Lifted vs stock 4Runner offroad performance

[nedceifus]

Kind of debating this in my head. All other factors aside, (tire fitment) (ground clearence).
What is the best ride height/shock set up for the 3rd gen 4Runner? In my mind a stock height rig with a quality shock will outperform a lifted truck offroad. The added drop of the stock suspension will keep weight on all 4 tires longer as opposed to a lifted truck. Anyone have any real world data to support or disclaim these statements?

 

[lockedlex]

Kind of debating this in my head. All other factors aside, (tire fitment) (ground clearence).
What is the best ride height/shock set up for the 3rd gen 4Runner? In my mind a stock height rig with a quality shock will outperform a lifted truck offroad. The added drop of the stock suspension will keep weight on all 4 tires longer as opposed to a lifted truck. Anyone have any real world data to support or disclaim these statements?

Interesting idea. I guess the assumption though is that there is greater wheel travel in a stock suspension. I can say with certainty that with the correct shock/spring combo, there is A LOT more travel on a lifted truck. In fact, short of completely messing up one's choices, any lifted truck would have more wheel travel. Thus allowing a greater likelihood that all 4 tires would be touching the ground, even on off-camber approaches.

That was the case with mine and my friends stock 3rd gen. More often than not, he'd have a wheel in the air (which w/o a Locking rear diff caused him issues), while on the same path, I was all 4 on the ground.

I also can't see any situation where having a 2-4" lift would not be beneficial off roading. Everything from ground clearance, to wheel travel to being able to accommodate larger tires would benefit under all terrains (mud (so you don't drag your bottom), rock crawling, sand, dirt).

 

[thegipper]

I can't imagine a scenario where being at stock height is an advantage on mountain roads, rock crawling, trails, mud, snow, water crossings etc other than driving down paved roads.

I've never been in a lifted truck that rode as nice as a stock setup. It's the nature of the beast I guess...

 

[Bad Luck]

Kind of debating this in my head. All other factors aside, (tire fitment) (ground clearence).
What is the best ride height/shock set up for the 3rd gen 4Runner? In my mind a stock height rig with a quality shock will outperform a lifted truck offroad. The added drop of the stock suspension will keep weight on all 4 tires longer as opposed to a lifted truck. Anyone have any real world data to support or disclaim these statements?

Considering tire size and ground clearance are pretty important in most offroading situations I would assume a correctly lifted vehicle where all the suspension components work together would be more ideal than stock suspension. If the vehicle isn't lifted properly (shocks too short for springs or bumpstops not correct for longer shocks) then you're not reaping the full benefits of lifting it. I don't see many stock vehicles in the baja 500 or my local offroad park, and the ones I do see are still running bigger tires.

Edit: I reread your first post and think I understand what you're getting at. By being at stock height in the front you would get more droop in the front suspension than if you were lifted. the more you lift the front the less droop you would have so that is a valid argument to make. When I lift I'm going to try to stay pretty low for COG and droop reasons. I'll probably try for a 1 inch lift in the front but may have to go closer to 2 inches depending on how much lift lc 7.5 wraps get me.

 

[rkntoy]

Kind of debating this in my head. All other factors aside, (tire fitment) (ground clearence).
What is the best ride height/shock set up for the 3rd gen 4Runner? In my mind a stock height rig with a quality shock will outperform a lifted truck offroad. The added drop of the stock suspension will keep weight on all 4 tires longer as opposed to a lifted truck. Anyone have any real world data to support or disclaim these statements?

Depends on your definition of off-road. If you follow me with a stock height rig when I off-road you will be high centered in no time.

 

[CT135]

A stock height 4Runner is extremely off road capable in my experience. But this summer I got a 2 inch lift and when I went hunting and had to drive through pretty questionable terrain the extra ground clearance was a life saver when going over rocks and through deep ruts.

 

[JZiggy]

I’ve had the opportunity to do a lot of interesting and mild-moderate technical wheeling in a stock height rig. Do you need a lift to get offroad? Not at all.

My suggestion is start without the lift and if you find you need it based on the trails you want to run, then lift it!

 

[OrRunner]

just my .02 but I have wheeled my 02 stock and lifted-

The limiting factor stock was definitely ground clearance, and not just at the rear differential which can only be raised via larger tires but more frequently at the front skid plate and control arms. As mentioned previously, it's easy to high center the front of these guys. Snow or deep mud will get you stuck if deeper than 10-11 inches, and you will be hitting rocks pretty frequently.

That said, these trucks are very capable in stock form and if your area doesn't have much in the way of rocks, mud or snow then there's no reason it has to be lifted, and the on road manner are better when stock (although a well set up lift can still offer a nice ride, I did ICON coilovers in front and OME medium springs with ICON shocks in the rear and the ride improved overall.. replaced worn steering components at the same time which I'm sure helped.)

At the end of the day a lifted truck will get you more places than stock, it just depends where you want to go.

 

[JZiggy]

And if you don’t lift you can at least armor the underside which goes a long way.

 

[theesotericone]

Depends on your definition of off-road. If you follow me with a stock height rig when I off-road you will be high centered in no time.

Yep. Stock rigs on the trails we run would be dead rigs in no time. Gonna miss you on the Dusy this year man. Hope things are well.

 

[nedceifus]

Great info. My rig has about what I would guess is 2” of lift. I was thinking about getting some used stock stuff to experiment with. I did notice on mine that the weight of being loaded for a trip makes it stick to the ground a lot better. I’m planning on building bumpers, sliders & racks as light as possible but it will still be added weight. May be by the time I’m done loading it down it will sit at about stock height anyway. I sure do like the looks of lifted 4runners better. Just tossing ideas around.

