Lift experts, need your recommendations please...

[ar15kittykat]

I would like to install 2.5-3" lift for front and rears to run 33" tires.

main purpose/goal: fit 33", mostly highway dailydriver, mall crawler, 10% hunting n fishing (mild offroads/trails), retain close to OEM ride, firm.

NOT goal: not loose floaty highway speed, likely never rock crawling, moab, desert/dune drives, extreme offroads

What do you recommend for my purpose: Toytec Boss kit, OME, Icon coils, or Bilstein 5100/51xx, etc... ?

Current setup: OEM trail w/ 285-60-18 TerraGrapplers

 

[4RnR Grl]

I would like to install 2.5-3" lift for front and rears to run 33" tires.

I would start with the http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/156378-5th-gen-tire-fitment-guide.html. Then this: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/165065-5th-gen-4runner-lift-buyers-guide.html

 

[jwkilgore]

I'm hardly an "expert", but for looks only why not do something like a Daystar spacer lift? $135 or so for the complete kit on Amazon. Granted, you won't be able to see the red, blue, and/or yellow shocks and springs shining between the tire and fender, but it'll get you 2.5" of lift with the OEM shocks and identical ride.

Other than that, since you won't be taking it off road, it's about what color you want and how much you're willing to spend.

ETA:
My understanding is that if you go over about 2.5" you should drop your differential down to reduce the axle angle (simple spacer drop), and you may have to replace your UCAs to allow for alignment. Actually, with 33's I'm betting new UCAs will be a requirement.

 

[ar15kittykat]

I'm hardly an "expert", but for looks only why not do something like a Daystar spacer lift? $135 or so for the complete kit on Amazon. Granted, you won't be able to see the red, blue, and/or yellow shocks and springs shining between the tire and fender, but it'll get you 2.5" of lift with the OEM shocks and identical ride.

Other than that, since you won't be taking it off road, it's about what color you want and how much you're willing to spend.

ETA:
My understanding is that if you go over about 2.5" you should drop your differential down to reduce the axle angle (simple spacer drop), and you may have to replace your UCAs to allow for alignment. Actually, with 33's I'm betting new UCAs will be a requirement.

I've read " 5th Gen 4Runner Lift Buyers Guide" 4rnrGirl posted above in past, but that guide seems to be company's product desc, not real feedback and experiences from actual users I was looking for. As for the economical spacers lifts w/ oem shocks/springs, from what I've read on this board that folks who went w/ spacers kit soon went to true coilovers or long travel shocks/suspension kits cuz spacer kits shall over extend oem shocks and blow them out quickly?...

And I wasn't looking at 2.5-3" lift for looks only but to clear 33" tires and get extra height clearance for mild offroads...

If yall think spacers kits w/ oem shocks/coils shall retain oem ride and are durable long term if I don't do extreme offroading, then I may just go w/ this simple route and add diff. drop kit and UCAs for alignments...

 

[jdtaylor42]

I have run into the same thing. I have reviewed the available lifts thread and have looked at multiple build threads to see what people have installed but I have yet to find a thread actually reviewing various lifts. I would really like to know what people think about the lifts they have installed but can't find anything.

For what its worth I just ordered the Toytec Ultimate lift which is a complete suspension replacement system with upper control arms for like $1700. Seems like a lot of people have that installed and from talking to Toytec they say the Ultimate rides smoother than their BOSS lift.

 

[SKP-4R]

Check out my FOX Group Buy. We're running a special on a full kit that included UCA's and rear springs, in addition to every shock FOX makes for the 4Runner's. This will be a great buy for an awesome kit at a great price:
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/group-buys/204687-fox-shocks-*group-buy*.html

 

[mdogg]

I have run into the same thing. I have reviewed the available lifts thread and have looked at multiple build threads to see what people have installed but I have yet to find a thread actually reviewing various lifts. I would really like to know what people think about the lifts they have installed but can't find anything.

People's "reviews" of different lifts are extremely limited in their nature. Generally, suspension items are not something that a person will go through many sets and be able to compare. They cost a significant amount of money (and time if it's either a DIY job or if you have to wait for a shop to finish). Suspensions are the next level up from something like tires - and even with tires people are more willing and able to freely swap them out on a whim to try something different and new.

Unless a single person has had experience with a single vehicle and kept all other parameters the same except the shocks and/or springs, then "reviews" are nearly worthless. Every person has their own impressions of the same spring/shock combination. Some say too harsh; some say too soft. Too much body roll; absolutely eliminates brake dive. Etc., etc.

Even if manufacturers were more willing to post spring rates and other data, then those would be absolutely objective in nature. However, the resulting "feel" is still subjective.

At the end of the day, the only thing you can do is get as much feedback for the different suspensions and make a decision based on that information. Nobody can tell you what suspension is "the one" for you. You need to consider your intended use, budget, skill, goals, etc. and go from there.

 

[cjacob316]

I'm not an expert, but I like my lift. It's in my signature below. You can use a rear superflex spring instead of the spacer to get the lift in the rear you want. My 4runner handles well and I drive on the interstate a lot. I would probably add a UCA though. It's a good option for light duty imo.

