Time for a lift..any recs?

[flygirl0344]

Hey all. Ok so I just bought my 3rd, 3rd gen and I wanna put a body lift..no more than 2”. I don’t wanna have a monster truck look, just slightly tougher than stock.

The pics below are 1) my truck currently (first pic)

2) how I want mine to look (second pic) but just a skosh higher. And here are the mods to truck I want mine to look like. Are these appropriate lift mods for the truck? Should he have done anything else not listed when he did the lift? Btw, mine already sits slightly higher than stock bc it had Bilstein 5100’s on it when I got it. Mine also needs LBJ’s but I think if I put OEM back on,? the lift won’t work and I’d need different LBJ’s, right?

thanks in advance!

Here are the lift mods to the truck in the second pic:

Freedom Off Road UCA
Bilstein 5100 front
Toytec rear struts
Toytec rear spring HEAVY DUTY (for towing/firmer ride)
New OEM 2x Lower Ball Joint (both sides)
New OEM Clockspring
New OEM Intermediate Steering Shaft

 

[96RedRunner]

Very deep subject start here, 3rd Gen 4Runner Lift Information and FAQ's - Toyota 4Runner Forum - Largest 4Runner Forum

 

[Iron duke]

Don't do a body lift unless you're trying to clear 35's then only doa 1" BL. Take your running boards off and get some 33's, you'll be the most happy with this I promise.

 

[the_welfare_wagon]

Don't do a body lift unless you're trying to clear 35's then only doa 1" BL. Take your running boards off and get some 33's, you'll be the most happy with this I promise.

I agree, take the running boards off, you gain like 5 Inches of rocker clearance doing so.

From the ground to the bottom of my rockers went from 18 to 22 when I took mine off


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[JoeT4R]

Hey all. Ok so I just bought my 3rd, 3rd gen and I wanna put a body lift..no more than 2”. I don’t wanna have a monster truck look, just slightly tougher than stock.

The pics below are 1) my truck currently (first pic)

2) how I want mine to look (second pic) but just a skosh higher. And here are the mods to truck I want mine to look like. Are these appropriate lift mods for the truck? Should he have done anything else not listed when he did the lift? Btw, mine already sits slightly higher than stock bc it had Bilstein 5100’s on it when I got it. Mine also needs LBJ’s but I think if I put OEM back on,? the lift won’t work and I’d need different LBJ’s, right?

thanks in advance!

Here are the lift mods to the truck in the second pic:

Freedom Off Road UCA
Bilstein 5100 front
Toytec rear struts
Toytec rear spring HEAVY DUTY (for towing/firmer ride)
New OEM 2x Lower Ball Joint (both sides)
New OEM Clockspring
New OEM Intermediate Steering Shaft

Like mentioned above, I'd only recommend a 1" body, if you're going to do one at all. That's what I have like many others here. It doesn't seem that anything is missing so I wouldn't worry too much about that. Shocks don't come into play with ride height, that's the springs. LBJ's shouldn't have anything to do with a life either, afaik, but I would always and only recommend OEM lower ball joints. Every. Single. Time. That's one of the "cons" about our trucks, and so it's always best to play it safe when it comes to major things like that.

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[Bad Luck]

Hey all. Ok so I just bought my 3rd, 3rd gen and I wanna put a body lift..no more than 2”. I don’t wanna have a monster truck look, just slightly tougher than stock.

The pics below are 1) my truck currently (first pic)

2) how I want mine to look (second pic) but just a skosh higher. And here are the mods to truck I want mine to look like. Are these appropriate lift mods for the truck? Should he have done anything else not listed when he did the lift? Btw, mine already sits slightly higher than stock bc it had Bilstein 5100’s on it when I got it. Mine also needs LBJ’s but I think if I put OEM back on,? the lift won’t work and I’d need different LBJ’s, right?

thanks in advance!

