One inch leveling lift using ½ inch spacer (Pics)

[Even Steven]

One inch leveling lift using1/2 inch spacer (Pics)

Check out my 4Runner after I installed a 1-inch spacer lift on the front end. The spacer itself is only 1/2 inch, but it gave me exactly 1 inch of lift as measured at the wheel well openings. I also measured under the front end at the tow loops and ended up with just over an inch more ground clearance. About 1 1/8 inch to be exact.

I wasnt sure if Iwould be happy with just 1 inch of lift because my 4Runner seemed to suffer from more than the usual dropped down nose that plagues all 4th generation 4Runners. So my buddy (a machinist) fabricated spacers from 5052 aluminum in 1/2 inch, 5/8 inch, and 3/4 inch thicknesses. After careful measuring, I found that the amount of lift is double that of the spacers installed. Therefore, the 1/2 inch spacer nets 1 inch of lift, the 5/8 inch spacer nets 1.25 inches of lift and the 3/4 spacers nets 1.5 inches of lift.

As you can see from my pictures, the 1/2 inch spacers still leave my 4Runner a bit lower in the front than the rear, but I think it looks fine like that. The 5/8 inch spacers would lift the front another 1/4 inch and make the front end closer to the rear, and the 3/4 inch spacers would make it just about perfectly even. I might decide to try the 5/8 inch spacers in the future, just for the heck of it, but I will probably just leave it the way it is now.

All in all, I am extremely happy with the new look of my 4Runner. It seems to sit more aggressively and just feels bigger on the road. When I pull up next to my neighbors new Ford Exploder, I sit a bit taller than him now! Before the spacers, we were just about dead even. The ride and handling seem 100 percent identical to stock. I dont feel any difference at all on the road. This is by far the best modification I have done to my 4Runner!! By the way, this kit can be easily installed by one person using standard hand tools. I did have to get spring compressors and a tie rod puller, but my local Autozone lends these tools out for free, so it didnt cost me anything. I managed to install the spacers by myself in the garage in just a few hours.

If anyone is interested in buying any of my extra spacers, shoot me an email ([email protected]), but please dont respond to this thread. I am not sure that the administrators would appreciate me using their bandwidth to sell the spacers. I will ship out each set of spacers including all hardware, Locktite, and a full set of installation instructions anywhere in the U.S. for $110 shipped. Shipping to Canada will probably be a few dollars more. If you are in the metro NY area (including northern NJ) and want a hand installing the spacers, just let me know.

 

[Even Steven]

Other side:

 

[Even Steven]

closer angle:

 

[Even Steven]

Before the lift (sorry, but I had to use an old picture because I forgot to take a \"before\" pic)

 

[Even Steven]

Extra sets of spacers:

 

[4x4Runner09]

That really looks great! Didn't realize how much the spacer helped until the before pic. This is a great setup for those wanting to keep it stock and not lifting. My dad just bought an 07 Sport and I did notice the front end sits really low.

 

[Even Steven]

Thanks! This is the way all 4th generation 4Runners should come from the factory. I love the fact that it does not seem to affect the ride or handling, but it still allows a bit more ground clearnace under the front end and gives the vehicle a better look from the sides.

 

[Falls]

It looks perfect with a slight rake to the front. Now put a set of 265/70/17 BFG's on it or what ever tire you choose in that size and will give you another 1/2" of overall lift and fill out the wheel wells and have a better looking stance ....you won't regret it it !!

Hey do you have to re aim your headlights ??? I don't have a front lift and still get flashed on occasion , not the kind of flashing I would like to see but ......

Looks nice

 

[Even Steven]

Hey do you have to re aim your headlights ??? I don\'t have a front lift and still get flashed on occasion , not the kind of flashing I would like to see but ......

No, I have not adjusted the headlights at all. Nobody has flashed me yet, so I guess they must be aimed low enough that they are not bothering anyone.

 

[Beanz]

I am selling a brand new 1.25" front lift kit, originally bought from Burtman Industries, Inc. I just received them in the mail today and decided I want a taller lift, so....I am letting them go at a loss. They were a custom order which added another $20 on top of the $135+S&H. I'll let them go for $100 + Shipping. By installing these, your rear end will be 3/4" higher than the front, instead of the 2" difference. If you are interested, email me at: [email protected]

 

[Falls]

Evensteven , are you going to upsize tires ? I would look excellent.

