Mine was a total low-rider:

 

That' looks about like mine does today.

Mphudak got back to me and says his measures 22" from the center of the wheel hub to the edge of the fender at all 4 corners. That's exactly 2-2.5 inches higher than mine sits today.

 

Mine is 22-3/8" in the front and 22-3/4" in the rear unloaded and on a nearly empty tank of fuel.

 

Thanks buddy. That helps a lot. That is certainly livable. Did it take time to settle and are you completely happy with the ride?

 

I am not sure how much it has settled, but I would guess somewhere around 1/4" or maybe as much as 3/8" total since 2006, certainly no more than that. I have ground to fender flare measurements from the day I installed it but I have changed tire size inbetween.

When I first installed the lift I thought the front was a tad stiff, however I've always thought the rear was pretty much perfect. When I went to the Bilstein 5100 front shocks (the same ones SS currently bundles with the 7.2 kit), the ride in the front improved. I think it rides great and I'm not sure I would change anything at all, particularly since an ARB front bumper or at least heavy duty skid plates may find themselves on the truck someday. But even without those things, I like it a lot.

It rides very slightly stiffer than stock, but in return it absorbs bumps without bottoming out like it did before, it handles better, doesn't nose-dive under braking, handles people, cargo and towing way better than before. But there is no comparison offroad, it absorbs stuff that used be painful.

On an average day, I drive with the 4Runner empty. But on weekends it hauls mountain bikes, kayaks and all of my camping gear without sagging or breaking a sweat. When I'm not camping or offroading I'm hauling pavers or stone from Home Depot or towing a double axle trailer with downed trees, yard mulch/dg/top soil.

Off to pack for the 3-day Pismo 4Runner Jamboree...case in point!

ken

 

Cool, thanks again for the measures and the info. I've got a bit more checking to do before deciding on a setup but this certainly helps. I know I don't want much more than 2" of lift with 265/75R16 tires so that's a start.

I know I want the Bilstein 5100 series shocks so that's one thing off the list. Just gotta decide on Tacoma or Tundra shocks. I'll do the same in the rear, probably 5125s.

My tires are pretty worn (got 95K on them) and they're 11 years old, so it's time for new ones before winter. I'll do the Revo 2 265/75 tires with the Level 8 MK6 wheels first, then I'll have a good idea of how much lift will look right and go from there.

It's nice there are so many options, but it sure gets to be a quagmire when you're going through it all.

 

Got tires and wheels on order. I was gonna wait but there were several incentives that expire Sept 30, so I went ahead. I got the Level 8 MK6s and Bridgestone Revo 2s in 265/75R16. With all the incentives it was $270 off.

I've also decided on a lift. I'm gonna do Tundra TRD coils up front with 5100s and OME 906s in the rear with 5100s which, from my research, should give me a nice ride and 2" of lift if I put the Tundra coils on the bottom perch.

I found some Tundra TRD coils at a local salvage yard but they wanted $150 for the pair and I don't need the shocks and they wouldn't separate. I offered $100 and they declined. I've got one more yard to check with tomorrow that shows to have some for $100 for the pair. If they're the right ones I'll snag them.

I'll probably get the shocks from Wheeler's as they looked to have pretty good prices unless you guys know a better place.

Last thing on the list will be the 231mm brake upgrade. It's either get some calipers from a salvage yard for $70 a pair and rebuild them or new ones from Amazon for $170 (no core). I've got a bead on some at a local yard and will see if they're the 13WLs tomorrow and go from there.

I'm gonna do Powerslot rotors.

 

I think those are all good choices. I told you in a PM that I liked everything about my lift but I had thought the front end was a bit stiff with the factory front bumper installed. I just got home from 3 days of beating on it on the dunes at Pismo and the switch from Tokico Trekmaster to Bilstein 5100 shocks has really smoothed it out. It rides great on the highway and if anything, I had to slow down a little on the dunes this year because the front end is not quite as stiff as it used to be. Point is, I'm really happy.



