Hey all, my girlfriend recently decided she wants to put a small lift on her 99 SR5 Runner. While looking at 3" lift kits we've noticed many of them say not compatible with the SR5. Is there really a difference between that and the base/limited models? Currently we're only looking at coil and strut spacer kits.
Thanks all!

 

They are all the same, I wouldn't bother with a spacer kit when adjustable 5100 Bilsteins are made for this 4runner, add some OME 2906's springs in the back, reuse front coils, buy new top plates and a few bushings and now you have a suspension lift for about the same amount of work and alignment costs.

Edit: you might wanna mark and break the LCA adjusting bolts completely loose(they should pivot easy without resistance) before deciding you want to adjust the suspension height incase you need new LCA bushings and hardware, and the bills start adding up.

 

Thanks for the reply. This is kind of a 'make it happen for as cheap as possible' project. She just had new struts and rear shocks installed at the beginning of last winter so until those are worn out, spacers it is.

 

If your/her “new-as-of-last-year” shocks and struts don’t have enough travel because they were cheap OE equivalents, spacers May have her maxing out travel and causing more harm than good.

 

Yeah, it's hers.
The kit I was looking at comes with rear shock spacers as well, so exceeding the travel limit shouldn't be an issue.
I understand you guys are just trying to help, but I really only needed to know if the SR5 springs/struts were somehow different from the other models. This isn't a rock crawler build, it's just something so she can take the dogs for a ride up in the hills and not get stuck in the mud.

 

Like I said they be the same 1996-2002. You are seeing vendors offer products that they never fitted on a 3rd gen 4Runner so they haven't a clue, nor do they know how it will ride or operate on any given suspension if they determined the SR5 is different so avoid that company. Now the question is where does the poly spacer mount on the front coil, above the plate or between coil and top plate, or is it a bolt in steel spacer, both of these lead to operation and installation issues, and the rear is typically a poly spacer, again this leads to issues regarding operation limits of unknown rear shock. I don't drive a rock crawler but I know a good known proven suspension set up when I drive it, and at a very reasonable price, but again like I said I'd crack those LCA cams loose first and then decide if it's economically possible or worth while, chances are very high those adjusters haven't been touched in 20 years, if you lift they gotta move freely, no movement no alignment, no lifting. Good luck.

 

No, not at all the same apparently. The rear spacers we received had nowhere near enough inside diameter to fit the top spring seat, and guess what... the website specifically stated that they don't fit the SR5. So thanks for nothing... If you don't know for sure, don't lead people down the wrong path.

 

I’ve never known SR5 to be anything but a trim package. Chrome, full instrument panel, nice seat. Nothing to do with suspension.

Many parts sites want to know about SR5, because it might matter with certain parts. But not suspension...

Sucks that the part didn’t fit but I doubt it has anything to do with SR5 vs non SR5.

With aftermarket parts, you need to research. Amazon, for example, tells me all sorts of parts don’t fit my truck. But they do. Reviews are also only so trustworthy, but I’ll look for a part that’s supposed to fit my truck (based on forum posts), Amazon will say it doesn’t fit, but, there are a bunch of reviews from people with the same truck as me saying it fits.

if you find out for sure we’re wrong, let us know!

 

Ya well,.. it won't fit any 1996-2002 4runner then, so don't buy from vendors that indicate there is a difference between a SR5 or Limited because there is simply no difference in spring mounts like I mentioned already except spring height from year to year & 2wd/4wd, and then blame a guy on the internet because you bought incorrect parts.
Next time provide a link of what you are buying and what ya got, China crap?,.. All 4runners 1996-2002 have the same components for front and rear suspension, same frame, same spring mounts front and back, top and bottom, maybe your spacer is designed to go above the cone bump stops?,..don’t care honestly. Try Daystar rear coil spacers instead, note: they fit every 3rd gen 4runner ever made, they go over the cone bump stop or you can remove the bump stop, not that I should bother helping you, but hopefully other normal people find this helpful, buy once cry once, but not too f’n me after I told you what was your best option for the amount of work, I take it you’re selling that 4R soon

 

1996-2002 4Runner 4WD have the same suspension (coil springs and shock absorbers) mounts, top and bottom. the major difference lies in the spring lengths that varies depending on the year model.

 

I have Daystar spacers on the rear of my ‘99 LTD. Here is their website:

https://www.daystarweb.com/product/9...-boost-daystar

If you select “FITMENT” you’ll see they fit all trim levels SR5, Limited, Standard for 96-02. There is no deviation for trim levels.


The only time I have encountered separate parts for 3rd gen 4Rs, is ‘99 Limiteds had taller springs. They were NOT different shaped and used the same mounting perches so they are interchangeable from year to year.