Wish you had chosen a different suspension lift height?

[ShooterMcGavin]

I have a stock '97 4Runner on 32" tires. I have never owned a lifted truck, but I have owned lowered cars. I hear opinions often from people who don't own a lifted truck on what they think is "too much" and "too little". I want to hear from those who have done it.

For whatever reasons (and I'd love to hear the reasons), have you...
-lifted a small amount (2", for example) and wished you had gone higher after doing it?
-lifted a medium amount (3", for example) and wished you had done a smaller lift later on?

Garage clearance problems, tire clearance, CV boots ripping, road comfort, etc. are all issues which I hope to avoid introducing into my vehicle.

 

[white_n_slow]

I was lifted about 3" and I thought it was "just right" for 285 tires. I could still get them to rub a little when I was fully flexed out, which to me, is just perfect. It's like a little reminder of what's going on underneath you When I put on the 35's it rubbed like crazy, but I would have preferred to chop up the body than get a body lift. That's just the way I am.

I believe in the "lift only as much as required to fit your tires" theory.

 

[Skidmarcx]

The rear is modular, so you can make adjustments without breaking the bank... The front you're better off getting adjustable coilovers if you're the type to tinker... Easier to adjust for added weight too. The one thing I wouldn't skimp on is your shocks... Get what you want if it's in your budget... Don't go for the "good deal" because you'll be missing out. Choosing carefully you'll be able to get into an adjustable setup or one that requires little to change ride height. Lastly supporting mods... Supporting mods... The higher you go the more to consider. With all that said I regret not getting my current setup from the start

 

[98WhiteT4R]

I first lifted my 98 about 1.5" in the front and about 2" in the rear with 32" tires. It was ok at first but the tires didn't sit flush with the limited flares and just looked skinny in general. It did fine off road (kept up with my buddy's JK on 35s) but I just didn't like the way it looked. I ended up moving up to a full 3" lift and 33s and love the way it looks now. IMO do a 3" and 33s or leave it stock height but I'm sure others will disagree.

 

[flyinbrick]

I believe in the "lift only as much as required to fit your tires" theory.

+1

I wanted something rugged and affordable to drive quickly through fire roads and got the 2" OME setup. I think a slight lift is necessary for greater travel. I'm glad I didn't go higher because my CV boots are already almost touching. I do like the idea of getting a body lift and 33's, but $$$ and also I'm running 3.90 gears and I'm not sure I want to be much slower to get up to speed.

BTW, once you lift, expect all the boots in the front to start splitting (CV, LBJ, UPJ, OTRE) depending on how old they are. That's what happened to me.

 

[Kanger328]

My setup yielded ~1.25" front and 3" rear. I didn't think I'd get that much rake. I wish I got 2.5" up front strictly for appearance purposes. In terms of functionality, I think anywhere from 2"-3" is perfect. I've been on some decently rough trails and haven't had much issues with ground clearance...then again, I have full skids on the underside.

I may lift my front a bit more, but I do see a lot of broken CV axle posts from guys who have 2.5"+ lifts up front.

 

[Skidmarcx]

I think you're more likely to break an axle with extended travel shocks made for 2WD models... You can lift 3" just gotta make sure to use limit straps if you have too much droop

 

[ShooterMcGavin]

I believe in the "lift only as much as required to fit your tires" theory.

I support your theory That's kinda why I'm having this debate with myself. I think I want the ability to someday fit 33s, just to have that option. I'm also worried about constantly torn CV boots. I was kinda thinking about doing a mild 2" lift, with maybe 2.5" rear for added weight. It sounds like 3" lifts are the most popular. Am I splitting hairs on this one?

 

[sportscarfan]

Mine is on a 1" BL, non-saggy 99 springs, and 285/75 duratracs mounted on stock 5-star wheels. It's been this way for 3 years and has gotten everywhere I've asked it to. No CV trouble, no diff drop, no adjustable panhard. I'd say white_n_slow has it nailed. Build it as big and bad as the trails you are going to run.

 

[Brazilian_Serra]

but I do see a lot of broken CV axle posts from guys who have 2.5"+ lifts up front.

Kanger328,

What do you suggest to don't broke CV axle anymore, excepting SAS and reduce lift? haha

I have this problem here in Brazil. I use 33" and 2" suspension lift + 3" body lift.

Here we have one guy that are using 40" tires, but don't know how is using on body lift and suspension lift. The thing that I know about his car is that don't broken Cv axles anymore!

