i want to get a little lift on my runner, i was thinking about getting some one inch spacers. but if i could wouldnt i get better flex and ride quality if i just got better shocks that would give me the lift i want. If i just put new shocks on would i be able to do this at home? thanks for your input

 

Springs control lift and weight carrying, shocks control the bounce.

Typicaly shocks don't change the lift of a vehicle except... The Bilstein 5100 front shock has a few settings to choose from and also a coilover. This is possible because the coil is mounted on the shock itself. Changing these shocks can be done at home but you need a spring compressor.

The rear shocks have no change on lift. These can be changed at home but most people have to cut the top off the shock to get it out.

Spacers are a cheap band aid to sagging coils. New coils are the way to go. Front spacers will allow excessive wheel droop when wheeling which is the main cause of broken CVs. Spacers will also make the vehicle ride harder.

A one inch lift isn't very much and in my opinion you will want more lift before you know it. I have 2.5" and wish I had gone bigger.

Check out Sonoran Steel. http://www.sonoransteel.com/index.ph...ndex&cPath=1_2
Check out ToyTec. http://www.toyteclifts.com/index.php

 

I put OME HD-901 coils in the rear for a mild lift. Fixed my 2" rear sag and added 1.5" for a total of about 3". I then used 1.5" BJ spacers up front to level it out. It give that beefy steriod look with very little invested. Full suspension write up.

Before with sag


After with 901s


With 32's on 16X8 wheels.


I know yours is a different model but this gives you an idea of what fixing sagging springs and 1.5" lift can do.

 

manicnave
What year is your 4runner?

James Dean
Good looking 4runner.

manicnave
James Dean's 4runner is a 2nd gen so if yours is a 3rd gen you would not use 901/BJ spacers to lift yours. They use different parts.

 

mine is a 2000 runner, i want a little bit of lift i 2.5 inches would be my max. how much would it run me if i just got all new coils or what ever i would need to get the lift and ride quality i want. I like all the info and pictures so far thanks you guys

 

As Gerdo has already said, spring spacers are a temporary band aid at best. They will lift your rig, but will eventually sag your stock springs to the point that the lift is all but gone. I had the 2.5" Daystar kit and ended up with ~1-1.5" of lift from them. The big question is: why do you want to lift your 4Runner? Is it strictly for looks? Or is it for off road performance?

From a strict performance stand point, the Sonoran Steel kits are hard to beat. They've been researched and are claimed to offer the best off road prowess of any other kit. You can buy less expensive lifts, but the SS kits come complete with everything you'll need. I don't have experience with these kits, but people on YT have been raving about them for quite some time.

Another option are sites like Toytec and Wheelers. Typically, they use Old Man Emu (OME) components and are sold either complete or as stand alone pieces. You'll also find front coilovers on sites like those as well. OME components are designed to carry more weight and not necessarily lift a rig. But, they do lift nicely and are very capable off road as well.

Finally, some of us have pieced together a lift kit from various sources, which is what I've done. This is often the least expensive way, but does take more time and is less convenient. I'm running 7 wrap Land Cruiser coils in the rear (from a '95) and OME 882 coils up front. I've added OME N91SC comfort shocks up front and Rancho RS5000's in the rear. I'm also running a 1" diff drop as well. In the end, I got 3" of lift up front from the 882's and 3.75" in the rear from the LC coils, which is just about perfect for my needs. And, I spent ~$500 or less for everything, which is considerably less than the kits some sites sell.

Good luck with things and do your research before you buy.

 

I looked at the Old Man Emu coil spring sets, so all i would need to get is the springs and thats it? Would i need to get a diff drop kit? I was thinking about getting 1.25" in the front and 2" in the back.

 

4crawler.com or even Toytec sells body lifts. I would give that a try first as it is considerably less money manicnave. Roughly $100-200 in parts

If you're just looking for just a little boost- a suspension lift can start to get complicated. Read up on the Sonoran Steel website for example the choices are endless.

The 2000 Runners sit just a bit lower than a 99 for example. But even within the 99 model year there are tall and short coils. (Mine for example had the shorter coils) Then shock choices are also numerous. Roughly $500-and up for a suspension lift at all 4 corners.

A body lift is a lot less variables. Spacers are used-but simply between the body and frame.

A spacer lift for your suspension- as noted by Gerdo and emptypockets above-is sooner or later going to be replaced. IN good conscience most of us would not steer you toward a spacer lift of the suspension. Yet others say they are fine.

Opinons vary- so shop and compare and read many, many threads before you commit. Ride in someone else's 2000 to see how you like the look and feel. If there is a lady involved be sure she knows what is going to happen....you might be amazed how many lifts are sold off within weeks of install as the lady was not kept in the loop.

 

Just a suggestion, if your current shocks are ok (I'm assuming that since you were talking about keeping them and just picking up some coils) then go to the memeber classifieds or search and get the 99 tall coils. It'll be cheap if you get them used and should give you the amount of lift your looking for, and if you want more lift then spend the extra $150-200 for a bodylift. The whole setup shouldn't run ya more than $500+/-

 

IMO, this is the kit you need.
This suspension will last you a long time! And as you know, OME had good gear.

 

EmptyPockets - I was looking into that daystar lift that you have on your 4runner is it worth getting or is it a cheap lift... Thanks

 

Can I answer..