Lift or Stock height

[idlingmike]

Is there a significant advantage to offroad ability by going with a mild lift? No offense to anyone, but please no responses along the lines of "Just do a 3" lift, I never had a problem" I'm trying to get a real idea of how much more effective a 1-2" lift is vs stock height.

My rig is an 02 4Rrunner Sport, so no factory locker, but has TRAC. I'm generally more into the idea of keeping it closer to stock where reasonably possible.

I've got 265/75 Cooper ATP M+S tires (which raised it 1/2"), inflator/deflator setup, I got skid plates and just ordered sliders. Obviously I'll be pulling off the factory running boards when the sliders show up as well as the Sport skid plate.

The main purpose of the truck is the explore the awesomeness of offroading, do some camping, etc. I don't really care about how it looks lifted or stock. If it matters, I'm not too afraid of scraping it up a bit, but of course, it'd be idea to avoid.

I wasn't originally planning on a lift, but 217k, I'm pretty sure the factory dampers are done, so minimally, I'm thinking Bilstein 5100's all around. It isn't currently sagging, but it would seem silly to reinstall the 217k springs while they're out. (hello slippery slope)

 

[jaimesleo]

I added 2.5 in lift. Bilstein 5100 all around. Helps with clearance. Especially in front and the back. Since it's lifted I can easily go over things in the front with out worrying about hitting my front fender. Still has my stock running boards on but they never hit anything, I don't doubt that if my car was still stock the running boards would be damaged by now. Plus love the way my lift looks.


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[fourwd1]

A couple of inches of lift would be very useful, even for minor offroading.
And with 217K your stock suspension must be beyond shot.

 

[cdiset]

I did the 5100s at 1.75" with a 1.5" bigger coil in back. Even that little lift has made a big difference in clearance angles. My rear diff is in the same spot, but there is definetly more room under there. Totally worth it.

 

[reelamin]

I just did this....and I can tell already some positives for off road and some negatives. I could give a flying f what it looks like....its about function for me. No question it gains some clearance and ease of going over things etc. Its there but not huge. I would have kept it stock height but I needed some clearance for snow chains.

The down side for me was now its too stiff and skips around with my set up 4 runner 5100's 880/906. Absolute impossible to find the perfect combination you may want unless you could drive them. Everyone has a different desire. I wanted the snow chain clearance (got it with a body lift and 1" suspension lift and a couple other changes. I did not want to loose all of the soccer mom suv ride and have it all for a reasonable price.

Bilstein does not provide all the needed parts for your front shocks, and they could give a rats ass if you call them. This is a bilstein kool aid site....and yes I also tasted it....and it taste like ass.

 

[tS_kStin]

Well I mostly wanted to run 33s for diff clearance so I had to do the 3" lift thing... I knew I had a bit more flex over stock so that is nice but I had not seen much of a difference vs stock yet (however I was not able to take it out much after the lift and tires) but this past weekend I went out with a buddy that just got a stock 98 limited and we ran into a couple of deep rutted snow sections where I got through just fine with my 4" of clearance over him and the additional wheel droop and he got beached with a tire in the air by a couple of inches... That was the first time I saw my $$$ and effort pay off going with a lift. Now that is not going to happen every trail ride I do but it is nice to know that I have more clearance in general in every way.... Other than up but trees move... usually....

So even with a 1-2" you will be at an advantage over stock no matter what. clearance is clearance and the more you have the better off you are I think.

 

[theMayor]

It completely depends what kind of trails you're hitting. I'm in CO and a 3" lift is the absolute minimum I would suggest to anyone out here (and it's what I have). Remember, skids aren't meant to be a substitute for lifting. Just because they can take a beating doesn't mean you should make a habit of it.

 

[jwkilgore]

It won't help any with rear diff clearance (only bigger tires help with that), but it will help with front diff and be a huge help with approach and breakover angles. Honestly you'll be amazed at what 1.5" extra clearance gives you with breakover. That plus beefier skids and sliders will result in massive increase in places you can go.

Plus a light lift won't hurt mileage and on-road handling as much.

When I upgrade from my 2.5/1.5 spacer lift later this year I'm actually going down a bit. Wheeler's T13 (1.5") springs in the rear, but I'll probably lower the fronts from the 2.5" spacer down to the 1.85" setting on the Bilsteins.

 

[PWD4R]

I would go with 3 for a few reasons; one: you're getting skids and sliders... that's around 250 pounds if you just go sliders and front skid typically. That weight will drop you some anyway
Two: you mentioned it - slippery slope. Once you realize what you can do with an extra inch or two you'll try slightly harder things or feel more adventurous. Pretty shitty thing is to buy all new suspension then in 6 months wish you would have just gone to 3" vs 1.5".
It may look a little silly with your smaller tires but those can be exchanged later.

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