Suspension on Low Mode


High mode:


And for comparison's sake, my white 4Runner with Tundra/OME 890 setup and the green one is Mike's OME 881/906 combo with 265/75R16 BFGs.

 

Your truck sure looks good man. Those tires look bigger than a 265/75 17" equivalent?

Snagged my 231mm brake calipers from a local yard today in excellent condition off a 2003 Sequoia. 13WL clearly stamped and not a bit of rust on them. Now to clean them up and get them painted. $35 each was a steal.

 

Thank you. And yes, the 275/70R17 tires are exactly in between a 265/75R16 and a 285/70R16 in both height and width.

Nice snag on the calipers. There newest Toyotas in our wrecking yards seem to be early 1990s.

 

The supercharger was a blast out in the sand. Three of the trucks in this race were 5-speeds and the green one with the roof rack was an automatic.


The video makes it look flat, but it's up hill with pretty significant whooptie-doos.

 

That was cool. Blower for the win!

 

Goes to show how stupidly slow these trucks are stock.

 

A little update. I got the 13WL calipers I got from the salvage yard all cleaned up with the die grinder and wire brushes. They look like new. I then rebuilt them with a Toyota rebuild kit I got from the dealer for $12. Simple process but tedious due to all the cleaning. I'm anal so I have the pistons and cylinders like new.

I ordered a G2 caliper paint kit for them so they don't rust. Since I went with the Level 8 wheels in Grey Metallic, I did the calipers Red to give some contrast.

I then went on the hunt for some TRD decals to finish the calipers off and had ZERO luck finding any vector images to make my own, or decals for purchase of proper size to fit the caliper.

I finally just made my own from a mixture of images I found. I sent the image over to the decal shop today and they're gonna see if what I came up with will work for cut vinyl. Should look pretty decent when all done.

Tires came in to DT, but wheels haven't shown up yet. Once I get those mounted up I'll post some pics. Then I'll tackle the brakes probably next month, and the suspension in Nov.

I actually shot a video of how to do the calipers. I'll throw that up on my website later on.

 

Well, I found the answer. The reason it's so hard to find a decal like I posted above is because they are very hard to make. The cursive script gives the vinyl plotter fits. My local decal shop, however, WAS able to make me a few. They are die cut vinyl in white and are just a tick over 4" long and 3/8" tall which will fit the rib of the caliper perfectly.

I got a few extra if anyone needs a couple. $5 per decal and PM me your shipping address.

They said they have another option that is not die cut vinyl that is much easier to make. It's a clear decal with white writing on it. I can have them make up a few of those as well if folks need them. Will be much cheaper at about $2 per decal since they're way easier to make.

I'll post up pics of mine once painted and the decals are on.

 

I look forward to seeing some photos. I will do the Tundra brake upgrade someday if I can ever get my rotors to warp or wear out.

Speedy, do you run an open deckplate in conjunction with your supercharger?

 

Yes, I have the open deck plate on mine.

I got bored and had some time so now I've started smoothing the calipers to remove all the casting marks, etc. Totally un-necessary but I needed a project to work on. I worked on one last night and I should have worn a dust mask. I've been sneezing and coughing up gray dust all morning.

I took a vacation day today and am heading over to DT to get the tires and wheels installed. I hope the 265/75s don't rub much as I won't be putting the lift on for a couple months.

 

I did a similar thing last year and it screwed up my sinuses for two weeks. Hope you feel better.

If it does rub, it will likely be on the portion of the fender flare that is integrated into the front bumper. I trimmed the bottom of the flare down with a dremel and it is not noticeable at all.



Tire compressed on an obstacle with wheel turned to where I needed to trim...

 

Tires and wheels are on and they look great. A 2" lift will have it setting just like I want it. I get some very minor rubbing on the back driver side wheel well close to the pinch weld when hard turning. Not sure why it's just the driver side, but nothing on the passenger side.

I'm about to go out and continue smoothing the brake calipers. It's gonna look great all smoothed out, but honestly it's been more work than I expected. I thought a dremel sanding barrel and die grinder would make easy work of it, but all the nooks and crannies are a PITA.

 

What? And no photos?!?