lift kit vs leveling kit 4th gen

[loventactical]

Hello Everyone. I am new here and pretty new to the lift world. I have a 2006 4Runner Limited that I would like to lift because I just can't leave a vehicle stock.

I have in mind either 3" Lift W/ Bilstein 5100 Height Adj Coilovers
or 3" leveling kit like Ready lift.

I would like to put Goodyear Wrangler Duratrac on my stock 18" wheels
and shrockworks front bumper.

Can anyone explain the pros and cons between lift kit vs leveling kit? Since I have a lot to learn.

Thank you so much!!!

 

[mountain mike]

You are talking about the difference between a coil over kit (bilsteins) and spacer kit (Readylift). If you can afford it the coil over kit is the way to go. It will typically give you more travel and a much better ride. The spacer lift just puts a spacer on your factory shock making the vehicle ride higher. If you just need something to crawl the mall with the spacer will work. But if you're a real man and want to actually use your vehicle off road you will want to get a coil over kit.
When it comes down to what company it is all a matter of personal preference and there are many to chose from. OME, King, Fox, Icon, Toytec, Sway A Way, Walker Evans and the list goes on. I have run both Toytec and Icon. I personally like Toytec more. Not to say anything bad about Icon, they are a very good company and make an excellent product. I actually run Icon on my F150. I have run both Icon and Toytec on my previous FJ. I just think Icon rides more like a BMW and Toytec rides more like a Cadillac, and I prefer the ride of a Cadillac.
More things to ponder. When you lift a IFS (independent front suspension) vehicle you can open a can or worms. I don't have a Gen 4 but they are similar to FJ's and I am going to guess when you lift it you will have a hard time getting it back to factory alignment specs without buying aftermarket UCA's (upper control arm). When you lift an IFS vehicle and leave stock UCA's they have a tendency to wonder when driving, especially at highway speeds and they also become "upset" when you go over bumps. It's hard to explain but they just don't feel as secure and planted.

 

[loventactical]

Thank you for the info (mountain mike). It was very detailed and informative. Ok, so I will be going with coil overs. Thanks again and I'm sure I will have many questions to follow as I get down the road.

 

[fourwd1]

Welcome to T4R !!
Since your post is technically oriented, I'll move it to the appropriate section.

 

[loventactical]

Thanks

 

[Speedy Gomez]

:welcome: to T4R.ORG!

 

[OkieSnuffBox]

especially at highway speeds and they also become "upset" when you go over bumps. It's hard to explain but they just don't feel as secure and planted.

Bumpsteer

It's the same thing that happens on lowered vehicles. You've changed the relative angle between the control arm and the tie rod and it causes some wonky geometry changes throughout the movement of the suspension.

 

[mountain mike]

I'm really not sure. I have only lowered one vehicle and it was a 2004 Denali. I used a kit that was supposed to keep the stock geometry and then I added beefy sway bars and a set of 22's. It actually seemed more planted than stock, much more planted and didn't have any alignment issues. That is the only experience I have with lowering vehicles and it was suppose to keep the stock geometry, although I'm not sure how it did that.