2 quotes for a noob's 2" lift kit

Hey everyone,

I want to lift my 2018 SR5, primarily just for looks (... a proud pavement princess). I want to occasionally do some light offroading, but nothing crazy enough that I couldn't do it even with my stock 4Runner.

That said, can you help me determine if I should do a 2" lift or just a level? I want to also eliminate the nose dive in my SR5 and have better handling and better looks. I've ridden in my buddy's TRD and I love how it handles and how it has no nose dive compared to my stock suspension.

I've shopped around and budgeted for $5k, and I want the job to be done with longevity in mind. I want to keep my 4Runner for 20 years! So far, I'm looking for this:

-No trimming to the body (maybe a few years down the road)
-Bilstein 5100s
-275/70/17 tires
-new TRD wheels

I was quoted 2 options from a shop:

Bisltein Leveling Kit
-Supsension coil spring R&R - Front (both sides)
-Suspension shock or strut R&R - rear (both)
-Wheel alignment adjust
-Bilstein B8 5100 (ride height adjustable) shock absorber
-KYB Top hat kit
-Bilstein 5100 series shock absorber

Total parts and install: $1,592

OR

Bisltein Lift Kit
-Bilstein B8 5100 (ride height adjustable) shock absorber
-Bilstein 5100 series shock absorber
-SPC upper control arms
-Toytec RCC2.0-P - Toytec Superflex Rear Coils
-Toytec 521600-KIT- Toytec 3" lift front coil spring kit pair

Total of parts and installation: $3,019

Tires quoted
-Falken Wildpeak 275/70/17 load range c $1,349
-OEM TRD PRo wheels matte black $1,604.92
-Mount tires $160
-Balance tires $160
-Transfer TPMS $160

Total for mounting and balancing tires: $3,679

TL;DR the 2" lift is a lot more than I thought it would be, and their quote for the tires are pretty high and they don't price match for cheaper tire or wheel options from other places.

Should I aim to do the 2" lift for longevity and better control, or the level kit for the same desire but a less expensive route?

Thanks!

 

Leveling kit still lifts the 4R.

I'd always recommend the ones with the UCA.

 

I don't do my own wrenching for much, but this seems like you're getting ripped off. You can get a set of 4 5100s for <$500 that can lift your front end 1.5" with the stock springs. I have my Tacoma raised .85" and it rides great. If its a pavement princess as you say, another $100 gets a spacer in the rear and you're lifted. You can also google "pro sema wheel" and find 4 oem wheels for a lot cheaper than $1600. If this shop is the only game in town, I'd at least see if they'd do the install only and save yourself $$$$ ordering what you need yourself.

 

Welcome. Agree with sounding a bit much.

 

You may be able to find a set of TRD OR wheels on Craig's List - good wheels that protect the valve stem better than most and can run up to 285 tires.

I'd take a lift over a leveling kit - the rake is there because the variable weight is in the rear, and you don't want a squat when loaded down.

The SPC UCA is a good addition, but the quote seems high for the 5100s.

 

@jrunner51 Where are you located?

 

Eibach Sport Truck shocks, similar to Bilstein, front and rear, with the front set at 1.6 (I believe) and a 1/2 - 1" rear spacer, with f&r stock springs will accomplish a mild lift, no need for UCAs, and well within your budget.

 

Let me share how I look at rough pricing here in CO. Let me take 2 of these items. Bilstien5100 kit + Falken Wildpeak AT3 275s.



Lift Parts - $1126 + tax
Lift install - ($120/hr x 5 hours) $600
Alignment - $120
Tire Parts (5 tires) - $1475 + tax
Tire install (including Roadforce balance) - $105

(If you add UCAs)
SPC UCA Parts - 695
UCA install - ($120/hr x 2) $240

Just for these items you are looking at over $4300. So when you add TRD Pro wheels $$$$$$...!!!



On a side note;
I think if you go 2.5in front lift you should be able to clear 285/70R17 tires with minor plastic trimming.
I looked at (and used) 275/70R17 options in the past. Most 275s are Load E options and my wife hated the on road firmness. I even ran at 32psi but did not help much. Load C option is very heavy even more than some of Load E options.
I'm a big fan of 285/70R17s because you get so many options from Load ratings to tire diameter even over 33" if you want.

I personally would never pay full price for TRD Pro wheels because I think its only for the looks not much functionality like with its narrow width 7in, tire manufacturers don't recommend mounting 285/70R17 tires on TRD Pro wheels. Why I picked TRD Offroad wheels for my Limited mounting 285/70R17s (I could even go bigger 285/75R17). When you are ready to spend good money I would suggest to look at wider aftermarket wheels with offset closer to factory (as much as possible).

 

I'm in Houston at the moment, and this quote is from Duggy's Garage which seems to have the best reputation in town for Toyota specific work

 

If it’s primarily on the pavement, consider dobinsons IMS paired with their coils. Crickeymike can help you out pairing the coils with your the weight you run. I’ve been super impressed with how these feel on the road (and off road). Not that I didnt like the soft stock cushy ride, but these really step the 4runner up to a premium feel on the road. It feels like a heavy sports sedan, and feels great on choppy back roads, and gravel roads.

I did 2.5 inch lift in front/1.5 rear and kept my stock ucas. I was quoted 1000 bucks for install from a shop, which I thought was very high, so I installed them myself.

Regarding tires, big tires in general are very expensive. Probably pays to shop around instead of rolling it into the same job with the same shop. I’d love to get some new wheels myself, but it’s another sizeable chunk of change. My stock OR wheels are doing the job even though they look meh.

 

There was just a set of Pro takeoffs in the classified for $400 from Houston. I cant remember if there's a minimum post count for WTB in the Classifieds but if you're willing to wait, I'd get my post count up and watch the Parts Marketplace here. You'll for sure find somebody selling their Pro wheels and maybe even OEM suspension relatively local

 

That's what I'm thinking too. If I can supply my own parts, at very least tires and wheels, I can save a lot more. I've heard this shop does great work though for Toyota specific work.

Any idea on how much a warranty "matters" for aftermarket work? I asked if they could price match some wheels I found for 50% less than their quote, but they said that it wouldn't be covered by their warranty if I brought it in.

 

@jrunner51 On principle I rarely purchase an extended warranty on anything. I bought my Pro wheels from Toyota, they arent knockoffs, so I wouldnt worry it. Same if I was buying new wheels from any well-known company and new shocks. A Bilstein/Eibach is going to hold up the same whether you buy it or they do. Saying a part isnt covered under warranty sounds like a scare tactic to get their 50% markup.

 

Price for the wheels seems high - ~$400 per wheel when they sell for about half that at most dealers. Also seems really high to pay $120/tire to mount, balance and transfer TPMS - that's often included as part of the tire purchase.

For comparison - I had a highly recommended Toyota focused mechanic in Austin install a Bilsten 6112/5120 lift (no UCAs - kept the lift under 2") and it was in the $300 range for labor, not including alignment. I supplied the parts. Only downside is the guy was booked out for months, so I had to wait.

 

FWIW, here's the final product. Very pleased with how it turned out! Thank you Duggy's Garage for an excellent lift kit and fantastic service.

 

agreed sounds expensive. Here my suspension list that I installed in about 3-4 hrs in my garage with hand tools for under $800 and i kept my stock UCA. Tires were $225 each on stock rims

2” lift Bilstein 6112 w/600 lb coils front, 1.5” lift Eibach T13 coils rear, Bilstein 5100 rear shocks, 285/70/17 Falken WP AT3, Energy Suspension front bumpstops.

 

What lift did yo go with?