 

[Even Steven]

Evensteven , are you going to upsize tires ? I would look excellent.

No, I have several good reason not to change my tires:

1 - My Discover ATRs are still practically brand new. I just got them last fall.

2- I have a factory navigation system which uses input from the speed sensor, so changing the overall diameter of my tires would probably be a bad idea.

3- I dont really like the way the 70 series sidewall looks on a nearly stock 4Runner. Might be a bit too \"bloated\" looking for me.

4- I would like to keep my tires as light weight as possible without downsizing them. Light weight means less resistance to turning. And of course that means better acceleration and better fuel economy. Oh, and the overall larger diameter of the 70 series also hurts the effective final drive ratio, causing slightly slower acceleration as well!

5- I like the wider look of the 65 series as opposed to the 70 series tires. If you actually measure the tread contact area, the 65 series tires are definitely wider. I know this goes against my rolling resistance argument above, but it is a very small price to pay for the excellent look of wider tires.

 

[RXvedub]

Question, do you need to take the front springs out and apart to use the new nut bolt combo?

 

[Falls]

I understand about not wanting to switch out new tire's and I would stick with what you have . I'm not sure how the Nav. would be affected.

The other stuff you mentioned , is so minor you would never know the difference . At 60 mph my speedo is off by 2 . weight wise , 70=taller 65= wider , weight of tire so insignificant again not an issue on acceleration ( maybe milage but was to close to even call). Final drive ratio again something insignificant you will never notice or ever hinder you . I'll give you the nod on the wider footprint of the 65 , but so small hardly noticeable.

A lot run 70's here , never thought they looked stuffed , especially in the rear and now you made the rear look like the front.

No matter looks real good with the front lift and thats all that matters. I do wish these trucks had 8" rims though or atleast a different offset / back space to pull them out a little more.

I would love a set of TRD 18's with a set of 32" BFG's. I don't think the wife will go for $2k in rims and tire mods though...... where the hell is her priorities !!!!!!!

 

[Even Steven]

Question, do you need to take the front springs out and apart to use the new nut bolt combo?

You have to remove the strut assembly and compress the spring in order to remove the top plate and related parts. You never really have to actually remove the spring itself from the assembly.

 

[Even Steven]

Falls,

The navigation would be affected because it relies primarily on the vehicle speed sensor to track movement. The GPS updates vehicle position every few seconds. If my overall tire diameter is not the same size as stock, then the vehicle will appear to jump around on the screen as the GPS signal constantly corrects the false reading from the speed sensor. There is a calibration mode on the navigation, but it is not intended to correct the difference in rolling diamter between two different sized tires. It is intended to correct the difference in overall diameter between an old set of tires and a new set of tires of the same size.

As for the other stuff, well, it might seem trivial, but if you add it all up (extra weight and worse gearing) it can make a noticeable difference. To me, its a double negative because I am losing acceleration and fuel economy. The difference in weight between a 70 series tire and a 65 series tire is more than you would probably think.

BTW, my Destinations are actually more than an inch wider than my stock tires when measured at the actual tread contact patch. An inch might not seem like much, but when you have stock tires that are 8 inches wide (at the tread) and you add a full inch of width, it makes a big visual improvement.

 

[Falls]

I'll take a 65 vs 70 Revos as an example,

65=41 lbs
70=43lbs

65=30.5 height
70=31.7 height

65=8" tread contact width
70=7.8" tread contact width

This minimal amount will change your final drive ratio slightly. I'll look it up , but as you can , I'm not the surprised at the insignificant diff, Had to many 4x4's in my life. As you can see these will not make a difference.

As far as the Nav, I think others have done it but with that I would have played it safe too.

Falls,

The navigation would be affected because it relies primarily on the vehicle speed sensor to track movement. The GPS updates vehicle position every few seconds. If my overall tire diameter is not the same size as stock, then the vehicle will appear to jump around on the screen as the GPS signal constantly corrects the false reading from the speed sensor. There is a calibration mode on the navigation, but it is not intended to correct the difference in rolling diamter between two different sized tires. It is intended to correct the difference in overall diameter between an old set of tires and a new set of tires of the same size.

