New 4runner owner\ Looking for lift on a KDSS equipped ORP

Hey everyone! Just traded in my 2008 FJ cruiser Trails Team for a 2020 TRD off-road premium. I’m slightly concerned with the ground clearance. I’m looking to get a lift done but have never had one done before. I have a buddy that has done lifts but not a 4runner let alone one with KDSS. Might have a shop do it. Any recommendations? One of my father-in-law’s buddies recommended the eibach lift.

 

Lot's of good choices out there at a lot of different price points. I just purchased a Dobinsons kit out of Australia to be installed this weekend.

https://exitoffroad.com/product/dobinsons-1-to-3-lift-kit-toyota-4runner-2010-20-with-kdss/

 

A suspension lift isn't going to help with ground clearance in all areas. The lowest hanging parts of your front and rear suspension (lower control arms and rear differential) will still be the same height with a suspension lift. Larger tires will improve ground clearance if those are the parts you're worried about. Suspension lift will help raise the frame rails though.

New suspension components are still a great choice in improving the handling of your truck and giving the tires some more clearance to move through their travel. Eibach makes a fantastic kit and is highly recommended around here. I have the Eibach front adjustable shocks on my truck and love them.

This thread details glwood putting on some Eibach shocks with a KDSS truck. It's well worth a read.

https://www.4runners.com/threads/glwood54-vs-stock-4r.12659/page-2

 

That’s not bad! How high are you going in the front and rear? I’ve heard you’re limited on how high you can go with KDSS but not sure if there is truth to that and what that’s based on.

 

If you're referring to the Dobinsons lift, I just went 2.5/1.5. It's their most popular combo and shouldn't be a problem with KDSS at all. I paid the extra to have the struts assembled and also bought new UCAs. So it was about $1700 all said.

 

ELKA is a good choice too, if you want, and can afford the best.

 

Here's 2 resources to help you, in case you choose to do the lift yourself.

KDSS info: https://exitoffroad.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/KDSS-Instructions-4Runner-Exit-Offroad.pdf

Suspension installation: https://youtu.be/CmjVHhuT1vU

Let me know if you have any other questions about how it all works. I have a 2014 4Runner with KDSS and I've done the work on it myself.

 

I cheaped out and went with a spacer lift (3" front and 1.5" rear similar to this one - ). I paid to have the lift installed. I also added 1.25" spacers (bought used) to my wheels and installed 285s. I did NOT change or upgrade the UCAs. I had the whole thing aligned at Big O using their computer alignment tools. My caster is maxed out but about .5 degrees less than factory recommended.

Not sorry at all.

Runner drives great, looks great and works great off-road (for what I do). When I back out of my driveway and turn hard left or right (I forget which) I sometimes hear the tiniest 1/2 second buzz as one tire touches the body mount. Doesn't happen when backing on flat ground, only when I hit the transition from my driveway to the gutter. I keep hoping it will happen enough to make a mark on the body mount so I can clearance it with my angle grinder and repaint but so far I can not see where it is touching.

I think I am sitting at about $2500 total for lift, tires, install, wheel spacers and alignment.

YMMV because not all 4Runners are created equally. I clearly have one of the best ones ever made. You may need to add UCAs and BM chop.

Good luck.

 

@Crikeymike - Followed this technique today, and the whole process was like butter. UCAs afterward. Piece of cake! Appreciate the video. Otherwise i would have gone down the hard road.

 

Thats great to hear!! Glad to hear too that the video was helpful

 

Yes there is some truth to that.
There are always going to be cheap options to lift 4runners, and then not so cheap options. Really depends on what you plan on doing with the 4runner mostly and how much you want to invest in that lift/suspension upgrade. Some of the suggestions above may be a good fit for an entry level lift.

https://youtu.be/ROJ3V1yfqLQ