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2" space lift

Discussion in '5th Gen 4Runners (2010-2024)' started by CelticClamper, Aug 20, 2019.

  1. Aug 20, 2019 at 4:36 PM
    #1
    CelticClamper

    CelticClamper [OP] New Member

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    So my wife wants her mall cruiser/road trip machine raised 2 inches higher. I have searched through many pages of posts and discussions that discuss a 2 inch level. I have been unable to find something about a straight 2 inch lift. I need both front and rear to go 2 inches higher, maintaining the factory rake. Can someone help me out with this? I have contacted Daystar but have not recieved a response.
    Thank you.
     
  2. Aug 20, 2019 at 6:13 PM
    #2
    4Runner fun

    4Runner fun Just the beginning...

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    If done as cheap as possible. This would require longer shock bushings (or new shocks.)
    Also the rear would need a coil spacer. Along with the spacer in the front.
    I & most would advise against this!
    Nothing will drive or react right. Also, it may become unsafe.
    Sorry. Keep saving up!
     
  3. Aug 20, 2019 at 6:18 PM
    #3
    71GS3504sp

    71GS3504sp New Member

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    I would recommend getting Bilstein 5100 shocks front and rear. The front shocks can be set at the highest setting at 2.5" and then getting a 1" spring spacer for the rear. This will make your 4runner level front to back. I don't recommend getting front spacers for the front, just get the Bilsteins 5100 and do it right and inexpensive.
     
  4. Aug 20, 2019 at 6:20 PM
    #4
    CelticClamper

    CelticClamper [OP] New Member

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    Thanks 4Runner Fun. I have read multiple posts about the Revtek and Daystar leveling kits. It seemed like everyone who did not wheel hard, seemed to have great results. Is this not correct? I understand that a true suspension lift would be best but she really does not want to alter the stock components at this time.
     
  5. Aug 20, 2019 at 6:24 PM
    #5
    CelticClamper

    CelticClamper [OP] New Member

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    We do not want it leveled. I can find tons of ways to level it. I am looking to raise it without changing any of the stock components. If I get Bilstein's for the front, how to I bring the rear up the exact amount that I lift the front. I do not want leveled or almost leveled. I want both front and rear up 1.5"-2". Thank you.
     
  6. Aug 20, 2019 at 6:26 PM
    #6
    CelticClamper

    CelticClamper [OP] New Member

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    Will the Bilstein's lift both front and rear the same to match the factory rake + 2" front and back?
     
  7. Aug 20, 2019 at 6:31 PM
    #7
    CelticClamper

    CelticClamper [OP] New Member

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    The way that I understand it is that the 5100's only lift the front. This does not fix the rear.
     
  8. Aug 20, 2019 at 6:42 PM
    #8
    4Runner fun

    4Runner fun Just the beginning...

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    Your driveline & geometry may be off with just a "lift".
    I would make it safe. Not just tall.
    My $0.02 & no offense.
     
    4runningMan likes this.
  9. Aug 20, 2019 at 7:09 PM
    #9
    Dillusion

    Dillusion New Member

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    Anyone who says spacer lifts ride fine have never ridden in one with new shocks/springs.

    You can get something like icon, toytec, king, etc and adjust the fronts. I got 2" in rear and 3" in front with my Icon but I wanted it level.
     
  10. Aug 20, 2019 at 9:00 PM
    #10
    CelticClamper

    CelticClamper [OP] New Member

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    Thank you. I just don't understand how come everyone runs around leveled. My five has either 7 passengers, is loaded with ice chests and gear, or is packed including the roof rack and rear hitch carrier. Sometimes she even has a utility trailer on it. So what do all the leveled guys do when they use their 4Runners. Do they just run around all Carolina'd out? Or when I add rear shocks does that stiffen the rear and maintain the leveled stance? If leveling it doesn't effect the geometry, how would an equal rise effect it different?
     
  11. Aug 20, 2019 at 9:05 PM
    #11
    CelticClamper

    CelticClamper [OP] New Member

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    Thank you for the reply. I am not opposed to adding all new shocks if that will raise me and keep the rake. I have never raised a vehicle with spacers. I am trying to find out as much as I can. It seems as though whether I use spacers or shocks everyone wants to level them. I have ridden in many true suspension lift vehicles and thought "Wow, you paid all that to ride like this?" I have also ridden in both true suspension lifts and spacers and couldn't tell the difference one the highway. I am just trying to figure all this out.
     
