Lift/level and tire suggestions? - It's mine now!

[Okki]

I have no idea on the cost associated with a spacer install since I went straight to an Icon Stage 6 system. If you are talking shocks, then go straight to the Bilsteins or an Icon stage 1 as several have mentioned. the Icon kit comes with front and rears, but is a bit more pricey.
2010 - current toyota 4runner suspension system - stage 1 - 53061

Sounds to me like you need to do a little more thinking on what it is you want. I'm no fan of spacers, but that is my 2 cents. I would get some decent adjustable coils so you can tweak your lift all you want.

Depending on what you are having done, the shop cost will vary. Just make sure you go to a shop who actually knows what they are doing (prior experience on a 4Runner) and not just a shop that says they know what they are doing.

Okki

 

[T4R_Finally]

Okki, I wouldn't go to anyone I wouldn't trust to either do it right or make it right if not done right. I've dealt with these people for most of my adult life. They lifted and leveled my Chevy, and leveled my Dodge and have a lot of experience with different vehicles. Can't say they have done a 4Runner because there are very few around here and most of them, including mine, are soccer mom cars. But since this one is now my daily driver, I don't want the stock soccer mom-mobile.

I want more level in the front - I'll take some lift as well if not too expensive. I don't want to jam spacers in it if the ride will be totally killed. And I wouldn't consider only spacers if I wanted true off-road performance. As long as the ride will be decent and I can easily fit some bigger tires with the stock rims, I don't mind using the spacers. I just know that when I leveled my Dodge, I used a kit that also had new shocks included and it came out so well (from a ride and look perspective), I only wish I had done it sooner. I drove that raked stock Dodge for 7 or 8 years because it rode so nice and I was afraid of messing it up. Turns out I didn't need to be concerned.

 

[thebwlife]

Here is from my build thread and kinda wish I would have done vs what I did.

"A good alternative that I go back and forth on wishing I would have done is 5100’s all around with the fronts at 1.75” and a 1.5” spacer (1” actual lift seen) paired with 265/70/17 BFG TA KO (C) load tires. It would have saved some mpg, cheaper tires, better power, and no need for UCAs."

 

[T4R_Finally]

A picture is worth a thousand words maybe? Came across the pic below on the first page of the lifted pic sticky. Would prefer this look but with different tires. Perhaps I'll pm the user that belongs to this photo. Have no idea what was done for this one. Perhaps as simple as a level and close to stock sized BFG's on it?

 

[thebwlife]

A picture is worth a thousand words maybe? Came across the pic below on the first page of the lifted pic sticky. Would prefer this look but with different tires. Perhaps I'll pm the user that belongs to this photo. Have no idea what was done for this one.

You mean like this?

 

[proquip]

A picture is worth a thousand words maybe? Came across the pic below on the first page of the lifted pic sticky. Would prefer this look but with different tires. Perhaps I'll pm the user that belongs to this photo. Have no idea what was done for this one.

LOL! That was one of the first pictures I saw on the forum and it got me hooked on the 5th gen. I would say that's probably a 3" lift in the front and 2" lift in the rear with 285 BFG's. Just a guess.

You will find that while you start thinking you just want to "level" or get "better tires", the more time you spend on the forum, the more you spend!

You'll find nearly countless options (and as many opinions) in the lifted thread. I still argue that if you're looking for a solid upgrade that won't break the bank and will give you options down the road, you can't go wrong with the Bilsteins. You might start with just the leveling perch, and later decide you want more lift - you can reset the shocks to a higher perch setting. Obviously, when you do that, you'll need to consider some lift in the rear (through spacers or springs). You'd also need rear Bilsteins. Many on here have also gone with the 2.5" Bilstein lift in the front (with stock springs) out of the gate and gotten rear 1.5" springs or spacers with rear Bilsteins. If you go that route, short of a total overhaul of your suspension to coilovers down the road, you're set.

 

[T4R_Finally]

Looks like a set of 4 Bilsteins would run me close to a grand? The thing is, I don't want to just level it and then put tires on that look right for that and then decide to go taller and then be stuck with tires that then look too small. Seems like the most economical thing for me is the Toyotec kit and maybe some 285's that will safely fit on the stock rims? At the rate I drive, it takes a good 3 years to burn through a set of tires, so it's not practical to do it one way and say "oh well I'll just go bigger next time".

 

[thebwlife]

Looks like a set of 4 Bilsteins would run me close to a grand? The thing is, I don't want to just level it and then put tires on that look right for that and then decide to go taller and then be stuck with tires that then look too small. Seems like the most economical thing for me is the Toyotec kit and maybe some 285's that will safely fit on the stock rims? At the rate I drive, it takes a good 3 years to burn through a set of tires, so it's not practical to do it one way and say "oh well I'll just go bigger next time".

Should be able to get 4 bilsteins for under $400

 

[T4R_Finally]

Should be able to get 4 bilsteins for under $400

Any recommended sources, model or part numbers? Would the front and rear be height adjustable? And I wouldn't need other things? No spacers?

 

[shaneotool]

I am in the same boat looking at lightly lifting my new to me 4runner. I have been researching for a couple of days and have gone back and forth on what to do..

