which I would have wanted, so I chose the springs/spacer. I'm fully satisfied. If my shocks do begin leaking, I'll choose some KYB GR2's. They're an excellent stock like replacement, and should do fine.
 
ARK_SWAMP_RIDER, I clicked the link in your sig for pics
Yeah thats the stance I want !!
I see how the 1.5" lift in front do wonders to the look of your truck( aside from less nose dive when braking).
:thumb3:
 
Yep, 1.5" makes a much bigger difference than you would think. I like the fact that there is still some rake, but nothing like what it was.
 
Thanks for all of the advice. I guess that is the problem with wanting to go taller. Too many options, I am hoping to keep it simple. The shock idea may not be bad, but at 86,xxx miles my shocks seem to be working fine, but who is to say that won't change. My plan is to get new tires this summer and I would like to go to the 265/75/16 BFG AT. Something about these tires, I had them on a truck they last a long time, work well in most conditions and look great. The 265/75/16 is cheaper than the 265/70/16 which makes no sense to me. I am really leaning toward the toytec spacer, and will look into the springs. If anyone has anymore advice I am open to suggestions.
 
Sounds like you're in a similar situation as I was. I decided not to play the "what if" game and just did what was needed now. If my shocks go out, there are other options out there that will ride/handle very well (like the KYB GR2's). I have no personal experience, but I'd say this setup would ride very similar to the Bilstein adjustables. The FJ springs are worth every penny just for the improvement in ride quality. I was amazed at the difference. I know with my setup there is still some rake, which is good because if you hook to anything it shouldn't be bad nose high.
 
I think now I am going to go with the shocks. I like the idea of lifetime warranty and knowing I will not lose any travel. I have to get tires soon, so I figured why not go at least one size bigger, at least a little more ground clearance. I do minimal off - roading so going to big would be unnecessary. I will say that the tires I have on it have been terrible. When I bought it, the 4runner had yokohama HTS tires. I have been unable to keep them balanced for any longer than 100 miles. I just think the are a bad set of tires. Besides I am tired of steering wheel shimmy at 70mph. Thanks again everyone. I am also going to explore the FJ springs. If I find a set I might put them on as well.
 
Which ever your choice, is good as long as you come up with the setup you want: To level the Truck and Clearance for Upsizing tires.

I will go with the spacers for it is the easiest and economical way of raising the front while retaining my stock suspension... Until issues came: Vibrations during slowing down, uneven tire wear, The shop was about to allign my wheels when I ask whats the cause? after an hour, they found out that all 4 shocks are leaking. Well the shocks serve for 7 yrs and 92K miles. In my case buying shocks and spacers will cost the same.

Should you go with spacer leveling, Ark swamp rider's truck is a good example.

For Preload Adjustable Bilstein, more readings here: Possible front suspension lift/levelling option using Bilsteins 5100’s with adjustabl - Toyota FJ Cruiser Forum
:cheers:
 
I bought a set of the Bilstein 5100s (front height adjustable, rear 1-2" lift), but haven't installed them yet. I have 255/75/17 Goodyear Wrangler Silent Armor tires, no wheel spacers. With stock suspension, they clear -- I moved the front fender liners forward on both sides -- but there's not a lot of extra room.

I'm planning on using the Bilstein adjustables at the second-tallest setting; IIRC it was something like 1.7" taller than stock. I'm also going to add a 10mm (~ 3/8") Old Man Emu spacer to the rear, to try to keep everything in proportion. I have the OME spacers left over from a Jeep I no longer own. (I'll have to modify the spacers a little bit, but it'll be some easy cutting.)
 
I will go with the spacers for it is the easiest and economical way of raising the front while retaining my stock suspension... Until issues came: Vibrations during slowing down, uneven tire wear, The shop was about to allign my wheels when I ask whats the cause? after an hour, they found out that all 4 shocks are leaking. Well the shocks serve for 7 yrs and 92K miles.

I agree with shocks being 7 years old, and they will have those miles on them by the end of summer. I see the benefits of the bilsteins out weighing the spacers. Cost is not really an issue, because I feel I will save more in the long run, especially since the bilsteins are lifetime warranty. Plus I will not lose any down travel with the shocks. I really want to maintain the ride performance with going up one tire size.

The next question is how hard will it be to install the front shocks? I have a spring compressor, what else can I expect?
 
Install isn't bad at all. It took me and another guy 4 hours to do the front of mine. Neither of us had done it before, and we took our time. We had to redo it, the second time we knocked it out in 2 hours. If you'll click the link in my sig to go to my lift/tire writeup, I list several how-to threads that should help out.
 
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