Best 5th Gen Lift Kit on a Budget

Hi,

I own a 2014 4Runner SR5, and I absolutely love it. I've been wanting a 4Runner for as long as I can remember, and I finally stumbled across an extremely low mileage, CPO rig for a good price so I bought it last Summer. Now I would like to lift it to fit a larger set of tires (most likely 285/70 R17 BFG AT KO2s). I don't know too much about suspension lifts, and I am on a budget ($1000 or under would be great), but I also recognize the importance of installing something reliable as I plan on keeping my truck for a few years at least. Upon initial research, the Rough Country 3in lift kit popped up and although the price was attractive, I've heard very mixed things about Rough Country lifts, and about spacer lifts in general. I'd feel slightly guilty installing such a cheap lift on a car I care so much about. Ideally, I'd like something more reliable, but I am hesitant to buy anything that isn't bolt-on (i.e. no cutting involved). I don't do much off-roading, and when I do it's very light (mostly driving out into the desert), so 95% of my driving will be on pavement. Anything you guys can recommend?

 

Well we need to know your budget first.

Second I don't care how small the budget is I wouldn't use Rough Country. Especially since you said you care and plan on keeping it. There is tons and tons of bolt on suspension options that can be done for cheap.

 

Updated my original post, my budget is $1000.

 

6112 and 5100’s in the rear with new springs. Done. 980.00 ish doll hairs

 

If you’re going to stay on pavement there’s nothing wrong with a spacer lift and I’d recommend cornfed I believe @2016 4Runner SR5 is the go to for those.

 

I'm going to disagree with the spacer lift even if not going off road. Feels like crap.

 

I'm currently looking at the Bilstein 5100's, which looks like a solid option. I can get them with the coils or without (significant price difference between both), but I imagine it's probably worth spending the extra money to upgrade the springs.

 

Long travel Triple bypass kings topped off with a supercharger.

 

Eibach Pro-Truck lift.

https://eibach.com/us/2000/E80-82-071-01-22-TOYOTA-4Runner-pro-truck-lift-system

 

How hard are these to install n do you have to do any other mods to install this?

 

Thanks for the tag. Yes, I am a dealer for Cornfed suspension. If anyone is interested please feel free to message me any time!

 

I just got the front struts and rear shocks, and installed them myself. Adding their front springs wouldn't have been any more work since I had to switch the oem springs to the Eibach struts anyway. If you opt for the full kit, you can save some work by having Eibach assemble the springs & struts.The only additional work for me would have been switching the rear springs if I had gone with the full lift kit.

My install was a tad more involved due to the KDSS, but I see you don't have that.

An alignment is needed afterward, that's it. Some do upper control arms, just for more caster adjustment, but those are not usually needed for this lift amount.

 

Thanks...

 

@natedogg just another vote for Eibach or Bilstein. The Eibach setup that that @glwood54 and others are running seems to be the most preferred option. I think either one will be a better purchase than Rough Country.

 

If I were to do the Bilstein 5100, do you think it's necessary to upgrade the UCA? Obviously I'll do it if it's critical for alignment, but I've heard very mixed things.

 

UCA's are generally not necessary until you get to about 2.5 - 3" lift in front. This seems to be a borderline area, where some have gotten the alignment in spec on stock UCA's and some needed aftermarket UCA's.

If you stick to 2.5" or below, you're generally fine with the stock UCA's.

5100's are adjustable, so it will come down to the height setting you choose.

 

Hey @natedogg. Welcome to the forum.

I'm going to also recommend Eibach shocks. Reason being is that you mentioned you'll be driving 95% on the road. I think Eibach has the advantage over Bilstein 5100's in this particular situation because Eibachs have really nice on-road manners. They are also just as capable offroad. If you want to go a step up from these than Bilstein 6112's are hard to beat. but it really doesn't sound like you need them based on your original post.

As others have mentioned UCA's will depend on your lift height.

