Worth Waiting? Boss or Ultimate Lift

[NorthWestManiac]

I talked to the Toytec people on the phone today about the Boss lift kit and they said it will be another 2-3 months before they get it back in stock. Originally I wanted to get this kit (been waiting for months) but now I'm thinking about going with the Ultimate lift kit because I want a lift for this summer to do some wheeling. In 3 months I'll be back at school and wont have the time or resources to install the Boss lift. Should I just go with the Ultimate lift or is it worth waiting for the Boss lift?

 

[JayRolla]

I talked to the Toytec people on the phone today about the Boss lift kit and they said it will be another 2-3 months before they get it back in stock. Originally I wanted to get this kit (been waiting for months) but now I'm thinking about going with the Ultimate lift kit because I want a lift for this summer to do some wheeling. In 3 months I'll be back at school and wont have the time or resources to install the Boss lift. Should I just go with the Ultimate lift or is it worth waiting for the Boss lift?

Best way to do it is piece your own lift kit together, I saved a lot of money doing it that way. Plus I love the flex and ride of the LC coil in the rear compared to the ultimate kit.

 

[Big Daddy 27]

I've been searching and looking for a lift that will suit me and my families needs, and im with JayRolla.... Piece your own lift together and save money for tires. I am not concerned about coil overs up front, so that saves me quite a bit.

 

[hungryeddy]

Best way to do it is piece your own lift kit together, I saved a lot of money doing it that way. Plus I love the flex and ride of the LC coil in the rear compared to the ultimate kit.

x2 on this one. you're definitely paying a convenience fee when buying a kit.

rear - you can find LC coils for $50/pr
front - you can pay $165 for the 3" lift springs (3" is the highest you can go anyway)
diff drop is $30
5100 series shocks all the way around $400

then after that you have cash leftover for a locker.

 

[blueblur1984]

I don't mean to hijack this thread but I was wondering the same thing about the kit. I know I want coilovers out front. I put a lot of time behind the wheel and would like a comfortable ride and I also really like the idea that I can adjust the ride height down the road when I can afford to buy a more practical daily driver.

What springs out back would give me the extra 2" but not ruin the ride comfort? Could I just slap a 1-2" spacer back there when I'm ready to bump up to larger tires? Thanks in advance.

 

[BigNate]

x2 on this one. you're definitely paying a convenience fee when buying a kit.

rear - you can find LC coils for $50/pr
front - you can pay $165 for the 3" lift springs (3" is the highest you can go anyway)
diff drop is $30
5100 series shocks all the way around $400

then after that you have cash leftover for a locker.

Where do you find these prices? Junk Yard? I have been considering my options as my T4R has become more of an everything rig and being more offroadable would be nice.

 

[downpour11]

Where do you find these prices? Junk Yard? I have been considering my options as my T4R has become more of an everything rig and being more offroadable would be nice.

LC springs you can find in the classifieds section here, or other forums, or a junkyard.

Here's the rest of the stuff:

Front OME Coils (95.5-04 Tacoma & 96-02 4Run) - 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

Front Differential Drop Kit - 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

front:
Front Bilstein Height adjustable 5100 shocks - 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

rear:
Rear Bilstein Shocks for 96-02 4RUN - 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

 

[BrianSD_42]

Sure the parts can be found online used but why would you want used springs?

I mean if you have like No money at all then sure. Personally I say do the lift right the first time and get new parts.

Perhaps if a friend or neighbor I trusted had the springs and a receipt showing they are < 1 year old I might consider picking them up. But why would be be getting rid of them in the first place?

I think (my opinion) that MOST of the used springs online are probably used well past 50% of their lifespan. Guys buy a new kit and figure they can pawn off the used stuff on someone else. Springs are not like RIMs ... They do have a limited lifespan that severally degrades around 100k miles or 10 years.

The DIY method is great idea but there is very little consensus on what the best DIY lift should be for a 4Runner. Everyone does it different and most members here redo their suspension multiple times because rides like junk the first time or they parts were too used.

 

[Big Daddy 27]

I agree with buying used springs. But there are several options from ToyTec...

I, myself will be ordering the Superflex rear coils. They are $190, or you can go for various different OME coils for $170. Either way you look at it, thats still saving you an ass raping of buying a complete lift...

 

[hungryeddy]

brianSD_42 is always here for us by providing the most dramatic answers.

there's not many if any at all cases of failed springs. when i did mine i got used springs and was happy with them (had to sag them down a bit but that's the norm). many guys on the forum go this route and are happy. what if you get the 1 bad set of springs of the millions out there? buy another used set! you'll still be under the $200 for new rear springs. We add weight to sag the springs down any.

i answered based on my assumption that the OP doesn't have a safe full of money to play with. if you have a $1200 budget to make your truck more capable, why not get a lift + locker (or tires, or sliders, or whatever) rather than just a lift? If he decides down the road that he wants to tweak the lift to get it to his liking he can.

 

[BrianSD_42]

brianSD_42 is always here for us by providing the most dramatic answers.

haha somewhat the case. I just assume that most peeps know as little as I did about lift kits before I read up on it and therefor warn them against buying used springs.

There are a lot of ads out there for used springs for sale online sure but how many miles are on them, how would the person know the truth?


