Lift Options:
With the variety of lift applications available for the 4th generation 4runner how do you decide? The decision comes from within. What do you
want to do with your 4runner? Are you simply looking for a means to look cool or give it a more aggressive look / leveled look? Do you want
to take your 4runner places where you need that additional lift? How much do you want to lift? How big a tire do you want to stuff?
Do you plan to add additional weight? What is your budget? Depending on many of these questions, your application can vary.
Keeping all this in perspective, here's a good point of reference. There are 3 different lift technologies available; Spacer, Coil and Shock, Coilover.
They all perform the same function ::LIFT::. The biggest difference is how each technologies are applied to the existing stock system and the
final cost.
Spacers:
This technology retains the stock suspension. Adding the spacer to the stock suspension will give you lift (height determined by size of spacer installed).
Depending on which manufacturer you decide to use, some will utilize a combination of spacers that sit on top of the stock suspension called top out
spacers and/or inside the stock suspension called preload spacers. The spacers looks like a hockey puck built out of polyurethane, steel or alumnimum.
Depending on which manufacturer you go with, the material used will vary. They all perform the same function regardless of the material used.
If you are considering adding additional weight up front (bumper/winch/lights etc) I would stay away from this technology as you will experience a harsher
ride due to the added weight. An average aftermarket bumper and winch combo will weight approximately 150-200# so bear this in mind.
Costs on this technology is very cheap (under $500). It is the cheapest solution available. This setup is ideal for those that want the quick lift fix to
add larger tires. Since you are essentially adding either a combination of preload spacer/top out spacer the overall ride feel will firm up. This is
expected by the design of the technology applied.
Note: XREAS owners that want to maintain their XREAS system will be limited to the spacer technology. Unfortunately no other solution is
available.
Coil and Shock:
This technology replaces the stock suspension. The look and feel is identical to the stock suspension as it replaces the coil and shock. Depending on
which configuration you decide on, the ride feel will be near identical to stock.
If you are considering adding additional weight up front (bumper/winch/lights etc) I recommend you look into stiffer coils to accomodate for the addition of
the weight. The ride should stay within the stock feel with the adjustments made to the coils. If you considering building an expedition vehicle I highly
recommend the coil and shock as you need not worry about the complexity of the system.
Costs for this technology is average (approx. $750)
Coilover:
This technology replaces only the front stock suspension. The look and feel is similar to the stock suspension except you will have the ability to
adjust the coil height to tune the height. This technology is ideal of high speed application but a growing number of low speed users are utilizing
this technology. The ride feel will vary according to how you tune your coilovers. Many of the manufacturers pretune the coilovers to be very plush
and feel exactly like a stock vehicle but better over the harsh terrain.
If you are considering adding additional weight up front (bumper/winch/lights etc), please make sure to adjust your coils for the added weight.
This configuration is the ultimate setup for those that want to utilize every modern technology available. Highly recommended for high speed
applications and even for slow speed application.
Costs for this technology is expensive (approx $750-1000 depending on size)
Of the 3 technologies available, spacers are the most popular due to their price points. Keep in mind that lifting your 4runner and changing tires can be
a costly investment so do a lot of research prior to making your final decision. Once you get your lift, give it a few weeks for the components to settle in
and retighten the bolts to ensure the suspension is intact and not going to fall off while you're on the road/trail. Also take the time to get an tire
alignment for the front wheels only (no need to spend $ on the rears as no changes will occur from the lift). The look of all the various lifts
available will be similar. Depending on the size of the lift, the look may change somewhat but for the most part they are similar. Be aware that
adding larger tires will also increase your height so make sure to be selective in your tire decisions as well.
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Spacer Technology
Cornfed Suspension: 3" spacer lift front / 2" spacer lift rear
Revtek Suspension: 3" spacer lift front / 2" spacer lift rear
Daystar Suspension: 2.5" spacer lift front / 2.5" spacer lift rear
Tuff Country: 3" lift front spacer only
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Daystar Installation Document
OME Installation Document (Non-XREAS)
4th generation 4runner (XREAS) - Daystar Spacers
4th gen 4runner (XREAS)Daystar Spacer with XREAS thread
4th gen 4runner (XREAS)Daystar Spacer with XREAS thread
2003 4runner (XREAS) - Revtek Spacers
2006 4runner (XREAS) - Cornfed Spacers
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V8 SE 4WD Daystar
V8 SR5 4WD Daystar
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SR5 Revtek
V6 SR5 Cornfed
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Coil Technology
OME Suspension:
Medium Duty Coils (front/rear) 884/895
Heavy Duty Coils (front/rear) 885/896
Extra Heavy Duty Coils (front/rear) 886/897
Shocks:
Front - N140S
Rear - N141(Soft), N142(Firm)
Example lift measurement:
OME Mediums 884 front / 895 rear / N140S frontshock / N142 rr shock = 3" lift front / 2.75" rear
Downey Offroad: 2.5" lift rear shock and coil
Deaver Springs: 2" lift rear coil only
Donahoe Racing Rear Coil: Part Number 5-2700
Donahoe Racing Rear Monotube Shock: Part Number 5-7510
Bilstein 7100 series Rear Shocks: Rear shocks in conjunction with OME or Deaver rear springs. 10" Short Body (Soft:255/70, Medium:275/78, Hard: 360/80 valving) with
eye - stem adapter available at Total Chaos Fabrications.
