Bottom line on lifts...

[Flashgordon]

OK folks, I've read all your posts and the thread on "lifts" and bottom line, if you would do it all over again or are a first timer, what would you do if anything, different on lifting your Toyota?

I have an '06 4Runner Sport and want to lift it but all the info provided is rather overwhelming!

Please give your insight....thanks!

[editmars]

I'd say don't bother trying to get an easy lift. Spend the money to do it right the first time and you will be happier down the line.

[DevinSixtySeven]

set your final goals (actual ground clearance, breakover angle), and put the first dollar in to adapting the cab, body panels and bumpers to safely run a tire as large as you want. you'll find out in the process what your honest largest tire size can be without lifting--useful offroad since you need to stuff and turn that tire. youll also know at that point if you want to actually lift the truck, increase the suspension travel, or just stick with the larger tire you can now fit, and regear.

i would have done it like this--
figure tire size
trim fenders, cab, bumper etc
upgrade brakes
install new tires+rims and regear soon

and THEN i would have considered the suspension options, once the truck was properly adapted to a larger tire. a 33 is actually very easy to adapt for, a 35 not so much.

also...i wish i had known better than to think of the front suspension as a black box that a kit is installed to or removed from. it's much better to think of it as a system of parts that can be swapped or adapted as you need them...a coil, a damper in the coil, a max and min damper extension based on the bump stop and the limits of your suspension & steering ball joints, something holding it all together, and then i'd go asking around about kits and parts...youll have a better feel as to whether or not the parts/kit are worth the price. i got lucky, buying something that is worth a lot more than i paid for it, without really knowing anything about it, and the coilovers have lasted four years, a complete rebuild, countless trips offroad, and i'll keep using them until i SAS.

-sean

[Imdone]

I can honestly recommend what Sean posted. I wish I knew then what I know now.

Knowing what I know today I would have have just put in a solid front axle versus lifting the IFS.

This of course is my opinion and what I want but as you can see I have a couple bucks in my truck and I am now at the point of no return/change. If I do SAS I would have so much into the truck that I wouldn't get out of it.

I personally have been through 4 different tire sizes and two different lift types. From this I can say that I had a lot of frustration and fun getting the truck to where it is today and was an immense learning experience. I had very little knowledge of suspension systems and what it takes to get them where you want. Now I know better and will be ready for the next challenge.

Really think about what you want to accomplish and what your needs are before you start spending time and money. My problem was I only wanted 3" of lift to fit 33" tires at first then as all things normal, I changed my mind.

[IStan]

Originally Posted by Imdone

I can honestly recommend what Sean posted. I wish I knew then what I know now.

I definately agree. I just kept doing what I could, when I could. I should have waited and done exactly what I wanted. Just don't settle with what works. Shoot for exactly what you WANT.

Otherwise, you'll be stuck like me with $700 in parts you are thinking about replacing after 4 months. So, ultimately, it's become, what can I do to make it work, rather than what I want, because I made the mistake of taking the 'wrong' route in the first place.

Currently WANT a RCD 6", but can't because it replaces everything I've already done and just can't justify it anymore. So, to utilize what I've done, 3" body lift is next.

[Flashgordon]

Thanks guys!
You gave me some great insight on what I should do but also probably saved me a lot of money!
Thanks again.

[ferretboy]

After waiting 3 years, I'm finally doing the RCD 6-inch to my 2003 SR5 Access Cab. Can't wait!