Toyota 4Runner lift kits.

[TacticalSR5]

Ok guys, I am new to the site and to 4Runners all together, I am Getting 2 jobs this summer so i can upgrade into a nice limited sport 3rd Gen 4runner and add some beauty height to it.

Im looking at lift kits and finding out there really isn't a "Lift kit" out there, just many different options of leveling kits. :bash:

So I have a few questions that would be nice to get cleared up(Or better yet theories i have formed from reading this site and want confirmed to understand the whole thing):moping::
1- A strut is basically a half of a coil over and is just a shock and spring pieced together?
2- A spacer lift puts the spacer block between the spring and the top of the strut?
3- So when you do a spacer lift you need to get a whole new strut in the front to handle the new length of travel? Or do you somehow add a new shock into the strut assembly???
4- Stock springs are really sagging at 100k miles and should be replaced with new ones with a spacer lift.
5- A spacer kit is still not optimal for ride comfort with a new shock/strut using stock springs.
6- Why aren't diff drops more popular? Aren't CV angles of concern? Its IFS for gods sake.


Questions over.




(For clarity- I define the amount of lift a lift provides by how much the aftermarket kit places the control arms downward from a straight down measurement. So to be an honest lift kit in my opinion it has to lower the control arms.
But all these kits out there for the 4runner just take the control arms to steeper angles to achieve the lift. That in my opinion, from lots of research and experience in lifted pickups, is a leveling kit. Something that is literally a turn of a bolt for me and my torsion bar front end.)

 

[mikey's2010SR5]

Find a bracket lift that you like ala Skyjacker, Fabtech, who ever...
Skjacker

 

[TacticalSR5]

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/83547-fabtech-6-a.html

Doesn't sound like much fun to me, there isn't any legitimate bolt on kits for the 4R. I'm okay with making due with what is available. (Though I do miss the thought that I can get a full drop 6.5inch **** Cepek kit for my current K1500 that I could crank up to "7.5 safely with $1,200 total. And leveling kits that are perfectly free.)

Could someone help me understand what ill be having under there to work with? Ive only worked on pickups.

 

[Pikeman]

Ok there are several choices for lifting the 3rd gen 4 Runner. here is a link to the FAQ thread/ sticky in the 3rd gen section.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/66976-3rd-gen-4runner-lift-information-faqs.html

1- A strut is basically a half of a coil over and is just a shock and spring pieced together? yes
2- A spacer lift puts the spacer block between the spring and the top of the strut? yes
3- So when you do a spacer lift you need to get a whole new strut in the front to handle the new length of travel? Or do you somehow add a new shock into the strut assembly???not required but suggested
4- Stock springs are really sagging at 100k miles and should be replaced with new ones with a spacer lift.rear sag is common and new springs before spacer is best
5- A spacer kit is still not optimal for ride comfort with a new shock/strut using stock springs. spacers are the worst "lift" option and provide the harshest ride even with new shocks/struts. It is far better to go with longer springs or coil-overs.
6- Why aren't diff drops more popular? Aren't CV angles of concern? Its IFS for gods sake.They are popular, and why most manufacturers sell them

Some other things to check out would be Home - Toytec Lifts: Toyota Lift Kits: FJ Cruiser Lift Kits, Tacoma Lift Kits, Tundra Lift Kits, 4 Runner Lift Kits, Sequoia Lift Kits, Toyota Truck Lift Kits popular are the OME for mild to moderate and the Ultimate kit if you plan on more difficult trails.

Sonoran Steel, Sonoran Steel Custom Metal Fabrication L.L.C. Custom Toyota Truck Parts at the 3.2, 7.2 and 1.2 kits the most you can get without doing a Tacoma drop bracket kit is 3" lift and fit 33"'s if you do a 3" suspension and a 1.5 bl with some trimming you can fit 35's.

Now for suspension in front we have a strut assembly where the spring sits over the shock portion and then has a topplate that holds it all together and the top plate bolts to the upper bracket. You can get a true coil over from ICON, Toytec, All-Pro, Fox, Walker Evans to name a few. In the rear it is a matter of replacing a coil spring and changing to proper length shocks.

 

[Pikeman]

OK just saw your edit on what you consider a lift. Drop brackets do not gain any ground clearance(measurement under the diff) and sometimes get you less. They will increase break over angle(frame to ground height between the wheels). They also provide a nice big square edge to catch rocks or logs on, more leverage to tear your frame and also permanently alter your frame just to mount up. Also a DB kit will not give you better quality suspension since it is using regular components. The only way to get good ride and quality suspension is to use a good coil-over set up.

A leveling kit is one that is designed to bring the front level with the back because most trucks come with rake built in with the rear of the truck sitting 2-3" higher then the front. Also a quick turn of your torsion bar up front also changes the spring rate and harshness of the ride(because you added more preload). This would be the same as adding spacers to the factory shocks on our 4Runners.


The main thing is to figure out how you plan to use your truck. Is it lift for looks at the mall and cruising? Mostly mud? Woods? Fireroads or unimproved roads to get to favorite camping/hunting/fishing spot? More difficult trails with rocks and big steps.

 

[rsmith]

Ok there are several choices for lifting the 3rd gen 4 Runner. here is a link to the FAQ thread/ sticky in the 3rd gen section.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/66976-3rd-gen-4runner-lift-information-faqs.html

1- A strut is basically a half of a coil over and is just a shock and spring pieced together? yes
2- A spacer lift puts the spacer block between the spring and the top of the strut? yes
3- So when you do a spacer lift you need to get a whole new strut in the front to handle the new length of travel? Or do you somehow add a new shock into the strut assembly???not required but suggested
4- Stock springs are really sagging at 100k miles and should be replaced with new ones with a spacer lift.rear sag is common and new springs before spacer is best
5- A spacer kit is still not optimal for ride comfort with a new shock/strut using stock springs. spacers are the worst "lift" option and provide the harshest ride even with new shocks/struts. It is far better to go with longer springs or coil-overs.
6- Why aren't diff drops more popular? Aren't CV angles of concern? Its IFS for gods sake.They are popular, and why most manufacturers sell them

Some other things to check out would be Home - Toytec Lifts: Toyota Lift Kits: FJ Cruiser Lift Kits, Tacoma Lift Kits, Tundra Lift Kits, 4 Runner Lift Kits, Sequoia Lift Kits, Toyota Truck Lift Kits[/url] popular are the OME for mild to moderate and the Ultimate kit if you plan on more difficult trails.

Sonoran Steel, Sonoran Steel Custom Metal Fabrication L.L.C. Custom Toyota Parts at the 3.2, 7.2 and 1.2 kits the most you can get without doing a Tacoma drop bracket kit is 3" lift and fit 33"'s if you do a 3" suspension and a 1.5 bl with some trimming you can fit 35's.

Now for suspension in front we have a strut assembly where the spring sits over the shock portion and then has a topplate that holds it all together and the top plate bolts to the upper bracket. You can get a true coil over from ICON, Toytec, All-Pro, Fox, Walker Evans to name a few. In the rear it is a matter of replacing a coil spring and changing to proper length shocks.

nice dude! this is what i am looking for! choosing which one is the best lift kit is a very tough job like what i am doing today reading tons of articles in here, getting opinions on my friends before buying the kit. Well installing it will be easy since you already provided guides in here. i think deciding which one to buy is my only problem. anyway thanks again. cheers.