Lift Questions regarding issues

[1Bad4RunR]

Hey Group. I have a 2019 TRD Pro 4runner and I'm looking to do a lift. However, having had a 2011 FJ Cruiser that was riddled with problems after doing a lift I'm really hesitant to F' up my new 4runner. So my question to everyone with a lift is this: What lift did you install, how many miles have you put on since lifting, and what sort of issues have you had?

 

[rhadam]

I installed a Dobinson's kit along with UCA's. I'd say I have driven about 7-8k miles so far. Issues: front clunking/rubbing that I just can't seem to diagnose. I've taken it in to a local shop that knows their stuff, 4x4 tech looked it over and can't see any issue. I don't think the issue is with the Dobinson's parts, I believe it's likely a shot bushing or a swaybar issue. I'm really pleased with Dobinson's parts and the customer support.

 

[DAW89446]

Spoiler alert - I’m not a fan of lifts. So, my response will not address your question, as in that I’ve never had a lifted vehicle. And I’m not going to preach the pros and cons of lifts, because I have no personal experience. But I’ve seen plenty of experiences good and bad from those of others.

In my opinion, based on seventeen years of ownership of a 2002 Tacoma TRD and a high ratio of off roading it over rugged trails, it isn’t necessary. Unless you want to do Moab type antics. Yes, my Tacoma did (and still does because since 2018 my son still has it) had beat up skid plates, and rocker panel dings, but it took everything I threw at it, including laying it on its side on a badly eroded off camber trail. Toyota did their homework well with the TRD package for real world, off road use.

I can, however, see merit in a front end lift to level the vehicle front to rear. That usually only amounts to an inch give or take.

It really depends on your intended use and how much compromise you’re willing to put up with.

 

[1Bad4RunR]

I used to take my 2011 TT FJ to a local offroad park called Rausch Creek here on PA like twice a year. Other than that it was mostly all daily driver milage. I had a 3" Rough Country lift and 33s. That truck ended up in the garage literally every 6 to 8 months with something wrong. Ball joints, wheel bearings, tie rods, and on and on. It was ridiculous. I don't want go through that again with the 4runner. In fact, I'll probably never even take the 4runner on trails. If I do any offroading at all it will be on the sand when I go to the beach. However, want the "Offroad Look". I'm willing to pay good money for the look if I know it's a once and done thing. I'm not going to shell out money for something like an Icon lift if I hear guys saying they constantly have issues

 

[Run Forrest Run]

My experience…I installed Ironman Nitro 3”/2” w/ UCA on my 2020 ORP, I had the faintest of squeaks that could never be found. After 10k miles, my OCD could not let it go.
I jumped at an opportunity to trade into a 2021 ORP. Everything I read told me to stick with .85” to lift/level, but I convinced myself to go with Bilstein 6112/5100 at 2” w/ 1” rear coils & stock UCA’s. Better angles on CV joints, better ride for a DD & better MPG. 4,000 miles in, no squeaks and extremely satisfied with the result.
If it were my TRD Pro, I would be concerned about adding anymore than 1” F/R. My 2 cents, maybe worth less.

 

[NW.OH.T4R]

Based on your intended use it’s interesting you’d want to dump the Pro suspension for something aftermarket. There are mixed reviews on each Pro specific lift that maintains the Fox shocks. I wasn’t interested in changing the front spring rate - no plans to add much weight, so I’ve gone with the Westcott “not-a-spacer” lift in the front and the Eibach springs in the rear (I am adding some weight). Not installed yet, but I’ll likely only add the spring preload spacer and not the top hat.
I’m very pleased with the OEM Fox setup on the road and on light off road trails.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[BlueRidge77]

I used to take my 2011 TT FJ to a local offroad park called Rausch Creek here on PA like twice a year. Other than that it was mostly all daily driver milage. I had a 3" Rough Country lift and 33s. That truck ended up in the garage literally every 6 to 8 months with something wrong. Ball joints, wheel bearings, tie rods, and on and on. It was ridiculous. I don't want go through that again with the 4runner. In fact, I'll probably never even take the 4runner on trails. If I do any offroading at all it will be on the sand when I go to the beach. However, want the "Offroad Look". I'm willing to pay good money for the look if I know it's a once and done thing. I'm not going to shell out money for something like an Icon lift if I hear guys saying they constantly have issues

Ball joints and tie rods wear out in all vehicles including stock, non-lifted vehicles… Maybe they were just ready to go. Lifts do increase stress on items and accelerate wear and tear though. I don’t have a lot of experience with Toyota lifts (just lifted mine though) but regardless of make, you usually get into issues when you don’t do all of the improvements that should be done… you lift but don’t get new UCA’s so your ball joint gets stressed, the resulting lack of proper alignment stresses steering components and they need replacing. Some don’t get longer swaybar links and the bushings wear out, etc… While doing all of that turns a somewhat expensive lift into a more expensive one, it may save you from premature failures… Personally, I think it’s a shame to spend all that money on a Pro and change the suspension… I bought my 16 Trail and drove it for 4.5 years before lifting it…. Enjoy it the way it is for a while, then upgrade when things start to wear out…? I needed new tires and rear shocks so I used that as my chance to do a comprehensive upgrade…

