if i end up lifting the rear 2-3 inches will i have to do something with the panhard bar?

 

I would say yes. However being new to 4Runners I'd say call Steve at Sonoran Steel for a better answer.

 

Do you absolutely need to? No. I have had 2.5" Daystars or ~3.75" Land Cruiser coils installed out back for the last 2 years without issue. After measuring my rear axle, it's off center by such a small ammount, I can't justify spending the money.

 

If you want to do your lift properly and safely, then yes you do.

 

I didn't have one, even with 6" of rear lift. The axle was off-centered just a tad.

When I got the longer one, everything was aligned and nice.

 

My 3.25" lift in the rear moved my wheels about .25" to the passenger side. It is barely noticable, and I can't tell any difference in the ride. I would put in an extended panhard bar if I had $150+shipping burning a hole in my pocket, but at this time I would rather put that money toward rock-rails.

 

I know there are options for this like the bar SS sell or the Downey bracket. I used the bracket. It improved the ride greatly. I have the Toytec lift. Before installing the bracket, when I hit a bump, it required steering corrections to keep the vehicle tracking straight (I think there are discussions on this if you search). After the install the steering corrections were not necessary. It also smoothed out the ride/drive of the vehicle. I guess I the lift caused the driveline to just be far enough off-center to cause vibration while driving. Get the bar or the bracket. My 2 cents.

 

Along the same lines of this, does anyone know the thickness of the factory panhard bar (aka track bar) ? I ask because I am planning on hacking mine apart to make it adjustable at some point...I've done this on several vehicles, but not on a 4runner (all 80-series Land Cruisers). Fairly simple procedure of cutting it, welding in threaded plugs and using threaded rod for the adjustment, with stop-nuts and all that.

I can obviously cut the track bar first and then figure out what parts I'll need, but hopefully someone has done that so I can have the parts ready ahead of time....

Thanks,
Mark