    Buffalo likes this.
  12. Aug 20, 2019 at 9:05 PM
    #12
    ForRun

    ForRun 4Runner

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    Air bags for rear springs .can be had with or without onboard compressor
     
  13. Aug 20, 2019 at 9:19 PM
    #13
    CelticClamper

    CelticClamper [OP] New Member

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    To be fair, we just went from a Wrangler to the 4Runner. There us so many more options for the Wrangler. I know I will probably get slack over it by people who just love 4Runners, but anyone who has wheeled in a Wrangler cannot argue that they wheel very well, if you know how to drive. They are very different vehicles. The Toyota uses alot of technology to assist with the capability of the vehicle. This is all new to me. I drive an 02 Cummins 4x4. I do not like the technology in the 4Runner. But the vehicle is my wife's. I cannot argue that the 4Runner is smoother and quieter on road. We really miss our jeep. But she loves the 4Runner for different reasons (which is why she chose the Limited and not the TRD PRO). It almost always stays on the street. It is more civilized. Is it a better vehicle? Arguable to me. But she hates the stock tires and wants to keep the crap 20's. She also does not want me to add bumpers or rock rails to this. She wants to keep it stock as possible, but if I could get the entire vehicle just a hair taller it would open up many options in the tire area. So I am trying to do my best to lift it without her feeling any different behind the wheel, other than a hair taller. Thanks for all the help. The deck is really stacked against me.
     
  14. Aug 20, 2019 at 9:36 PM
    #14
    CelticClamper

    CelticClamper [OP] New Member

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    I also don't understand how I hear everyone say "go with adjustable Bilstein's because spacers are junk." The only difference between the 2 are the Bilstein spring rate and shock compression rates may be different than stock. The way that the adjustable Bilstein's create lift, is by raising the spring. This is virtually placing a coil spring spacer under the coil spring. So the concept of the lift is exactly the same. Am I completely missing something?
     
  15. Aug 21, 2019 at 4:22 AM
    #15
    DavidR

    DavidR New Member

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    Stick around for a bit and you will quickly realize there are a ton of options for your 4Runner!! I'm continually shocked by all the companies building parts for these vehicles.

    Having a Limited, this isn't going to work out. You could likely add a 1" lift without affecting much, but 2" and the Xreas system wouldn't be happy I imagine. Unsure if this could even be done with a Limited. Others have suggested 5100's, this would mean ripping out the entire Xreas system and replacing it. The 5100's are meant for off road, so they are going to ride rougher than the stock Xreas which is tuned for on road abilities.

    As for tires, people typically run 275/50-20 on the Limiteds without issue. As long as you don't plan to do major off roading or air down much, you will be fine with this combo. This should open up your tire options quite a bit.
     
  16. Aug 21, 2019 at 8:55 AM
    #16
    danssr5

    danssr5 New Member

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    bridgestone revo 3 5100's @2.5/1.5. Stock springs & rear daystar 1.5" spacers

    You mentioned your wife wants this lift..... You should ask her if she likes the way it feels when she drives it now because most women like the way the 4runner handles stock.

    Be aware that some are confused on spacer lifts because the have "read" but never "had" spacers on their 4runner. I had a 2016 tacoma that i had a 2/1 spacer lift that I installed myself and believe me when i tell you that the ride is unchanged. The only way the ride would change is if you put a spacer inside the front coil assembly which you do not want to do.

    So for a spacer lift you could go with rough country 2/1 spacer lift or a daystar 2.5/1/5 lift.

    If you rather have new shocks and the wife is not concerned about a change in handling then bilstien 5100's would be a good start.

    From here you can reuse the front springs with a rear spacer or you can purchase new springs.

    Bilsteins will firm up the ride a little......adding springs will completely change the way it handles and there are so many springs out there (if you are picky you could find yourself swapping springs more than once.

    OR you could also just get a 6112 up front with a 5100 in the rear and plan how you want to lift accordingly.

    realize the 4runner has a 2 inch stinkbug rake. I take lots of road trips and you do not want your 4runner perfectly level since adding weight to the rear will make it sag.

    you want at least 1" rake so that when it is weighed down it will at least look level.

    so leaving out parts here is what to look for to keep 1" of rake

    ~1" lift front stock rear
    ~2" lift front 1" rear
    2.5" lift front 1.5" rear
    3" front lift 2" rear

    may will suggest what you should do

    RESEARCH EVERYTHING first! pro's and cons.

    Hope this helps a little
     
  17. Aug 21, 2019 at 4:12 PM
    #17
    Backwoods

    Backwoods New Member

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    I have owned a couple different Jeeps, and 3 different Tacomas. But this is my first 4runner.

    I had a 3/2 spacer lift on my last tacoma and offroaded it A COUPLE TIMES EVERY WEEK FOR 2 YEARS. Sand pits, dunes, mud bogging and all just no rock climbing.

