Newb: lift and tires opinions

[Jared Pabis]

After 2 years of reading the posts on this site, I finally decided to join so I can get answers that I couldn't find.

Like a lot of other 4-heads, I want to lift my '99 2WD about 3 inches in the front so I can run 265/75/16's. I also like a little bit of a prerunner look. My budget for the lift is $400.

The two options I'm considering are:

1) Bilstein 5100 adjustable shocks. My coils are still good and I know Bilstein makes "better than most" products. Some people have noted that these aren't available for my application, but Toytech says otherwise Front Bilstein Height adjustable front 5100 shocks - Toytec Lifts: Toyota Lift Kits: FJ Cruiser Lift Kits, Tacoma Lift Kits, Tundra Lift Kits, 4 Runner Lift Kits, Sequoia Lift Kits, Toyota Truck Lift Kits

2) Eibach Coils and new shocks: I really like the idea of using the coil to do the lifting because it may give better performance over the stock coil. I'm just not sure what shock to use, since I'm afraid that a stock sized shock will be over extended by the longer spring. Besides the overpriced OME shocks, which ones will work well? Toytec/Eibach front coil lift springs - Toytec Lifts: Toyota Lift Kits: FJ Cruiser Lift Kits, Tacoma Lift Kits, Tundra Lift Kits, 4 Runner Lift Kits, Sequoia Lift Kits, Toyota Truck Lift Kits

If anyone has input on either set up, it would be much appreciated. I read a lot about OME coils, but heard they ride a bit stiff, and in reality they only offer 2 inches of lift without the optional plates.

I guess I'll ask tire questions later..

 

[Gerdo]

My ToyTec coilovers run Eibach coils. Mine are 600# so they are close to the same, except the CO coils are longer. I am very happy with the ride.

So if you go with the coils, are you going to reuse the shocks that you have now? or replace them too? Remember that the stock shock is mounted inside the coil. Unless it is fairly new and a good shock, it's usually best to replace the shock since the labor to do so is the same as reusing the old.

The 5100 are good shocks. I don't have the 5100 but I love my Bilsteins.

 

[Jared Pabis]

My ToyTec coilovers run Eibach coils. Mine are 600# so they are close to the same, except the CO coils are longer. I am very happy with the ride.

So if you go with the coils, are you going to reuse the shocks that you have now? or replace them too? Remember that the stock shock is mounted inside the coil. Unless it is fairly new and a good shock, it's usually best to replace the shock since the labor to do so is the same as reusing the old.

The 5100 are good shocks. I don't have the 5100 but I love my Bilsteins.

Thanks for the reply! I would surely get new shocks. I wouldn't be surprised if the ones that are on there now are the OEM ones. Do you run stock A-arms or did you get re-indexed ones to save ball joints?

 

[Gerdo]

I'm running the stock arms. They don't have too bad of an angle sitting at 3".

As far as shocks. I have heard that the OMEs are too harsh. I would, and did, spend the money and go Bilstein. I have been running the Bilstein F4-BE5-2450-HO and am very happy with them.

 

[SCRunner12]

Just to be clear you don't need any lift to run 265/75/16's. They fit on a stock 4runner. Are you leaving the back stock height?

 

[flyte74]

Just to be clear you don't need any lift to run 265/75/16's. They fit on a stock 4runner. Are you leaving the back stock height?

SCRunner12 is correct......no need for a lift to fit that size tire. I wheeled them on stock suspension for a while. No rubbing or anything even at full stuff.

What, if anything, do you plan on doing with the rear? I know you want to go for the prereunner look, so are you leaving the rear as is? The Billy's up front would be great, they're a good shock. The fact that they are adjustable will serve as a benefit to you also. It will let you "dial in" the rake you want.

 

[Jon]

If you're going up 3" in front I'd say at least do some 1.5" coil spacers in the rear. The 4Runners have a natural sag so you'll still have the Prerunner look. But 3" alone on either end would look ridiculous IMHO.

Or option 2: trade it in for a 4X4! LOL

 

[Jared Pabis]

Just to be clear you don't need any lift to run 265/75/16's. They fit on a stock 4runner. Are you leaving the back stock height?

The back will remain the stock ride height (maybe throw in some better shocks). I'm lifting the front to help avoid bottoming out, and to avoid lawn-darting in sand dunes. I would go bigger than 265/75/16 but I plan on running the stock wheels and I've seen 32's rub on the frame.

 

[Gerdo]

It sounds like you want to travel fast offroad. If so I think that you will have a hard time with the stock rear suspension. If it is sagging then it's probably real close to the jounce bumpers. (jounce bumpers are the rubber cones inside the rear coils, they are there to handle heavy loads.) If you have no plans on upgrading the rear suspension then you may want to either remove or cut off the jounce bumpers. The top of the JB will give you ~3/8". Then you will want to replace the bumpstop with a Daystar stop. Daystar™ - Driven by Design There are two different ones at the bottom of page one and two on the top of page two. These are progressive and will slow then stop the axle. The stockers will stop and cause the axle to bounce away from the stop.

Most high speed vehicles use shocks with reservoirs to keep the fluid cool, reduce fade.

 

[Jared Pabis]

It sounds like you want to travel fast offroad. If so I think that you will have a hard time with the stock rear suspension. If it is sagging then it's probably real close to the jounce bumpers. (jounce bumpers are the rubber cones inside the rear coils, they are there to handle heavy loads.) If you have no plans on upgrading the rear suspension then you may want to either remove or cut off the jounce bumpers. The top of the JB will give you ~3/8". Then you will want to replace the bumpstop with a Daystar stop. Daystar™ - Driven by Design There are two different ones at the bottom of page one and two on the top of page two. These are progressive and will slow then stop the axle. The stockers will stop and cause the axle to bounce away from the stop.

Most high speed vehicles use shocks with reservoirs to keep the fluid cool, reduce fade.

Honestly, I dont plan on going too fast in the sand. I know it would take about $10,000 in suspension just to have it work "ok" in the dunes. More or less I just want it capable in case I need to help recover a dirt bike or quad that is down. I will look into the Daystar stops for sure though. I never even thought about the rear of the vehicle really.