francr

Hello All,

This is my first post on this board. I own a '97 4Runner SR5 V6, Auto Transmission, 4WD option. My question is what lift kit would I need to lift the truck at least 3". I am doing this because I carry a lot of gear (1100 lbs worth) of Dive Gear (Double Tanks, Stage Bottles, Scooters), equipment, and a kayak on it. I would like to improve the handling and the leveling and the sagety of the truck for a long distance drive (asphalt, concrete HWY, and on unimproved dirt/rock trail) to Baja California. I am planning on keeping the stock wheels and the stock size tires. I am new to all these lift kits and stuff and don't know a damn thing about them. Oh, one more thing, is having airbags, so the height would be adjustable, a good idea?

Any info anyone can give is appreciated.

Semper Fi,

Frank in San Diego.

Bigkahuna808

People are doing the tundra coils on OME or Bilstein shocks in the front. With either a downey 3.5 coil in the rear or a OME rear coil. As for the airbags they go in the rear only. They allow for ajustability, but nothing like a full airbag suspeinson allows.

Strap22

3rd Generation Kits

Front Springs (1.75"-2" lift)
OME 881

Front Shocks
OME N91S Firm
OME N91SC Med.(comfort)

Trim Packers (.25"lift)
OME95PF5

Rear Springs (2.5"lift)
OME892 Heavy
OME891 Firm
OME890 close to stock

Rear Shocks
OMEN86 Firm
OMEN86SC Med. (comfort)

Kit Total price: $556.36 plus shipping
(supply zip for Shipping Quote TO: www.trdparts4u.com)

francr

What is a "full airbag suspension"? Will I need a small compressor and will it get in the way of gear in the cargo compartment?

francr

Phil,

Will I need to take the truck to the shop, or can I do this myself? After installation, do I need to reroute the stock brakelines and stuff? Will the truck be leveled? I've seen trucks that have been lifted and the front is higher than the rear. I pretty much just want the whole thing the same, just higher to take more gear. My zip code is 91914.

Good Times

Frank, if you plan to go with a 3" lift, you'll definitely notice alot of empty space between the wheelwell and your tires. I would recommend you at least upgrade your tires one size (265/75/16). This will be a minimal upgrade but will greatly help your footprint when you're on dirt.

As for lifting... search away as it's been well covered. OME's will be a total solution if you have the funds. Other options are the Tundra combo (search), or even going with a simple spacer setup from Donahoe, Cornfed, Revtek or even Daystar. Everything comes down to cost and how much you can afford so a better idea of what kind of budget you have will greatly help us give you a better direction.

Sample: spacer lift = around 200-400
Coil/Shock: 400-800
Coilover/coil/shock: 800+

That'll give you some ideas. Search and you will find everything you need as your generation 4runner has been out for a long time with lots of aftermarket stuff that everyone has either tried or use currently.

Good luck

francr

Thanks Lance.

francr

Well, i just talked to my accountant (wife) and looks like my budget would be $500-$800 INSTALLED. Will it affect the ride if I raise the truck to 3" and not change the tires? meanwhile, I'll do some more searching through the threads to educate myself. Thanks for the replies.

Frank

data

check the classified sections on the board also. you can find some good deals sometimes.

francr

I saw this on one of the threads. Any comments? Kind of costly.

http://www.sdtruckshop.com/truck_sho...als/runner.htm

Thanks

FilthyRich

save yourself a lot of $$$ and go with the Tundra/TRD setup.
https://www.yotatech.com/forums/show...ghlight=tundra

The problem with coilovers is cost. If you are not say prerunnig or playing in the sand/ desert you just don't need them. The look great, but you can get a better ride and save a ton of $$$$.