No more will I have a stock height 4runner. I want at least a 3 inch lift. and 31's or 32s. Still deciding and money is an issue of course. What do I need to buy inorder to lift and how do I do it? I already have the bilsteins, which I love I might add, now I want to lift and put some bigger tires on. Oh yea, what are some good rims and possibly some good all black rims.


Oh yea just a heads up and an explanation. As you may have noticed in my signature, I have a 2WD. I plan on getting a lift and some bigger tires as well as the e-locker for the back. I do some off roading, but most of the time I am on road. I go off roading on probably what are considered mild or medium off road trails. I don't do anything that i see on the 4runner videos that are sometimes posted on here. I also try and use my best judgement and I try to avoid muddy areas best I can. Basicaly i'm improving my runner for camping and maybe some fire trails and bumps an hills and groves. So i'm asking you guys, in your opinion, is my 2wd w/ a lift and some good tires and an elocker good for just messing around a bit and going off road on maybe some medium off road trails? I don't ever plan on going mudding or any of that stuff, i just want to make that clear. What do you think?
I've read several posts about 2wd off roading. Most just say get a 4wd, but please understand that I am not doing any of the dramatic crazy off roading that you guys do (which I might add i'm very jealous of you luck 4wd ppl!) but should this stuff be adiquite?

 

also, I have bilsteins all round. I've noticed people recommend other shocks and stuff, but these bilsteins are still pretty new. So I have to work with what I have. So I guess one of the first steps to get a lift is to replace the springs? What springs go good with on road and off road driving? whats a good combo for the bilsteins?

Thanks!

 

2WD with a locker will be suitable for the light & medium trails you want to run. You might not be looking for mud, but sometimes it will find you.

It's not only the 4WD that comes in handy on a slippery slope but the low-gearing that usually comes with it. The low-geared 4WD gives you a little better climbing power on slopes/hills and the ability to climb/crawl over things in a slow & controlled manner.

Without 4WD (lift or not) you'll probably be able to tackle 1/3 of the trail ratings (1.0, 1.5 & 2.0 trails).

To be completely honest & straight-forward, I wouldn't recommend putting a lift on a 2WD vehicle. You'll have better approach/departure angles & more body clearance, but w/o the 4WD & low-gearing, a lot of the obstacles you would be able to tackle with the lift, wouldn't work w/2WD, or you wouldn't get over it in a nice, controlled manner. By the sounds of it for the trails you want to run, you don't need a lift to get through them anyway so I would spend my hard-earned money elsewhere if it were I.

I'm not trying to shoot down your idea, and this is just my simple opinion...but functionally-speaking, I'm thinking it will save you on spending money where it's not needed.

Al

 

SO what would you recommend getting if not a lift? New tires? I have Michelin MTX 30 inch tires right now and15 inch chrome roca wheels from ultra. I want to change the wheels and rims out for some better stuff. I like the look of the lifted runner but if its not going to help in anything i dunno then. So a 3 inch lift would be too nutz for a 2wd?

 

It would look bad-ass, but it wouldn't "walk the walk". If you want it just for the looks, then go for it! You'll be pleased.

 

There's no question it will look awesome and it's not "useless" to have on a 2WD. Plus, you could get larger tires which may require re-gearing. But overall, I just don't think it's functionally-effective for your money and don't think you'll get the full benefit of a 3" lift w/2WD.

Seeing as how you have a locker already, what about going for sliders or armor for your ride instead of the lift? Or a winch?

Do you have pics of your Runner btw?

 

Go for it. With some ground clearance, slightly agressive tires and the locker you will do well on light to medium wheeling. Remember that most desert runners are 2WD and pre-runners by definition are 2WD. I have seen locked pre-runners do amazing things and several times have stood with my mouth open, gaping like an idiot when they do an obstacle I would have never thought possible. It's all 80% driver and 20% machine in a lot of cases. (ah yes, the old 80/20 off roading rule! A HA!)

Also, remember that a 4x4 with open differentials is only driving one front and one rear wheel when it's in four wheel drive and those are the wheels with the LEAST traction of each pair. Coincidentally, that the same number of wheels YOU will be driving when the locker is on Ain't it cool how that works out?

 

Iv seen 2WD's do breath-taking things! I defanetly think that if you want to do it you should! There is a company in CA called Total Chaos that makes lifts for hardcore balls to the wall hair on fire off road racing! The owner of the company has an 80's model 2WD P/U that he uses to go anywhere! Anyway they make a kit that will lift the front end about 4" with 13" of travel and claims to better road handling abilitys at the same time! As with all things though you get what you pay for! lots O cash! Im planing to invest as soon as I get my truck! Check that link its pretty sweet stuff.

_travis