Here is: TAC 4x4 2013 - 3o dia. Videolog 02 - Transamazonica Challenge 2013 - YouTube

 

[tmaxx13]

Brazilian-

Got to love the sound of the diesel! You guys run a whole different look than most of us do here in the States!

 

[Brazilian_Serra]

Brazilian-

Got to love the sound of the diesel! You guys run a whole different look than most of us do here in the States!

Yes!

Is very different, but I also like American style!

 

[chimpy]

I think that 32's look fine on a lifted 4runner w/o the limited/sport flares. Having the flares on mine has forced me to look at 33's on an 8" wide rim when I get the $$. I have the spacer lift in the front with the diff drop and OME 890's in the rear. The rear still sits a bit higher than the front and I have had the 890's on for quite some time so they have settled as much as they can. I need new front struts so I will most likely go with some 99 highlander coils at the same time and depending on the budget, look at the bilstein adjustables and eliminate the lift spacers.
If I keep the stock rims, I will look at wheel spacers again but this time not the 1.25s but maybe only 1" spacers.
Overall, I am happy with lifting my 4runner and removing the running boards. These 3rd gens look good whether they are lifted or not.

 

[Kanger328]

Kanger328,

What do you suggest to don't broke CV axle anymore, excepting SAS and reduce lift? haha

I have this problem here in Brazil. I use 33" and 2" suspension lift + 3" body lift.

That's why I'm still debating if I want to go higher on the front. With my current setup I don't have CV issues (yet anyway). I suppose you could upgrade to the lotus CV's, but at $500 PER CV...I'd rather risk breaking my stock ones, ha.

 

[ShooterMcGavin]

For the folks who started with one lift "setup" and then found the perfect configuration, I'd like to hear what those two setups were. What didn't you like about the first, which was fixed with the latter?

For regular use of 32" tires and to have the 33" option, and to gain a little more travel, I was originally focused on getting a medium 2" SL with a possible 1" BL later, depending on rubbing issues. The small 2" SL with a diff drop, would mean that I put very little extra stress on CVs and boots. I'd keep a low center of gravity, I'd hopefully keep some good road manners, and I would generally reduce the expense of peripheral mods to support a bigger suspension lift. If I do a 3" lift, I have more problems with parts/maintenance; I increase travel, but I don't really increase clearance for rubbing problems.

On a different note, I am hoping I can do all the lift components (diff drop, etc.) for close to $500 and maintain a close-to-stock feel on the road. If I need to spend a couple hundred more, eh, not a big deal. I will leave questions about "which lift" for more research on my end. Regarding coil-overs, they're fine, but I don't want to spend much extra for them if I can get the lift height I want right away. I don't need to "play around" with different heights.

 

[shootmymime]

I've got your back on a body lift when your ready.

But I will tell you one thing and I am sure others will agree with me.
When you do lift it, a few months later you will wish you had gone more. 6 months later after I did my 3" suspension I decided to start selling body lifts. 3"sl and 1.5" is what I like. But I've got what ever you want go BL.

But good luck and keep doing your research on lifts.

 

[TheGRIZZ]

The rear is modular, so you can make adjustments without breaking the bank... The front you're better off getting adjustable coilovers if you're the type to tinker... Easier to adjust for added weight too. The one thing I wouldn't skimp on is your shocks... Get what you want if it's in your budget... Don't go for the "good deal" because you'll be missing out. Choosing carefully you'll be able to get into an adjustable setup or one that requires little to change ride height. Lastly supporting mods... Supporting mods... The higher you go the more to consider. With all that said I regret not getting my current setup from the start

I am new to 4Runner.org and I am trying to research for a project truck. I haven't found a 4 Runner yet but can you elaborate on some of the additional musts to consider with a 4Runner.

Like for example as soon as I hit 3" with my Tacoma I found that new UCA's are a good idea and that there are concerns with CV angles at that height etc.

 

[Skidmarcx]

I am new to 4Runner.org and I am trying to research for a project truck. I haven't found a 4 Runner yet but can you elaborate on some of the additional musts to consider with a 4Runner.

Like for example as soon as I hit 3" with my Tacoma I found that new UCA's are a good idea and that there are concerns with CV angles at that height etc.

Extended brake hoses, axle breather, bump stops to match your shocks... UCAs aren't a bad idea if it's in your budget... Panhard drop to zero out the angle... Those are some of the supporting mods that come to mind