I have been around here for a while and I love all the pictures of peoples lifted rides, but I am scared to lift mine because of modifications needed in order to make the lift work. What I am asking is, is there any lifts (susp or body) out there that will work with my car how it is with out many mods?

might be a big newbie question

 

What year is your 4runner and is it a 4x2 or 4x4? If it's a 96-98 you can go with a sonoran steel 3 which will bring it up to the height of a 99. That's the only help I can offer. Others will chime in.

 

Just saw your sig. you could go with a toytec or sonoran steel 7 which will bring it up about 2"

 

there's tons of different ways to lift it without "modifications"

but if lifting it isnt a modification, what is? lol.

 

Dude.. I guess it depends on what you're gonna use your rig for is your first question, IMHO it'll send you the right direction in what you're gonna buy and save you money from not buyin unnecessaries. By the way..when you lift you might get the bug, lol.

 

mine didn't change much and i would suggest it to anyone...

 

check out axleike's post on where to start if your actually gonna wheel your truck. the guy has the best info on the boards imo.

 

When you say, "modifications needed to make it work", what mods were you worried about? To me, a lift is a modification within itself.

Don't be worried though. I've got the SS lift 7.1 and I have not had to do any modifications to my 4Runner after it was lifted.

 

You also have to ask yourself why you want to lift it and are you willing to accept any negatives lifting may bring to your ride quality, fuel mileage & wear and tear on your 4 Runner.

 

Mods im typically worried about are re-gearing, changing differentials, brake lines, is a lift really going to affect the stability and ride quality of my 4Runner.

 

i'd def. go wtih the toytec OME 3" lift...thats what i did and i havn't had to do anything except drop the diff. and i don't know if that was justified really...no panhard drop bar...(i don't care wat anyone says you don't need one) and no other modifications...your ok to run ur stock shocks front or back but i just replaced mine with newer Tokico shocks.. (same spec as OEM...the 4runner shocks)...if u go into longer shocks in the rear thats where u will run into trouble....otherwise u are good to fit 33's with that lift but i run 32's for economy reasons... Good Luck (btw i did A LOT of research before ordering my lift and i absolutly love it)

 

Toytec OME 3" lift actually improbed my ride and I again, did not change ANYTHING including brake lines or anything else...all u need is that lift and maybe the diff. drop which is pretty easy to install. Just don't go into doing the diff. drop if u don't have something to cut or modify ur skid plate wtih...There is a little trimming required to get ur stock skid-plate back on with the diff drop... no big deal though....

 

What "troubles" are you talking about with the longer rear shocks?

 

Regearing is only required if you up your tire size by more than 1 size.

You shouldn't have to change diffs either. I've never heard of having diff problems based solely on a quality lift kit.

I upgraded my brake lines to ss braided lines for quality purposes.

You might have a minimal amt of stability issues, but that's expected with any lift kit...that's what a lift does, raises your center of gravity.

As far as quality of ride, mines a tad bit more stiff, but IMO it gives the vehicle a more tighter feel. I really like it this way. I don't expect it to ride like a Cadillac...it's a 4wd suv.

 

This is making me feel a lot better about this, so Ive kinda got the vibe the way to go is either the SS 7.1 Lift or the OME 3" Lift?

 

listen to these guys I have learned so much from them on this website. Had I learned about this web first, I would have saved about $800.00, because guys at the shop don't make money if you don't buy from them. As far as mods go stick with sonoran steel, this guy builds great quality parts and will not steer you wrong. As for as the lift, 2 inches and the only regret you will have is that you did not do it sooner.
I drive a 2002 4-runner 2wd with 2 inches of lift and it is the perfect height.

LUSYCO

 

Second (or 3rd/4th?) rec on the SS 7.1. It uses toyota parts and custom made parts to make everything work as it should. It seems a bit pricey but is well worth it IMO. I just installed mine this past weekend and all I needed was an alignment (probably didn't even need that, i just did it as a precaution)

 

Just be sure you install a diff drop w/ either lift (SS kit comes w/ one. Others may, but if they don't, pick one up.). While this part is relatively cheap, it can save you hundreds down the road. The diff drop corrects your CV angles...thus extending their usable life. If they were at severe angles, you'd be replacing a few boots, or worse entire CVs, more often than not.

One more note to point out in your case since you have a 4wd 4Runner. Keep your suspension lift under 3 inches. The more the lift, the more the angle on the CVs. Diff drops are great, but they can only help so much.

 

With the SS 7.1 what will be the biggest tires I could fit under there.

 

I did the Tundra/OME lift which is basicly the same as the # 7.1 SS lift and I'm running 285's with no issues. The only things I didn't do was the brake lines, the panhard, and the bumpstops. But everything else is the same. I was able to piece it together for around $500.