Newbie needs some input

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

After owning my 4runner for a couple weeks now, I'm already getting the itch for mods. I've searched the site pretty well and have came back with a ton of great info. However, I'm not questioning products at this point, but rather which direction I should go. I'm wanted to achieve the "beefed up" look on my 4runner. It is strictly a daily driver and sees no off road action at all. I love the look of them with lifts, but for my situation I'm not so sure that's the best option. Whichever setup I go with, I'm probably gonna run the Spidertracks spacers all around and roll with the stock wheels. I'm just undecided for a daily driver if I should go with a small lift (2-3 inches with a Cornfed or Daystar), or if I should just do the leveling kit for the front. A couple things to remember is that I've got XREAS and also the ride height control in the rear. I'm not sure with the height adjust what I should do. I'm thinking right now to do the leveling kit, that way I can run a smaller tire and it still fill up the fender gap and save gas mileage. However, I think a lift all around would look great too, but the downside is lower mpg and higher tire cost. I think just some decent AT tires with the spacers it'll look a lot better. I've not found a solution to this through search, so maybe you guys can give me some input as to which direction I should go to get the aggressive stance. Here is a pic of my 4runner. Below that is a pic of my old truck, which is kinda the "beefed up" look I'm talking about.

 

[CJ3Flyr]

Based on usage I vote for a Toyetc levelling spacer and some 265/70/17's. That'd beef it up and give you the least mpg penalty.

Rather than A/T's what about some tire like the Toyo Open Country or similar. That would help to ease the loss of ride quality and mpg.
:cheers:

 

[chaz]

if you have the ride height control rear suspension, i understand it will cost big $ to remove the bags, & install coils. unless of course your talking about the aftermarket bags like airlift 1000, but if your looking for opinions, id say get adj. toytec coilovers for the front & set them for a 2in. lift,(or where u think it looks good) for now, just run the rearbags filled, remove the running boards & install sliders, get some agressive looking 32s if your not worried about the mpg. heres mine set at 2 in. frt. lift with bags filled , & 265/70/17 ATs.

 

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

It's the stock ride height control. I guess I should have mentioned that my pockets aren't real deep and I don't have the patience to do the install myself. Something like the spacer kit seems to be more in my price rage as compared to the coilovers. I'm thinking I can get the spacer leveling kit for the front, and use the ride height control to get it to sit more level or to keep the rake look (depends on the size of the front kit). To me that seems like the best option, but I'm a complete newbie at this. I purchased my truck that already had a 6 inch suspension lift and it was all setup. One more thing about going with the full lift is added stress. So, any further input? Thanks a lot everyone!

 

[chaz]

to me, i think the rear sits high enough already & wouldnt look right any higher unless i went with with larger tires, as it is, i still had to move the inner fender forward & trim the bumper with these.the back spacing on the wheels pushed the tires slightly outward instead of using wheel spacers, which also wont pass inspection in some states.

 

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

I was thinking I read where people were fitting the 265/70/17's stock. I'm guessing they will if I continue to run stock wheels? As mentioned, I'd like to run spacers so that probably won't matter too much. However, I'm gonna concentrate on lift/leveling kit first, then wheel spacers later. While a true highway tire will probably be best, I want a street mannered AT tire. I've ran Firestone Destination AT's before and liked them. I'm really thinking something like the Nitto Terra Grappler AT, Revo's or Revo 2's. I will see some dirt roads and slight mud (1-2 inches at most) on occasion. When I said no off roading, I meant true mudding, rock crawling, and that sort of thing. Also, I will see a little snow during the winter, so an AT is more appealing there.

 

[chaz]

yea, i gotcha. but you showed a pic of the stock runner then the beefed up truck & said ya wanted that kinda look, it didnt seem that money was a big concern in your original post when you stated what you wanted . & a spacer lift for the rear is out do to the bags, unless ya got lots more cabbage. anyway, when it comes to doing things it almost always cost big $, it just depends on that persons idea of what big is. but yes, the cheapest thing to do is the front spacer lift, just make sure you decide exactly what height you really want first, so as to not waste money doing it again. remove the running boards & put some 32 in. MT tires with wheel spacers on for that beefed up look you want.

