1. Welcome to 4Runners.com!

    You are currently viewing as a guest! To get full-access, you need to register for a FREE account.

    As a registered member, you’ll be able to:
    • Participate in all 4Runner discussion topics
    • Transfer over your build thread from a different forum to this one
    • Communicate privately with other 4Runner owners from around the world
    • Post your own photos in our Members Gallery
    • Access all special features of the site

Leveling a 2016

Discussion in '5th Gen 4Runners (2010-2024)' started by Jason73, Jun 9, 2016.

  1. Jun 9, 2016 at 6:06 AM
    #1
    Jason73

    Jason73 [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    May 8, 2016
    Member:
    #1988
    Messages:
    48
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Jason
    Vehicle:
    2021 4Runner TRD
    I have searched, so......Do not want to lift truck, keeping stock 265/70 17 tires. Do not want tires to look too small for the height of the truck. Will a 2" spacer lift on the front be too much. Do not want the front to sit higher than rear. Going with a spacer due to ease of installation and happy with stock shocks, for now.

    If a small lift is needed to keep it looking right, will a 1.5 spacer lift in the rear make the tires look too small??

    Thanks for any advice.
     
  2. Jun 9, 2016 at 8:17 AM
    #2
    siblue

    siblue Well-Known Honda Butt Pirate on GRC forum

    Joined:
    Apr 29, 2016
    Member:
    #1950
    Messages:
    480
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Ryan
    Socal
    Vehicle:
    22 GX460 Blackline
    Many 5th gen owners run Bilstein 5100 shocks and set at .85" and front will not sit higher than the rear.
    As far as the tires looking small, I run 5100 with front at zero with Toytec 112620 1.6" with rear spacer and stock tires look ok.
    Good luck.
     
  3. Jun 9, 2016 at 8:57 AM
    #3
    NYStateofMind85

    NYStateofMind85 New Member

    Joined:
    Jun 5, 2016
    Member:
    #2112
    Messages:
    26
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Paul
    Vehicle:
    2015 Nautical Blue 4Runner Trail
    Bilstein 5100 set .85" BFGoodrich KO2 275/70/17
    I run Bilstein 5100s set to .85" and it's just about as level as you're gonna get. I've never run spacers in the front because I've read it can make the ride a little rougher and the cost is similar. You can see how level my front is with the rear in the below picture

    SideProfile.jpg
     
    jr15642, lcb40, Yota209 and 3 others like this.
  4. Jun 9, 2016 at 9:04 AM
    #4
    Jason73

    Jason73 [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    May 8, 2016
    Member:
    #1988
    Messages:
    48
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Jason
    Vehicle:
    2021 4Runner TRD
    If cost was similar I would definetly do the Bilsteins. Spacers about $60, a set of Bilsteins about $200. Install on Bilsteins around here is about $100 more because they have to disassemble the coil. As far as ride goes, I have used spacers before and really never noticed a difference in ride quality. Used on my Silverado and 2 Grand Cherokees.

    Just measured center of hub to fender. Front is 19.25 inches, rear is 21.75 inches. So, a 2.5 inch difference. Seems a 2 inch spacer may be fine???
     
  5. Jun 9, 2016 at 9:29 AM
    #5
    NYStateofMind85

    NYStateofMind85 New Member

    Joined:
    Jun 5, 2016
    Member:
    #2112
    Messages:
    26
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Paul
    Vehicle:
    2015 Nautical Blue 4Runner Trail
    Bilstein 5100 set .85" BFGoodrich KO2 275/70/17
    I hear ya. I would keep searching the forums for advice on the front spacer, I'm sure there's plenty of info on here and the other 4Runner forums - I don't wanna say for sure the 2" would work just because I don't have any experience, it sounds like it would though. Good luck!
     
  6. Jun 9, 2016 at 11:24 AM
    #6
    titan34

    titan34 New Member

    Joined:
    Jun 1, 2016
    Member:
    #2096
    Messages:
    137
    Gender:
    Male
    Hawaii
    I'm thinking a 2wd with 5100 set at .85 will raise it just a tad more then on a 4wd due to weight from what I heard. Not sure if that is correct. If someone can chime in. I'm looking to go 5100 set at .85. There is also a 1/2inch top plate spacer that will lift the front 3/4.
     
