My First 4runner - Lift Questions

[MuteJosh]

Hey All,

Just bought my first T4R, a 2001 SR5 (pics soon), and I'm already thinking about lifting it. Since it will be my daily driver I want to keep it mild, and I'm also on a budget. I'm just looking for something that will give me a bit more ground clearance and allow for a slightly taller tire than what it came with from the factory.

Here's a few questions (realizing that the answers are relative to each person's opinion and experience):

1. How high can I go without negatively impacting the ride quality, suspension architecture and longevity? 2"? 3"?

2. I've read good and bad things about front differential drop kits, what say you?

3. As a newbie, what are some things that a person with more T4R experience could share with me that I may not be considering?

4. Specific kits, brands, PNs, links, etc?

Thanks in advance!

 

[nc-grayson]

Welcome, friend.

You have Glocks in Commiefornia????

Take a look at what our resident Uncle, [MENTION=79826]absalom[/MENTION] has put together for us: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/197591-absaloms-cookie-cutter-4runner-builds.html

 

[JRZEE2000TR4LTD]

Highly recommend these for the rear panhard bar (if you go over 2")

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/sale-...on-kits-3rd-gen-$86-4th-5th-gen-$93-50-a.html

 

[apohl17]

Check this out first, if you haven't already... 3rd Gen 4Runner Lift Information and FAQ's
Should just about answer everything you know. Then the search function will fill in the cracks of missing knowledge, if any. Good luck!

 

[Coward]

I will also say if you have high mileage expect to replace most of the front suspension. LBJ, UBJ, OTRE, LCA Bushings, rack bushings.....etc. In fact I would put money there before lifting it if you can't do it all at once.

 

[FiXXXerX]

I'm pretty new to all of this, but I did just do a lift on mine using a $90 spacer kit from eBay. I'm not usually one to skimp when doing relatively large jobs (I have over $3,000 in the suspension on my GTI), but, I drive a 2WD, I do none/light off roading and was doing it more to stop the remainder of my rubbing issues (I may have installed larger tires, and also 2" wheel spacers).

It was easy, this particular lift is pretty simple, there was very little to go wrong. Now, my 4Runner has 204,000miles on it, so I'm sure the rear coils may end up sagging eventually (Which I would replace with OME springs), but overall, after an alignment it drives great, worked well in the mountains up in NC when we went on vacation there last week, and felt great on the drive from Orlando to Asheville and back.

I'm sure the more hardcore will have other options, but if your gear looks good... then it was a hell of a deal and did EXACTLY what I wanted.

Pix below :

 

[MuteJosh]

Welcome, friend.

You have Glocks in Commiefornia????

Take a look at what our resident Uncle, [MENTION=79826]absalom[/MENTION] has put together for us: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/197591-absaloms-cookie-cutter-4runner-builds.html

This is gold - THANK YOU. Also yes, there's no shortage of Glocks here in the golden state!

 

[Bijan]

Hey All,

Just bought my first T4R, a 2001 SR5 (pics soon), and I'm already thinking about lifting it. Since it will be my daily driver I want to keep it mild, and I'm also on a budget. I'm just looking for something that will give me a bit more ground clearance and allow for a slightly taller tire than what it came with from the factory.

Here's a few questions (realizing that the answers are relative to each person's opinion and experience):

1. How high can I go without negatively impacting the ride quality, suspension architecture and longevity? 2"? 3"?

2. I've read good and bad things about front differential drop kits, what say you?

3. As a newbie, what are some things that a person with more T4R experience could share with me that I may not be considering?

4. Specific kits, brands, PNs, links, etc?

Thanks in advance!

1. 3" maximum suspension.... 2" maximum body
2. yes get a diff drop
3. new cv axles, longer brake lines, panhard correction kit, remove sway bars, lower ball joints, inner and outer tie rods
4. Toytec BOSS kit is best bang for the buck in my opinion, but there are ways to piece it together yourself.

 

[MuteJosh]

I'm pretty new to all of this, but I did just do a lift on mine using a $90 spacer kit from eBay. I'm not usually one to skimp when doing relatively large jobs (I have over $3,000 in the suspension on my GTI), but, I drive a 2WD, I do none/light off roading and was doing it more to stop the remainder of my rubbing issues (I may have installed larger tires, and also 2" wheel spacers).

It was easy, this particular lift is pretty simple, there was very little to go wrong. Now, my 4Runner has 204,000miles on it, so I'm sure the rear coils may end up sagging eventually (Which I would replace with OME springs), but overall, after an alignment it drives great, worked well in the mountains up in NC when we went on vacation there last week, and felt great on the drive from Orlando to Asheville and back.

I'm sure the more hardcore will have other options, but if your gear looks good... then it was a hell of a deal and did EXACTLY what I wanted.

Pix below :

I've gone back and forth on spacers. How tall of a spacer did you use here? And what size tire?

 

[FiXXXerX]

I've gone back and forth on spacers. How tall of a spacer did you use here? And what size tire?

This is the kit that I bought (Exact link) : HERE

And I'm running 265/75R16 Hankook DynaPro ATMs with 1.25" wheel spacers.

 

[MuteJosh]

This is the kit that I bought (Exact link) : HERE

And I'm running 265/75R16 Hankook DynaPro ATMs with 1.25" wheel spacers.

Looking good is what's most important, and yours looks GOOD.

Thanks for the link. Once I drive it a bit more I think I'll have a better idea if going with spacers would be sufficient for my needs.