As for the other stuff, well, it might seem trivial, but if you add it all up (extra weight and worse gearing) it can make a noticeable difference. To me, its a double negative because I am losing acceleration and fuel economy. The difference in weight between a 70 series tire and a 65 series tire is more than you would probably think.

BTW, my Destinations are actually more than an inch wider than my stock tires when measured at the actual tread contact patch. An inch might not seem like much, but when you have stock tires that are 8 inches wide (at the tread) and you add a full inch of width, it makes a big visual improvement.

 

[Even Steven]

I\'ll take a 65 vs 70 Revos as an example,

65=41 lbs
70=43lbs

65=30.5 height
70=31.7 height

65=8\" tread contact width
70=7.8\" tread contact width

This minimal amount will change your final drive ratio slightly. I\'ll look it up , but as you can , I\'m not the surprised at the insignificant diff, Had to many 4x4\'s in my life. As you can see these will not make a difference.

As far as the Nav, I think others have done it but with that I would have played it safe too.

Two pounds might not seem like much, but keep in mind that it is two pounds per tire (8 pounds total) of UNSPRUNG weight. If you understand the effects of unsprung weight, then you surely know that it is not the same thing as throwing 8 pounds in the cargo area. The addition of any unsprung weight has a much higher effect (proportionally) on vehicle performance than the same amount of sprung weight added to the vehicle. Any extra weight in the tires, wheels, brakes, etc...will add rotational intertia that is more difficult to overcome as a vehicle accelerates. It also has a negative effect on handling. Thats why people prefer lighter weight rims for performance.

Now its time for some math:

65 series = 30.5 (diameter) = 95.8 (circumference) = 7.983 = 661.4 revolutions per mile

70 series = 31.7 (diameter) = 99.6 (circumference) = 8.300 = 636.1 revolutions per mile

Thats a 3.6% difference, which effectively lowers the final drive ratio (numerically) from 3.727 to 3.592.

Now add it all up and what do you get? Thats right----more unsprung weight and worse gearing. The difference in performance and fuel economy will definitely be noticeable.

Sorry, but I just dont see the advantage to the 70 series tire. If I thought it looked better, I might sacrifice the weight and gearing issues, but to my eye, it does not even look better.

 

[Falls]

Your entitled to your opinion and your own determinations. Thats cool with me , its your truck & you should set it up for what you like and what makes you happy. It looks good the way you have it , I'm not saying that AT ALL !! I just disagree and there is nothing wrong with that.

You would never notice a gearing change , I know that from personal and actual experience switching my Stang from 3.55's to 3.73's. ( huge waste of money), now 4.10 on the other hand ...... sweet !!

I'll admit I never drove with the 65's much , they looked like something that came off a Camry and were crap tires for what I like and how I drive, so they were off the truck fast.

I think the 70's look great and not stuffed ( ok maybe slightly in front,but you rectified that already ) , but thats just me . One big reason I wanted to switch was the tire selection was a lot better. Cost was also cheaper because of mass production. I also love the look. Tighter the better ....lol.

In the end your truck will look cool and my truck will look cool and we'll both have fun with them.

 

[Even Steven]

Falls,

Its funny that you mentioned Mustangs and gearing. I had two Stangs that I changed the ring and pinion.

My first was an 88 5.0L LX that came with 3.08s from the factory. I also made the jump to 3.55s and found it to be a huge difference. I used to do quite a bit of quarter mile racing at Englishtown, and I wanted to be deeper into fourth gear by the time I hit the finish line, so I went to 3.73s. Because my Mustang was basically a street vehicle, I did not want to go any more than 3.73. I am shocked that you didnt feel a difference between the 3.55 and the 3.73. I definitely felt a noticeable difference and I was pulling much harder toward the end of the quarter mile due to the better gearing.

My second Mustang was an 87 GT that came with 2.73s from the factory. Those gears were so much worse than the 3.08s that came stock with my other Stang. I ended up putting the 3.73s from my other Mustang, which really made it come to life.

Anyway, Im still very surprised that you couldnt feel the difference that the gearing made on your Mustang. Im a drag racer, so maybe I am just more sensitive to gearing than you. Either way, theres no doubt in my mind that I would feel the difference in my 4Runner too.