Purchasing my Lift Kit!

[WhoDoiFollow]

Hey guys! so I'm ready to grab my lift kit but not sure what to grab!
I have a 2018 T4R Off-Road Premium with KDSS

i was looking at TTBOSS-4R210 - ToyTec BOSS Suspension System for 10+ 4Runner or 2010-UP Toyota 4Runner 0-3.5" Suspension System - Stage 2 (Tubular) | K53062T

But im not sure which kit is the best bang for its buck.
- If i go with toytec will i need to upgrade Front coils? Rear coils? Upper control arms? Rear shocks?
-If i go with Icon will it have everything i need?

 

[Rightside Up]

Dobinsons.

 

[Darrow]

But im not sure which kit is the best bang for its buck.
- If i go with toytec will i need to upgrade Front coils? Rear coils? Upper control arms? Rear shocks?
-If i go with Icon will it have everything i need?

It really depends on amount and type of off-roading you plan on doing. Many will say a simple spacer lift with longer struts would be the best value option if you plan on staying on the pavement. Otherwise, the best option for slower trail riding vs. higher speed desert driving would be different.

A few things to keep in mind:

1. A front coilover suspension will require more regular maintenance than a simpler spring/strut set up. Depending on how long you keep the truck they could require a rebuild assuming they are rebuildable.

2. For many a lift of 2.5" or above requires new UCA's to get a proper alignment. The Icon kit you linked has those included. The type of joint on the UCA's will also determine how much maintenance you'll need to do. Generally, a OEM style ball-joint will require less than a uni-ball joint.

Like most things there is a trade off between performance/price/ease of maintenance.

 

[WhoDoiFollow]

It really depends on amount and type of off-roading you plan on doing. Many will say a simple spacer lift with longer struts would be the best value option if you plan on staying on the pavement. Otherwise, the best option for slower trail riding vs. higher speed desert driving would be different.

A few things to keep in mind:

1. A front coilover suspension will require more regular maintenance than a simpler spring/strut set up. Depending on how long you keep the truck they could require a rebuild assuming they are rebuildable.

2. For many a lift of 2.5" or above requires new UCA's to get a proper alignment. The Icon kit you linked has those included. The type of joint on the UCA's will also determine how much maintenance you'll need to do. Generally, a OEM style ball-joint will require less than a uni-ball joint.

Like most things there is a trade off between performance/price/ease of maintenance.

I had no idea spacers and a longer strut was a thing, could you link me to what would need to just install those? Will it improve or do anything to ride performance?

 

[Darrow]

I had no idea spacers and a longer strut was a thing, could you link me to what would need to just install those? Will it improve or do anything to ride performance?

I don’t have any experience with spacer lifts but you should check out the lift kit FAQ:

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/165065-5th-gen-4runner-lift-buyers-guide.html

 

[progress4m]

I had no idea spacers and a longer strut was a thing, could you link me to what would need to just install those? Will it improve or do anything to ride performance?

Spacer lift (top spacer) will not impact ride performance- the ride feel will remain stock.
Any lift will impact the caster settings (if you stay with stock UCA- as most people do with small lift spacer), so straight line stability will not be as good as what you have now, that is one of the reason I would recommend to stay around or under 2 inches lift on the front.
Here are some spacer lift options: http://www.cornfedsuspension.com/10164Runner.htm and
https://www.amazon.com/Daystar-4Runner-transmissions-KT09134BK-America/dp/B006ZWOCZ6
There are many others.

 

[WhoDoiFollow]

Spacer lift (top spacer) will not impact ride performance- the ride feel will remain stock.
Any lift will impact the caster settings (if you stay with stock UCA- as most people do with small lift spacer), so straight line stability will not be as good as what you have now, that is one of the reason I would recommend to stay around or under 2 inches lift on the front.
Here are some spacer lift options: 10-16* Toyota 4Runner Cornfed Suspension Lift kits and
https://www.amazon.com/Daystar-4Runner-transmissions-KT09134BK-America/dp/B006ZWOCZ6
There are many others.

If i was to purchase the daystar ones from amazon, would i need anything else to complete the lift? This looks like a money saving way for a pavement princess haha.

 

[progress4m]

If i was to purchase the daystar ones from amazon, would i need anything else to complete the lift? This looks like a money saving way for a pavement princess haha.

From parts stand point: this is a complete spacer lift kit, it is all you need to get 2.5" and 1.5" rear;

Obviously, you have it either install it yourself or pay some to do it and pay for alignment after install.