 

[1Bad4RunR]

I appreciate everyone's input. My gut tells me to let it alone and be happy with it the way it is. Yet my brain and my heart tell me it doesn't look aggressive enough to wear a badge like "Pro". Especially when I cruise by the Jeep dealership and just about every other Jeep on the lot, even the no thrills base model seems to sit higher than my "Pro" 4runner. Maybe it's just because I remember what my FJ used to look like. It was definitely more rugged looking than my 4runner

 

[4wheeldrivesmatter]

I wonder if anyone has a high mileage lifted 4Runner. High mileage meaning 200k+ miles on a lift

Lifts look cool and all with the added clearance. But is it really beneficial to longevity?

*doubt*

 

[Charlievee]

For what it's worth, pushing 40k miles on my setup (Eibach and JBA's). Not going to say how it's doing, because i don't want to jinks anything.

 

[honda250xtitan]

OP check out westcott designs. he machines a spring perch to give you a little extra height and still retain those fancy PRO shocks

I wonder if anyone has a high mileage lifted 4Runner. High mileage meaning 200k+ miles on a lift

Lifts look cool and all with the added clearance. But is it really beneficial to longevity?

*doubt*

no one said it's beneficial to longevity. it's beneficial to not ripping off the bumper when youre in a silt bed. or beneficial by having better performing shocks. stock crap shocks are gonna "last" the longest. obviously.

 

[fkheath]

I have a Rough Country leveling kit (2.5” front, 1” rear). 10k miles. No problems. Just did Alpine loop in Colorado, again.

 

[Snowtrooper]

I appreciate everyone's input. My gut tells me to let it alone and be happy with it the way it is. Yet my brain and my heart tell me it doesn't look aggressive enough to wear a badge like "Pro". Especially when I cruise by the Jeep dealership and just about every other Jeep on the lot, even the no thrills base model seems to sit higher than my "Pro" 4runner. Maybe it's just because I remember what my FJ used to look like. It was definitely more rugged looking than my 4runner

I’m curious, at what point from 2011 did you install your FJ lift? Were you pretty diligent on alignment? Were things pretty dialed in with UCA’s, diff drops etc?

I’ve done a range of modifications from lowered to lifted and the same rules always applies: Regardless of aesthetics or performance, if the alignment, and supporting components aren’t dialed in on an extreme lower/ lift, things go south fairly quickly on a daily driver.

As much as I appreciate the look of the Pro over a base model 4runner, it’s still Toyota North America’s conservative interpretation of “this is special”. It’s hard not to want to modify when a few of those parts can be added on any 4Runner after spending a day on Ebay.

Our community is pretty robust and this particular chassis has been on the road for so long that you should have no problem dialing things back. I say listen to your heart and make it yours. Besides, if we were good at leaving things as they should be, we wouldn’t be on this forum.

 

[4wheeldrivesmatter]

OP check out westcott designs. he machines a spring perch to give you a little extra height and still retain those fancy PRO shocks



no one said it's beneficial to longevity. it's beneficial to not ripping off the bumper when youre in a silt bed. or beneficial by having better performing shocks. stock crap shocks are gonna "last" the longest. obviously.

Never said anyone did lmao. Cool, good to know

 

[ScottR]

3 years and 12,000 miles on my Dobinson's 2"/1" lift with no issues.

 

[bayaz]

I installed a Dobinson's kit along with UCA's. I'd say I have driven about 7-8k miles so far. Issues: front clunking/rubbing that I just can't seem to diagnose. I've taken it in to a local shop that knows their stuff, 4x4 tech looked it over and can't see any issue. I don't think the issue is with the Dobinson's parts, I believe it's likely a shot bushing or a swaybar issue. I'm really pleased with Dobinson's parts and the customer support.

I also have a Dobinsons kit with SPC UCAs and I also get that rubbing sound when coming to a stop or moving from a stop. I’ve been suggested to put some wd-40 at the tips of the coils in the coilovers. Toyota coils are rubberized compound on them while Dobinsons don’t.

 

[hallcs]

I have a 2021 Venture. I did a cornfed 2/1" spacer lift with new 275/70/17 Falken Wildpeak AT3s just for a little more rugged look. No off road activities. I have minor noises that were not there at stock, nothing big but sometimes I have a very light snap or click when I hit a bump in the road, Im sure everything is fine but my OCD is on high alert. Also had tire rub at full lock reverse even with one size up but I did the front trim and took care of that. Falkens are just slightly bigger than the K02 so that may be why some get the rubbing and some dont. Ive had 33" on my lifted SR5 and while they looked good it drive like a druken pig and I did not like going over 50 MPH. The current set up enough for me.

 

[stephan07]

26k miles on my lift3ed TRD Pro. Total Chaos Upper and Lower Control arms and 285s. Only issue has been alignment. Even as good as I can get it with as much castor, doesn't drive straight on the highway. I'm happy with it and would do it over again.