I'm thinking of a 1" 4Crawler body lift for my 4Runner. Before doing it, I'd like to have as much information as possible on body lifts, especially from the guys who has it. Could you share your experience and personal opinion on the lift kit?
Did it affect driving? Was it difficult to install? I've heard that some body lift require steering, gear extensions; radiator, bumper and hitch relocation; frame and transmission part modification.
I'd also appreciate any images you can post here.

 

1. driving characteristics does not change
2. installation = easy. Takes about 1-1.5 hrs tops w/ hand tools
3. extend radiator.
4. bumper may get misaligned but at 1" there's really no significant issues.
5. follow installation on body lift.
6. images look exactly the same as previous gen 4runner.

remember, a body lift will lif the body off the frame. hitch is on the frame so no need to do anything there. at 1" there's really no significant problems you'll encounter.

Good luck!

 

Dude, if you search you'll find a plethora of info. I posted my results somewhere on this forum. The ultimate instructions are 4Crawler's. Check them out, read them thoroughly. A few nugs of wisdom not mentioned in RB's very complete directions:
-If you have a camper shell, lift the bed portion first so that there is no contact between the shell overhang and the roof of the cab
-Lube, lube, lube!
-Get a hi-lift jack! Much more practical than a floor jack with 8 or 9 wood blocks stacked.
-Watch for the wheel well liners pinned to the front wheel wells...with a 2" kit they will strain and break free.
A 1" allegedly won't require steering shaft, fuel filler, or shifter extensions. It shouldn't need a radiator drop either, though, as RB says, each truck is different.
And Good Times, I admire your ambition, but if you install a body lift in an hour and a half with hand tools, you've got some super big nuts or you did something wrong. It took me 5 hours with hand tools, no rust whatsoever, and no help from my friends. And I have excellent hand tools.
Good luck and enjoy!

 

I can see how concerned you might be about lifting the body on a '05 4runner but all years are roughly the same.

I think your already off to a good start by not considering a BL higher than 1"

But sadly, most people that agree seem to not admit that or "speak up" because of controversal reasons... Such as certain vendors that sell BL's but don't state anything about possible daily driving safety issues. Research it for hours/days and you'll see what i mean.

My honest observations:
Driving characteristics does change and it changes a lot. When i finished my 1" BL i noticed an immediate difference in overall ride, feel, and cornering. It definitely felt higher and much more truck-like....but i became immune to it after 2-3 days.

It was fairly easy to install (took me 5-6 hours during a week long ordeal) but i don't know about 4th gens.

I have lots of pictures of when i did mine on a 2nd gen here...
https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f199/rockets-1992-4runner-build-up-thread-totaled-67410/

good luck.

 

Nice write-up. Thanks for the link, very informative.

 

I checked my 4Runner and was confused of how to deal with bumpers. As far as I got information on body lifts right, when you lifting the body, bumpers are lifted too. BUT, my frame extends into the bumpers. How to fix this? I'm going to go outside and make some pictures to illustrate what I'm talking about.

 

Bumper pictures:

 

The way I remember the rear was that when you add the body lift, the bumper is large enough that you don't have to adjust anything. I remember Ahriman had the body lift (1.5") when we both went to Moab and he still had the stock rear bumper and it looked normal. The rear bumper is a big tupperware that is attached to the body so no biggie there (the framing will stay covered - that's how big the rear bumper is).

As for the front, I'm not sure as he had built his own front bumper. You may run into some problems but I don't remember exactly. I'm currently out of town so I can't check my 4runner but when I get back first thing next week, I can check and get back to you. I just want to check one thing to make sure so I don't give the wrong info.

Thanks

 

On the last picture, I've posted, you can see the gap between rear bumper and frame. This is 2005 model. Right in the middle on both sides of the hitch there is a bracket which holds the central part of the bumper. This was the first questionable point. The other one is that if looks to the gap, you'll see that frame goes inside the bumper and I've measured this gap, its 1/4". This means that if bumper will go more then 1/4" inch, it will hit the frame and the frame wouldn't let it go further. Looks like front Bumper can be moved only if relocate the brackets holding it.

 

I only see one attachment which is for the front bumper. Since I don't remember what my front bumper used to look like, I'll have to check my garage when I return on Monday night.

As for the rear, I wouldn't worry too much about the bracket that holds the rear bumper at the center. Just don't even bother. Since with 1" the tupperware will be brushed up against the last cross member there shouldn't be any flapping since it'll be in full contact against eachother. I hope this makes sense. The rest of the bumper is attached to the body behind the tailgate. Since the bumper is a tupperware it will flex and it should be ok. I've seen Ahriman's rear bumper with the 1.25" lift and it looked normal.

Unfortunately with modifications like these, you have to make some sacrifice as it's not going to be stock. Some brackets will no longer be used so that's something to consider unless you plan to make some bracket adjustments.

I'll check on the front first thing next week when I return.

 

The attachment I placed is actually the link to my webshots where 3 other pictures are posted.
I want to see that Ahriman's bumper with 1.25" body lift, because I couldn't figure out how to raise the rear bumper without trimming it. I'll take measurements tomorrow how far is frame goes into the bumper.
If you have any pictures of his bumper, could you post them?

 

I read a post on t4r (I think it was truckhigh's post) where he said he had to trim the bumper a bit with the 1.5" lift.

-Mike