On a budget but need some advice.

Alright so I have a 2003 4Runner Limited with the V8. I have been wanting a lift for a while now and have done tons of research on it. I want to lift it about 3 inches, preferably with a suspension lift as I want to come back later and add a spacer lift. My question is does anyone have advice if what I should buy lift wise? My budget is around 500 but I want something that will last so I will wait if I must in order to spend more money later. I also plan to go ahead and purchase wheels and tires too. I would like them to stick out a little bit and wonder what offset u should go with to achieve this. Any help would be great. Thanks, Bennett.

 

First of all, don't stack lifts. Don't get a susp lift then later come in with spacers. That's bad, IMO.

Also, something I ask everyone before I hand out my opinions is why? Why do you want to lift it? Do you want the look, or are you planning to wheel with it? Because this changes things. If you just want the "look" you could do a body lift or spacers and never worry about it again, but if you want to wheel with it and actually improve performance, don't EVER (IMO) get spacers or a body lift. Don't go for a huge lift, either. For wheelin' you want the *minimum* lift that will accommodate your tires, which usually involves some trimming of the fenders. Most guys I see are fitting 33's with a 2.5"-3" lift with maybe a little trimming. As for which offsets to look at, I can't add much there...

I hope you don't intend to do wheels, tires AND suspension for $500... won't happen...

But I would say you could get something like a set of Bilstein 5100's (front and rear). the 5100's can use your stock front springs, and are adjustable to 2.5" of lift. For the rear, you can get a set of All-Pro lift coils (2" or 3.5" lift I think for like $90 a pair), and a set of bilstien 5100s (these will accommodate a 2" lift). This will set you back around $500 all said and done. If your stock coils are still in decent shape, keep them, but if not, I'd look at a set of OME coils on all 4 corners (another $300-$400, though).

To do any more than 2.5" or 3", you're going to need to raise your budget (at least to do it right), but most guys that wheel with them don't go more than 3" lift anyway. The focus for the more expensive off-road specific suspension setups (king, fox, icon, etc...) is more on performance, not height.

 

I am gonna be doing mainly road driving during the week but on the weekends I am doing some wheeling on trails but a lot of mudding. I am most likely going to go with 285/75/16 mud terrains for this reason. I found this kit that has bilstein 5100s all around plus springs and a diff drop.
http://toyteclifts.3dcartstores.com/3-Lift-W-Bilstein-5100-Height-Adj-Coilovers-FJ4Runner_p_365.html

I think this is what I want but is there anything else I should buy while I'm at it like extended brake lines or UCAs? Sorry for all the questions. I just want to make the best decision and get the most for my money! Thanks for your help.

 

In all honesty, I think you'd be over spending a bit with that Toytec lift kit (it's nearly twice your original stated budget). You're basically just paying for convenience of having the front coils already assembled. If you can turn a wrench, you can get the 5100's without springs and install them yourself pretty easily. You can rent a coil spring compressor tool from an Auto Zone type place (usually for free). There are a lot of videos/tutorials online to help you, too.

UCA's (uni balls) are only really necessary if you go more than 3" lift or get shocks like ICONs or something that have more travel than stock (or go full on long travel = $$$$$$$). The cheapest uniball UCA's I've seen are still $500+...(now triple your budget)

If it were me, I'd just get the 5100's (no springs) and the All-Pro rear coils ($90) and go from there. If you're not happy with the ride (worn out springs) then get a set of OME coils on the front. But even if you went with OME on all 4 corners and the 5100's, you're till at $700.

 

I am gonna get the springs too. I checked mine out yesterday and I need them. I hit my bump stops today going over a speed bump pulling my trailer. Thanks for all the help! Can't wait to get them on and go wheeling with my girl!

 

Yeah, that should make for a vast improvement in the ride and performance.

Enjoy!!

Maybe next time spring for the total chaos long travel and 4 link set up... ;-)