Here are the lift mods to the truck in the second pic:

Freedom Off Road UCA
Bilstein 5100 front
Toytec rear struts
Toytec rear spring HEAVY DUTY (for towing/firmer ride)
New OEM 2x Lower Ball Joint (both sides)
New OEM Clockspring
New OEM Intermediate Steering Shaft

Use OEM lower ball joints and lower ball joint bolts. They are not a limiting factor for lift height or suspension travel.

Not sure why you have it listed, but the clockspring and intermediate shaft do not need replaced when lifting your vehicle.

 

[alexperrucci]

Yes use OEM LBJ's, the lower ball joints work perfectly fine with a lift, don't need to change anything there.

 

[McLoven1t562]

I'll just follow up with the others and recommend 33's. I currently have my 96 SR5 on stock control arms with tundra springs and bilstein 5100 shocks....the ride is definitely more rough then normal (since Tundra is much heavier) but it gets you that nice 2 inch suspension lift from the shocks. Soon I'm likely changing to Radflo so it'll be more comfortable, but Tundra springs/coils are uber cheap since owners have them lieing around.

Had 33 M/T's at one point and now I swapped to A/T's and I have never rubbed regardless of the angle or terrain I was on.

 

[mtbtim]

I'll echo what somebody else mentioned, don't do a body lift. You're better off with a suspension lift. A suspension lift is more of an investment, but it's the preferred way to lift your vehicle. If you're just doing it just for looks, a body lift is fine. If you're doing it to make your rig more off road capable, a suspension lift is better. But, if you still want to go for it, I have a video that will show you how to do a 2" body lift, made by ToyTec.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/B9tD2iRlF7Y" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[flygirl0344]

Very deep subject start here, 3rd Gen 4Runner Lift Information and FAQ's - Toyota 4Runner Forum - Largest 4Runner Forum

ha. i figured as much. thanks. I'll start reading.

 

[flygirl0344]

Don't do a body lift unless you're trying to clear 35's then only doa 1" BL. Take your running boards off and get some 33's, you'll be the most happy with this I promise.

ID, based on the second pic I posted (what I want mine to look like), do you think he did this..?

 

[flygirl0344]

badLuck.yeah i just copied and pasted the build from that truck i like..I didnt know what clockspring and intermediate shaft where. so thanks!

 

[flygirl0344]

I'll just follow up with the others and recommend 33's. I currently have my 96 SR5 on stock control arms with tundra springs and bilstein 5100 shocks....the ride is definitely more rough then normal (since Tundra is much heavier) but it gets you that nice 2 inch suspension lift from the shocks. Soon I'm likely changing to Radflo so it'll be more comfortable, but Tundra springs/coils are uber cheap since owners have them lieing around.

Had 33 M/T's at one point and now I swapped to A/T's and I have never rubbed regardless of the angle or terrain I was on.

McLoven, ok so a "..suspension lift" sounds like it happens by default with the tundra springs on the 5100's..is this right? If so, does this mean all of the steering stuff, fuel hoses, etc have to be replaced/extended? Someone told me this is the case if I do a sus lift, which is part of the reason I only want a body lift. Not even for off roading purposes, mostly just for looks.
I like IronHorses on this thread's look! That's what i'm going for.

 

[RodrickHeffley]

McLoven, ok so a "..suspension lift" sounds like it happens by default with the tundra springs on the 5100's..is this right? If so, does this mean all of the steering stuff, fuel hoses, etc have to be replaced/extended? Someone told me this is the case if I do a sus lift, which is part of the reason I only want a body lift. Not even for off roading purposes, mostly just for looks.
I like IronHorses on this thread's look! That's what i'm going for.

No, you don't need to replace or extend those unless you're doing something extreme. if you go above a three inch lift it's recommended that you drop your diff and other stuff.

 

[Iron duke]

ID, based on the second pic I posted (what I want mine to look like), do you think he did this..?

