the body lift debate will always carry on. One thing that is not debatable is how much easier it is to work on your truck if you have one. I put a 1" 4crawler kit on my 2002 4runner limited about 3 months ago. since then i have found 4 MAJOR jobs that i could not imagine doing without it.

EDIT: im adding to the list. please see posts below to give credit where credit is due

1 - changing rear shocks
2 - changing vsv on and cleaning the charcoal canister
3 - running the lines for an after market trans cooler
4 - replacing a FULL PRE-BENT rear section of brakeline without dropping the fuel tank. i was shocked.
5 - replacing starter
6 - replacing rear O2 sensor
7 - more frame exposed to weld sliders to
8 - replacing headers
9 - more room for grinding and painting for rust prevention

i know there are more out there. lets hear em

 

starter, perhaps?

 

I dont have a body lift...yet, but i just changed the rear O2 sensor in my tacoma and the wire harness is clipped to the top of the frame before it goes through the gromet into the cab. I never did get the clip for the old one off. I just ended up breaking the clip to get the old wire harness out. THe new one did not get clipped there. I was definatley wishing i had a BL for that one.

 

im reconsidering getting a body lift thanks to you

 

and at only 1 inch, i felt little to no effects on the drivability. with people like Roger supplying such quality parts, i feel very safe with mine. but again thats the never ending argument.

another thing that i is easier that i will be taking advantage of today is more frame is exposed to weld rock sliders on to i will post pix.

and ive also heard that headers practically will not go in without one.

 

hey hey what a coincidence that im getting headers soon.

you could be a salesman....

 

I have a 3" bl on my 91 p/u, and it makes everything easier! I can reach every bolt on the bell housing with no trouble, the exhaust manifolds are easily reached, the starter took me 10 min to change, gives me more room in the wheel well, when working on the front end, but... it is not as well centered, and would likely roll much easier.

Edit... almost forgot.... more room to take care of rust on the frame before it gets outta control.

 

please confirm that claim that i made somewhere else on the board! i know i read it somewhere but i cant seem to find it.

also i think i just sold myself on installing headers

 

haha go for it. i just hear thet the stock manifold goes out all the time in 4runners so i figured i should upgrade.

 

I'm not a headers kind of guy but yes I have read that also-that with a body lift the headers are much easier to install or replace. It may have been on t4r.org but I am not recommending such site.

 

Easier to install a Chevy 350

Easier to do a drivetrain lift/flat belly

Easier to change the fuel filter on a 3.0

 

or a 454, like someone else did on here....

 

Well...I think that guy just swapped a Toyota body on a GM frame...I wouldnt even call that a Toyota.

 

Header goes right in without a body lift on mine with 22RE. I don't know about your year/motor.

 

I have headers on a 3.0 4runner with no body lift. It's tight, but not impossible. I'd feel better about it with a 1" BL though.

 

It's a lot easier getting to the top bolts to the transmission with a body lift.
Once I pulled the boots and shifters I was able to use extensions right down the transmission tunnel/hump through the shifter holes.

 

It is easier to clock you t-case.

 

INstall a 1UZ , and when I had the 3.0 removing the bolts around the top of the transmission , I could get my hand up in there.

 

Taken from that "other" thread:

1. Looks
2. Minor rubbing up front (caused by the tires)
3. Accessibility (yes, it significantly improves your ability to reach some parts)
4. Increased approach and departure angles
5. Didn't want to change my suspension geometry

Oh and I agree, header install was easier (I know because I did it). And one more, if you run electric fans (like me) you decrease the chances of "dipping" them during a water crossing. That goes for the fans and the controller that comes with it. Come to think of it, a body lift will decrease the chance of dipping most electrical components.