Lift?

[TRDteen]

Long story short I would like to make my 4Runner a well performing off-road/trail car. First thing I want to do is get it a little higher off the ground. A lift kit would be good. I know there are a few different ways to do so, like coils, or spacers and even a body lift.

My car is a 99' 3rd Gen, Limited Edition V6. I'm almost positive it already has like a 2-4 inch lift on the back, but I have no idea what it is. (Bought the car with it already on it) I'll attach a picture to help you identify it if you can haha, doubt you can though. I'm mainly looking for a 6 inch lift, but I don't know if that's a lot or not much at all.

Basically I want to get familiar with what I'm dealing with. How long this will take to install, Best method to use to lift it? how much it will cost, do I need bigger tires? will MPG decrease? I'm only seventeen and I want to "upgrade" my car! Any help or tips would be much appreciated!

-Matt

 

[JasetheDamager]

Hey Man, I see you're in OC. A bunch of guys on this forum are down in SoCal.

Anyway, for the lift, read through this sticky first: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/66976-3rd-gen-4runner-lift-information-faqs.html

I have the Sonoran Steel 1.2 lift and 33s, and yes I lost MPGs, but I feel my truck is now a very capable vehicle in any situation. Of course, I've done a lot of other work on it to reach that point.

There are quite a few knowledgeable guys on here regarding lifts. It seems most hardcore trail guys prefer no BL, or only a minimal BL (1"to 1.5") to help clear 35s without rubbing. With my SS 1.2 kit, I have no issues with rubbing. Suspension lifts are more expensive, but if you want your rig to be truly trail capable, suspension is the way to go.

Also, get rid of the running boards unless you really need them.

Here's some threads I've enjoyed reading for info and inspiration:
COB's thread. He's a young DIY maniac in OC: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/61636-cobs-4runner-timeline-pic-heavy.html
Blcktpgsr: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/67705-blcktpgsrs-97-transformation.html
Dirtco: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/95322-dirtcos-1999-4runner-build.html
SR5Sushi: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/99798-sr5sushis-build-thread.html
4-Ripcord: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/85197-ripcords-2002-4runner-build-photo-timeline.html
BigFishAllDay: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/68346-i-found-one-2001-sport-ed-trd-scd.html

 

[Fishwerks]

I'm only seventeen and I want to "upgrade" my car! Any help or tips would be much appreciated!

That's a nice looking 4Runner. The TRD wheels are awesome. I would guess it has a 1.5" spacer in the back or so, but I'm not sure.

6" is a lot of lift and would require a body lift on top of the suspension lift. 3" would be easier and you could run 33s with a little more work. You don't "need" new tires, but you will want them.

"Upgrades" depend on your budget. Read some build threads and decide what you want, then go from there.

 

[Doc2012]

I'm mainly looking for a 6 inch lift, but I don't know if that's a lot or not much at all.

6" is OVERKILL. Basically, there is no one that makes a 6" suspension lift for these. There is NO reason for it. Really, the only way to get a 6" suspension lift out of this will be to do a FULL leaf spring conversion, front and rear. And, that's going to cost $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$.

My brother has a '99 Tacoma, Standard Cab, 2.7L 5-speed. He has about 3" off suspension, and a 1" body lift, for a total of 4" all together. He has front and rear ARB air lockers, 4.88 gears, and a bunch of custom goodies, like I do. That truck impresses people all the time.

The first time I went wheeling with him, we were following a bunch of buggies up a trail. Ya know, the custom kind, tube frames, 40" Super swampers, yadda yadda. One of the guys looks at us and says "That truck ain't gonna make it up anything here." We followed, and when the buggies had to stop because they were over heating, and couldnt make it up the trail, my brother went right by them and kept going. Everyone started screaming and complementing his truck.

The moral of that is just becasue you have a monster lift, doesn't mean you can do alot of stuff with it. It's better to do it right the first time, rather than having to do it all over again.

I'm currently running DR coilovers in the front, and 63" chevy leaf springs in the back, and a 1.5" body lift. The reason I went with the Chevys is because I got a killer deal on a set of 4.88s and ARB air lockers out of a Tacoma. Obviously, the 8.4" third won't fit into a 8" axle housing on our 4Runners, so I had to make a decision: either buy a 8" thirs with 4.88s and an ARB($$$$) or do a swap. I chose to do the swap. The reason I'm running the body lift is so I could get away with the custom transmission crossmember I have, and so I could clock my t-case. If it weren't for that reason, I would probably only be running 1" of body lift, just so I'd have a little more room for bigger tires.

