Topic: '99 4Runner lift

[snowbrdr47]

hey i am looking to lift my 99 runner and i was wondering what the best way to go about it is.  i have a friend who says i can either get blocks for the rear, or that springs from a mid-90s landcruiser will do the same, and then just twisting the torsion bars on the front... is that the best way?  if anyone has any suggestions or ideas, that would be great 'cause i don't know much.... thanks!

[crawlerdan]

in order to use "blocks" you would need leafsprings, and you dont have those

theer are no torsion bars either, just coilovers

landcruiser coils will lift the raer about 2 inches, and ride well.

i recomend revtech if you only want about 2 inches, they can do the front and rear

if you  want more lift, whip out the credit card and call fabtech, or total chaos

[snowbrdr47 [OP]]

i see...yeah as i said, i don't know much...  well i was looking at some stuff on www.toyteclifts.com, would that stuff work good?  there's some 3 inch lifts there that say they'll fit, thats about what i want to get out of it i think, 3 inches would be nice so i can get some bigger tires under there

[crawlerdan]

the toytech stuff looks ok, but ive never used them, i personaly have installed at least 100 revteck kits and like thier quality and detail, and they are perty cheap.

you can fit a 33 950 under a tacoma with a revtech lift, so with the removal of mudflaps and the right offset wheels, you may be able to do a 33 12.50


and dont worry about asking questions here man, we all will do our best to answer, better that then the alternative eh??

[snowbrdr47 [OP]]

sweet, i'll look more into the revteck stuff, thanks for your help.  any other ideas, let me know, i'm still just looking around at everything until i can actually get it done

[Toymin8r]

The toytec kit that used the ome springs front and rear is the one i'd use.   Revtek uses all spacers to lift the truck and they cost about the same as the Toytec with springs.  Old Man Emu has a good reputation for ride quality.

[DTB]

or that springs from a mid-90s landcruiser will do the same,

99 Runners actually had the tallest rear coils of ANY runner produced. In 2000 they went back to the lower stance due to poor rollover crash tests. So, you already have 1 ½" extra lift over any other year stock runner. The LC coils wont net you much more lift....just FYI

try checking here http://www.yotatech.com/f2/ hopefully you can weed thru all the BS on that site

OME is probably what I would do if I had the cash

[Huhwhye]

www.sonoransteel.com

I just bought System 1.2,  read through the site, lots of good info on 4runners and suspension.

Don't use spacers.  OME is not great on these vehicles.  OME parts were built for the foreign market Prada and not the 4runner.  And they are overlift springs and not made for lift, despite common opinion.  And OME shocks for our application have many issues.

I could go on.  But I did a lot of research before I settled on what I bought.  I believe I bought the best IFS lift available for these things.

[BruceTS]

I will have to disagree on respect to OME shocks and springs on the rear. I was running OME 891 springs and N86 shocks for years before redesigning the suspension last year. I still run the OME 891 springs but with Bilstein shocks. The springs have given me the best ride for what I do and they have held up better than any other spring set I've had. In other words they have not sagged a bit.......

I know many who are very happy with the OME lift.....


my rear suspension build-up
http://www.ultimateyota.com/index.php?option=com_smf&Itemid=26&topic=1829.0

[Huhwhye]

Well the rear shocks are not that long and you can fit something longer and take advantage of more travel.

The big issue is the front shocks which are too long.  And unless you run a limiting strap you risk damaging CV's.

I glad it works for you.  Your rig is extremely custom and well built.  Everyone uses their trucks differently and load them differently.  But as a general rule, OME springs are not properly used.  Heavy overload springs without carrying an additional load will probably not make for a nice ride.  And the fact remains ARB did not intend them to be lift springs.  The lift is a byproduct.

[snowbrdr47 [OP]]

sweet, thanks everyone!  there's a lot of options out there, i just gotta figure it all out i guess. i'll still probably end up having to do the toytech lift or something, just cause its cheaper...  was the 99 runner's coils seriously the tallest? this is my 3rd runner ( had a 90 and a 96 also) and it seems to me that this one is the lowest to the ground....

[DTB]

 was the 99 runner's coils seriously the tallest?

thats what I was told........I definitely notice that my 99 is taller than other runners on the road. Look at the gap on the rear well....looks lifted almost to me

[BruceTS]

The 99's with the factory option HD spring set had the greatest ground clearance

[Huhwhye]

Well that is your opinion and you are entitled to it.  Why do you assume that all I did was talk to them?

I have made my opinions from my own reasearch and knowlegde of how suspensions work.  I, as somebody who has the money to buy what I want and not the time to build my own, went with a prepackage setup that met my needs as I see them.  I don't have the time nor desire to put together something like your setup.