All Pro Offroad rear coils + Walker Evans rear shocks
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4th generation 4runner - Old Man Enu Suspension
2003 4runner (XREAS removed) - Deaver Rear Coil
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ARB 4runner with OME
V6 SR5 4WD with OME
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V6 SR5 4WD with OME
V6 SE 4WD with Donahoe Racing and Deaver coils
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Coilover Technology
All Pro Offroad: 3" lift front coilover featuring Walker-Evans shocks and 650-lb All-Pro coils
Donahoe Racing: 3.5" lift front coilover
Sway A Way: 3" lift front coilover
Downey Offroad: 3" lift front coilover
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2004 4runner - Donahoe Racing Coilover and Total Chaos Upper Control Arms
2003 4runner - Downey Offroad Coilover
4th gen 4runner (XREAS removed) - Downey Offroad Coilover
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V6 SE 4WD with Downey Coilover
SE 4WD with Donahoe Racing Coilover and Total Chaos Upper Control Arms
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LTD 4WD with Donahoe Racing Coilover, Deaver Coils and Bilstein 7100 Shocks
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Long Travel Technology
Utilizes conventional coilover technology to another level. The vehicle is widened approximately 3-5" depending on the manufacturer application. This requires heavy modification which
includes replacement of the Upper Control Arms, Lower Control Arms and custom front fenders. 4WD vehicles require replacement front axles to reflect the widened specification.
Wheel travel is greatly increased with the widened stance giving greater vehicle stability with better suspension control for your high speed pleasures.
Costs ranges anywhere from $2500~$5000 depending on manufacturer application.
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Total Chaos Fabrications: Long Travel Suspension
Camburg: Long Travel Suspension
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2003 4runner SR5 4x4 - Total Chaos Long Travel
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SR5 V8 4WD Total Chaos Long Travel and custom rear suspension
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Jounce / Bump Shocks:
Just when you thought 4 standard shocks aren't enough, here's an additional 4 more to compliment what you already have. These shocks
will give you the ability to take your vehicle to the next level outside of getting a long travel kit. The key to utilizing the jounce shocks are
using them at the last 2-3 inches of suspension travel. These shocks help to control the initial shock load much better compared to stock.
It will not bounce back like rubber and keeps the spring from compressing as much thus making it possible for the bounce to return in a
controlled fashion.
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Lightracing JounceShock System Part #25780 (complete), #25762 (front) and #25784 (rear)
Donahoe Racing CHUBBY Front Adjustable Bump Shock Part #5-8810 (utilizes the Lightracing Jounceshock System but revalved to Donahoe's specification)
Donahoe Racing CHUBBY Rear Adjustable Bump Shock Part #5-8816 (utilizes the Lightracing Jounceshock System but revalved to Donahoe's specification)
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Misc Lift Upgrades:
Once you lift your vehicle, it is highly recommended that you upgrade your brake lines as the stock length can get stretched out when you are
flexing on the trails.
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All Pro Offroad Stainless Steel Rear Brake Line (24" Long) Part # 550R-AP-T05
Slee Offroad Stainless Steel Brake Lines Kit (replaces front and rear) Part # STF1017
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Upper Control Arm:
When aftermarket lifts are installed the OEM suspension design looses caster. By altering the factory caster, the vehicle
lose onroad handling and performance and can have a tendency to wander when driving down the road. The aftermarket
upper control arms add caster to the suspension when aftermarket lifts are installed. This increases overall handling and
aids in the alignment of the vehicle.
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Total Chaos Fabrications Part Number 3500T-AP-A-ARM-05
All Pro Offroad
Camburg
Donahoe Racing Part Number 5-8550
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Total Chaos Upper Control Arm Review
Donahoe Racing Upper Control Arm Installation
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Roger Brown Body Lift - Available in 1 ~ 1.5" of lift. Highly recommend the heavy duty hardware kit (option add on kit)
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2003 4runner SR5 4x4 - 1.5" Body Lift
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Upper Control Arm:
When aftermarket lifts are installed the OEM suspension design looses caster. By altering the factory caster, the vehicle
lose onroad handling and performance and can have a tendency to wander when driving down the road. The aftermarket
upper control arms add caster to the suspension when aftermarket lifts are installed. This increases overall handling and
aids in the alignment of the vehicle.
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Total Chaos Fabrications Part Number 3500T-AP-A-ARM-05
All Pro Offroad
Camburg
Donahoe Racing Part Number 5-8550
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Total Chaos Upper Control Arm Review
Donahoe Racing Upper Control Arm Installation
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