IMHO: when it comes to spacer lift: quality, price and ride feel it is hard to beat Daystar, I just wish they would still offer 2” inch spacer lift like they did for 4th generation 4runners… (I am OCD, so the caster settings (amount of lift vs. stock UCA) is a concern for me... LOL)

 

[WhoDoiFollow]

From parts stand point: this is a complete spacer lift kit, it is all you need to get 2.5" and 1.5" rear;

Obviously, you have it either install it yourself or pay some to do it and pay for alignment after install.

IMHO: when it comes to spacer lift: quality, price and ride feel it is hard to beat Daystar, I just wish they would still offer 2” inch spacer lift like they did for 4th generation 4runners… (I am OCD, so the caster settings (amount of lift vs. stock UCA) is a concern for me... LOL)

So what i was thinking of doing was grabbing
https://www.amazon.com/Daystar-4Runner-transmissions-KT09135BK-America/dp/B019QJI49O/ref=sr_1_7?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1524974658&sr=1-7&keywords=daystar+toyota+4runner
and
https://www.amazon.com/Daystar-4Runner-transmissions-KT09134BK-America/dp/B006ZWOCZ6/ref=sr_1_3?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1524974658&sr=1-3&keywords=daystar+toyota+4runner

and then upgradding to Total Chaos upper arms. (or is there any other upc you can recommend for a better price?)

 

[progress4m]

So what i was thinking of doing was grabbing
https://www.amazon.com/Daystar-4Runner-transmissions-KT09135BK-America/dp/B019QJI49O/ref=sr_1_7?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1524974658&sr=1-7&keywords=daystar+toyota+4runner
and
https://www.amazon.com/Daystar-4Runner-transmissions-KT09134BK-America/dp/B006ZWOCZ6/ref=sr_1_3?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1524974658&sr=1-3&keywords=daystar+toyota+4runner

and then upgradding to Total Chaos upper arms. (or is there any other upc you can recommend for a better price?)

You only need KT09134BK kit (second link your post) it includes front and rear spacers (KT09135BK is only rear spacers).

I cannot comment on what after market UCA to get, I know a lot of people here have Total Chaos so hopefully they will reply with suggestions.

P.S. IMHO: and I am maybe wrong on that, but I think stock UCA are actually better quality (stronger) than any aftermarket ones - this is based only on what I have seeing on this forum: occasional complaints from user with aftermarket UCA and I do not believe I have seeing any issues with stock UCA-another reason I wanted to limit my lift on the front to around 2" so I do not have to change UCA.... again just my $.02

 

[TurnLo82]

I too am looking at the Toytect 3in lifts. Anyone know the difference between their Ultimate 3in lift kit and the Boss 3in lift kit? Prices are almost identical and I can't seem to find the differences.

 

[WhoDoiFollow]

You only need KT09134BK kit (second link your post) it includes front and rear spacers (KT09135BK is only rear spacers).

I cannot comment on what after market UCA to get, I know a lot of people here have Total Chaos so hopefully they will reply with suggestions.

P.S. IMHO: and I am maybe wrong on that, but I think stock UCA are actually better quality (stronger) than any aftermarket ones - this is based only on what I have seeing on this forum: occasional complaints from user with aftermarket UCA and I do not believe I have seeing any issues with stock UCA-another reason I wanted to limit my lift on the front to around 2" so I do not have to change UCA.... again just my $.02

I was thinking of grabbing both so I could do 2.5 in the front and 1.5 in the back. Stock UCA’s will be fine? I have KDSS as well and a 2018 model, these will work?
But in https://www.amazon.com/Daystar-4Runner-transmissions-KT09134BK-America/dp/B006ZWOCZ6/ref=sr_1_3?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1524974658&sr=1-3&keywords=daystar+toyota+4runner
Will fit all around? 2.5”?

 

[oobaa47]

I too am looking at the Toytect 3in lifts. Anyone know the difference between their Ultimate 3in lift kit and the Boss 3in lift kit? Prices are almost identical and I can't seem to find the differences.

Look at the specs of each......I believe the ultimate uses Bilstein shocks and the boss uses toytec in house shocks valved specifically for the 4Runner... I believe the boss kit may use a thicker shock shaft as well.....the majority of opinions seem to point towards boss as being slightly better than ultimate..... I believe it's about 50 bucks more as well...

 

[mikey's2010SR5]

Spacer lifts if not done correctly will damage your truck.


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[Angelo]

Stock UCA’s will be fine? I have KDSS as well and a 2018 model, these will work?