 

[Swarty]

For a more better ride...

I would like to install 2.5-3" lift for front and rears to run 33" tires.

main purpose/goal: fit 33", mostly highway dailydriver, mall crawler, 10% hunting n fishing (mild offroads/trails), retain close to OEM ride, firm.

NOT goal: not loose floaty highway speed, likely never rock crawling, moab, desert/dune drives, extreme offroads

What do you recommend for my purpose: Toytec Boss kit, OME, Icon coils, or Bilstein 5100/51xx, etc... ?

My opinion do the Bilstein 5100s w OME rear springs or a full OME kit and aftermarket UCAs. These are the cheapest quality suspension lifts. You'll get a looser ride with spacers because of the raised ride height on stock dampers and everything else is probably over kill for what you are doing. Although if that Fox buy was cheap enough a stage 1 kit could be comparable. Worth checking out for sure.

 

[Range]

I would like to install 2.5-3" lift for front and rears to run 33" tires.

main purpose/goal: fit 33", mostly highway dailydriver, mall crawler, 10% hunting n fishing (mild offroads/trails), retain close to OEM ride, firm.

NOT goal: not loose floaty highway speed, likely never rock crawling, moab, desert/dune drives, extreme offroads

What do you recommend for my purpose: Toytec Boss kit, OME, Icon coils, or Bilstein 5100/51xx, etc... ?

Current setup: OEM trail w/ 285-60-18 TerraGrapplers

Billstein or Icon shocks - no need for extra reservoir or anything rebuildable.
Old Man Emu coils soft spring rate (150lbs)
Old Man spacers to even out the front
Tires of your choice - NO "E" Rating. Do a search (Nitto, BF, Goodyear, Cooper) and choose one you like the looks of. A "softer" tire will give you a softer ride.

 

[wfo9]

My opinion do the Bilstein 5100s w OME rear springs or a full OME kit and aftermarket UCAs. These are the cheapest quality suspension lifts. You'll get a looser ride with spacers because of the raised ride height on stock dampers and everything else is probably over kill for what you are doing. Although if that Fox buy was cheap enough a stage 1 kit could be comparable. Worth checking out for sure.

^^^^ this. OME = lasts forever. A little stiff, but I like that in a truck. Jut put it on and forget about it.

For the UCAs. Camburg BJ. Light Racing UCAs would also probably get the job done.

 

[SKP-4R]

My opinion do the Bilstein 5100s w OME rear springs or a full OME kit and aftermarket UCAs. These are the cheapest quality suspension lifts. You'll get a looser ride with spacers because of the raised ride height on stock dampers and everything else is probably over kill for what you are doing. Although if that Fox buy was cheap enough a stage 1 kit could be comparable. Worth checking out for sure.

Pricing will be available tomorrow! I can assure you that a basic fox 2.0 front and rear will be an absolute bargain.

 

[wfo9]

People's "reviews" of different lifts are extremely limited in their nature. Generally, suspension items are not something that a person will go through many sets and be able to compare. They cost a significant amount of money (and time if it's either a DIY job or if you have to wait for a shop to finish). Suspensions are the next level up from something like tires - and even with tires people are more willing and able to freely swap them out on a whim to try something different and new.

Unless a single person has had experience with a single vehicle and kept all other parameters the same except the shocks and/or springs, then "reviews" are nearly worthless. Every person has their own impressions of the same spring/shock combination. Some say too harsh; some say too soft. Too much body roll; absolutely eliminates brake dive. Etc., etc.

Even if manufacturers were more willing to post spring rates and other data, then those would be absolutely objective in nature. However, the resulting "feel" is still subjective.

At the end of the day, the only thing you can do is get as much feedback for the different suspensions and make a decision based on that information. Nobody can tell you what suspension is "the one" for you. You need to consider your intended use, budget, skill, goals, etc. and go from there.

I've had OME and ICON on my 5th gen. The ICON is much smoother... but the downside is noise and cost. Overall, I would do OME again if I was on a budget.

 

[TNRunner99]

I've had the OME kit and the Toytec on my 3rd gen. The Toytec is definitely a better ride. I also have the Icon stage 1 on my Tacoma and it's the closest to the "stock" feeling ride of the three.

 

[ar15kittykat]

Thanks for all feedback, I am leaning toward full OME lift kit + diff. drop kit + UCAs or Fox basic2 pending pricing tmo...

OME Full Suspension System For 2010+ 4Runners


Fronts:

-OME 884: Stock front weight 3 inch lift. (heard of soft, sagging, not 3" lift w/ stock bumpers)?


-OME 885: 70-180 lbs additional front weight (bumper OR winch) 3 inch lift

maybe prefer 885 for firmer ride w/ current stock bumper, too harsh? I currently have 285-60-18 E 10plies w/ 47psi all around and I like the firm ride.


Rear:
OME 2889: Medium 3 inch lift coils: Uses 60080 rear shocks

+ UCAs and diff. drop since I do want full 3" lift all around... sounds like I am set?