I personally would go no more than 2" of body lift. You can look at 4Crawler and see what he has available for body lifts. Just remember, the higher you go in body lift, the more top heavy the rig is going to be. You'll end up flipping it or something else if you go too high on the body lift....

4Runners are VERY capable rigs, even in thier stock configuration. The reason we want more lift, is so we can push them even further. But, keep in mind, the more you push, the more things will break or get messed up.

Don't let yourself be sucked into the "Bigger is Better" mindset. That is absolutely FALSE. Just becasue some people have monster trucks, doesn't mean they will out perform yours. You build the rig for what YOU want to do. If some one laughs at you for it, just look at them and say:

"Nice truck. Sorry about your little d!ck."

 

[SoAZ4Runner]

"Nice truck. Sorry about your little d!ck."

HAHAHA that was an awesome way to finish! I agree with everything said build your truck for what you intend to do. For example I live in a desert so there's no need for something like a snorkel.. But I'll get one eventually cause they're sick!

BTW every inch of suspension lift raises your center of gravity about 75%
However every inch of Bodylift only raises it about 25%


Just food for thought.

 

[Gerdo]

BTW every inch of suspension lift raises your center of gravity about 75%

Wow where this info come from?
I raised my CG ~337%

 

[TRDteen]

Hey Man, I see you're in OC. A bunch of guys on this forum are down in SoCal.

Anyway, for the lift, read through this sticky first: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/66976-3rd-gen-4runner-lift-information-faqs.html

I have the Sonoran Steel 1.2 lift and 33s, and yes I lost MPGs, but I feel my truck is now a very capable vehicle in any situation. Of course, I've done a lot of other work on it to reach that point.

There are quite a few knowledgeable guys on here regarding lifts. It seems most hardcore trail guys prefer no BL, or only a minimal BL (1"to 1.5") to help clear 35s without rubbing. With my SS 1.2 kit, I have no issues with rubbing. Suspension lifts are more expensive, but if you want your rig to be truly trail capable, suspension is the way to go.

Also, get rid of the running boards unless you really need them.

Here's some threads I've enjoyed reading for info and inspiration:
COB's thread. He's a young DIY maniac in OC: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/61636-cobs-4runner-timeline-pic-heavy.html
Blcktpgsr: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/67705-blcktpgsrs-97-transformation.html
Dirtco: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/95322-dirtcos-1999-4runner-build.html
SR5Sushi: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/99798-sr5sushis-build-thread.html
4-Ripcord: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/85197-ripcords-2002-4runner-build-photo-timeline.html
BigFishAllDay: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/68346-i-found-one-2001-sport-ed-trd-scd.html

I'll forsure check out those build threads bro! And yeah I live in OC, absolutely love it down here!

Anyways, I in fact do NOT have any lift on the back at all. I just have a stiffer spring, which makes the car sit up about 1.5 - 2 inches higher in the back. So with that, I'm guessing i should but a 2" spacer on the front to even the car out?

I know I sound like a complete noob, but what are running boards? Is that just the grey plastic that runs along the bottom on the car and along the top of the tires?

 

[KidVermicious]

How about giving this fellow the advice he needs instead of the advice he wants, guys?

Long story short I would like to make my 4Runner a well performing off-road/trail car.[/

You already have a well performing offroad vehicle.

I'm only seventeen and I want to "upgrade" my car! Any help or tips would be much appreciated!

-Matt

This is your bigger problem. You don't want a "well performing off-road/trail car", you just want to upgrade. There's nothing wrong with that, but be honest with yourself about what you're doing - you want to impress people with your ride. It's ok, everybody has their first truck once.

On the off chance that you really are interested in offroading, it has to be asked, how much wheeling have you done? Do you want to mud, do you want to baja, are you interested in rock crawling, or are you just looking for a rig that can handle a rough road? Where do you with the truck? What do you do? Before you start throwing money at your rig, you need to identify what you expect from it, and what you think it's weaknesses are that are preventing you from reaching your goals. I suspect that if you get that truck on a trail, you're going to find that even stock, it's ability far exceeds your own and it's already more truck than you know what to do with. My advice is to take that cash burning a hole in your pocket, invest in a good set of all terrain tires, put the rest into your gas tank, and wheel what you've got. Get with your local clubs and have them show you around. Once your wheeling skills are good enough that the truck really is holding you back, then talk about upgrades. I think you'll find that by then you'll be laughing at the idea of a 6 inch lift kit.

 

[IanB]

I'll forsure check out those build threads bro! And yeah I live in OC, absolutely love it down here!

Anyways, I in fact do NOT have any lift on the back at all. I just have a stiffer spring, which makes the car sit up about 1.5 - 2 inches higher in the back. So with that, I'm guessing i should but a 2" spacer on the front to even the car out?