    I'm lucky to live within 5 miles of 3 different off-road pits, and 2 miles from an official race track with a mud bogging track on the side. So i play off-road more than most.


    I've also owned a complete suspension lift on a jeep.

    A spacer lift will not improve your ride quality, and can, and often times will, reduce the quality some while offroading compared to a full suspension lift... But for most people who stay on the pavement a spacer lift is not a big problem. A bit rougher, but not the end of the world. The real issue lies if you rock crawl hard... Overextending suspension can lead to failures...

    Lots of expensive suspension lifts also decrease ride quality on pavement... They stiffen up the suspension... Some people like this... Some people don't.


    I'm looking into lifts for my T4R now as well. I plan on going with a suspension lift but by no means plan on spending king/icon amounts of money... Don't get me wrong, if i could afford it I'd go kings, long travel, in a heart beat... But that's BIG MONEY.

    I'm looking at eibach and bilstein mostly... I'd be happy with 2.5/1.5 lift. But don't wanna spend over 1000 bucks.
     
    CelticClamper[OP] likes this.
  18. Aug 22, 2019 at 1:30 PM
    #18
    danssr5

    danssr5 New Member

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    bridgestone revo 3 5100's @2.5/1.5. Stock springs & rear daystar 1.5" spacers
    I have the 2.5 lift front but am waiting on rear spacers. I am using the stock coils with Bilstein 5100s all around. I wanted to do this first before I commit to springs and to make sure I don't have alignment issues (I don't want to pay for UCA's as they were a pain in the ass on my 350z. I like simplicity and not tons of adjust-ability (again with adjustable coilovers and adjustable valving on my 350Z i hated it).

    I probably will commit to replacing the springs sooner or later and they will be wheelers t1/t13 springs which give exactly 2.5/1.5 inches of lift.

    as far as money is concerned the wheelers springs are made by eibach and are 159.99 for each the front and rear sets. I was able to get the Bilstein 5100's on Amazon for about 350.00.

    If you want wheelers can install the springs on the struts for you and you will just need to buy two top hats and it will make installation WAY easier!

    Some may suggest going with EMU springs which give a 3/2 lift. nothing wrong with this except you will probably need UCA's and this will go over your 1000 budget plus alignment.

    I'm not getting another alignment until the rear spacers are on.
     
  19. Aug 22, 2019 at 5:36 PM
    #19
    CelticClamper

    CelticClamper [OP] New Member

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    Thanks for all the help. I need to think on it. I really appreciate all the input.
     
  20. Aug 22, 2019 at 8:15 PM
    #20
    chadabear

    chadabear New Member

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    For the love of God man...call this # tomorrow.
    1-717-319-2100 Jason Burtman w Cornfed Spacer
    They will custom build any thickness spacer you want. Don't let all of these "pro's" talk you into spending 1000's on a useless suspension lift and not do what you want.
    Spacing a strut from the top will not make it undriveable...it actually stiffens it up just a tad, but in a good way. All of the afore mentioned suspensions are valved for off-roading. They are designed that way for purpose. You are on the highway, so the spacer is PERFECT.
    I live in Louisiana, and have been building 4x4s for close to 30years. I have seen some of-if not the BADDEST 4wd vehicles on strut spacers and block's, and will flat out tear some mud and hills ASS up...but for you, call that # in the morning, and he will get you set up.
    https://www.burtmanindustries.com/z...kit&opt[8336]=3877985734&opt[7220]=1903481188
     
    Last edited: Aug 23, 2019
  21. Nov 22, 2019 at 4:14 PM
    #21
    Lonely lake guy

    Lonely lake guy New Member

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    Chadabear,
    So I also am pretty much looking at what CelticClamper is looking for, so when I read your response to him I immediately went to Jason Burtman w cornfed spacer's website.

    I have a 2012 Toyota 4Runner limited but with the X-REAS still up & running. According to the website his spacers can be installed on a 4Runner that has X-REAS so I thought this is perfect.

    Now with all this being said please understand I unlike you am not a mechanic, all my life I've had to pay for any kind of mechanical work I've had to have done, but here's what I don't understand, when I pulled up the directions to the install of these spacers, the struts have to be removed to enable the spacer's to be installed, then the strut is put back in place.

    My question is how do you do that with a strut that hooked up to a X-REAS system simply because all four shocks are tied together by hydraulic lines...???

    Today I first called Jason Burtman ( no answer) so I left a message, then immediately I received a text from him wanting to know what he could help me with so I sent a lengthy text explaining what I'm confused about reference the X-Reas, I have not heard back from him.

    Anyways when you get a chance can you answer my question?

    Thanks,
    Al
     

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