Henrythewound

I ask this question based on text I read at the sonoran steel site:

"Toyota reacted by yanking the 2000 model year down lower mid production very early in the 2000 model years run. The 2001 and the 2002 are without a doubt the "Low Rider" 4Runners".

I measured the height of my 4runner and it stands roughly 34.5" from the ground to the base of the fender flare. These are the body-colored fender flares. I was thinking about eventually picking up the SS#7 lift but wanted to make sure the lift would be as described (~2.5" front, ~3" rear). If I do indeed have the lowrider springs currently, then the #7 setup will be nice. If I have the taller stance as some runners do already, then maybe I'll hold off on spending the $$ on the lift. I figured somebody on here would know how tall a stock runner stands from year to year.

Thx

One_96TR4

yup low rider.

Nuthuts96

iTrader: (1)

here's the thread darren did awhile back about ground clearance-
https://www.yotatech.com/forums/show...ight#post44469
maybe applies to your situation?

i'm wondering what the average stock height of the 4runner is too- specifically for the 1996 (through 1998, i'm assuming)- if 34.5" is short, would another 1" or 1.5" be about right? i'm trying to get an estimate on my sag as it stands today...

DSN46

I wonder this myself sometimes. I have a 2000 Limited, but the build date is March of 1999..... When I am next to a 1999 Runner, mine sits no lower really than it does. So I don't know. I havent been next to an 01 or 02 to see if mine sits a little taller or not yet.

James

X-AWDriver

Do a measurement from the middle of the hub to fender flare. I have slightly larger tires than stock plus the '99 coils and mine sets at just over 36" front and rear. From the hub I get about 22".

MTL_4runner

Average height (fender to ground) for that year.

1996-1998 => 35"

Make sure any measurements are taken on level ground!

paddlenbike

iTrader: (1)

I took measurements before and after I lifted my 2000 with SS#7. Stock, from the ground to the bottom of the fender flares it measured 34 3/4" front and rear. After the lift it was 37 1/4" front and rear. So it looks like yours has the low springs like mine had.

Bottom of the trailer hitch was 13 1/8" and now it's sitting at 15 5/8". Even 2.5" of lift.

fenrisx

I've got a 2000 SR5 Sport/Highlander..whatever it's called..

I have a feeling is the lower of the models. It just looks that way to me. Which makes me think I would rub with 32's on road, and don't want to even think about off road. The only reason I bring that up is because I seen one of the threads here recently where someone was running 32's on stock suspension of their 99(I think) with no rub on road..

sschaefer3

If your front coils have pink/blue and yellow/blue paint codes you have the taller coils, if they have ANYTHING else, you do not.

Clean the dirt off and know for sure.

paddlenbike

iTrader: (1)

I can generally look at a 4Runner and know if it has the taller springs. For example, compare the difference in wheel clearance in the wheelwheel between this green 1999 4Runner I found on Ebay and my white 2000:

Nuthuts96

iTrader: (1)

thanks for clearing that up jamie! mucho helpful.

nieuwendyk-25

I have a 2000 that I ordered in early 1999. It was the first 2000 off the boat at Gulf States Toyota. I have always felt it was lower than my friends 4runners....theirs are '96, '97, '98.

X-AWDriver

The early '00s still should have the taller coils (not the taller '99 coils which weren't on all '99s) and the Highlander editions in '00 did get the even taller coils at least through the first part of that year's run.

Henrythewound

Great info, I will check the color codes on my shocks soon although I believe it looks like I have the same stock suspension as paddlenbike which means I am likely to get the SS#7 lift at some point in the future. Wish me luck getting my wife to let me spend over a grand just on parts! Actually 2 grand would be nice, that way I could order sliders at the same time and get some AT tires. Its more likely I will have to save slowly for a long time to do all this upgrading.

Thanks for the info everybody

fenrisx

hmm i've got teh highlander edition I think....

it looks like a low rider though..

maybe it's just sagged a bit over the 7 years and 145k miles

Rock Slide

iTrader: (1)

The 4Runner "Highlander" model was offered in 1999 & 2000. In 2001, Toyota released their new small sized SUV: the Highlander. For that reason, the name "Highlander" was dropped as a package name for the 4Runner from then on. In 2001, Toyota now referred to their 4Runners with the special package as a "Sport" model. In 2002, Toyota refined the name to: "Sport Edition". These model 4Runners came with sport edition emblems on both the driver and passenger front doors.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but you have a 2002 model 4Runner right? If so, then yes, you do have the "low rider" model 4Runner.

That was a main factor in deciding to add a lift to my 4Runner. I was sittling so low in it, I felt like I was driver a car.

MTL_4runner

Get out a tape measure and check it.
If you have less than 35.5" (fender to ground) on any wheel, you've got a lowrider.

.....or just post a pic on level ground, we can usually tell you just looking at it.

paddlenbike

iTrader: (1)

If she ever rides in your truck, especially off-road, she will thank you afterwards.

fenrisx

Nah, I have a 2000 model. I found it on Craigslist, and the guy said it had the Sport package in the description... I didn't know what the Highlander model was until I cam here. And basically all I gathered was it has the hood scoop and locking rear? .. See I'm still not sure what the Highlander package consists of.

Rock Slide

iTrader: (1)

Oh, okay 2000 model. Don't know where I got '02 from.

Anyway, check out this link to J.A.'s site:

http://www.top4runners.com/ja/highlander.html

That should help you better understand the "Highlander" package.