I know I sound like a complete noob, but what are running boards? Is that just the grey plastic that runs along the bottom on the car and along the top of the tires?

If you have different springs that make the truck sit higher, that's a lift. Sounds like you only have the rear of the truck lifted at this point.

The "running boards" are the plastic step underneath the doors. The plastic over the wheel wells is called "flares".

 

[SoAZ4Runner]

Wow where this info come from?
I raised my CG ~337%

Just think about the physics of where the truck is now over where it was stock. I love parking next to a full stocker it gives great perspective.

 

[ChildrenOfBodom]

Yo man, I'm in Mission Viejo off Alicia. Let's meet up and I'll go through everything with ya.

 

[IanB]

BTW every inch of suspension lift raises your center of gravity about 75%
However every inch of Bodylift only raises it about 25%


Just food for thought.

Wow where this info come from?
I raised my CG ~337%

Just think about the physics of where the truck is now over where it was stock. I love parking next to a full stocker it gives great perspective.

So, is this fact, or made up figures you've used here? Of course the center of gravity would be raised, and it makes sense that a suspension lift would raise the COG more than a body lift as all the mass is lifted, not just the body, but those numbers sounds fully made up to me. Where did they come from?

Sounds like Gerdo's COG would be about 12 ft above his roofline, lol.

 

[SoAZ4Runner]

So, is this fact, or made up figures you've used here? Of course the center of gravity would be raised, and it makes sense that a suspension lift would raise the COG more than a body lift as all the mass is lifted, not just the body, but those numbers sounds fully made up to me. Where did they come from?

Sounds like Gerdo's COG would be about 12 ft above his roofline, lol.

Sorry guys I was tired when I interpreted this.
4Crawler Offroad - Custom Body Lift Kits

Roofline COG lol

 

[TRDteen]

How about giving this fellow the advice he needs instead of the advice he wants, guys?



You already have a well performing offroad vehicle.



This is your bigger problem. You don't want a "well performing off-road/trail car", you just want to upgrade. There's nothing wrong with that, but be honest with yourself about what you're doing - you want to impress people with your ride. It's ok, everybody has their first truck once.

On the off chance that you really are interested in offroading, it has to be asked, how much wheeling have you done? Do you want to mud, do you want to baja, are you interested in rock crawling, or are you just looking for a rig that can handle a rough road? Where do you with the truck? What do you do? Before you start throwing money at your rig, you need to identify what you expect from it, and what you think it's weaknesses are that are preventing you from reaching your goals. I suspect that if you get that truck on a trail, you're going to find that even stock, it's ability far exceeds your own and it's already more truck than you know what to do with. My advice is to take that cash burning a hole in your pocket, invest in a good set of all terrain tires, put the rest into your gas tank, and wheel what you've got. Get with your local clubs and have them show you around. Once your wheeling skills are good enough that the truck really is holding you back, then talk about upgrades. I think you'll find that by then you'll be laughing at the idea of a 6 inch lift kit.

So true man, as you can see I'm only 17. A nice looking truck would be fantastic,but I also really do love off-roading. My father and I have done ALOT of trail riding with our motorcycles. I've been riding ever since I was 5, so that may be an advantage to me some how when it comes to cars.

Yo man, I'm in Mission Viejo off Alicia. Let's meet up and I'll go through everything with ya.

Sounds good man!

 

[the great him]

I live in a desert so there's no need for something like a snorkel.. But I'll get one eventually cause they're sick!

um actually thats a great reason to have a snorkel, because the air inlet is up much higher and out of the dust more often than not. so it picks up cleaner fresher air, and not dirty dusty air from in your fender well... snorkels are not just for water


and to the OP; id recomend getting a set of sliders first off, that will help protect your nice clean truck and prevent it from getting body damage as you learn the wheel it. because as most of us know, apart of learning to wheel is making mistakes and sometimes those mistakes can be costly, so $2-300 now on a good set of sliders can save you thousands of dollars later at the body shop getting dents fixed

 

[martin770]

BTW every inch of suspension lift raises your center of gravity about 75%
However every inch of Bodylift only raises it about 25%

It would be better math if you would say that 1 inch of suspension lift raises your center of gravity by 3/4 inch (an inch lift can only raise the cog by one inch max right? ... and suspension lift raises 75% of the weight of the vehicle because it includes the frame and body). So then for the body lift, you raise the center of gravity by 1/4 inch per body lift inch (if the body is 25% of the total weight).

The difference is that the body lift doesn't add any capability to the vehicle except allowing bigger tires to fit.

edit: I guess you already corrected that with your link to the 4Crawler page