Noob Lift Questions

[mistat313]

Hello all! A few months ago I purchased an 04 t4r 2wd V6 with just under 100k miles. I have been lurking through this site and seeing some awesome rigs, and would love to lift my own.

Being that I am in Florida and this t4r will never see anything more than a dirt road I was considering purchasing a daystar 2.5/1.5 and putting 255/75/17's on it since I like the look of that set up. My questions are if there is anything else I will need to make it drive close to factory, as well if I will need to buy uca's to get it to align correctly.

I have searched and found that you run out of adjustment at 3" of lift, and am not sure if what I would like to do would require anything extra for me to be satisfied. I'm not a noob at turning the wrench, just a noob into the lifted scene. Any advice or personal experience would be greatly appreciated! Thanks in advance!

 

[NuclearN8]

you don't need to worry about anything else with a 2.5/1.5 daystar spacer lift.

the larger tires don't figure into the 3" lift with the cv angle and driveshaft concerns.
you should be fine with the tires clearing your uca's as well as it's only .75" difference from stock in radius/ lift gained by upsizing the tires.

bottom line install the spacer kit and new tires and be happy.
If you don't know when the last time your vehicle had an alignment might be a good time.

 

[ebg18t]

IMHO putting a spacer lift on 10+ year old suspension is not the smartest idea. You can get the Bilstein 5100's for ~$325 and get the same front height, add $40 rear spring spacers and call it a day. It will handle better and be more controlled. You don't need upgraded UCA's at 2.5" of lift. Since your 2wd no need to worry about CV angles.

 

[montijo505]

IMHO putting a spacer lift on 10+ year old suspension is not the smartest idea. You can get the Bilstein 5100's for ~$325 and get the same front height, add $40 rear spring spacers and call it a day. It will handle better and be more controlled. You don't need upgraded UCA's at 2.5" of lift. Since your 2wd no need to worry about CV angles.

Beat me to it, go the 5100 route. Your truck will handle much better and achieve the same lift, your shocks are probably close to being shot anyway. Throw spacers in the rear and call it a day.

 

[preacher35]

Hello all! A few months ago I purchased an 04 t4r 2wd V6 with just under 100k miles. I have been lurking through this site and seeing some awesome rigs, and would love to lift my own.

Being that I am in Florida and this t4r will never see anything more than a dirt road I was considering purchasing a daystar 2.5/1.5 and putting 255/75/17's on it since I like the look of that set up. My questions are if there is anything else I will need to make it drive close to factory, as well if I will need to buy uca's to get it to align correctly.

I have searched and found that you run out of adjustment at 3" of lift, and am not sure if what I would like to do would require anything extra for me to be satisfied. I'm not a noob at turning the wrench, just a noob into the lifted scene. Any advice or personal experience would be greatly appreciated! Thanks in advance!

What is the current condition of your suspension? Does your Runner have XREAS? The answers to these questions will help to answer your question. There are several options out there but much of it also depends on your budget. If you go the spacer route (net lift gain of 2-2.5"), you are essentially keeping your stock suspension, but the job, assuming you do it yourself is a lot of work and you will require an alignment when done. You could also go the FJ coil/bilstein 5100 route (net lift gain of 1.5-2") and about the same amount of work and again, you will require an alignment. Then, there are the coil-over lifts, ie. Toytec Ultimate, Toytec Boss, etc., (net lift gain 3") and it is ADVISABLE to get longer UCA's or you will have trouble getting the caster correct. The spacer route, if you do it yourself, is about $120.00, not including alignment. A do it yourself FJ/Bilstein route is about $400.00-$600.00 commitment not including alignment and the coil-over route, you are in the $1,200.00 to $3,800.00 arena BEFORE UCA's and alignment (again assuming that you are doing it yourself).

You are almost at 100k on your clock and thus, your current suspension is nearing it's last legs. You have a lot to consider. Good luck and feel free to ask any other questions.

 

[mistat313]

Thanks for the responses guys. I do realize the stock suspension is getting old and maybe going the 5100 route is a better option.

I was also considering getting some low mileage used shocks and springs from an fj or the fronts from a tacoma, to help freshen them up when putting the spacer on. I mainly am directed toward the spacers because they are only $120, and if I can pick up some good shocks for around 50 or so I'm still well under going with 5100's.

There is no way I would ever invest a ton of money into a mall crawler like this will be. Just looking for a budget friendly way to make this thing look more proportionate. Also, is there any other maintenance items that are a good idea to replace while I'm in there? Thanks again for the responses!

 

[preacher35]

Thanks for the responses guys. I do realize the stock suspension is getting old and maybe going the 5100 route is a better option.

I was also considering getting some low mileage used shocks and springs from an fj or the fronts from a tacoma, to help freshen them up when putting the spacer on. I mainly am directed toward the spacers because they are only $120, and if I can pick up some good shocks for around 50 or so I'm still well under going with 5100's.

There is no way I would ever invest a ton of money into a mall crawler like this will be. Just looking for a budget friendly way to make this thing look more proportionate. Also, is there any other maintenance items that are a good idea to replace while I'm in there? Thanks again for the responses!

Well, since you have the V6, you have a timing chain, so you're good for at least another 80k on that. I would consider a coolant flush, auto transmission fluid change, PCV valve change, check your air filter, clean your O2 sensor, cabin air filter change..... That's off the top of my head. You chose a 4Runner. It will last a long time!