What to do next?

[radford]

I have a 1996 limited 4runner. I want to build her up but I don't know where to start. Everything is stock, unfortunately.. I am looking into Bilstein and Daystar lifts. Nothing huge, just a few inches. I'd also like bigger tires.
This is my everyday vehicle, but I also go offroading frequently, so that is why I still want it relitively small.
Recommendations or advice anyone?

links to lifts are here: 2.5" Lift Kit with spacers and rear OME coils for 1996-2002 4Runner


1996-2002 Toyota 4Runner 2.5" Suspension Lift Kit Daystar #KT09106BK - 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997 | SuspensionConnection.com


Edit: I guess a good place to start would be bigger tires. What would be the biggest size WITHOUT any rubbing or complications? 285's?

 

[snivilous]

I wouldn't do a spacer kit. You can piece a full lift together for under $700 easy, even better if you go with land cruiser components or buy used. There's no reason you can't have it be huge and be your daily driver, the only thing that will effect it's daily driverness will probably be a decrease in mileage Mod the piss out of it!

 

[radford]

I wouldn't do a spacer kit. You can piece a full lift together for under $700 easy, even better if you go with land cruiser components or buy used. There's no reason you can't have it be huge and be your daily driver, the only thing that will effect it's daily driverness will probably be a decrease in mileage Mod the piss out of it!

Why would you say no to the spacers? And yes I don't want to kill the mileage too bad haha.

 

[snivilous]

Why would you say no to the spacers? And yes I don't want to kill the mileage too bad haha.

Spacers are cheap and work fine, but with a coilover and spring lift you can get more travel and more adjustability, and unless you have replaced your shocks in the past the ride will likely increase from having new shocks. I ran a front spacer initially since I didn't have money for coilovers and it worked fine, but once I got a full lift it was a drastic improvement and much more modular.

This is a good read to: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/66976-3rd-gen-4runner-lift-information-faqs.html

 

[radford]

tires

does anyone know the largest tire size I can get without a lift? Mine are stock, 265's.

 

[radford]

Spacers are cheap and work fine, but with a coilover and spring lift you can get more travel and more adjustability, and unless you have replaced your shocks in the past the ride will likely increase from having new shocks. I ran a front spacer initially since I didn't have money for coilovers and it worked fine, but once I got a full lift it was a drastic improvement and much more modular.

This is a good read to: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/66976-3rd-gen-4runner-lift-information-faqs.html

Oh I understand, and thank you for the info!

 

[snivilous]

does anyone know the largest tire size I can get without a lift? Mine are stock, 265's.

As big as you want to go! ...to some extent. Assuming you wheel the rig, a lift won't actually help you clear tires, because when you flex and articulate the suspension will still move to the bump stops (just like if it didn't have lift). You can extend your bump stops but typically you'd rather not since that will limit your flex. Instead most people trim/cut/pound the wheel wells/inner fender to clear tires, with the largest size for the stock IFS being 35" typically (315s, 265s are around 32").

Of course, if you rarely wheel or don't mind rubbing at full stuff then you can lift it and that will help clear tires. People routinely fit 33" (285s) tires without much work, though again, as far as the suspension is concerned when it is cycled the lift doesn't make any difference for clearance. Hope that helps!

 

[slapdappy]

As big as you want to go! ...to some extent. Assuming you wheel the rig, a lift won't actually help you clear tires, because when you flex and articulate the suspension will still move to the bump stops (just like if it didn't have lift). You can extend your bump stops but typically you'd rather not since that will limit your flex. Instead most people trim/cut/pound the wheel wells/inner fender to clear tires, with the largest size for the stock IFS being 35" typically (315s, 265s are around 32").

Of course, if you rarely wheel or don't mind rubbing at full stuff then you can lift it and that will help clear tires. People routinely fit 33" (285s) tires without much work, though again, as far as the suspension is concerned when it is cycled the lift doesn't make any difference for clearance. Hope that helps!

I did not know this. Now I do. Thank you.

 

[JayRolla]

Like stated lift spacers are bad. Expecially for lower ball joints. It presses the suspension down to preload adn get the lift. It actually makes the suspension flex less and tires come off the ground easy which is not good.

Also if your over 100k miles the ball joints can fail. I installed spacer front lift and ball joint failed months later causing tire to fall off when driving. If your lifting you better replace ball joints if they are original.

 

[radford]

As big as you want to go! ...to some extent. Assuming you wheel the rig, a lift won't actually help you clear tires, because when you flex and articulate the suspension will still move to the bump stops (just like if it didn't have lift). You can extend your bump stops but typically you'd rather not since that will limit your flex. Instead most people trim/cut/pound the wheel wells/inner fender to clear tires, with the largest size for the stock IFS being 35" typically (315s, 265s are around 32").


Of course, if you rarely wheel or don't mind rubbing at full stuff then you can lift it and that will help clear tires. People routinely fit 33" (285s) tires without much work, though again, as far as the suspension is concerned when it is cycled the lift doesn't make any difference for clearance. Hope that helps!

I've never heard this before, thank you. I wanted to avoid rubbing, but it wouldn't bother too much.

 

[radford]

Like stated lift spacers are bad. Expecially for lower ball joints. It presses the suspension down to preload adn get the lift. It actually makes the suspension flex less and tires come off the ground easy which is not good.

Also if your over 100k miles the ball joints can fail. I installed spacer front lift and ball joint failed months later causing tire to fall off when driving. If your lifting you better replace ball joints if they are original.

Thank you for this as well.