I'm looking for the cheapest way to get about 2.5inches of lift. Are coil spacers the cheapest way? Do i need 2 different size spacers for the front and the back? If that is even the best route to take, on a 2000 4runner.
jacob

 

coil spacers with stock shocks is the cheapest, with a front differential "drop" adjustment kit also ( search "diff drop") recommended
and yes, 2.5 inch spacer in rear, and about 3/4"-1" in front, above the strut top plate (I think that is the right number)

BUT... I have spacers basically, since my lift cost around $50 for the spacers and diff drop, I am happy with it, but if it cost much more, I would have gone with springs (which I am still planning on eventually)

 

a few companies, www.toyteclifts.com , www.revtek.com , www.cornfedsuspension.com

all going to cost you upwards towards 300 just for the spacers...

 

I am selling me 2.5 inch toytecs (for the front).

 

anyone have a picture of a 4runner lifted using this method? Id like to see what $50 buys.

 

Ditto to above advice......it's all going to cost you around $300 minimum for a cheap lift.

 

A BL is cheaper than the 300. ..let the debate begin.

 

is BL a brand? I would also like to see some pics of the spacer lift option. Thanks guys.

 

no sorry, a BL=Body Lift. There are several out there. Check out 4crawler.com

 

BL = body lift. IIRC, a decent BL will start at ~$100 or so. With a body lift, you retain the stock suspension. It really depends on what you're planning to do with your rig. The right suspension lift (spacers or springs) will enhance your off road performance, where as a body lift basically just makes additional clearance for larger tires. A lot of people here actually run both if they wheel a lot.

As far as suspension lifts, spacers will be the cheapest in the short term. Over time, you'll compress the springs and they'll start to sag. The ride will be harsher than stock with spacers as well. Many people that started with spacers have now gone with spring lifts, myself included.

 

Not really a debate to be had, if you only want a small lift, the BL is definately the cheapest, new anyway.
......I certainly stand corrected.

 

Whichever lift you get, if you buy it used from members on yotatech used you will get a killer deal. There isn't one member I've seen who's selling stuff here just to make a buck. I have Tundra/OME up front with a diff drop, and OME/OME out back costing me a grand total of $510, not too shabby for a full suspension lift. Even better for you, a lot of people are upgrading from spacer lifts to suspension lifts, so spacer lifts are very plentiful here.

 

oops, sorry, didn't clarify really, $50 will buy you the metal, that you then weld up... but they are not something out there for sale...

 

Are the spacers an easy install? something I could do in my garage? Any special tools or anything like that?

 

rear spacers i used basic tools and a cheap set of spring compressors to make it easier... otherwise you can just take apart more to get the springs in/out

front you will need the spring compressors to take the strut apart to put in longer studs or whatever you decide to do up there, or you can take them to a shop once out for them to do, easier and safer, but w/e

along with tools such as sockets, wrenches (19mm or 3/4 came in hand a bunch IIRC) stands.. etc

 

I have a Tacoma. I installed a 2.5 inch ToyTec lift front and rear all by myself. Go to the ToyTec website and buy a lift kit for you 4Runner.

 

If I decided against installin it myself, would you recommend taking it to a local shop, or a dealer? I see the ToyTec lift is about 300, any estimate on how much it would cost to get installed?

 

Shops here won't even install non-stock shocks that I buy, let alone a lift kit, best bet is if you have a 4WD or off-road shop of some sort in your area

and on that note, put your location in your profile, so it shows up under your name... there may even be members in the area willing to help for cheap/free/beer/trades/ w/e

 

Added location to sig. Anybody in the area? Louisville, that could help me out? thanks

 

its really not that hard at all, and if you go with toytec they come with installation instructions.