Suspension or Body Lift to Support Bumper/Sliders

[jangoforhire]

So I am going to hit on a ton of topics here, so bear with me.

First,
I am getting mixed signals from everyone on this forum. My ultimate goal is to get a Shrockworks front bumper and rock sliders (can anyone give me advice about how you cut your rocker panels to fit the sliders? I know there are adapters now by RiDe but I like the look of the cut panels better) on my 2010 LTD. From my initial research, It seemed everyone was saying that a spacer lift would not be enough to support the added weight of the bumper (or the stock suspension). But now it seems some people saying that a spacer lift WILL support the added weight. I am just trying to clarify since price is an issue for me and I would like to spend as little as possible on my lift.

My uses for the truck are not to extreme. I live in the country on a large farm so driving off road is not an uncommon experience. I frequently hit remote back woods trails to reach hunting spots and check on cabins. I also drive through corn fields, dirt roads, etc. But I am certainly not climbing up on rock mountains or doing anything crazy. I just like knowing that if I want to, I can drive there.

If I have to go suspension lift...

Toytec - It seems an overwhelming majority of people have the ToyTec ultimate, which seems to be a good solid lift, but that is definitely at the top end of my price range.

ICON - I love the quality, and expandability of the ICON setups, but they are just WAY to expensive for me. I have thrown around the idea about just slowly buying up the pieces in the kit as I can afford them. But still...very expensive.

Pro-Comp - I have only seen one person with the ProComp lift (HERE). This is attractive as it is definitely in my price range, but I am hesitant to buy this 1. because of the lower price (lower quality?) 2. it seems not many people have it (which throws up another flag) 3. Nowhere on this lift does it mention it is for a 5th Gen (seems that this is for the FJ). Here is the link to buy the lift he used. Anyone have any insight about this lift?

OME/OW/ARB - These kits just seam to blend together in my mind, nothing has stood out as being to distinctive to be honest.

I am also throwing around the idea of doing install my self. But I will decide that depending on how much I have to spend on the lift kit.

Right now I am interested in the ProComp first, followed by the Toytec and possibly the ICON.

Also if a spacer lift would work for my application, can you suggest one?
This one seems like it is fairly cheap and offers a good amount of support. However it is listed as an FJ kit as well.

Thanks in advance for reading yet another lift kit thread.

 

[tlflow]

yes that's a good one!

 

[cbielat]

I would keep researching first. I scoured this forum for weeks at a time when figuring out which suspension company to go with. It can become draining but it is worth it in the end when you feel you've made the right decision. In the beginning I was considering the Toytec Ultimate kit for the price but in the end I chose to go with Overland Warehouse which I am very happy with. There was a bump up in the price but I was okay with that, knowing they are made specifically for the 4Runner. I do not have any experience with any of the other suspension companies in terms of use. I may be wrong but I'm fairly certain ARB are the manufacturers of OME. Also, Overland Warehouse uses Radflo's shocks and are specifically valved for your application. Many on here use Icon as well but for me I felt their price was a little steep. All in all, I have been very happy with my OW set up. Just research for a while until you know you're certain. Good Luck.

 

[Makdad]

If I can get a few minutes I'll take a picture of how I cut my rockers and post it up.

 

[jangoforhire]

yes that's a good one!

Is this in response to my crazy topic or something else?

I would keep researching first. I scoured this forum for weeks at a time when figuring out which suspension company to go with. It can become draining but it is worth it in the end when you feel you've made the right decision. In the beginning I was considering the Toytec Ultimate kit for the price but in the end I chose to go with Overland Warehouse which I am very happy with. There was a bump up in the price but I was okay with that, knowing they are made specifically for the 4Runner. I do not have any experience with any of the other suspension companies in terms of use. I may be wrong but I'm fairly certain ARB are the manufacturers of OME. Also, Overland Warehouse uses Radflo's shocks and are specifically valved for your application. Many on here use Icon as well but for me I felt their price was a little steep. All in all, I have been very happy with my OW set up. Just research for a while until you know you're certain. Good Luck.

