Its been years since paying any attention to lifts for my 4Runner. This is my 3rd and I got it close to 13 years ago after my son was born so hasnt been a priority. One of the first things I did was replace the shocks with some procomp for stock height, also was the last thing Ive done suspension wise. The Zuk mod was the big revelation back then......

However, its my daily driver and Im noticing the pot holes more and more.... Pretty sure its time for shocks. Soooo..... its stock height and unmodified, 1987 4x4 SR5 22re 5speed. What is the latest and greatest thing going in suspension mods? Going through all the tech writeups I get lost in whats new and whats old but still great. The goal is this:

1. Keep the 31" tires, all the clearance Ive ever needed while maintaining acceptable gas milage.

2. Low cost, other than an alignment I want to do the work myself in the garage. I still like adding 1+1=B. Dont want an off the shelf replace everything HD kit. I dont beat the ˟˟˟˟˟ out her while camping/hunting. Something bolt on will last just fine.

3. Gain some articulation over the stock setup. Not looking for anything extreme just an extra inch or two up and/or down for the desert hunting road rocks.

4. 1-2in suspension lift. I'm still old school, body lift= poser, mentality. Pushing 40yo now however, I do have a fairly weekly parking garage or 3 here in Vegas to deal with so can't go too high.

5. Soft street ride. Dont want to crank the hell out of the torsion bars or replace the springs with a super arc'd stacked up pack.

So, is this ball joint spacer and extended shackle job for lift and some shock hangers? Again, gotta dust off some 10+ year notions what I think I can remember of suspension hacks.

Help me out: 1-2" lift, 1-2" add of articulation, 31"tires, soft street ride without kidney bruises or bouncing down the freeway?????

 

I'd go for some OME springs / shocks in the back. Ball joint spacer for the front.

If you want a softer ride in the back, you need longer springs. Or more weight

Soft street ride also means AT tires.

 

Second this^^^. The most well-engineered upgrade. I'd to this^^^ if I had the budget, but for now, my 6-year old Zuk's had been good and taken me to many wonderful places in the U.S.
I think this gives 2-inch lift over stock in back. Not really needed if sticking to 31-inch tire. HOWEVER, it would improve ground clearance.

OME has upgrade torsion bar for IFS. I'm sure it gives matching lift to rear but not sure if it improves articulation. The BJ spacer I think would give better articulation. Any thoughts on this?
To improve articulation, a sway-bar disconnect in front would definitely help.

 

... and longer shocks if you don't want to ruin lower ball joints?

https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f116...joints-269220/

 

Correct^^^ shocks should match new travel with new springs. I'd use OME springs properly-engineered for the kit.

 

Yep, 31" are BF A/T's love them tires. Have had them on all my Yotas, last forever.

 

Do you know the shocks you going to buy to match the 1" travel/lift?