Hey guys I am new to the forums and I was wondering what your opinions are on lifting a 97' 4runner. I have looked at lots of posts with people saying a spacer lift is a terrible idea, but as of right now I can't seem to find specific kits that fit my vehicle that include coils and shocks all around.

The question I have is: What all needs to be changed when doing a full suspension swap?

Every damn place I call always calls me back saying they can only find the Revtek 3" suspension lift (which is just spacers) for my 4runner and because I am in BC, Canada, the best price I have been given on that set-up and install is $1109.00 taxes included. That covers the front wheel alignment at around $100, the kit for around $516, and the labor for around $400.

While some might be satisfied with a spacer lift, I sure as hell refuse to pay that much for a job that seems easy enough to do myself, but because of recent surgeries to my hand I may not be able to. Can anyone suggest a different type of set-up to gain about 3" of lift that could be installed for around the same, or am I barking up the wrong tree with this price?

If you could please give me a rundown on exactly what needs to be changed out from stock to get this done as cheaply as possible. It would be much appreciated.

 

Suspension lift on the 3rd gen 4Runner typically refers to springs at all 4 corners.

Because the fronts are "struts"- meaning the spring surrounds the shock- typically the shocks are replaced at the same time. If you are still on original shocks I would recommend that highly.

Read up on Sonoran Steel website for a ton of info on lifting our Runners.

Toytec is another vendor, that's toyteclifts.com. Tell Dylan I sent ya.

An alternative I suggest is to consider a body lift instead. 4crawler.com is a reputable vendor and owner Roger Brown is respected member of this very forum. A body lift of as little as 1" might give you the "look" for a lot less cash.

T4R.org is a 4Runner specific forum, lifts are covered over there on almost a daily basis.See also the 3rd gen sub forum here for a lot of lift ideas.

Stay away from spacer lifts. Just my opinion, but many people that have done spacer lifts just end up upgrading sooner or later.

Welcome to the forum.

 

WOW ! Thats alot of info..... good reply !

 

ya- once you get me going you can't shut me up....

 

Thank you for being specific. I am looking at the "ultimate lift" and besides what's included with the kit will there be anything else I would have to replace to make the kit work? Or is it just as simple as changing front struts, rear coils and shocks. The reason I ask that is because they recommend a front diff drop. And are those the best prices at toyteclifts.com?

If it is the case that all I need is what is in the kit it seems like a better idea all around.

By the way, I will post some pics of my 4runner so you can see the before and after product through all the work I plan to do to it.

 

Ok so I found a badass price on the 'Ultimate Lift Kit" from a Toyteclifts.com retailer in Alberta, Canada and I was wondering about those extra things they recommend doing, one of which is the diff drop? Are there other things that I should replace while installing the lift?

I should be ordering the parts in about a week, so I will try and get a before shot posted soon.