If you want the easiest and cheapest way to get a slight lift and are not planning on doing any real off roading, then check these out:

Daystar KT09134BK Front and Rear Suspension Lift Kit for Toyota 4Runner : Amazon.com : Automotive

Cheap and easy to install. The ride will still feel like stock. You can mount up some all terrain tires in 265/70/17 or 275/70/17 and call it a day.

I think I am leaning more towards bilsteins front and rear with the fronts at the 1.75 setting and using 1.5" spacers on the rear. I am planning on using cooper at3 in 275/70/17 size. The bilsteins should eliminate some of the floaty ride.

I took the side steps and mud flaps off this past weekend. Looks much better to me now.

 

[thebwlife]

Any recommended sources, model or part numbers? Would the front and rear be height adjustable? And I wouldn't need other things? No spacers?

If you are set on doing those. Set fronts at 2.5" and get SAW rear springs.

Shockwarehouse.com

I say the SAWs because my toytec springs would be to high for 2.5" in my opinion.

 

[T4R_Finally]

I am so confused right now, I am not set on doing anything yet. So should I just use spacers of some sort in the back and bilsteins in the front, or just buy a kit meant to lift and level this specific (and others) model and year and then find some tires? That's what I am leaning towards right now as I am satisfied with the current ride. I have seen the complaints about the nose diving since I first started coming here but, frankly, I just have no complaints in that area. Maybe it is just my driving style. I tend not to brake short or hard and instead I coast to stops and apply steady braking. Regardless, as long as the spacer kit does not horribly affect the ride, I am okay with using them.

 

[proquip]

I am so confused right now, I am not set on doing anything yet. So should I just use spacers of some sort in the back and bilsteins in the front, or just buy a kit meant to lift and level this specific (and others) model and year and then find some tires? That's what I am leaning towards right now as I am satisfied with the current ride. I have seen the complaints about the nose diving since I first started coming here but, frankly, I just have no complaints in that area. Maybe it is just my driving style. I tend not to brake short or hard and instead I coast to stops and apply steady braking. Regardless, as long as the spacer kit does not horribly affect the ride, I am okay with using them.

Okay - keep it simple. If you like the current ride quality and don't expect to do any offroading (other than the occasional dirt road), then do a spacer lift. The Daystar 2.5"/1.5" front/rear lift is very popular. There are a few others that are 3"/2", like the revtek. The issue with additional lift however is that you won't be able to get the front alignment, specifically caster, back into spec, resulting in the 4Runner's steering feeling twitchy when driving down the highway. Probably better to stay between 2-2.5" of front lift, so you can get the caster within spec.

With the stock wheels and 2-2.5" of front lift, you won't have any rubbing even if you go with street-friendly 285/70/17's, or even the BFG AT's. Some here will be quick to chime in and say that as per tire manufacturers' specifications, the stock SR5 wheel, which is 7" wide, is not wide enough for 285/70/17s. That's up to you to decide - there must be 50 threads in the forum that debate the point to death. If you're a by-the-book kind'a guy, stick with 275's or go with wider wheels.

The issue of how much lift, tires and wheels is a slippery slope. The more lift, the bigger the tires you're going to want, which then requires larger wheels, etc. In that sense, the lifted thread is great because most people will post pics and lift/tires/wheel details so you can get a sense of what you like and how much you are willing to spend.

 

[thebwlife]

I am so confused right now, I am not set on doing anything yet. So should I just use spacers of some sort in the back and bilsteins in the front, or just buy a kit meant to lift and level this specific (and others) model and year and then find some tires? That's what I am leaning towards right now as I am satisfied with the current ride. I have seen the complaints about the nose diving since I first started coming here but, frankly, I just have no complaints in that area. Maybe it is just my driving style. I tend not to brake short or hard and instead I coast to stops and apply steady braking. Regardless, as long as the spacer kit does not horribly affect the ride, I am okay with using them.

I'd say you need to figure out what YOU want. I posted above how to get to the picture you posted. My rig looks exactly like the picture you posted, feel free to look through my build thread.

 

[T4R_Finally]

Yeh I realize I can only go so big on the tires with the stock rims and some manufacturers recommend a minimum wheel width for a given tire size. I don't go by that so much as what my tire guy is willing to do and stand behind. He goes on years of experience, not charts. I kept the stock hd 7" rims on my Chevy pickup and he put 285/70r17's on them for me and they worked just fine.

I just need to make sure I don't out lift my tire size. I am going back to him tomorrow to get some tires on my 3rd gen. I will discuss with him and see what we come up with for tires based on one of the spacer kits and the stock 7" rim width.

 

[KS4RUNNER]

285's will look good w 2-3 inch lift. 265 too small for me with that much lift. I ran the 265's for over a year and couldn't wait to wear them out to go with 285's.

On the lift go with 2.5.-3 inch you won't be disappointed you did, and will never question "I think I should have gone higher"!!!

I do almost 99% highway city driving, I lifted my truck for the looks as well. Was tired of looking like a soccer mom driving around town.

Just my .02

Best of luck on your decision,
KS