Topic: 85 4 runner lift

[darnett76]

Any post on here with likes dislikes  on lift kits for the 85  4runner.. hearing a lot about the Chevy spring mod but is there any good kits out there or favorites with guys that have done several. This is also a DD and just a lite trail truck not going crazy with stuff just yet

[SlayTank]

I have a 85 truck and went with the Old Man Emu Lift. I really like it its only around a 2 inch lift. Mine is set up to be DD as well. Going faster on dirt roads/rough roads/washboard roads is where it shines and preforms great. It is a bit stiff on the slow rocky stuff through. Im not much of a rock crawler nor have interest in the "extreme rock crawling". I hunt and explore with it and moving at greater speeds is excellent.

Just beware of the other mods you'll have to make after any lift. I didn't think I was going to have to change anything as it was only a small lift. I had to lose the torque rod which then causes brake steer, I then fit marlin crawler hi-steer to stop the brake steer. brake lines were to short so had to get extended brake lines. it changed my pinion angle so I had to get shims to correct it. now that the pinion angle is correct one shock is extended all the way and the other is half compressed, so i need to relocate the shock mounts. also i need to fit limiting straps as the shocks limit the travel of the leafs now which will damage the shocks. my caster is off too so some shims are going to have to go on the front as well. real can of worms.

Im sure a lot of guys don't worry bout all that stuff and might not have any issues. thats just my 2cents for a daily driver.

[Snowtoy]

Before you lift, you need to determine what size tire you are going to run.  If just planning on 32's or 33's, you could add an additional 1-2 main leaves to each pack, and get the lift needed w/o stiffening the ride.  If you are going for 35's, your best bet would be to go with a custom built set tailored to your specific needs, this tends to run about $600/axle, but you will get exactly what you want/need.  Most of the off-the-shelf 3-5" lift springs are designed to only lift a rig and do not take into consideration ride quality.

[darnett76 [OP]]

I had read about the brake lines an steering but not all the shimming stuff..I read about some Ranchero 9012 or something g as shock replacements. .ty for your reply

[darnett76 [OP]]

..I want to keep it where I can drive it on the road an do decent in the trails..I was thinking 33s possible in the future ... realistic I want a trail truck an a occasion driver.. I'm looking to drive this thing to trails an hit the small stuff till I get a good feel for it all

[Snowtoy]

If it is still stock, I would start with 31's or 32's, the 31's will fit w/o a lift, 32's with some rubbing your local tire shop should be able/willing to try 32's on the front to see if they clear.

For 33's I would either try building my own set going with additional main leafs(lift without stiffening the ride), or look into the old man emu's mentioned above, most seem happy with them for mild lifts.

[darnett76 [OP]]

It's a stock sr5....I'd like 33s an have some 63" springs at the ready now..is there a good set of springs to put upfront as my front and rear sings are near flat.. I don't mind welding or whatever I just want to keep on driving the road as well.ty

[63W]

Just run a little longer shackle front and rear. Worked great for me. For 33" tires with a little rub on the trails.

[darnett76 [OP]]

I was told to look up pro comp for some good springs for the front..and I hear so much good about 63" Chevys in the rear I'm pretty set on that.. I for sure need some decent springs for front...any suggestions?

[63W]

After market stock length springs will be stiffer.

[toyodaaddict]

Pro comp springs are absolute garbage, mine went in the garbage! 63's ride good and work well with RUF. Old man emu and all pro are the kit springs to look at.  Good luck

[Snowtoy]

Procomp's are designed strictly for lifting a rig, not for ensuring an oem quality ride.

If you are after an off the shelf lift, I would go with the OME, most who run them seem happy with the ride.  If you have the space/tools/desire, you could try building your own set, using a couple sets of springs.  I would start with an additional main(will help with the stock sag), then cut one down to fit in between the mains and the next oem.  That should get you 2" of lift, help out the tired stock springs, and should run you less than $100.

[darnett76 [OP]]

I got her lifted 4" an the 30s look silly now..would 33s 35s on 15" rims be ok with minimal rubbing? And either 12.5 or 10.5s?

[OVRAROK]

Yes, the key is going to getting the correct backspacing on the rims, do you already have rims

[darnett76 [OP]]

I belive they are 8 "with 15 " round

[SqWADoosh]

I can also attest to how terrible Pro-Comp springs are. My truck had them on when I bought it from the PO. Worst ride quality ever and they don't flex for . Go All-Pro, Alcan, or RUF.

[zippo]

Go OME!!!! They are AWESOME!

[helipilot77]

Go OME!!!! They are AWESOME!

  what he said.