Living with a 3/2 lift

I'm having some problems finding a good answer on this. We went skiing in Colorado this past weekend and saw quite a few modified 4runners while we were up there. The wife decide she really liked the look of the 3 inch lift, 17x8.5 wheels with 285/70r17. Her main concern is potentially get small children in and out in the future. I know with the tires and lift, it will probably net around 3 inches of lift at the back doors. For those of you running this set up, did you have any problems getting small children in and out? Neither of us are tall by any means but it's not a concern for myself. She is around 5'5" or so.

 

Tell the lil fuggers to climb up there

 

Get the lift then you have an excuse for sliders. Win win

 

This...

Mrs. catus is kinda short and she told me it's easier to get in the lifted Runner than the non-lifted FJ I had. Sliders are key.

 

I have an early 5th gen with a bilstein lift and three little wild ones. I do however have sliders and that's more than enough for them to climb in and out of. I'm not the tallest myself but I can easily strap and un-buckle them in their car seats.

 

I have a wife and a small kid, we never use the lifted 4Runner as a family truckster.

I mostly just drive it by myself.

Everybody hates trying to climb into it, except me, it’s the perfect size for me because I’m tall.

 

We have some steps that are similar to the predator steps installed on it that I think are adequate for everything and I won't have any problems with getting kids in and out. She has a tendency to think stuff will be a bigger issue than it ends up being but it's her daily so I gotta keep her happy with it as well.

 

Yeah just pull 3” out of the tape measure and ask her if it’s big. If she says yes, then you’re a lucky man but also might not get the lift.

 

I don’t have little kids anymore but it’s a climb for the wife and occasionally my elderly mom.

I have N-fab steps that I don’t use but they do. My main concern is wearing out the front seat cushions by sliding in and out.

I like the look and clearance of the lift, but I’m still on the fence as to whether or not I will keep the lift once the 285’s need replacement.

 

I have a tear on my pickup seat from that but I also never use the steps getting in and out. I know she doesn't really use them much now but they should be easy for her to get in with.

 

That's about the best thing I can do to show her the difference and see where I stand with her haha

 

We have a 3/2 lift, our grand kids ride with us all the time. They range in age from 2-14. It's not a problem buckling the 2 youngest ones child seats in, and the other 4 they climb right in, my wife and I aren't that tall either, about 5-8 to 5-9, we have the Predator steps, they also allow you to knock any dirt or mud from your feet.

 

Wife is 4'10" and had 0 issues getting in and out. I only had the factory steps.

If you have no steps or sliders I can see it being an issue. But kids will grow faster than you think.

 

IMO, I wouldn't do it just for looks. If you don't actually need the extra clearance and capability, youre making the truck worse for no reason.

 

If you are going to do any offroading you will want sliders. The slider is mounted higher than factory running boards. Most sliders have a kick out at the rear that make getting into the rear doors and accessing the roof rack easier. If you have any one who is challenged with getting in and out be sure to replace the folding jump handles with FJ handles. My wife at 130 lbs snapped one of the jump handles right off.

 

I want do the modifications for the extra capability offroad and start getting into some mild offroading situations. It's just an easier sell if thr wife likes the look of things.

 

I do want to eventually get some sliders. We will probably get our feet wet in areas where the it shouldn't matter if we have sliders or running boards. As we progress we will probably change to sliders and get ourselves into some more aggressive situations

 

She should expect to adjust her ingress and egress technique. There are ways to do it gracefully while hopefully reducing wear and tear on the seat.

Im a big guy, late 40s, just under 6ft, with bones that are starting to creak. I’ve got about 2.5 of lift, and it took me a bit to nail down a graceful entry and exit, with the use of my angled slider (which are pretty high), but it’s muscle memory now.

If you got little kids that still need adults hoisting and buckling in, getting at the outboard seatbelts is probably ok. Buckling someone in the center might be harder.

If they can walk and are mobile though, they can practice their climbing skills. Just give them something to grab onto. It’s good for them, and they’ll make memories of climbing into mommas crazy tall-ass truck.

 

Mine is a daily with my 2 kiddos, the predator tubes help entirely

 

My lift is 2.5 and I am running 275/70/17, so a bit smaller but pretty close to what your wife wants. I have a three year old and a eight year old. I opted for automatic running boards as the kids kept getting hurt with the predator side steps. Anyways, with the auto running boards the three year old does great getting in and out himself!

 

Thanks for all the replies guys. I'm definitely going to try to get her fully on board with it. For the most part it sounds like she will be able to get used to it fairly easily. Plus I think I can get her excited about coming out of work and looking at it everyday haha

 

Also , remind her it’s pretty much universally hot to watch a lady climb into a big truck.

apologies if that was inappropriate lol

 

A better viewing angle for is definitely not gonna a be a complaint from me haha

 

This. FJ handles for front seats. Paracord grab handles (on front head rests) for the kiddos in the rear seats.