Also, whether you need to go with upgraded springs depends on a few things like lift height and the weight you add with other things like bumpers, skids, winches, roof racks, ect.....

Tell us a little more on how high you want to go and if you plan on adding any weight.

 

Thanks for your reply! Based on my research and hearing from ya'll, Bilstein and Eibach sound like my best bet. I don't really need anything incredibly rugged or comprehensive because as I mentioned most of my driving is on pavement, my main concern is reliability and comfort on-road, but with the option to do some safe, light wheeling if I choose to occasionally. I have not added (and don't plan to add in the future) any additional weight to my rig. In terms of height, I'm thinking between 2.5-3 inches (I think either are enough to fit 285/70 R17 BFG AT KO2s).

 

Do you plan on running aftermarket wheels or stock wheels?

If aftermarket, do you happen to know what offset you're going with?

 

This is the last part I had some questions on. I'm completely fine running the stock wheels if they're able to support the larger BFG's. Is there any disadvantage to doing this? Besides the fact that aftermarket wheels would probably look cooler (although I might upgrade further down the line).

 

Best budget, build your own, but basically the Eibach kit. 2.5" lift, and slight rear rake. $700 +/-. I have it on both our 5th gens, 60k on the 2017 and it's still pretty fresh with no sag. I don't think you can do better for the money:

Wheeler T13 rear coils (Eibach mfg)
Wheeler T1 front coils (Eibach)
Bilstein 5100 rear shocks**
Bilstein 5100 front struts set to '0'
Small (1/4") spacers drivers side to offset lean



**If there are differences between the 5100s and Eibach shocks I can't personally feel them. My 17 has 5100s rear and my 19 has Eibach rear because 5100s were backordered. Cost was the same. They feel identical to my ass.

 

I think stock wheels look amazing with aggressive tires... something about bare bones baddassery (BBB)...

 

Couple of things to keep in mind:

You'll have the easiest time fitting 285's with the stock wheel specs. That being said, it isn't all that hard to trim the parts you need to if you go with aftermarket wheels with a lower offset........but keep it reasonable. I personally wouldn't go much lower than -12 offset.

Also, you don't really NEED a 2.5" lift to fit 285's. All you NEED to fit 285's is 0.5" of additional lift for clearance (the additional height of the tire). For example, you can fit 285's just fine with a 0.85-1.75" lift and the proper wheels specs/alignment. The added benefit is that with a lower lift height, you won't need UCA's. However, if you prefer to lift it 2.5", that's fine too. Just depends on your preference.

 

Your rig looks so sauce bro, thanks for all of that advice. I'm definitely going to play around with it a bit and build it myself.

 

I think I'm going to opt to keep the stock wheels. As MeefZah mentioned, they look pretty badass. I'd prefer to do the 2.5in lift for cosmetic reasons, I am just unsure when I'll need to make a decision about the UCA. Should I have them try to align it and then order aftermarket parts if they're unable to? Or should I just bite the bullet and upgrade them now?

 

Classy photo! If the OP copies your lift, will he be automatically transported to scenic locations like that?

 

Lowest price I paid for a lift is ReadyLift spacer on my SR5. $750 part + labor + alignment.

(The Toyota dealership offered me the same lift at the time of purchase for $1000 and they showed me they use Readylift on their Tacoma and Tundra as well.)

Atleast to me they did not screw my ride quality. In fact I like the ride quality better after lift, it improved from the squishy feeling before.

No I'm not trying to say its the best. All I say is this particular budget lift does not belong to crappy spacer lift people generalize. I guess Toyota dealership themself installing this on new vehicles could be an indication that its not bad.

 

Nobody likes comfortable twin tubers anymore? Everyone likes riding on a brick?

 

They charged you $750 for this?

I don't recommend space lifts but if you must I would of went here.
https://www.4runners.com/threads/10...suspension-lift-kits.12185/page-5#post-184525

Ride in a 4R where they changed the springs and shocks. There is a difference.

 

Ouch...