  7. Jun 9, 2016 at 2:44 PM
    #7
    karmatp

    karmatp New Member

    Joined:
    Apr 12, 2016
    Member:
    #1856
    Messages:
    278
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Trevor
    Arizona
    Vehicle:
    2016 SR5 4x4
    TRD wheels, Firestone destination at 2’s, Bilstein 5100's .85
    You are driving a darn near $40,000 vehicle and you are worried about the difference of maybe $200 for a much better front end lift?

    Don't do a 2" spacer, you will have revers rake which looks STUPID. You only need Bilsteins set at .85 for a perfect level. If you go 1.75 your fenders may look level but you will have rear end rake if you go under the truck and measure. God forbid you put some groceries in the back or friends/kids, then your fenders will show reverse rake. You are measuring fenders, there is more to leveling your truck than fender height.

    Everyone who goes 1.75" level with their Bilsteins add a 1" rear spacer so they don't have reverse rake. You are considering a 2" spacer, stop considering it and save for Bilsteins.

    Just look at Paul's perfect stance, that is what you want.
     
    CollinJ, Kilos and NYStateofMind85 like this.
  8. Jun 9, 2016 at 2:47 PM
    #8
    Jason73

    Jason73 [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    May 8, 2016
    Member:
    #1988
    Messages:
    48
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Jason
    Vehicle:
    2021 4Runner TRD
    I have 700 miles on the truck. More of taking off a perfectly good part that works fine than the money. And alot easier switch per my original post.
    And i can achieve the same perfect rake with a cornfed 1" spacer for $50. And do it in my garage without a spring compressor.
    Paul's ride is the look i am looking for. Just dont want too much lift for stock tires.

    The point of my post was not to debate Bilsteins for leveling or spacers. It was to ask the advice of those who had leveled their truck if a 2" lift/level in the front and whatever is needed in the rear going to be too much of a lift with stock tires. Want to keep it looking "normal" with out huge gaps between the tires and fender wells.
     
    Last edited: Jun 9, 2016
  9. Jun 9, 2016 at 3:07 PM
    #9
    titan34

    titan34 New Member

    Joined:
    Jun 1, 2016
    Member:
    #2096
    Messages:
    137
    Gender:
    Male
    Hawaii
    I think 5100 set at .85 is the way to go.
     
  10. Jan 2, 2017 at 1:33 PM
    #10
    edgtr64

    edgtr64 New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 2, 2017
    Member:
    #3281
    Messages:
    6
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2016 4Runner
    I am brand new to this forum and am also thinking of installing the Bilstein 5100s on my new 2016 SR5 4x4. I really like the way NYStateofmind85's 4Runner looks. That is exactly the look that I would like to have on my 4Runner. I have a couple of questions. Is there any noticeable difference in ride quality when doing a mod with the 5100s? i.e. Bumpier ride or pulling? Also, is there a need or is it recommended to replace the upper control arms with new adjustable ones when doing this? Any input is greatly appreciated.
     
  11. Jan 2, 2017 at 4:27 PM
    #11
    NYStateofMind85

    NYStateofMind85 New Member

    Joined:
    Jun 5, 2016
    Member:
    #2112
    Messages:
    26
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Paul
    Vehicle:
    2015 Nautical Blue 4Runner Trail
    Bilstein 5100 set .85" BFGoodrich KO2 275/70/17
    I didn't notice any ride difference - 4Runner rode like a truck pre-Bilsteins and still rides like a truck with them. Swallows potholes pretty well. The biggest noticeable difference in ride quality was when I switched from the stock tires to the KO2s. I didn't need to replace my upper control arms and after doing my research, I never read otherwise so I don't think it's necessary. Good luck!
     
    Yota209 and Palerider like this.
  12. Jan 2, 2017 at 6:49 PM
    #12
    edgtr64

    edgtr64 New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 2, 2017
    Member:
    #3281
    Messages:
    6
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2016 4Runner
    Thanks for your input, NYStateofMind85. I appreciate it. One more quick question, if you don't mind. Do your tires rub at all?
     
