Suspension lifts?
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boston_kevin
New member
suspension lifts are pretty much the same
It's the quality of the materials that are used and the extra's that come with it. For example, some will not include grade 5 bolts, but will try to give the minimum quality. Others will give you just the kit and the bolts, but not the brake line extensions or the extra long shocks (if needed), so you are stuck if you have not done all of your homework.
Basically there are two types of lifts for body on frame applications.. Suspension lift (more $$, better ride, better handling, retains same steering characterics and appearance) and Body lifts (none for the 4Runner that I know of). Body lifts involved putting "hockey pucks" in between the frame and the body and the tranny/transfer case and the body. This is really easy and cheap, but you change the way the tranny sits in the vehicle and I have seen people using inferior grade materials have the whole body shift a couple of inches on the frame.
It's the quality of the materials that are used and the extra's that come with it. For example, some will not include grade 5 bolts, but will try to give the minimum quality. Others will give you just the kit and the bolts, but not the brake line extensions or the extra long shocks (if needed), so you are stuck if you have not done all of your homework.
Basically there are two types of lifts for body on frame applications.. Suspension lift (more $$, better ride, better handling, retains same steering characterics and appearance) and Body lifts (none for the 4Runner that I know of). Body lifts involved putting "hockey pucks" in between the frame and the body and the tranny/transfer case and the body. This is really easy and cheap, but you change the way the tranny sits in the vehicle and I have seen people using inferior grade materials have the whole body shift a couple of inches on the frame.
bulldog-yota
New member
There a number of different options when it comes to suspension lifts. I'll discuss ones relavent to 4th gens.
First is spacer lifts, which baiscally retains the stock suspension components like coils and shocks. It just adds spacers on top of the coils and front strut to lift the vehicle higher. Daystar and Revtek are examples for this. (Revtek does replace the rear shock, but not required)
Next you get lift kits that replace the current components, with uprated components for different duties. OME from ARB is a prime example. You basically replace the shocks and coils with their stuff. Pending on the "load" you choose they give you different coils/shocks. This gives you lift, but also gives you more articilation (flex). Another advantage is that if you fit heavy aftermarket bumpers, sliders, skids, subs in the back, etc you can compensate for it with stronger coils. Make sure you match correctly to not have a bad ride.
Lasrtly you get coil overs for the front, this is normally used with either of the previous in the back. COilovers allow you to set the ride height, as it has a screw mechanism to preload the coil springs in the front. It allows greater felxibility as you can compensate for various load conditions, ie. bumper, winch or stock for front. Normally coilovers is used with eplacement upper a-arms to allow more flex in the front. Choose spring rate and height setting carefully to get a good ride, lift and flex. This is the most versatile, but most expensive option. Downey has kist now for the 4th Gen, SAW has it now as well, DOnahoe will be releasing by March.
First is spacer lifts, which baiscally retains the stock suspension components like coils and shocks. It just adds spacers on top of the coils and front strut to lift the vehicle higher. Daystar and Revtek are examples for this. (Revtek does replace the rear shock, but not required)
Next you get lift kits that replace the current components, with uprated components for different duties. OME from ARB is a prime example. You basically replace the shocks and coils with their stuff. Pending on the "load" you choose they give you different coils/shocks. This gives you lift, but also gives you more articilation (flex). Another advantage is that if you fit heavy aftermarket bumpers, sliders, skids, subs in the back, etc you can compensate for it with stronger coils. Make sure you match correctly to not have a bad ride.
Lasrtly you get coil overs for the front, this is normally used with either of the previous in the back. COilovers allow you to set the ride height, as it has a screw mechanism to preload the coil springs in the front. It allows greater felxibility as you can compensate for various load conditions, ie. bumper, winch or stock for front. Normally coilovers is used with eplacement upper a-arms to allow more flex in the front. Choose spring rate and height setting carefully to get a good ride, lift and flex. This is the most versatile, but most expensive option. Downey has kist now for the 4th Gen, SAW has it now as well, DOnahoe will be releasing by March.
bulldog-yota
New member
If you have XREAS you can only use option 1.
Option 2 or 3 is actually better as it allows more flex for offroad and can support a greater number of configurations for offroad setups. Offroading additions like bumpers, sliders, etc normally increases weight, which will overwelm the stock suspension at some point. Also keep in mind lift is only one thing to look at when lifting a vehicle, lift (obviously), ride quality, handling, offorad articulation (flex) are some of the big ones.
