JayRolla

Hey guys I think Im going to pull the trigger and buy a lift in a few weeks for my 1996 4runner 4x4. I was going to go with the sonoran steel 1.2 alternate but decided to piece it together myself.

I want 3" front and 3.5" rear, I liked the raked look of the sonoran steel with the LC coils. So would this setup work good. I dont have extra weight but plan on bumpers and a winch later on.

Front:
2 OME 882 Heavy coils for over 150lBS additional front weight. (or should I go softer)
2 OME N 90004 front shocks (New sport shocks)

Rear:
2 OME 861 Heavy Duty LandCruiser Front FJZ80 Coils
Tokico Trekmaster GE4095 LandCruiser FJZ80 Shocks

Diff Drop
Longer rear brake line

Is this what I should be getting? I thing I got it right. What else will I need for the lift, what am I missing? Will it ride ok on stock bumpers till I get them? Thanks for all the info you give, I really appreciate it.

MaK92-4RnR

Im not particularly familiar with the 3rd gen lift kits. but why not juts get stock FJ80 front coils and use them on the rear? im thinking an aftermarket LIFT coil for a FJ80 is going to be wayyy too high. the stock coils easily lift it 3-4".

I have a friend of mine that has a front set for sale as well.

as far as what you need... you're gonna need a panhard drop bracket and an lspv adjuster.

JayRolla

Ok thanks, I was trying to find LC coils and having problems findign them used, plus I didnt want saggy springs. From what I researched the OME 861 is a stock ride hight just heavy duty around 3.5-4".

Give me your friends email, do you know if there 7,8,9 wraps? Is the panhead essential right off with the LC's in the rear?

MaK92-4RnR

I'll just link the Craigslist add to you. I'll let him know you're gonna give him a call possibly.

Theres pictures of them in the add.. and i would definitely get a panhard drop bracket. 4crawler sells them.

http://sacramento.craigslist.org/pts/2798130230.html

JayRolla

Thanks I will think about that.

I think I may skip the tokicos and go OME all around. I heard the tokicos can be real stiff and make washboard driving hard. We have washboard on all dirtroads in colorado so I may go softer shock.

Gerdo

I'm running some ToyTec coilovers in front set to about 3.5"-4" of lift. In back I'm running some 861 coils. They gave me about 5.5" but will settle a little.

I did have some stock 9.25 wrap LC coils. The rode and flexed great. They gave me about 4.5"-5" of lift with my normal load (full skids, cargo box with tools and camping gear). They compressed too much for me when I loaded up for camping/wheeling/expo trips. The 861 hold weight better. (stock LC coils are ~180# spring rate and the 861 are 220#)

JayRolla

Ohh wow, I was expecting 4" on the 861's which read as low height ride on OME specs. Is there a lower ome spring that would give me around 3.5-4 rear lift? The original plan was ome 3" front and rear but I dont like the level sit or the rear sagging over time. Thanks for the help guys.

waskillywabbit

iTrader: (-1)

You can't put on a lift expecting more weight later in the front.

882s need the weight at install or you'll blow CVs up.

:wabbit2:

JayRolla

So should I go with the mediums or the normal springs? After more research the 861's will be a little high without extra weight. So Im now leaning towards 8 wraps or another ome. Anyone know an OME that will give me a little over 3" in the rear?

waskillywabbit

iTrader: (-1)

Sonoran is a good kit. Installed quite a few. Also, OME.

JayRolla

I sent your buddy a message. If that dont work I think I might call up Steve and see what he would charge for his rear springs, I know there LC springs but I'm not sure on the wrap, I believe 8. I dont want to order OEM springs and get the 9 wraps. Im sorry about all the questions I just want to do it right and do it only once. I like the raked look of the SS 1.2 but dont want to pay all the money he charges.

littlerunner

Im ridin on a SS 1.2 alternate. Yes its expensive. But the ride is great. They were great to work with. Save your money & be done one time. Have them put the front together for ya as well.

JayRolla

I will be running the exact kit as you except with OME front springs and shocks which will give me about 3" instead of 2.5" likes steves. Im piecing his kit together for a lot cheaper this way. I will only be missing the bump stoppers but I will get them eventually. I also have my own hydraulic spring compressor from harbor freight. Love it. Used it for buddys and my Turbo Talons and Eclipses I used to own so I can save even more money there.

dntsdad

Lets see some pics.

I have been considering this kit as well.....on 98 Tacoma TRD however.

littlerunner

These arennt great,but all I have now.

fightman80

I'm running LC 8 Wraps with stock 2002 TRD Access CabTundra struts with a Toytec Top plate spacer, diff drop and a homemade panhard drop bracket. I personally love the ride quality! Even loaded, the suspension just seems to float, and the ride is "Cadillac like".

Here's a side profile pic of my rig with that setup:



Here's another side profile pic with my rig fully loaded and a tent trailer in tow:




I pieced my kit together, and saved myself a ton of money. Even with shipping to Canada, the cost of my LC coils (got them free...used), Rear shocks (Skyjacker....gonna upgrade to LC shocks though), Tundra strut assemblies (used), Toytec Top plate spacers, diff drop, and scrap steel for my panhard drop bracket....was under $500.00!

Now, I can say that I ran this setup without the panhard bracket for 2 years, no real issues, other than the axle sticking out more on one side....hardly noticeable. I never extended any brake lines...although you could go to any part store and just order those yourself for less. As far as bump stops, you can get some off E-bay....seen them before...but never felt the need to buy them.

I've got all this info in my build thread....here:

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-ge...-thread-1.html

Again, these are my experiences...so take it for what it's worth.

littlerunner

cadillac like is right. people who ride mine sometimes cant get over how well in rides in town & on the highway. way better than stock. no jarring at all. floating. still corner and handles pretty well also

JayRolla

Thanks guys. I think I figured it out. I talked with Steve at Sonoran and he is going to sell me a set of new 7 wraps which is what he uses on his kits. Im going to use a LC Tokico trekmaster shock in rear. OME 3" non HD springs up front with some tokicos up there.

Buying everything new with panhead drop, extended break line, diff drop and I'm still under $800! Its pretty much the sonoran steel kit without the panhead bar but I can add that later on.

JayRolla

Well after talking a lot through email with Steve ive decided on this setup now.

Front:
OME 881 Coils
OME Front Shocks
Steves Sonoran Steel sleeves (gives me 3" lift and does not blow out ball joints per ARB and Sonoran compared to toytec spacer)

Rear:
7 Wrap LC coils
Tokico LC rear shocks

Diff Drop
Sway Bar links

He says this setup will last and ride good. Its also costing under $900. He said to save money on panhead drop and run stock till I can buy the adjustable bar since the drop really doesnt work.