Suspension lift ideas for 3rd gen

I have a 97 2wd 3rd gen that I would like to put a 3 inch lift on

 

These are old photos, yes Riley has been cleaned

 

There's 2 threads just a few below this one where I laid out heavy information.

It's worth reading.

New suspension lift threads come up daily, literally.

 

Thanks Ile check it out, new member

 

I'll make it easy, I'm copy pasting a post but slightly modified for you -

Since you're 2WD, you can go ahead and aim for 3" but if you decide to convert to 4x4, stick with 2" of suspension lift otherwise you'll murder cv axle boots like a serial killer.

Even then, I'd recommend 2" of lift as a 2WD because in order to achieve that much lift, you'll be at the limit of your shocks. Too much preload will mean less dampening, stuffed coils, both resulting in shitty ride quality.

Gain the remainder of your lift with tires like 33's or so.

You can buy Bilstein 5100s, available pretty much anywhere; srqfabrication, 4wheelparts, offroadwarehouse, Bilstein, toytec, and many more.

OME Nitrochargers are another great option, also available anywhere.

If you're more of a, buy it once and buy the good stuff, then I'd skip the above 2 and go straight to ADS or similar for 2.5 shock options. You can get them valved in a way to fit your driving needs, which is the best way to get things done.

You'll need to figure out what weight you'll carry when deciding on rear coils. Front coils as well, but so far we're assuming you won't be putting a winch and bumper within the next 6 months or so.

You'll also want to figure out which way you'll go about on your rear panhard bar. Ideally, your panhard bar needs to be parallel to the ground. Any angle, and you'll get axle pull as your suspension articulates (even lightly, on road). Keeping your sway bar on will help to keep it controlled, but it'll never go away without something like a panhard correction kit.

I didn't even mention bump stops yet but I'd suggest replacing both front and rear, but you can get away with rears only. You'll want to prevent over-extending one side of your shocks which is helped with the longer (and softer) bump stop on the other. This only applies if you intend to flex your suspension which would happen in an off road situation.

If you're simply doing it for aesthetics, then you can skip the bump stop part.

Last but not least, you may find yourself needing aftermarket upper control arms. The stock arms do not have enough adjustment, or added caster, to achieve proper alignment. No better way to destroy a nice set of tires right away.

And since your suspension is probably shot, assuming you can't confirm the age of your current suspension, it's fair to say you'll need to replace other items too.

Your upper and lower ball joints, or at least your lowers. Go OEM for this please, don't try to pinch pennies on your lower ball joints.

Your control arm bushings, but possibly just the lowers if you do need to replace your upper arms.

Your sway bar end links.

Steering rack bushings as well.

Let's not forget your rear upper and lower link bushings as well.

 

@Kwikvette ,
Thanks for your post , it helps me get a glimpse of what I need to do for my 4runner I just purchased. I want to put a 2" lift on it.
This is my first real 4x4 SUV.

 

Yeah no worries!

Not only for these 4Runners, but any used vehicle should always have maintenance done first and foremost before doing any mods.

I wouldn't recommend the stuff without having done it myself and in fact, I'm due to replace some of these items again just because off-roading really does take a toll on your vehicle.

You can check out my short build thread listed in my signature.

I think I need to update it come to think of it...

 

Thanks, since I can’t afford to swap it currently I’m going for a prerunner build? Still haven’t made a decision cause it is my first car. Again thank you for responding to the 500th suspension lift question this month.

 

If it's your first car, then I'd recommend looking at the maintenance suggested above.

Take a look at what it'll take to perform said work, and then do it yourself.

It's only when you do it, that you'll gain the confidence to do even larger jobs. Plus you'll save a lot of money doing things yourself.

 

Welcome, you're in good hands here. Congrats on your first car! Also, you'll be surprised at how much of a difference tires can make.