Option 2 or 3 is actually better as it allows more flex for offroad and can support a greater number of configurations for offroad setups. Offroading additions like bumpers, sliders, etc normally increases weight, which will overwelm the stock suspension at some point. Also keep in mind lift is only one thing to look at when lifting a vehicle, lift (obviously), ride quality, handling, offorad articulation (flex) are some of the big ones.
toybox
New member
Thanks for the detailed explanation. That is exactly what I wanted.
Well since I can only choose option 1 then I don't have a choice on the other criteria you mentioned, right? Or do those different characteristics show up between spacer lifts?
btw I love your valentine avatar. Is that your true love
bulldog-yota said:
Well since I can only choose option 1 then I don't have a choice on the other criteria you mentioned, right? Or do those different characteristics show up between spacer lifts?
btw I love your valentine avatar. Is that your true love
Last edited:
Bluto
New member
toybox said:
Metal can rust, polyurethane can compress.
A bit more info...
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=6832
I'm not sure how different preload spacers and top spacers affect the lift.
HuntRunner
New member
Why do they not make spacer kits with the option of replacing the rear coils for the 4th gen? This would work even with the xreas wouldn't it?
bulldog-yota
New member
Well the point is that you can't replace the shocks, if you want to retain the XREAS feature.toybox said:Thanks for the detailed explanation. That is exactly what I wanted.
Well since I can only choose option 1 then I don't have a choice on the other criteria you mentioned, right? Or do those different characteristics show up between spacer lifts?
btw I love your valentine avatar. Is that your true love
You can replace the coils, but it is probably not a realistic option currently.
So your choices are much Revtek, Daystar and if you want you can get Toytech front and use (revtek or Daystar back). Toytech uses aliminium which is probably the best choice, but the actually make for the Tacos so you can only use the front.
Daystar and Revtek are the most known and tested so far. On the front you get a pre-load and top spacer in both. The Revtek has a lot more pre-load, so it will stiffen the ride in the front more than the Daystar. Teh Daystar will kepp your ride the closest to stock, but it offers 1/2" to an 1" less lift than the Revtek. Your choice. Also Revtek normally ships rear shocks with, which you can't use, thus making it more expensive. If you can get the Kit without the shocks, it is probably the better choice. Remember to paint the top spacer if it is metal so it wont rust.
avatar, my G/F dressed him up for Valentuine's day. I thought the pictures she took were funny.
bulldog-yota
New member
True, but apart from Downey rear coils nobody has brought anything to market.HuntRunner said:
You can defintely experiment with different setups and see what works. I dont know if the OME coils will fit the front struts, but you can defintely use them in the rear when they are released.
The reason why most people stick to spacers is to retain as close as possible stock ride and handling of the 4Runner.
WHen you replace coils, etc you open a whole new world.
bulldog-yota
New member
To my knowledge Cornfed has not made anything for the 4th Gens yet. Their spacers are put in very high regard at all the places I visit, but I dont know.toybox said:
Good Times
New member
If and when Cornfed does that'd be the best one out in my opinion
They're slow on production because this is is parttime gig between serving the country so if he's slow give him some time.
They're slow on production because this is is parttime gig between serving the country so if he's slow give him some time.
i had emailed with cornfed back in june when i new i was moving to virginia (they are located where i now live). they said they would cut me deal to use my vehicle as a platform for development. when i got here i emailed them over and over again without a response, so i gave up on them.
Good Times
New member
Like I said, he's busy serving our (US) country (Navy I believe) so the process will be a slow one. He does this for fun and it's not a full time gig so it'll always be slow. One good thing is that his products are kick ass. (ass previous gen products that he's made).
G3 Trout Runner
New member
So overall,
Revtek - metal, rust, extra shocks, stiffer ride, no compression
Daystar - polyurethane, no rust, more compression, less stiff ride
Cornfeds - Aluminum, no rust, no compression, stiff ride
Would it be a safe bet to say that the aluminum Cornfed's would ride a bit stiffer, like the metal Revteks, but lack the rusting potential. Is the lack of rust and quality why Cornfeds stuff is so good?
G3
Revtek - metal, rust, extra shocks, stiffer ride, no compression
Daystar - polyurethane, no rust, more compression, less stiff ride
Cornfeds - Aluminum, no rust, no compression, stiff ride
Would it be a safe bet to say that the aluminum Cornfed's would ride a bit stiffer, like the metal Revteks, but lack the rusting potential. Is the lack of rust and quality why Cornfeds stuff is so good?
G3
Sac State
New member
Yes, according to the owner the 3" 4th gen spacer lift will be available at the end of the month. He replied almost instantaneously to my inquiry. They have already installed it on a few vehicles. Plus they will install it! Big plus. They will install it at their Plymouth location.