The one you posted in the picture has the running boards removed and probably 33's. I would try to contact that person and see what info he has for ya. You will most likely be happiest with a 2.5-3" (I recommend 2.5" though) suspension lift and 33" tires because that's the highest lift without really starting to take a crap on upper/lower ball joints, cv axles, not having good alignment, etc. 33's are the largest tire that won't rub on that height lift with daily driving, won't stress driveline parts, and still be able to have some semblance of acceleration without a regear.

 

[96RedRunner]

ha. i figured as much. thanks. I'll start reading.

Was short there, sorry. What you want to copy and what I see in pic.
5th Gen 17" wheels probably 285/70-17" tires equal to your 16" 5 star wheels with 285/75-16" tires.
No Body lift, Tire to body flair gap in shadow, I'll say looks like 2.5-3" suspension lift. The norm.

Pulling running boards enhances the visual alot, might be enough for you
paired with the 99 Tall springs and a aggresive looking 265/75-16" tire.
A 285/75 tire usually requires a lift for anything more than mall crawling.
You didn't mention mileage on Runner you bought I'll guess 150k+ on original springs.
Try this Runnings boards removed. Go to tire store have sales grab pairs
of a 265 & a 285 size in tread of choice put in front tires on vehicle on same side.
Visualize new 99 Talls giving you 1.5" of lift F & R decide if that enough or you want more.
Costs nothing but time takes some guess work out.
Have fun jumping in the rabbit hole, Ha.

Edit: If you want more than 99 Talls link has different ways of getting it and costs.
Edit X2: Absalom's Cookie Cutter 4runner Builds - New and Updated! another good link.

 

[flygirl0344]

Was short there, sorry. What you want to copy and what I see in pic.
5th Gen 17" wheels probably 285/70-17" tires equal to your 16" 5 star wheels with 285/75-16" tires.
No Body lift, Tire to body flair gap in shadow, I'll say looks like 2.5-3" suspension lift. The norm.

Pulling running boards enhances the visual alot, might be enough for you
paired with the 99 Tall springs and a aggresive looking 265/75-16" tire.
A 285/75 tire usually requires a lift for anything more than mall crawling.
You didn't mention mileage on Runner you bought I'll guess 150k+ on original springs.
Try this Runnings boards removed. Go to tire store have sales grab pairs
of a 265 & a 285 size in tread of choice put in front tires on vehicle on same side.
Visualize new 99 Talls giving you 1.5" of lift F & R decide if that enough or you want more.
Costs nothing but time takes some guess work out.
Have fun jumping in the rabbit hole, Ha.

Edit: If you want more than 99 Talls link has different ways of getting it and costs.
Edit X2: Absalom's Cookie Cutter 4runner Builds - New and Updated! another good link.

Are you saying the tires will help me visualize a lift before I put it on? Or no.. just put tires on at tire store after I get the 99s on? Sorry I’m a bit confused.

 

[96RedRunner]

Are you saying the tires will help me visualize a lift before I put it on? Or no.. just put tires on at tire store after I get the 99s on? Sorry I’m a bit confused.

Will help YOU visualize a lift before you put it on!

 

[Thepedigree13]

Before you buy your lift there are alot of things to consider.

Intended use of the vehicle, added weight, condition of LBJ, cv boots, UCA, etc.

In my experience/opinion a good overall setup is a 2-2.5" suspension lift on 32" tires. In my case 265/75r16.

When I lifted my truck (approx 2.5") both cv axels tore boots, and my passenger side LBJ tore and lost its grease within a year. So be mindful of those components current condition. Maybe just reboot the CV axels prior to lift.

Most people don't have alot of problems in terms of cv angles and alignment when lifting less than 3 inches.

If you plan on adding a drawer system, bumpers, etc plan ahead for that too or you will be swapping coils often chasing a perfect height you had in your mind.

Dobinsons make a good kit for the 3rd gen, and Ironman seems to be similar.