Lift Kit Delima????help!

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I dont have xreas, and have no experience of it. I do however have a spacer lift (what you will need if you want to keep xreas) I have the daystar 2inch lift. Ride feels exactly the same to me. I didnt notice any affect at all on the handling. I would assume that xreas owners would feel even less ill handling effects from a lift than non xreas owners anyways as the xreas tries to keep the car balanced.
If you want a lift but dont need the best one for heavy offroading, i think a spacer lift is the best way to go. It keeps it closer to stock, I at least didnt notice a difference, and of course it is cheaper.
If you are heaving into offroading then maybe you should continue to look at coilovers.
 
I was thinking of putting some 33"x12" tires on. Wouldn't I need at least a 3/2" spacer lift for good tire clearance? And wouldn't compressing the shock more with spacers make it a harsher on the bumps, especially in the rear? This why I was thinking of going with a different suspension. To get the lift I need for those big tires and maintain the same or close ride quality. I was just thinking that compressing the shock that much with spacers would ruin the nice ride the XREAS have, so why not replace them. I'm a rookie to the 4x4 world, so bare with me on this. I really like "K6UK" setup on his rig. Would I need to have a body lift for a 33" tire? I don't do heavy offroading. I think "K6UK" is running a 33" tire, but I think he has a BL.
 
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seeing that you are opting for 305/60/18, i dont see any off-road time for your rig... so just get the spacer lift.

if you don't like it, you can easily take it out and go back to stock.

i doubt 305 will fit... unless you want the tires to stick way out.
 
Well, I havn't even bought any wheels yet. I just like the look of "Crozhawk" rig, and that's what I was basing it on. He's running 18" wheels with 33"x12.5" tires, and a 1.25 body lift. No matter if the wheels are 17" or 18", I want 33" tires or close to it. I was just looking for the best suspension lift option that compares to the XREAS, as far as corning and sagging in the rear under light loads, for a tire this size.
 
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the pro comp fj lift or the fabtech lift kit will also work on the t4r's the only problem with those kits are the cutting of the front cross member to drop down the front diff. but if you want to keep the xreas you really have no option but to use spacers. i have an 03 sport edition and i have 2 different kinds of spacers and a combo of spacer and fj rear coils. check it out. do keep in mind that i'm running a 2wd.
by the way, i really don't know how to insert a link to my previous post, so i guess the easy way is look me up in the search and look at my post on 5.5 inch lift with xreas.
 
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I don't want to cut my cross member, but I don't mind getting rid of the XREAS if it means a smoother ride with a lift. I think 5.5" would be a bit too much for me. Nice looking ride moocow.
 
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Definitely don't remove the XREAS system....there's no reason to do that with a mild spacer lift. Keep in mind that many guys here are running 32" tires without any lift at all, so you can easily run 33" tires with nothing more than a small spacer lift up front. IMO, that's the best bet for someone wanting to retain the stock handling characteristics on the 4Runner.

Read this thread for more information (it also discusses pros/cons of changing tire sizes):

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=28234
 
EvenSteven, have you lifted your rear end? I think that's where I'll feel the difference the most with a spacer lift. I have read a lot of threads that say the rear is more harsh over the bumps with spacers....and with XREAS, I can't just change out the rear, I'd have to change them all. What I really want to stay away from if I do totally change the entire suspension is the upward rake at take off. Where the truck looks like it is pointing up when taking off from a dead stop or sagging in the rear. I am taking everybodys opinions into consideration, so feel free to leave any comment or suggestion. I can't wait to do this, there's just so many questions and I want to do my homework first.
 
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No, I wanted to retain the feel of the stock ride, so I just installed a small spacer lift in the front. From my experiences, lifting the rear with the stock shocks makes the ride more harsh, mostly because of the additional shock travel. In my opinion, the rear end is high enough already and I only wanted to even it out a bit in the front.
 
Would an OME have a better stance than the 3/2 Cornfed lift? I noticed that the Cornfed has a slight downward rake on the front end. Would OME have a smoother ride than a Cornfed spacer lift?
I have another question about Donohoe coilovers. Do they make rear coils for a lift or would I have to go with something like Deaver's? I notice some people opted for the Deaver's instead of going with Donohoes all around. Is it because Deaver makes different stiffness coils for the rear and Donohoe doesn't?
 