 

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

Haha, sorry for the confusion. I've been through the big lift thing, and I'm wanting to keep this one toned down somewhat. Why I referenced the truck is because IMO it has a nice, wide stance and looks aggressive with the tires. That's what I'm looking for. Get it level and it'll be raised an inch or so, put on the spacers to widen it, and I should be there. Before I look at the specific measurements, I have to decide whether to do the whole lift or just the leveling kit. I can do the spacer lift, it's in the budget so thats not a huge deal. My pockets just aren't deep enough for the coil over kit. It's more about what's practical for my use. It's all gonna be for looks. If I can achieve the agressive look with just the front leveling kit, that's what I'll do. If it takes the 2-3 inch lift, that's what'll get done. I've looked through the lift thread and seen a lot that I like. However, most had the 2-3 inch lift. I've not seen many with just the leveling kit, so that's why I'm unsure if it'll give the desired look.

 

[chaz]

you just saw mine & thats basiclly a front only lift (2in.) so that will give ya some idea of how much you can go. maybe 2.5? & look leveled? it doesnt matter whether its coilover or spacer. but i think a full around lift is out for you because you have the rear height control bags & to pull & install coils is money & alot of work. besides, that alone will cost more than the COs, so a spacer up front seems the only way u can go. like i said , 2-2.5 frt. lift by spacers, wheel spacers & MT tires.

 

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

OK, I think that's clear now. I didn't realize you couldn't do the spacer lift on the vehicles with the stock ride height adjust. If that's the case, then yes the full lift is out. From my research, in stock form the rear is about 2 inches higher than the front. I'm thinking 2 inches up front so it'll sit fully level, then run the ride height all the way up so that it will still have a slight difference (I've read it handles somewhat better like that). I'm not sure how much higher it sits with the ride height, I've not measured it at the different levels. With the top mount spacer, ride quality and handling should remain about close to stock, correct? Thanks a lot!

 

[chaz]

ok, 265/70, depending on brand & tread may or may not make a difference, size differs brand to brand , almost an inch sometimes, & tread design makes a difference too. add wheel spacers, which puts them out farther, & some form of trimming will likely be involved. yes there are guys running 265/70 on stock wheels with no lift, i did,with less aggressive tires, but still had to move the inner fender forward , not every brand & tread can be used without trimming. those are all good tires you mentioned, anyone will serve ya well, im sorry if it seems like im beaten a dead horse, i just thought you should know that with almost every mod , theres some form of trade off. good luck & dont forget to update with pics.

 

[chaz]

ha ha, by the time i finish typing, you have answered back already. yes, from want i understand thats true about the rear. the rake differs some, can be a little over 2, to just about 3 in. like mine was. but measure first , either way, 2 - 2.5 spacer will give you what you want. & a near stock ride.

 

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

Oh yea, trade offs are to be expected. I'm gathering prices on a variety of mods and am going to see where I want to start. Once I decide on the lift size, the rest will come into play. If I'm not mistaking, that's the first step. Since the rear kit is out, I guess I'm gonna have to go with the front leveling kit. What are your suggestions on the amount of lift? I'm thinking 1.5 if I can get it. I'd think that with 265/70/17's I should be fine. I'm not set on spending $200 on spacers, I just think it'd really help out with the look I'm trying to achieve. I'm gonna hush up for a little while and wait on some more responses. Again, thank you for your input, T4R.org ROCKS!

 

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

Ok guys, I finally found an example of the look I'm going for. Pics are in post number six.
http://toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?t=23302&highlight=leveling+kit
Since I'm unable to do the 3/2 lift, I won't quite be able to get mine to look like that. I love the tires with the side lugs, looks knarly. I like the way the tires fill out the wheel wells. I think with the front end leveling kit and the right size/type of tire (in addition to spacers), I should be able to achieve this look on a scaled down version. I guess my final question is, how much lift should I go with in the front? From what I can tell, the rear height adjust allows you to go up about an inch. I know most do a 1 inch kit on the front, but I was thinking about going with the 2 inch and running the rear all the way up, giving me the appearance of a bigger lift. This may not work, it's just a theory of mine. I need some input on the size I should go for. I'm really thinking the 1 inch will do just fine, and the 265/70/17's will fill out the fender well pretty nicely. Added with the spacers, should be a much better look. However, input on that setup would be great! Thanks again!