  13. Jan 3, 2017 at 2:39 PM
    #13
    NYStateofMind85

    NYStateofMind85 New Member

    Joined:
    Jun 5, 2016
    Member:
    #2112
    Messages:
    26
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Paul
    Vehicle:
    2015 Nautical Blue 4Runner Trail
    Bilstein 5100 set .85" BFGoodrich KO2 275/70/17
    My KO2s do not rub at all. I have 275s/70/17s, perfect size in my opinion!
     
    Yota209 and Palerider like this.
  14. Jan 3, 2017 at 7:14 PM
    #14
    Palerider

    Palerider New Member

    Joined:
    Feb 24, 2016
    Member:
    #1615
    Messages:
    655
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Mark
    Vehicle:
    2016 TRD PRO quicksand
    Installed Rago brackets and 4" cube ditch lights. Weather tech mats. Cargo net. Cargo mat. Ordered Gobi rack with ladder.
    Installed K02's on the TRDP, 275/70/17 and they dont rub at all. Fantastic tires, just came back form Breck and they performed beautifully on the snow and ice. No road noise and handled potholes great.
     
  15. Jan 3, 2017 at 7:31 PM
    #15
    glandnut

    glandnut Reserve Collection Squirrel Hair

    Joined:
    Dec 30, 2016
    Member:
    #3256
    Messages:
    135
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Jeff
    NE Florida
    Vehicle:
    16' Trail Premium
    Someone will correct me if I'm wrong, but doesn't the Pro suspension come stock with a spacer in the front?? There is a new Sr5 Premium at a dealer near me that has a full factory installed Pro suspension on it, and it has an unmistakeable spacer under the front red coils...
     
  16. Jan 8, 2017 at 3:49 PM
    #16
    NYStateofMind85

    NYStateofMind85 New Member

    Joined:
    Jun 5, 2016
    Member:
    #2112
    Messages:
    26
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Paul
    Vehicle:
    2015 Nautical Blue 4Runner Trail
    Bilstein 5100 set .85" BFGoodrich KO2 275/70/17
    I'm fairly certain the TRDP suspension does not add any extra height over the other 4Runners models. Toyota website shows the ground clearance at 9.6 inches which is the same for the other models. It's possible the dealership added a front spacer to level out the front of the truck with the rear since there is a slight rake with stock suspension
     
  17. Feb 10, 2017 at 6:17 AM
    #17
    SwayzeExpress

    SwayzeExpress New Member

    Joined:
    Feb 9, 2017
    Member:
    #3513
    Messages:
    2
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2016 tep nautical blue
    I think the front sits an inch higher but lowest point under the ride is still 9.6" not positive though
     
  18. Feb 27, 2017 at 10:33 PM
    #18
    Jpro256

    Jpro256 New Member

    Joined:
    Jun 14, 2016
    Member:
    #2154
    Messages:
    32
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2016 4runner TRD pro
    TRD pro has entirely different suspension. No spacers from the factory. The ground clearance shouldn't be much different from most other models (depending on tires), but the body sits about 1" taller.
     
  19. Feb 28, 2017 at 3:54 AM
    #19
    glandnut

    glandnut Reserve Collection Squirrel Hair

    Joined:
    Dec 30, 2016
    Member:
    #3256
    Messages:
    135
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Jeff
    NE Florida
    Vehicle:
    16' Trail Premium
    Cool. So where's that inch coming from? Gotta be a spacer or a spring.
     
    NYStateofMind85 likes this.
  20. Feb 28, 2017 at 7:00 AM
    #20
    Jpro256

    Jpro256 New Member

    Joined:
    Jun 14, 2016
    Member:
    #2154
    Messages:
    32
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2016 4runner TRD pro
  21. Feb 28, 2017 at 7:27 AM
    #21
    Stuck CAPS

    Stuck CAPS Truck killer

    Joined:
    Apr 19, 2014
    Member:
    #78
    Messages:
    496
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Alex
    Vehicle:
    2007 Nautical Blue Metallic Limited V6 4x4
    ARB Bumper, Some Stuff, Some Other Stuff, and some Stuff.
    Top mount spacers typically "double" their lift. i.e. 1" spacer = 2" raise.
    edit: if you run a spacer, run a 1"
     
  22. Feb 28, 2017 at 8:09 AM
    #22
    glandnut

    glandnut Reserve Collection Squirrel Hair

    Joined:
    Dec 30, 2016
    Member:
    #3256
    Messages:
    135
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Jeff
    NE Florida
    Vehicle:
    16' Trail Premium
  23. Feb 28, 2017 at 12:44 PM
    #23
    ckenyon

    ckenyon New Member

    Joined:
    Feb 23, 2017
    Member:
    #3590
    Messages:
    25
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Carter
    Vehicle:
    2017 TRD Trail Premium
    407
    I'm new to the forum and 4Runner ownership. Do any of these mods affect the warranty?
     