 

[XtremeAdventurer]

My philosophy is to lift as little as needed to get the most flex.

Most of the posts here have said to lift to prevent high-centering. It's not lift that prevents it, but the flex of the suspension. Lift helps if you can put bigger tires on.

If you just do a body lift you can put on bigger tires, but that doesn't do anything about suspension drop.

Putting on shocks that have a longer extended length will allow you to drop a tire further, but the consequence a longer extended shock is it has to be longer compressed. Plus, the longer shock will need a longer and softer spring. This is what changes ride height or lift.

Stock rear shocks are 12.4 compressed and 19.4 extended (7 inch difference).
Tundra 5100 are 14.9 compressed and 23.5 extended (8.6 difference).
It takes a longer spring to extend the Tundra 5100 shocks, so the ride height (or lift) is going to increase.

1.6 inches doesn't seem like a lot, but the shock is mounted inboard of the frame. The shocks, springs, and links create focal points so that 1.6 inch of extra shock is translated to about 6-8 inches of wheel travel with a ride height increase of 2-4 inches (depending on springs).

Do you want the extra lift? Not really, but the benefit of having the extra wheel travel (or flex) offsets the extra lift.


This past June, I took my family up to the Tahoe area. I have a 1999 4Runner with ToyTec front, SuperFlex rear and 5100's all around. A friend of mine has a stock 2003 Tacoma. We drove up the Rubicon until the snow stopped us. On one obstacle, I drove right up and over. My friend high-centered, backed up, tried a different angle, backed up, locked the rear and was finally able to make it up hanging a wheel. My suspension flexed enough to keep traction through the whole thing while he had one wheel about 2 inches off the ground.

I understand that it's not an ideal comparison, 4Runner vs unloaded Tacoma, but flex is the key, not lift.

 

[nedceifus]

My philosophy is to lift as little as needed to get the most flex.

Most of the posts here have said to lift to prevent high-centering. It's not lift that prevents it, but the flex of the suspension. Lift helps if you can put bigger tires on.

If you just do a body lift you can put on bigger tires, but that doesn't do anything about suspension drop.

Putting on shocks that have a longer extended length will allow you to drop a tire further, but the consequence a longer extended shock is it has to be longer compressed. Plus, the longer shock will need a longer and softer spring. This is what changes ride height or lift.

Stock rear shocks are 12.4 compressed and 19.4 extended (7 inch difference).
Tundra 5100 are 14.9 compressed and 23.5 extended (8.6 difference).
It takes a longer spring to extend the Tundra 5100 shocks, so the ride height (or lift) is going to increase.

1.6 inches doesn't seem like a lot, but the shock is mounted inboard of the frame. The shocks, springs, and links create focal points so that 1.6 inch of extra shock is translated to about 6-8 inches of wheel travel with a ride height increase of 2-4 inches (depending on springs).

Do you want the extra lift? Not really, but the benefit of having the extra wheel travel (or flex) offsets the extra lift.


This past June, I took my family up to the Tahoe area. I have a 1999 4Runner with ToyTec front, SuperFlex rear and 5100's all around. A friend of mine has a stock 2003 Tacoma. We drove up the Rubicon until the snow stopped us. On one obstacle, I drove right up and over. My friend high-centered, backed up, tried a different angle, backed up, locked the rear and was finally able to make it up hanging a wheel. My suspension flexed enough to keep traction through the whole thing while he had one wheel about 2 inches off the ground.

I understand that it's not an ideal comparison, 4Runner vs unloaded Tacoma, but flex is the key, not lift.

I guess this is more along what I’m thinking. NOT SURE yet but I think belly clearance will not be as big a deal as stability & maximum articulation. My thoughts are stock height with 35’s & tubbed to accommodate the tire. Then I can play with shocks, sway bars, & balljoints to get a little extra flex. My tire size will give me the required ground clearance for most situations...
All good info! Thank you for the responses.

 

[nedceifus]

Kind of an extreme example but...

 

[Ryance39]

Somewhat anecdotal but might be helpful to show.
My buddies stock suspension on stock tire size

My runner with OME Lift on 33's

It might be personal preference but I prefer all four wheels on the ground and more articulation.

 

[phattyduck]

And if you don’t lift you can at least armor the underside which goes a long way.

My front armor (radiator, engine, trans skids) drops my front end 3/4"... So adding armor doesn't keep you at stock height for long!

-Charlie

 

[rightyouareken]

Somewhat anecdotal but might be helpful to show.
My buddies stock suspension on stock tire size

My runner with OME Lift on 33's

It might be personal preference but I prefer all four wheels on the ground and more articulation.

You beat me to it. ound: Was going to post the same.

Red truck is mine. I was quite surprised to say the least, how much more down travel your truck had. In addition, my frame was closer when rolling over that point, and my rear mudflap dragged coming off it when yours wasn't even close.

Here's another angle of mine, same place, where the green truck had all 4 wheels down.

 

[Ryance39]

You beat me to it. ound: Was going to post the same.

Red truck is mine. I was quite surprised to say the least, how much more down travel your truck had. In addition, my frame was closer when rolling over that point, and my rear mudflap dragged coming off it when yours wasn't even close.

Here's another angle of mine, same place, where the green truck had all 4 wheels down.

For sake of comparison.

 

[phattyduck]

Are one or both swaybars disconnected on either of those 4Runners pictures above?

-Charlie

 

[Ryance39]

Are one or both swaybars disconnected on either of those 4Runners pictures above?

-Charlie

Mine is the green, and no, both sway bars are attached. One of my rears is bent a little bit but they are connected all the way around.

Knowing RightYouAreKen, his are connected.