SR5 Lift Questions

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Yes, I've searched. I tried going through 500 pages of posts but it's an effort. I just want to know a few things from the community:

1. Those that did a 1" corn fed spacer in the rear, any regrets? How's it ride? How long are the spacers lasting?

2. Dumb question, but once your rig is lifted (even slightly), are you still using the OEM jack when you get a flat? I don't know why that popped into my head, but that jack is suspect on OEM heights.

3. With a lifted rig, someone mentioned head lights needing to be realigned. I never thought of that. I'm assuming nobody here is worried about it? lol

I have a 2011 SR5. Nothing special. Struts are leaking and ready for replacement. Not looking to dump a lot of cash into it at this point, but want to update the look a little to hopefully keep me from buying a new one. Thinking Eibach's at 1.6 in front. Rear, I'm torn between corn fed 1" spacers or Eibach springs. Not sure it's really worth the extra cost for a daily driver. Probably put some 275/70/17's on it. Thinking KO2's or possibly the new Nitto Ridge Grapplers. Anyone have any reviews on the Nittos?

 

[fkheath]

1

Yes, I've searched. I tried going through 500 pages of posts but it's an effort. I just want to know a few things from the community:

1. Those that did a 1" corn fed spacer in the rear, any regrets? How's it ride? How long are the spacers lasting?

2. Dumb question, but once your rig is lifted (even slightly), are you still using the OEM jack when you get a flat? I don't know why that popped into my head, but that jack is suspect on OEM heights.

3. With a lifted rig, someone mentioned head lights needing to be realigned. I never thought of that. I'm assuming nobody here is worried about it? lol

I have a 2011 SR5. Nothing special. Struts are leaking and ready for replacement. Not looking to dump a lot of cash into it at this point, but want to update the look a little to hopefully keep me from buying a new one. Thinking Eibach's at 1.6 in front. Rear, I'm torn between corn fed 1" spacers or Eibach springs. Not sure it's really worth the extra cost for a daily driver. Probably put some 275/70/17's on it. Thinking KO2's or possibly the new Nitto Ridge Grapplers. Anyone have any reviews on the Nittos?

1. Spacers on the top of the front struts or top of the rear springs don't affect ride since the spring rate is the same. Spacers never wear out.

2. I carry a block of wood to place under the jack to raise it. If you have a lot of lift, you may need to get a farm jack, sometimes called a high lift jack.

3. Yes, you need to do both a wheel alignment and headlight alignment when you do any modifications to the suspension, including just a lift. After I installed my lift, I had my dealer do both.

The 5th generation 4Runner is "raked" which means that the front is lower than the rear. It is common to lift the front more than the rear to level the vehicle. I have the Rough Country leveling kit (spacers) that raise the front 2.5 inches and the rear 1". You don't want to lift just the rear for that would increase the rake.

Since you have leaking shocks/struts, which will need replacement, it may be a good idea to get a shock/strut/springs replacement combo that also does the lift you want. Lots of choices out there. If you change the spring rate or the damping ratio of the shocks, that will change the ride quality.

I have the KO2 tires and like them. I got the E load range tires because I do some very rocky off roading, and the extra plies of an E rated tire helps with durability. KO2 tires are known to be hard to balance, but I have not had any problems that way.

 

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Okay, that all makes sense. Good idea on the block of wood.
I swear my rake has gotten worse over the years. It's sitting at 2" now. lol I think I'll just go the cheap route and get the Eibachs on all 4 corners, 1.6 setting up front with the corn fed 1" spacer kit for the rear. I still prefer a slight rake. To me, when the wheel wells are level the car frame looks like it's got a reverse rake. I think the wheel wells are designed to have more clearance in the rear. 1.6 / 1 should level the frame and let me put 275/70's under it no problem. I'm due for new tires as well so may as well do it all now. lol

I'll put the extra cash into a new head unit later.
Thanks for the feedback.