As far as Sonoran Steel making mistakes or changing their mind.  Suspension design is suspension design, its not rocket science and nobody has a monopoly on it.  There is definately some trial and error that everyone goes through with newer vehicles and "that guy" is not immune, nobody is.  Most of the aftermarket mass produced lifts are junk.  They use spacers and drop brackets.  One thing I do know, there is more to suspension design than just springs and shocks.   

But, you know that too, you are not exactly running the OME springs and shocks as delivered.  You have many more mods.

Makes no difference to me what somebody else runs.  But I tried help the original poster make a informed decision by pointing him in the direction of a popular and inexpensive prepackaged option using what I perceive to be as quality parts.  In my opinion "lifting" a 4runner 3" without addressing rear end alignment or the front CV angles is foolish.

There is no need to get testy.  You have posed some valid questions and criticisms.  I don't have the answer, but maybe your asking the wrong person.

[Toymin8r]

The two lift kits in question are $350.00 and $1200.00   I would fullly expect the $1200.00 kit to be better than the $350.00 kit.  I think it would depend greatly on the budget of the guy who originally posted this thread.

My opinion was that the Toytec/OME kit was the best of the low budget kits.   The Sonoran kit uses adjustable coilovers for the front which is a different type of lift.  Several companies offer these types of lifts, Sonoran, All Pro, and yes Toytec does too.   I did not research these types of lifts because they were not in my budget so I have no opinion as to which is the best one.

[94MtnYote]

  A buddy has a 96 runner and a an 02 runner, even the 96 is a little higher off the ground. Thats just something we both had noticed as well.
 he's looking for a quality lift for his 02 runner as well maybe this thread will help clear up the his choices.

[Darrin530]

http://www.rocky-road.com/4runner.html

great ride, great price, good flex (keep in mind that it is still IFS)

[Misfit4Runner]

hey if you decide to let them 99 coils loose ill be more than happy to take them off your hands

[jarboarder1]

I have a 99 4Runner and when I lift it this summer I will use 2.5" spacers in the front and then get some old man emu springs for the rear. Then in the future I plan to get some SAW's for the front.

[skid]

Helped a friend install a 3" Toytec lift in their 97 runner.  Looks great and affordable.  Had OME rear coils and spacers for the front.   Recommend the diff drop spacers to help with the front cv angle.   Neads longer rear shocks for trail use, but does fine on road.  Coils seem a little stiffer than the stock 170k miles originals.  Which was what the owner was after, but rides great.  Rubs a little with 285/75 r16's.

Note, when pulling the front struts apart, find a big spring compressor.    Springs are a very stout setup and bent the compressor we used.

[DTB]

Note, when pulling the front struts apart, find a big spring compressor.    Springs are a very stout setup and bent the compressor we used.

I have heard this same thing.....  for safety reasons (two) SETS of compressors should be used

[Huhwhye]

Helped a friend install a 3" Toytec lift in their 97 runner.  Looks great and affordable.  Had OME rear coils and spacers for the front.   Recommend the diff drop spacers to help with the front cv angle.   Neads longer rear shocks for trail use, but does fine on road.  Coils seem a little stiffer than the stock 170k miles originals.  Which was what the owner was after, but rides great.  Rubs a little with 285/75 r16's.

Note, when pulling the front struts apart, find a big spring compressor.    Springs are a very stout setup and bent the compressor we used.

What kind of wheels is he running with those 285's?

[skid]

What kind of wheels is he running with those 285's?

16 x8 eagle aluminums.  m/t knock offs/ baja style

[skid]

I have heard this same thing.....  for safety reasons (two) SETS of compressors should be used

  We were actually using a wall mounted strut compressor.  Never thought it would start to bend the arms.

[Huhwhye]

16 x8 eagle aluminums.  m/t knock offs/ baja style

Would you happen to know the backspacing.  I'm getting some 285's for mine as well.

[skid]

Would you happen to know the backspacing.  I'm getting some 285's for mine as well.

We're thinking 4" backspacing.  Looks like that's the most common in that style wheel.

[Misfit4Runner]

I just bought the SS 7.2 lift Ill post how the build up for you guys. I know it was alot of bills but you get what you pay for

[Huhwhye]

Cool!

I bought the 1.2.  Waiting to get all the parts for my elocker swap then it all goes together at the same time.

I agree, you get what you pay for.  Plus if you look at what people are paying for bracket lifts what we have looks reasonable.

[Misfit4Runner]

hate to hijak but how much did you find that elocker for?

[Huhwhye]

$450, then I had it regeared using a solid spacer.  It hurt the wallet a little bit but I think it was worth it.

Bought the diff from a guy on Pirate that was local to me.