Self Install Lift Kit Recommendations

Good afternoon 4Runners!

so I want to lift my 2021 ORP, but I wanted to see if anyone here has done a lift on their own or would recommend a brand that is “easy” to install. Or should I stop being cheap and pay someone to do it. I wanted to keep the current stance so it would be a 2 inch lift all around

 

Good afternoon 4Runner!

By easy to install are you asking if maybe some just have less bolts or maybe even just install themselves?

The easiest thing would probably be to take a picture of your car, upload that to AI and ask it to generate an image of your car lifted.

I dont think you should pay someone to do it. You seem like you've realy done your homework and you've got a lot of drive. You should be able to handle this no problem.

 

Really depends on the tools you have on hand and your mechanical ability.

The front coilovers can be ordered pre assembled. Which makes installation pretty easy.
The rears can be tricky. Good spring compressors are needed for the coils. The rear shocks are easy though.

@Bruhhh703 How much lift are you looking to gain?
Also side note a lot of budget suspension options ride like garbage so buy once cry once here.

 

Why don't you give us an idea of what you're looking at and we can give recommendations. Front can be tricky with either pre-assembled or more tricky if you assemble them. Rear is easy, but there are some things you need to pay attention to. Show us what you're considering.

 

I purchased the Bilstein 6112/5160 combo. Rear springs in the package were the B12 "Special" springs.

I installed it myself with very little issue. I used these two videos to learn about the install:

https://youtu.be/w2ZjivorC-I?si=kEmzuGW-tzPRKhXf

https://youtu.be/EUJpika3DtY?si=fZi-KHhCCOKJeNr5

Also used a video by Exit Offroad but can't seem to find it on youtube.

 

Eibach comes ready to bolt on. Don’t forget an alignment. At least get it checked.

 

YouTube is a lifesaver. I appreciate the info, I’ll look into that kit.

 

I have two questions for your:

1) What are you looking at doing with your rig? Overlanding? Better on road handling? Rock crawling? Looks?

2) What is your budget?

In my opinion, from my research, prior to my purchase, all lifts are going to be pretty similar in difficulty. That is all remote mount shocks will be similar, all non remote shocks will be similar, etc..

For reference I am running OME BP-51s that I installed myself. While it took myself and a friend maybe 6 hours to do and we took our time and lots of breaks.

 

I am planning on ShockSurplus pre assembled shocks for the front and keep the rear stock. Should be an easy install.

https://www.shocksurplus.com/produc...ir-for-2010-2023-toyota-4runner-with-kdss-4wd

 

I installed the Eibach stage 2 myself and it's pretty straight forward. If you have never wrenched before or jacked a vehicle up. I suggest you research that before trying to tackle this on your own. If you don''t have the required tools or not mechanically inclined. It's probably best to just pay someone and not deal with mistakes or potential damage.

 

Id ask,.. do you actually need it? or just want it? Do you wheel and use the rig off road weekly? All im saying, is, why not keep it as it, and beat on it. Lifts for these things dont net much. Actual net gain for anything.

 

did min in my garage, no spring compressior in about 1.5 hrs per side. Bilstein 6112s with 600 lb coils.

 

You can absolutely do it yourself. You will learn a lot about your truck. You will learn a lot about your body and how much it hurts afterwords, your neighbours will ask you wtf you are doing, having just done it, I say yes. It can be done. Spring compressor, must have.

 

All suspension lifts are going to the same in terms of difficulty. Listen to folks suggesting you buy the fronts preassembled.

Also, there are easier and more complicated ways to go about a lift. Under 2.5 in of lift, no need to get different UCAs. Not only is it not necessary (if you can live with the caster numbers), but it simplifies the install because you only need to unbolt the LCA from the spindle, loosen the LCA bolts, and swing it out of the way to remove and replace the front coilover assembly.

Mark the alignment bolts so you can return them to the same spot until able to get it realigned. Make sure to tighten LCA bolts to torque specs with the vehicle on the ground (full weight on wheels). There are big bolts with big torque numbers, but don’t use an impact gun just because you have one, only use it carefully when needed. Buy the tools needed, go slow, and enjoy the work.