I do agree that the low cost and easy replacement of the rears makes it appealing but for the front coils I would just buy new since they are such a pain to take apart.

 

[curtperry]

To the OP:

Check out this post: **Rickashay's OME vs. TRD Tundra/LC Review**

Contact me if you want to feel how the TRD Tundra/Bilstein/LC lift rides. I'm about an hour away. I offer because I think that if you tried it out you would go for it.

 

[JayRolla]

Sure the parts can be found online used but why would you want used springs?

I mean if you have like No money at all then sure. Personally I say do the lift right the first time and get new parts.

Perhaps if a friend or neighbor I trusted had the springs and a receipt showing they are < 1 year old I might consider picking them up. But why would be be getting rid of them in the first place?

I think (my opinion) that MOST of the used springs online are probably used well past 50% of their lifespan. Guys buy a new kit and figure they can pawn off the used stuff on someone else. Springs are not like RIMs ... They do have a limited lifespan that severally degrades around 100k miles or 10 years.

The DIY method is great idea but there is very little consensus on what the best DIY lift should be for a 4Runner. Everyone does it different and most members here redo their suspension multiple times because rides like junk the first time or they parts were too used.

The reason people change suspension is because they buy heavy duty springs made for extra weight and dont have extra weight. Research and do it right the first time like I did. If you want a good ride you need too stick with OEM parts like lc coils, tokico shocks and trd tundra front shocks and coils.

If your like me and want more than 2.5" lift upfront you go with the 881 ome coils and comfort 90004 shocks that gives a little stiffer ride but handles washboard really good. I also love how the rear lc coil rides compared to everthing else on the market. Yes they are a little soft but a set of air bags fix that right up.

You also can buy new, you dont need used, I bought all new parts and still saved tons of money.

 

[GSPRunner]

Anyone with experience with these kits want to actually answer this guys question?

 

[JohnBill53]

I know all you're hearing is different options but this here is coming from a college kid who has been in your position.

you can get a full three upfront with the billies and the eibach springs from toytec which would run you ljust about $400

Then you could go with just the generic shocks from toytec with the OME springs out back

that's what I'm running and I love it, mum and pop didnt pick up the bill either so props to you for putting away a grand by yourself for the BOSS lift.

Just thought I'd put in my two cents

 

[Yoter]

Keep an eye on craigslist, or the tacoma forms and pick up some used coil overs for the front you can usually find some Sway aways for 300 or so. Use them for the summer, when the boss lift is in stock buy it and sell the Sway aways at a minimal loss. At most you will lose 100 dollars and a few days of labor but you get to wheel all summer!

 

[MojaveMadMan]

x2 on this one. you're definitely paying a convenience fee when buying a kit.

rear - you can find LC coils for $50/pr
front - you can pay $165 for the 3" lift springs (3" is the highest you can go anyway)
diff drop is $30
5100 series shocks all the way around $400

then after that you have cash leftover for a locker.

This, but use new OME rear coils like the "BOSS" kit comes with. You will have the exact same performace under $800. The only difference is you don't have a threaded body shock in the front. You will have the adjustable spacing from the 5100's though, which is great for what you need. The added adjustability of a threaded body just really isn't needed at this level of suspension set up. Seriously, it is the exact same performance with a $300 savings just for not having a threaded shock that adds zero to your performance!!!

Just my 2 cents

 

[NorthWestManiac]

Thanks for all the responses guys, I appreciate it! :thumb:

 

[Jedrattle]

Best way to do it is piece your own lift kit together, I saved a lot of money doing it that way. Plus I love the flex and ride of the LC coil in the rear compared to the ultimate kit.

I agree with him..... if you know what you are after. I have $850 in my lift stuff so far. Everything is used but in good shape. So far I have the following:

Doahoe CO's...rebuilt 6months ago.... 600
7wrap LC springs.... 100
2.0 Icon rear shocks.... 150
------
850

I still need about $150 worth of bushings, brakelines, and some small stuff. I will add upper arms later on, when I have the $$ and can score a good deal.

It took being on the ball and looking hard to find the stuff for a good price. But it can be done.

 

[Hog1983]

So I bought the 4r last night, but have been looking for several weeks to months about lift and my build plan. I do agree with the piecing the lift together. I am not really looking to skimp on parts, labor will be done ourselves. Im looking at coilovers with an external reservoir (most of my offroading will be following my 11 yr old on a dirtbike through the desert/trails, I want the reservoir for the extra oil capacity, and overall quality)
Ive looked into the fox 2.5, icon, king... coil over @1050 for the set.

Ive been looking at Total Chaos (I haven't talked to them or really started haggling for military discounts at these places, but im hopeful and my fingers are crossed) their upper control arms are @700, the fully adjustable rear link system is @ 1300... I think I can get it at a better price.

The rest of the rear is easy fox 2.5 rears for 175 a piece, coils.... While I am in and under there, Ill be replacing all the bushings...

These parts are expensive... but from the research ive been doing these are very very good parts. I think its almost worth quality. I have dirtbikes and don't skimp on parts, Ive been only using genuine parts on my camry, I have had better luck with quality versus stretching the dollar??

Ill get a build thread with the complete list of ideas and pics as soon as i get the time