  24. Feb 28, 2017 at 2:41 PM
    #24
    Stuck CAPS

    Stuck CAPS Truck killer

    Joined:
    Apr 19, 2014
    Member:
    #78
    Messages:
    496
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Alex
    Vehicle:
    2007 Nautical Blue Metallic Limited V6 4x4
    ARB Bumper, Some Stuff, Some Other Stuff, and some Stuff.
    Generally, as long as it's not a "permanent" modification, and you keep everything well documented, I'm pretty sure you're fine. I'd look specifically into your warranty though.
     
  25. Feb 28, 2017 at 2:44 PM
    #25
    glandnut

    glandnut Reserve Collection Squirrel Hair

    Joined:
    Dec 30, 2016
    Member:
    #3256
    Messages:
    135
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Jeff
    NE Florida
    Vehicle:
    16' Trail Premium
    If you eat the cost of the dealer installing it, they will honor the warranty.
     
  26. Mar 27, 2017 at 10:31 AM
    #26
    Yota209

    Yota209 New Member

    Joined:
    Mar 27, 2017
    Member:
    #3775
    Messages:
    28
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Jeremy
    Vehicle:
    2017 White SR5 Pemium W/3rd row
    TRD Pro Grill- 275/70/17 BFG KO2 - leveled front end w Bilstien 5100 front end coilovers - TRD off road wheels
    I just bought a 2017 4Runner yesterday and will be leveling mine as well. Your rig looks perfect. I'll be getting the same tires and struts set at .85. One question, did you use the factory springs with your bilstiens? If so is the ride stiffer? If not what coils did you go with and how do they ride?
     
  27. Mar 27, 2017 at 12:01 PM
    #27
    NYStateofMind85

    NYStateofMind85 New Member

    Joined:
    Jun 5, 2016
    Member:
    #2112
    Messages:
    26
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Paul
    Vehicle:
    2015 Nautical Blue 4Runner Trail
    Bilstein 5100 set .85" BFGoodrich KO2 275/70/17
    I am running the stock springs up front with the Bilsteins. I didn't notice much of a difference in ride quality at all. I guess my expectation was ride quality of a "truck" and there is nothing to complain about in ride quality that I can discern. I love it!
     
    Yota209[QUOTED] likes this.
  28. Mar 27, 2017 at 12:09 PM
    #28
    glandnut

    glandnut Reserve Collection Squirrel Hair

    Joined:
    Dec 30, 2016
    Member:
    #3256
    Messages:
    135
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Jeff
    NE Florida
    Vehicle:
    16' Trail Premium
    I'm trying to find greater weight bearing springs for the rear but in stock height. Seems I am being forced to lift in order to gain greater load capacity...
     
  29. Mar 28, 2017 at 3:03 PM
    #29
    17TRDPRO

    17TRDPRO New Member

    Joined:
    Feb 26, 2017
    Member:
    #3607
    Messages:
    25
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2017 4Runner TRD PRO
    I just purchased a 17 TRDP and was shocked at how bad the rear end squatted when I put my trailer on it...looks like a elephant sat on the rear end and the tongue weight is bit heavy but would have thought it handled the weight better than it did. Now researching for some kind of airbag assist to level it out.
     
  30. Apr 1, 2017 at 6:22 PM
    #30
    offrd63fj40

    offrd63fj40 New Member

    Joined:
    Feb 2, 2017
    Member:
    #3480
    Messages:
    6
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2016 TEP-KDSS
    I think that air bags are the perfect fix. I am using them on my Tundra. You get to keep your soft suspension for off road, and fix your ride height for the 5% of the time you tow. You can adjust your ride height with a wireless remote.
     
    jgcaps likes this.

Products Discussed in

To Top