Hi all, I’m planning on upgrading the suspension in my 02 in he coming years and want to know if it would be more cost effective to get a coil over lift of to keep stock suspension (new parts of course). I don’t wheel hard but do get out enough to enjoy the trails. Farther down the road I also plan on putting KO2’s on if that were to make a difference in what my final choice should be. Any input is appreciated. Thanks in advance!
New Suspension: Lift it or leave it
- Thread starter guac526
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liquidnails
New member
Leave it. Lifting over stock height will bring you nothing but headaches. The truck is plenty capable how it is, and was engineered to be. I faced the same question as you, and decided to lift. Looks great, but in terms of drivability, I regret it.
For a slight improvement over '02 height, use taller coils from a '99. You will be able to fit 32" tires no problem
For a slight improvement over '02 height, use taller coils from a '99. You will be able to fit 32" tires no problem
trailbikerider
Member
I'm not sure what you lifted it with, but most of us have had no issues. My '02 has a 3" lift and rides fantastic. I definitely say lift it.
Thanks for the input!
What specifically don't you like about the lift?
liquidnails
New member
My main issue is wheel alignment. Getting it properly aligned within factory specs (especially caster) was difficult. 2 shops told me they were unable to (including a dealership.) Finally, I found a 4runner specialist who could do it, but it continually drifts out of spec over the course of a month or two. Solution would be to purchase and install aftermarket upper control arms ($$$)
Some people don't seem to notice or care when their front end is out of alignment. I do.
Second issue is body roll and center of gravity. It rides like a Cadillac in a straight line, but get into the twisty stuff, and it's not very enjoyable. Especially combined with poor alignment. Non-issue off road.
Again, this doesn't bother some people. Ride characteristics are pretty subjective.
If you get larger (say 33") tires you open up a whole other can of worms in terms of decreased fuel economy and extra wear and tear on your front end. You'll notice your truck becoming a money pit. All for what?
At the end of the day, you have to consider what your goals and intentions are for the truck, and what a lift accomplishes.
Lifting your truck will afford you a little more room for larger tires, and improved suspension flex in the rear end.
If you are using it mainly on the highway as a DD with occasional ventures on fire roads or mild trails, do you really need either of the above? No, not really.
Lifting my truck has not enabled me to go down any new trails. Getting new tires and taking off the running boards sure did though.
If you love tinkering with your truck to no end, or just plain old love how it looks lifted, go for it. Price out some parts... you never know it may end up being cheaper (in the short term) to lift it than to replace your OEM suspension.
I agree with [MENTION=121912]liquidnails[/MENTION] but I'm lifting my runner soon. The biggest help on trails is tires by far. With a solid set of 31"/32" tires you can do a ton in a stock 4runner, and I love that about mine but Im getting to where the trucks i 4wheel with have a much easier time and a much nicer ride up the trails so im gonna lift mine with a toytec/bilstein setup. Its really all about what you wanna do though! Everytime I or any of my friends modifies a vehicle there always ends up being things breaking or getting worn out faster (LBJs for sure)... BUT I love to spend countless hours in the garage on my truck so its fun for me!
Nate_GB
Member
I can definitely understand both sides of the debate when talking about lifting or not. Having the trucks suspension geometry outside of the angles it was designed to operate in full time can cause some headaches.
The best of both worlds is coilovers set to no lift or very minimal lift. I don't think anyone will argue that a high quality coilover (icon, fox, King) is inferior to the stock shock/spring setup from a performance stand point.
A coilover in the front and high quality shock in the back, even set to 0 inches of lift, will out perform stock suspension on the street and off road by leaps and bounds if you're pushing your truck. However, if you don't ever plan on pushing the truck hard and don't think you'll exceed the performance capacity of the stock components, I don't think it makes sense to drop $2000 on suspension.
The best of both worlds is coilovers set to no lift or very minimal lift. I don't think anyone will argue that a high quality coilover (icon, fox, King) is inferior to the stock shock/spring setup from a performance stand point.
A coilover in the front and high quality shock in the back, even set to 0 inches of lift, will out perform stock suspension on the street and off road by leaps and bounds if you're pushing your truck. However, if you don't ever plan on pushing the truck hard and don't think you'll exceed the performance capacity of the stock components, I don't think it makes sense to drop $2000 on suspension.
Turbojugend303
New member
Sticking with stock
00' 4Runner 180,000 miles. I've decided to go with stock for the most part. Just ordered a bunch of parts and plan on doing all but the alignment myself.
Here is my parts list: front and rear bilsteen 4600 shocks, top and bottom moog front control arms, top and bottom moog ball joints, inner and outer moog tie rod ends, all four moog swaybar end links, moog replacement coil springs,
Energy suspension steering rack bushings, ES body mount kit, ES front and rear swaybar bushings, ES bushings for all five rear control arms. I may be missing something, but I figured why not do it all together, it'll be tight and right for the next several years. Just my cpl a pennies
00' 4Runner 180,000 miles. I've decided to go with stock for the most part. Just ordered a bunch of parts and plan on doing all but the alignment myself.
Here is my parts list: front and rear bilsteen 4600 shocks, top and bottom moog front control arms, top and bottom moog ball joints, inner and outer moog tie rod ends, all four moog swaybar end links, moog replacement coil springs,
Energy suspension steering rack bushings, ES body mount kit, ES front and rear swaybar bushings, ES bushings for all five rear control arms. I may be missing something, but I figured why not do it all together, it'll be tight and right for the next several years. Just my cpl a pennies
I've lifted every 4runner and every toyota I've owned. I have zero regrets doing it even now with my new conditions. Now if your having problems a few things could be the culprit.
If you're having issues with alignment it could be that you need new upper control arms(after market). On my 3rd gen, the 97 and 2000, I went with two different lifts and setups. My 97 i went with Old Man Emu and SPC uppers. I also removed my sway bars. I had a little more body roll than normal due to lack of away bars, but the ride was way better. Alignment was great and zero issues. On the 2000 I did toytec ultimate with stock uppers and kept the sway bars. Alignment was fine, ride was rougher when not loaded due to coils being tighter. But still good and easily equal to the stock.
Just my personal thoughts on it.
If you're having issues with alignment it could be that you need new upper control arms(after market). On my 3rd gen, the 97 and 2000, I went with two different lifts and setups. My 97 i went with Old Man Emu and SPC uppers. I also removed my sway bars. I had a little more body roll than normal due to lack of away bars, but the ride was way better. Alignment was great and zero issues. On the 2000 I did toytec ultimate with stock uppers and kept the sway bars. Alignment was fine, ride was rougher when not loaded due to coils being tighter. But still good and easily equal to the stock.
Just my personal thoughts on it.
Mudeprived
New member
Might want to rethink the moog balljoints.
Turbojugend303
New member
What's wrong with the moog ball joints? From what I've read, (on the interwebs) they are as good or better than stock. I haven't installed them yet, so I've got time to make some changes. All input is appreciated.
Nate_GB
Member
All aftermarket ball joints for this application are not designed the same as the Oem BJ and are subject to premature failure. The research and info is all over this board and first gen tacoma boards so you can go find it if you want. But it's probably easier to just take our word for it on this one. Good luck with the overhaul!
Turbojugend303
New member
Now that I've done some more research I'll be sending the moog ball joints back an buying oem. Thank you for the info.