So if I were you I'd wait to pull the trigger on buying anything until you spend some more time reading on this forum. It really will help. You might still go with the Daystar kit, you might not. Do you take your truck off road?

Any lift higher than 2" could require aftermarket UCAs to get the alignment back in spec, it depends on the individual truck. Even if you get the alignment in spec, you might want new UCAs to improve the driving feel which can be skittish and wandery feeling on the highway / high speeds after a lift.

Be aware that most UCAs will require greasing, any Uniball UCA definitely will. Some balljoint UCAs do, some others claim not to. Even if you're not planning to go off road, I would seriously look at Bilstein 5100 shocks and or the shock / spring / UCA sets from dobinsons. They're cost effective and basically maintenance free until they need replacement like any worn out shock. Good luck.

 

[progress4m]

So if I were you I'd wait to pull the trigger on buying anything until you spend some more time reading on this forum. It really will help. You might still go with the Daystar kit, you might not. Do you take your truck off road?

Any lift higher than 2" could require aftermarket UCAs to get the alignment back in spec, it depends on the individual truck. Even if you get the alignment in spec, you might want new UCAs to improve the driving feel which can be skittish and wandery feeling on the highway / high speeds after a lift.

Be aware that most UCAs will require greasing, any Uniball UCA definitely will. Some balljoint UCAs do, some others claim not to. Even if you're not planning to go off road, I would seriously look at Bilstein 5100 shocks and or the shock / spring / UCA sets from dobinsons. They're cost effective and basically maintenance free until they need replacement like any worn out shock. Good luck.

All very good points!

OP has stated that he is not taking his truck off road. From my personal experience (had spacers lift on 4 th gen for 10 years-no issue) even if he would take it for mild “off road” spacer lift would work just fine, you just need to know limitations of the lift and your truck … but that applies to any truck\lift\ and the type off roading you do.

TO OP: as I have mentioned before, that Dyastar spacer kit will work for 2018 4Runner with KDSS, do more research and read comments from “Adngelo” (and mine) about alignment specs and UCAs with lift above 2” (irrelevant to having KDSS or not).

The only other thing I would point out is the possible passenger side lean with lift and KDSS (do research)- in general, consensus is that 4runners without KDSS have driver side lean and 4Runner with KDSS have passenger side lean (that possible can shows up after lift).

Unfortunately, 4Runners are not same when it comes to “lean” and alignment specs you just need to be prepared if that happens (adding small additional spacer (5 mm think) on the side of lean resolves the issue).
Bilstein 5100 is another very good option, but it WILL make the ride firmer.

As an alternative, lift with Bilstein 6212 should be pretty close to stock ride, will give you better shock (vs. stock) and give you ability to fine tuning lean issue- again please do your research.

 

[progress4m]

Spacer lifts if not done correctly will damage your truck.


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The same would apply to most of things in life (including lifting the truck)- do it incorrectly and things will go wrong.

I am not saying that top out spacers lift is the best lift and should be used by everyone… LOL… but for a “street queen” it is viable and cost effective option.

(just FYI: I had top out spacers lift (Daystar) on my 4th gen for 10 years and around 100K miles total-with many off road miles and mild off-road trails- no issues it did what it supposed to do).

 

[mikey's2010SR5]

The same would apply to most of things in life (including lifting the truck)- do it incorrectly and things will go wrong.

I am not saying that top out spacers lift is the best lift and should be used by everyone… LOL… but for a “street queen” it is viable and cost effective option.

(just FYI: I had top out spacers lift (Daystar) on my 4th gen for 10 years and around 100K miles total-with many off road miles and mild off-road trails- no issues it did what it supposed to do).

Even on the street. People don’t realize when using a top hat spacer lift more needs to be done. You NEED to also get a bump stop spacer so you don’t bottom the shock out.

Congratulations on having a spacer lift for 10 years. [emoji1319]




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[progress4m]

...

Congratulations on having a spacer lift for 10 years. [emoji1319]

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Thank you:banana:...

 

[ToyTec Lifts]

Hey guys! so I'm ready to grab my lift kit but not sure what to grab!
I have a 2018 T4R Off-Road Premium with KDSS

i was looking at TTBOSS-4R210 - ToyTec BOSS Suspension System for 10+ 4Runner or 2010-UP Toyota 4Runner 0-3.5" Suspension System - Stage 2 (Tubular) | K53062T

But im not sure which kit is the best bang for its buck.
- If i go with toytec will i need to upgrade Front coils? Rear coils? Upper control arms? Rear shocks?
-If i go with Icon will it have everything i need?

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