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Desperate for an answer on leveling for 2018 TRD OFFROAD

Discussion in 'Suspension' started by Tatertot616, Apr 7, 2020.

  1. Apr 7, 2020 at 6:47 PM
    #1
    Tatertot616

    Tatertot616 [OP] New Member

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    I'm new to this forum and am desperately trying to find help. I'm a woman so I dont have a lot of knowledge about vehicles but I wanted to level my 4runner so I paid $400 and a local business installed a 2inch leveling kit on it. The problem now is the front end is sitting an inch higher than the back. It's very noticeable. It's an everyday use truck so I'm not looking to jack it up but the business said they dont have anything less than a 2inch kit. How do I make it level?! Raise up the back to match the front? I am so lost. Someone please help!
     
  2. Apr 7, 2020 at 7:20 PM
    #2
    SlvrSlug

    SlvrSlug Slightly bent.

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    I went ahead and put the 2” springs in mine, they will settle a little after awhile.

    56EF2530-3A93-444D-8ACC-72114E79EFDD.jpg
     
    Commited likes this.
  3. Apr 7, 2020 at 7:23 PM
    #3
    Commited

    Commited New Member

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    Nice truck.
     
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  4. Apr 7, 2020 at 7:39 PM
    #4
    nimby

    nimby in the drink

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    You could either get taller rear coils or you could add spacers to the rear coils currently on your truck.

    Taller coils is the better choice for optimal performance. They are the more expensive option, but they really aren't that expensive. Eibach sells a 1" rear lift coil for $150 or so.

    Spacers won't offer a performance benefit, other than giving you some more tire clearance, but are cheaper.

    If you got a coil that's taller by 1" or a 1" spacer lift for the rear, you'll probably be where you want to be stance wise.
     
    Georgia Native and Thatbassguy like this.
  5. Apr 7, 2020 at 7:46 PM
    #5
    Thatbassguy

    Thatbassguy New member? Really??

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    As mentioned, you can get a spacer kit or lift coils for the rear. There are smaller lift options for the front, but you'd be wasting whatever you did in the front already.

    What did you get installed up front?
     
  6. Apr 7, 2020 at 8:26 PM
    #6
    Tatertot616

    Tatertot616 [OP] New Member

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    Thanks yall. All I know is they installed 2 inch disks, not springs, in the front. And what's odd is its level at the windows but the frame is an inch higher in front. They cant see it but everybody else can. I dont get it.
     
  7. Apr 7, 2020 at 8:32 PM
    #7
    Mtbpsych

    Mtbpsych New Member

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    The rear is only about an inch higher so that’s why you sit higher.
     
  8. Apr 7, 2020 at 9:36 PM
    #8
    glwood54

    glwood54 Stop making me buy stuff!

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    Any photos of said truck, from the side, and maybe a photo of the front spacers?
     
  9. Apr 8, 2020 at 7:40 AM
    #9
    Agent_Outside

    Agent_Outside A Guy A Girl and A Trail

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    The problem is “level” is totally subjective. And the best use for spacers is in the garbage. At the very least I’d do Bilstein 5100 shocks with the adjustable setting for the front spring perch. They are cheap and actually give you a bit a performance gain while giving you the look you want.
     
    brownersd, 7385, glwood54 and 2 others like this.
  10. Apr 8, 2020 at 7:48 AM
    #10
    Toffees

    Toffees Stuff and things

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    Like Agent said, leveling using spacers is highly subjective, as are people's views on the default rake of the 4R. You might be able to find another set of spacers that works better, but probably what you have is what you're going to get from the current set.
     
    Thatbassguy likes this.
  11. Apr 8, 2020 at 8:02 AM
    #11
    4x Old Guy

    4x Old Guy New Member

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    It’s really interesting that the first thing new Runner owners do is try and level the truck. The higher rear end is not an engineering oversight. It’s a truck! A truck with compliant suspension to float over rugged terrain, not the stiff leaf springs of your daddy’s pick-up. Trucks are supposed to carry stuff. Load it up with a cooler, recovery gear, groceries, a couple of friends, etc. and it will sit perfectly level. IMHO, an empty, level Runner sitting in the driveway is only $$$$ of yard art.
     
  12. Apr 8, 2020 at 10:05 AM
    #12
    Oldtoyotaguy

    Oldtoyotaguy Paid cash for it

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    To some extent, true, 4x Old Guy, but even Toyota made a Pro that lifted the front end a little and levelled the truck. For most of us, our trucks carry more groceries than cooler, recovery gear, etc 90% of the time. What Tatertot616 is asking for is achievable. It is possible to set up a 4 Runner that retains its load carrying capacity, sits level, and has excellent driveability.
     
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  13. Apr 8, 2020 at 10:15 AM
    #13
    Oldtoyotaguy

    Oldtoyotaguy Paid cash for it

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    Hey, Tatertot616, your only mistake was trying to do it too cheaply and making a mistake with the spacer. The guy who installed it was a disreputable operator who took advantage of you. Find a good 4x4 shop where they work on Toyota’s, and get them to show you what they’ve done. You own an expensive vehicle, so be prepared to spend some real money on it. I’m thinking of doing exactly what you want to do, and I’m going to use an ELKA 2.5 IFP system specifically designed for a KDSS vehicle. I know the result will be a big improvement over stock, and I’ll probably get my Toyota dealer to install it. I’m not looking at cost.
     