A one inch difference (any 3/2 lift) will still give you a slightly raked look because there's more the nose is more than one inch "lower" than the rear when measured at the wheel well openings.
 
I know this about a 3/2" spacer lift. I was wanting to know if there was an OME setup that made the front and rear look more even than the spacer lift, and if so, what model OME shocks would be ideal. Thanks for your input EvenSteven, I am taking all this in.:)
I really wish I could get some input from somebody who has did away with there XREAS and went with some OME or Donohoes, but all is appreciated.
 
Keep in mind that to get it "even" depends upon how you are looking at it. What do you consider even? The tops of the wheel wells being the same distance from the ground? If so, what about your running boards? If your wheel wells are the same distance from the ground, your running boards will be higher in the front than the rear.

I prefer to keep a slight rake, or put another way, I'd rather have my running boards level, even if the rear end is still a bit higher.

As for removing XREAS and installing an entirely different suspension....there are quite a few threads by several different members who have a variety of differnent lift kits. Why not just look through them and find one that looks good to you? Then you can do the same kit.
 
I was looking at it from the running board distance. Yes, I agree with you on the "slight" rake foward. I don't really like the nose up in the air. I guess like a 1/2" difference would be good, but then if I added weight to the rear, it would be nose high, huh? Hmmm, so many question, lol.
Even if I did do like a 2.5-3" OME lift, then I would need small front spacers on top of that to level it out a bit more? That is one reason I have considered the Donohoe suspension, because it is adjustable, and once I get my new tires on, then I could adjust it right then and there the way I like it and be done with it, but Donohoes are just so dang expensive. Man, this tough decision. I want to get it the way I want it the first time around. I don't have the money to experiment, lol. Thanks for your patience and help with my rookie a$$ on lifts. :)
 
Yes, adjustible is the ultimate, but is also very costly. I guess it all depends upon the $$$ you want to spend.

Have you ever ridden in a 4Runner lifted 3 inches or more? It looks nice, but believe me when I say there are sacrifices you will make with a lifted 4Runner, especially if it is your daily driver or if you drive it on the road a lot.

Personally, I'd rather go for a mild lift, but that's just me.
 
No, I have never ridden in a lifted 4Runner. Mine is not a daily driver. I have a 2006 Ford E250 van that the company I work for issued me. So, my 4Runner is basically for my own personal recreation. I just really think the lifted ones look tough. What would I be loosing by lifting? Handling, Gas Mileage, ride comfort, etc.?
 
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Beanz said:
What would I be loosing by lifting? Handling, Gas Mileage, ride comfort, etc.?

Yes, all of the above. A higher center of gravity will hurt handling, but that may not matter to you. Your gas mileage will suffer, especially if you go with larger wheels or tires, as most people do with lifts. Basically, anything other than a small lift will hurt the overall driveability and comfort of the vehicle, but it will look badass!
 
I would have to disagree...

I feel that my truck rides and handles as good as before... even better to be honest. But its my $0.02... I just think it depends on how you want your truck to react. The stock 4R has a great susp. and the XREAS is a very cool system which undoubtedly has its benefits, and I too was initially hesitant to remove the stuff. BUT ,since, I have NEVER looked back or had a single regret! To me the stock 4R felt too soft, almost van-ish. Going over bumps the stock shocks just MUSH under the pressure whereas w/ the ome goodies the susp. gives more PUSH, it has MUSCLE.
The D-hoes are sick! But if you arent going to b doing much offroading, then I dont really see a need for the adjustability. Id LOVE to have them for their quality, strength and blingage but at the time the cost and wide praise of the OEM (arb) system made sense, AND I LOVE IT!


This is how a T4R SHOULD BE! imho

ps- u should try and find a member near u/ with a lifted truck so u can check it out, u wont be dissapointed!
 
That's funny.... I guess your 4Runner defies the laws of physics. It handles better with a higher center of gravity.:bash:
 

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