B4Runner

Hi all. Would anyone be able to recommend the best way to lift my truck? I want to get a 3-4" lift It's 4x4 5-spd. But I've read people saying that you may need to get better gearing if your going to lift your truck, and a new thing I heard is that you may need to extend your tranny and 4x4 shifters. Can someone please clarify all this for me please. Thank you much and my appologies for the lengthy post.

waskillywabbit

iTrader: (-1)

Lifting any more than 2" or so requires a bracket lift with blocks and/or a body lift.

abecedarian

Best way depends on what you want to do.
If all you want is bigger tires than a 2-3" body lift will accomplish that, and you might need to extend the shifters. You will also get some ground clearance due to the larger tires.
If your main goal is more ground clearance, then a suspension lift will accomplish that rather easily without affecting the shift levers. It'll also allow larger tires which will give some more ground clearance. If you go this way, I recommend getting new rear leaf springs instead of lift blocks because new springs will allow more rear travel since the leaf will be farther from the bump stops.

B4Runner

So I can get a 3" in suspension lift without it affecting my shifters? And will a suspension lift give a nice ride? I ask because my 2000 Chevy 3500 has a 6" lift kit, the rear being lifted with 6" metal blocks, and it's horribly rough. And will my shifting and mpg be affected by the lift? Sorry for the questions, I'm a newbe to lifting aspect of trucks.

abecedarian

A suspension lift should ride about the same as stock. The only thing that might be different about the ride would be the shocks since they have to be longer to accomodate the lift and you'll be stuck getting aftermarket ones... and if the rear uses new springs instead of blocks.
You will probably notice a drop in mpg's too, but shouldn't be too much. My 88 went from about 24 or so stock to about 20 with 4" lift and a bit larger tires. I can probably recover most of that if I regear but haven't done it yet.

B4Runner

Yeah, mine already gets about 15 mpg because it's a V6 EFI. And would I able to regear my stock tranny?

abecedarian

you wouldn't regear the transmission. you would change the ring and pinions in the front and rear differentials.
and if you're only getting 15 or so with the v6, you may have some other problem- I get 20+ with my 22re

B4Runner

Oh, of course I wouldn't have know that. Haha. I'm not sure if the fuel injection would have anything to do with the mpg or not. The engine only has 30k on the new engine. The previous owner took absolutely marvelous care of it though; he gave me all the records of everything he has done to it in the 5 years he owned it, which would mainly be proper maintenance. I'm just taking his word that it gets 15 mpg. He filled it up before I picked it up and I haven't yet had to put a cent of my out cash into the tank. Although he did get brand new tires on it which are a bit oversized. Could it just be that I need regearing bc the tires?

abecedarian

Anything's possible.

a4runnerfreak

No nec true Abe. If he's got the autotragic, thats 'bout right for mpg......

abecedarian

Nope. see below:

malteserunner

iTrader: (1)

B4Runner, I'm in Oakhurst, so if you want to take a look at some or your lift options in person, you can let me know. You are welcome to look at my 4Runner to see some of the improvements I've made to it. You can also check out my build thread to see some pics of what I've done; the link's in my sig. Either way, have fun with your Toy, and if you are looking for a group to tag along with on the local trails, let me know.

Adam.

a4runnerfreak

Ok, I somehow missed that part....damn contact lenses!

abecedarian

lol.

kiyobrown

I think I got about 18 in my old v-6 5 speed, almost 20 on a road trip.

The 22re 5 speed gets 21 mixed, 24 highway though. Just thought I would add that little tidbit in.

B4Runner

Instead of spending my money to get it regeared to my new tires now and then lifting, getting even larger tires, and then having to regear again, I'll just put up with my supposed 15 mpg, hoping it's so low because it hasn't been regeared, and then when I get the dough, have it lifted, new tires, and then finally regeared.