This is definitely good advice. I have been reading about suspensions for what feels like forever now but I still feel like I do not understand it all yet. I've started to compile a spreadsheet with prices/pros/cons and it's helping me out. Im actually starting to lean towards the ICON a little more now as I've read about some people mixing and matching to build their own unique setups that fit somewhere between a stage 3-5 setup for cheaper than the ICON kits.

If I can get a few minutes I'll take a picture of how I cut my rockers and post it up.

If you get a change to do this that would be fantastic. Thanks!

 

[mikey's2010SR5]

Cutting the rockers is easy. Just use a dremel and a steady hand. Click on my build to see how I did it.

Now if you plan on adding the weight of the Shrockworks stuff I would suggest a real suspension. A body lift is only going to lift your body so you will still be riding on the stock suspension and the bumper and sliders attach to the frame, not the body. I know a bunch of guys that have body lift and suspension lifts that are running coilover suspension as well plus have a rear bumper, front bumper, sliders, and skids plus accessories.

My two cents would be more research and decide on your budget, that will be the biggest decision maker.

 

[jangoforhire]

Cutting the rockers is easy. Just use a dremel and a steady hand. Click on my build to see how I did it.

Now if you plan on adding the weight of the Shrockworks stuff I would suggest a real suspension. A body lift is only going to lift your body so you will still be riding on the stock suspension and the bumper and sliders attach to the frame, not the body. I know a bunch of guys that have body lift and suspension lifts that are running coilover suspension as well plus have a rear bumper, front bumper, sliders, and skids plus accessories.

My two cents would be more research and decide on your budget, that will be the biggest decision maker.

Nice build! So you just measured up your sliders and used a Dremel to cut the entire distance? Seems like that's leaving a lot of room for error (at least considering my Dremel skills). On a side not, hows that vinyl on the chrome strips been holding up? Ive been thinking about having that done.

I have decided to go suspension, it's just a better long run decision. I am just doing more research now.

 

[mikey's2010SR5]

I just chose a point below the chrome strip and just took my time. No skill just patience. It doesn't need to be perfectly straight because the slider will cover it.

Vinyl is holding up good.

 

[jangoforhire]

I just chose a point below the chrome strip and just took my time. No skill just patience. It doesn't need to be perfectly straight because the slider will cover it.

Vinyl is holding up good.

Good to know. Thanks!

 

[Makdad]

Here are a few pictures of my rockers w/sliders (little dirty from the snow the past couple of days) . Pretty much just took off the entire rocker and then cut the front couple of inches off and reattched that piece so it would still looked finished up. The piece is pretty flimsy, so hopefully if it hits anything the plastic will just bend.

 

[jangoforhire]

Here are a few pictures of my rockers w/sliders (little dirty from the snow the past couple of days) . Pretty much just took off the entire rocker and then cut the front couple of inches off and reattched that piece so it would still looked finished up. The piece is pretty flimsy, so hopefully if it hits anything the plastic will just bend.

Awesome that's perfect thanks so much!

I am starting to price out ICON systems. I want to save money, but I also want a quality system (since my truck still has so few miles, I might as well do the suspension right the first time and use high quality parts). So I am checking out the websites I have heard of people getting good deals at (Demello and Outlaw)
and will probably purchase the components over a few months and assemble it late summer. These are the parts I am definitely getting:

Model: 8747 Name: Remote Reservoir Extended Travel Coil-over Shock Kit
Model: 2700 Name: "2"" Lift Rear Coil-spring Kit"
Model: 7710 Name: ICON VS Series Rear PiggyBack Reservoir Shocks

So basically the stage 5 without the UCA's or the Rear Trailing Arms.

I have heard that with the extended travel front coil-overs I will need new UCA's. But I have a hard time justifying the $1200 pair from ICON. So I might go with Total Chaos or LT UCA's, or maybe the tubular UCA ICON (part: 58450) sells. I know harper has the Total Chaos UCA's and seems to like them. Anyone have the tubular ICON's?

Also do I really need the lower rear trailing arm kit? (part: 4000) or can I get by without it?