Too many lift options out there...

[huntsonora]

OME
Icon 6 stages
Radflo 2.0 and 2.5 and 6 stages
Toytec has multiple options
Metal tech
Ironman
Bilstein leveling kit

Do you get UCA's or not? How bout upgraded links. Long travel or not?

You get the picture. Possibilities are ENDLESS!

Is there a resource out there that describes each of these or do you need to search individually?

I like the "posted your lifted 4Runner" thread but it doesnt go into detail as to what each lift does.

If there isn't one here I would live to see a breakdown of these various lifts in one thread to make it easy to see and understand the differences. With the cost of these lifts I want it to be a one time decision

 

[gm350reratliff]

Having a lot of options is a good thing. What is your budget? From there, you can make a list of each suspension along with the price. Scratch off the ones you can't afford. Search the forums for the kits you can afford and read what folks have to say about them. Don't be afraid to PM someone if you have a question. You can narrow the list from that. I'd recommend UCAs if going over 1.5". I like my setup for what I paid. Someday I'll get some COs but for now it's good. I'm running the SPC UCAs as well.

 

[Bourbonator]

Having a lot of options is a good thing. What is your budget? From there, you can make a list of each suspension along with the price. Scratch off the ones you can't afford. Search the forums for the kits you can afford and read what folks have to say about them. Don't be afraid to PM someone if you have a question. You can narrow the list from that. I'd recommend UCAs if going over 1.5". I like my setup for what I paid. Someday I'll get some COs but for now it's good. I'm running the SPC UCAs as well.

It's only my opinion that there are better ways to decide what lift is right for you. If you go purely based on budget, you may end up unsatisfied with your setup and end up changing everything afterwards. Figure out what your needs are, whether performance or aesthetics related, and go from there. If you've made a decision and it's not in the budget, start saving! I don't think anyone will disagree that a little patience pays off.

But to answer some of the OP's questions, you do not need UCAs, but they can help bring your alignment back into spec if you've lifted significantly. By upgraded links, I'm guessing you mean the rear links, in which case, it depends on your rear suspension needs. If you're lifting the rear more than 2" and you plan on some vigorous off-roading, they might help.

The general purpose of lifting your truck is to gain clearance to fit bigger tires. Some suspension lifts help you achieve that more effectively than others. Spacer kits will give you the lift you need to fit bigger tires, but extended length coilovers will give you a little extra wheel travel. There are trade-offs for lifting/bigger tires, such as mpg loss due to increased rolling resistance and decreased aerodynamics. There are tons of knowledgeable people on here that know loads more than I do. Good luck with your research!

 

[FatTiresRollin]

I am certainly no lift expert but have done a lot of research. Mostly on this forum. Your question about the differences in all the kits would be a lengthy and almost impossible response...you would really need to do a little more research on your own either through this forum, other offroad forums or talk to the manufacturers and product reps. I can't really give any better advice than the other posts before me. The first step is determining your needs/wants...not only now, but for the future. Then you have to really think about your budget. Once you have these details ironed out, you will quickly start to weed out options and your question now will be comparing 2-3 kits. They will all differ in amount of components, stiffness, length of travel, etc.

Everyone always says that they want to only do it once....good luck finding too many people that actually only did it once! You will upgrade your suspension, then you will add sliders, armor, roof rack, winch, bumper(s)....and all of a sudden, your new suspension is no longer adequate. If you can handle an overly stiff ride before you ass all the other stuff...then you might just get away with doing it once...or twice.

I myself was/am on a pretty strict budget and unfortunately can't go on camping/offroading/overlanding trips every weekend, so I chose to go ahead and get the adjustable bilstein shocks and rear spacer as this was a relatively inexpensive option that can be built upon later without losing much. This is my DD and family SUV, so couldn't do too much crazy wheeling even if I wanted to. Once I get more comfortable and the leash gets longer from the wife, I will be adding weight in sliders, armor, etc and thus will need to upgrade to longer/stiffer coils. You can always recoup 50% to as much as 80 or 90% of what you spent on your "old" components. There is always someone on this forum looking to save a buck on some lightly used suspension components.

If you have $5-6k just laying around, by all means, get the longest traveling suspension system that has the most aftermarket components your money can buy. Hold on to your wallet...its going to be a bumpy ride...

 

[Alex T4R]

Selecting a lift is all depends what are you planning on doing with your 4runner. I used to have 4th gen, where i wanted to lift it and got spacer kit, but i went offroad and understood that it was a mistake getting a spacer kit. So with my 5th gen i wanted to do it right and i got Icon Stage 2 with Metal Tech long travel kit in the rear. Good resource for different lift options would be 5th Gen Build Threads, there are some great 4runners and you can see what people selected for their lifts and what they do with their trucks.

 

[Canazes9]

Selecting a lift is all depends what are you planning on doing with your 4runner. I used to have 4th gen, where i wanted to lift it and got spacer kit, but i went offroad and understood that it was a mistake getting a spacer kit. So with my 5th gen i wanted to do it right and i got Icon Stage 2 with Metal Tech long travel kit in the rear. Good resource for different lift options would be 5th Gen Build Threads, there are some great 4runners and you can see what people selected for their lifts and what they do with their trucks.

This is the right answer - start with what you want to do with your truck, then get help on the options available to you.

Do you want to drive through the desert at high speed?

Tackle the hardest/technical trails you can find?

Trail ride and enjoy the scenery?

Different needs have different answers, worry about your budget after you figure out how you are planning on using it.

David

 

[Newf4R]

Great responses above. Lifting is new to me and the options initially seem overwhelming. Everything I ever owned prior to now was lowered and added big rims... than i grew up!

Use the "Post your lifted pix" thread and "Build" threads to gather some info. Once you start to narrow your options, PM members with any questions you have. I've done exactly that and everyone has been extremely helpful! This includes some of the members who posted above. Narrow your options and provide your needs/wants and driving style in a new thread and you will likely get the more detailed responses you are looking for.

I got excited and ordered the Daystar 2.5/1.5 spacer kit... than I read some more and now a set of Bilstein 5100s are on the way. I'm going to ditch the front spacer and set the front shock at 2.5"... thanks [MENTION=84527]FatTiresRollin[/MENTION]. Now i'm torn on the UCA... it's never ending, but with a little research you will know where to start! Good luck.

 

[FatTiresRollin]

I completely forgot to mention UCAs. I did not get them at first. The truck was driveable, but not ideal. Even the best alignment will leave the steering very light and floaty....not a big deal for driving around town, but can get pretty unstable feeling at highway speeds. Also, you will have rubbing issues on the body mounts bigger more aggressive tires if you keep the stock UCAs. I didn't know what I was missing until I gave in and installed the LR UCAs 2 weeks ago. Once I got my alignment dialed in, I don't know how I ever lived without them. So, long story short....buy then right away if you can. You will be fine without them for a while, but if you get larger tires and/or plan on going off road much, you will want them. Pretty much everyone on the forum will recommend some type of aftermarket UCA, the most affordable being LR-Light Racing or SPC-Special Products Company.

 

[Icufltrn]

I'm in the same boat as you. I have been looking at all the build threads, have looked at every page of the lifted pix etc. I have sent a pm and got alot of answers now just need to put together the money to do what I want. I will not start with the lift right away but rather sliders. I want to protect the shiny stuff before I get too aggressive.