    Last edited: Apr 8, 2020
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  14. Apr 8, 2020 at 10:58 AM
    #14
    4x Old Guy

    4x Old Guy New Member

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    I just think it’s funny that there is so much concern on how the truck sits when it’s empty. I’d much rather have it a little high in the back when it’s empty and running level when it’s got stuff in it instead of level when it’s empty and sagging in the back with stuff in it. To each his own.
     
  15. Apr 8, 2020 at 11:00 AM
    #15
    nimby

    nimby in the drink

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    Another problem is that people often base "level" on pictures that they see. It's extremely rare for someone to be parked on level ground and get a picture with the horizon straight. Even then there are angles you can take pictures that will play tricks on your eyes. I've seen pictures where a 0.8" front lift looks nose high, but it's not.
     
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  16. Apr 8, 2020 at 11:05 AM
    #16
    nimby

    nimby in the drink

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    I'll be the counterpoint to this.

    I carry bulky items (surfboards) in the back of my 4Runner. They weigh 5lbs each but take up the a big chunk of the cargo area. So I'm running light (weight wise) most of the time.

    I'd much rather sit level on a day to day basis. If I carry something heavy that causes rear end sag, it's rare. And if it does sag, I give zero fucks about how it looks during 1 trip.
     
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  17. Apr 8, 2020 at 11:08 AM
    #17
    4x Old Guy

    4x Old Guy New Member

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    1A687184-2D82-4A1D-9968-79738E8658F4.jpg
    You’re right. This 4R looks a little low in the front but it probably isn’t.
     
    Crikeymike likes this.
  18. Apr 8, 2020 at 11:12 AM
    #18
    nimby

    nimby in the drink

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    I think your horizons crooked ;)
     
  19. Apr 8, 2020 at 11:22 AM
    #19
    4x Old Guy

    4x Old Guy New Member

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    Actually, in real life, I will most likely be having suspension questions when we try and get our travel trailer and equalizing hitch dialed in (trailer loaded weight, tongue weight, towing capacity, tow vehicle weight, hitch adjustment, etc, etc). Guaranteed the front will probably be too high and the tail too low.
     
  20. Apr 8, 2020 at 11:25 AM
    #20
    Oldtoyotaguy

    Oldtoyotaguy Paid cash for it

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    Haha, how about level all the time?
     
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  21. Apr 8, 2020 at 11:26 AM
    #21
    Oldtoyotaguy

    Oldtoyotaguy Paid cash for it

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    Exactly
     
    nimby[QUOTED] likes this.
  22. Apr 8, 2020 at 11:28 AM
    #22
    Ass-Highbinder

    Ass-Highbinder New Member

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    Ass-high like an alley cat in heat.
    17" rear lift. 0" front lift.
    All y'alls runnin nose high and dont even know it.

    What y'all need is a 17" lift in the back and nothin else.

    That way you'll never be nose high. That shits embarrassin.
     
  23. Apr 8, 2020 at 11:39 AM
    #23
    Silverspool

    Silverspool New Member

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    this guy nose
     
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  24. Apr 8, 2020 at 4:17 PM
    #24
    Bro-Leanin' Liberal

    Bro-Leanin' Liberal New Member

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    As much bro-lean as possible
    You bros should try a little bro lean. You don't even know what you're missing.
     
  25. Apr 8, 2020 at 5:20 PM
    #25
    Ass-Highbinder

    Ass-Highbinder New Member

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    Ass-high like an alley cat in heat.
    17" rear lift. 0" front lift.
    What!?!?!?!?!?!?!

    You high son?

    You been smokin that whacky tabaccy?

    You need to be ass high with that rig, as the sweet lord intended.

    Otherwise yer just squattin like a dog takin a shit.
     
  26. Apr 8, 2020 at 8:33 PM
    #26
    glwood54

    glwood54 Stop making me buy stuff!

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    Funny you mention that, as today I noticed how much the Eibach front struts just installed make my truck sit just about the same as the Pro setup...just enough up in the front, with an inch+ of rake still.
     
  27. Apr 8, 2020 at 8:35 PM
    #27
    glwood54

    glwood54 Stop making me buy stuff!

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    Yes. Up front.
     
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  28. Apr 8, 2020 at 8:50 PM
    #28
    Agent_Outside

    Agent_Outside A Guy A Girl and A Trail

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    Not that this is in any way relevant or beneficial but.... that’s not how a guarantee works.
     
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  29. Apr 8, 2020 at 9:06 PM
    #29
    ForRun

    ForRun 4Runner

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    Funny how these 2 guys signed up the very same day

    Screenshot_20200408-230422_Samsung Internet.jpg
     
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  30. Apr 8, 2020 at 9:11 PM
    #30
    glwood54

    glwood54 Stop making me buy stuff!

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    Same guy, two accounts maybe? Both on opposite whacky ends of the spectrum...
     
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