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Lift vs leveling kit??

Discussion in 'General 4Runner Talk' started by wendyww, May 29, 2024.

  1. May 29, 2024 at 7:00 PM
    #1
    wendyww

    wendyww [OP] New Member

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    All I have a question. Should I lift it more than the leveling kit has done? Thoughts?
    We did our first off roading last weekend and it did well but….
     
  2. May 29, 2024 at 7:08 PM
    #2
    Dillusion

    Dillusion Resident A**h***

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    The words are so interchanged it probably confuses people.

    I would just avoid adding the hockey pucks (spacers) in the front to level it. After that its all how much you are willing to spend.
     
  3. May 29, 2024 at 7:18 PM
    #3
    wendyww

    wendyww [OP] New Member

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    Thanks - I was told lifting it would be more expensive but maybe not worth it?
     
  4. May 30, 2024 at 3:21 AM
    #4
    Toy4X4

    Toy4X4 New Member

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    RevTek 3" front- 2" rear leveling, JBA uca's, LED interior lights, Cooper 275-70-17 AT3 LT
    The ride difference with some lift kits is so much better than a leveling kit. We have a leveling kit that has worked well on off-raod situations, but after deciding to keep our 2020 for a long time, I pretty much looking at lift kits. Our friend has a 4Runner with Elka shocks on all 4 corners, and the ride is incredible!
     
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  5. May 31, 2024 at 5:08 PM
    #5
    TRDSD

    TRDSD Warrior of the Wasteland

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    How was your 4runner "leveled"? I'm assuming with spacers.
    "It did well, but..." A harsh ride?
     
  6. May 31, 2024 at 5:32 PM
    #6
    djwantke

    djwantke New Member

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    Bought brand new 2016 After May 2021: -Approx 3" lift/level: Bilstein 5100's, OME 2884 590lb 3" front lift springs, SPC UCA's, ICON 158506 2" lift rear coils, diff drop -Mickey Thompson Baja ATZ LT285/70R17 Load E -Mickey Thompson Sidebiter ll 17x9, 0 offset, 5 backspace -Pro Comp black spline lugs ^installed by 4WheelParts^ -New brakes and rotors by brake shop -4-piece ARB skid kit -Smittybilt 2" nerf steps -MBRP black exhaust tip, chopped OEM -Drivers side OEM FJ oh shit handle -All blacked out emblems -Blacked out roof rails -4x WeatherTech window rain guards -OEM custom rear mud flap deletes -KICK BACK MUD FLAPS 12" WIDE - BLACK TOP AND BLACK WEIGHT -FRAM EXTRA GUARD CA10835 engine air filter -1797 LED tricolor fog bulbs Yellow 3000K White 6000K Blue 15000K 28W 4000LM -Armour paint lower rear bumper -Front bumper high stage high clearance cut -Fenders cut straight across, pink reservoir sprayed black -4Runner Lifestyle sequential fog fangs -4Runner Lifestyle smoked taillight decals -Pedal Commander -Rear passenger cargo mounted 120v truck tire pump -4x Spidertrax 1.25" black aluminum wheel spacers -Yota Twins Paracord Hatch Strap sand camo -Teton Workshop hard anodized matte black aluminum shift knob -Ditch flood lights 4 LED 20w 1400lm w/ OEM hood mounts on OEM style dash switch -Backup flood lights under bumper 6 LED 18w 1500lm on OEM style dash switch -Body Mount Chop; cut, weld, paint -Fender mount chop, re-weld, paint -Fender Liner cut behind wheel (I cut liner in front of wheel clean off at top of viper cut) -Wheel well firewall hammering, painting ^done by Arc One Industries^ -valance cap trim -Agency6 Black Shackle Block 2" US Certified 6061 T6 CNC machined aluminum -DRT fab universal hitch skid -ACDelco inner tie rods, outer tie rods, bellows -Full Dr. KDSS switch kit -March 31 Behind grille 13-1/4" 32 LED light bar + wide-angle, eagle-eye lens 6000lm on OEM style dash switch -RAA Powder coated steel roof rack cargo basket, 1" side rails, 64" x 39" x 6", 250lb limit -roof gas can, water can, shovel -PEAKTOW PTT0063 Hitch Mount Cargo Carrier 51-1/2 x 17-1/2 x 4 inches 500 lbs. Capacity (trips only) -July/2023: purchased first needed SPC balljoint replacement kit - newly released, upgraded non-zerk sealed joints 25002 -July 15/2023: The Original Universal EZ Flares, 1". All four corners -Dec. 2023: removed bumper cover and crash bar, drilled frame, installed Apex Overland KDSS Recovery Points -Jan. 2024: SPC balljoint replacement kit - upgraded non-zerk sealed joint design 25002 -Feb. 3/ 2024: 4x KC Wire Hiders, for roof rack lighting Feb. 13/2024: New ditch lights, on new Rago Fabrication Extension brackets. 3inch Quad Row Amber Pods from LED-Club. 32W 3200Lm 16-LED Spot Beam. Replacing 3inch EVERGEAR clear lens ditch light pods w/ yellow lamix-x In progress: 4th, 5th, and 6th set of off road lights Electrical components and wiring purchased, not started -roof rack scene lighting - EVERGEAR ea. 1,350 lumens, 30w, 3-¾" round floods. Custom, side mounted w/ galvanized flat bar And -roof rack upper ditch lights - 3inch Quad Row Amber Pods from LED-Club. 32W 3200Lm 16-LED Spot Beam. Bar clamp mounted to front corners And -roof rack reverse amber pods / secondary hazard lights. 20W 2000Lm 2-LED Spot Beam. Bar clamp mounted to rear side And -roof rack F1 smoked chase light w/ lighting effects. Custom bolted to rear side -POR15 rust proofing line-up, 3-step process PAUSED until 70⁰ weather Bought, in the garage queue: -BlueFire 6-Circuit Fuse Block with LED Indicator & Protection Cover -Blue Sea Systems 100A Circuit Breaker w/ reset lever -Rust prevention •New can POR15, 2x Black Fluid Film, long spray nozzle attachments, 2x PB Surface Shield, 1x Chainwax •partially used POR15 Degreaser, Metal Prep Wanted - PerryParts or Wheelers bump stops, self fabricated limb risers (seasonal, removable), 1" body lift, powder coated center winch bumper w/ large bar (got no tss), rear steel bumper w/ tire carrier for an LT285 Kumho on steely, sliders, bolt on cat shields
    Hey OP, guys isn’t a levelling kit just spacers always?
    100% suspension lift is the way, long longer lift springs, and new struts. It’s more expensive for a reason, but I ain’t never heard nobody say it’s not worth it unless it’s a Rough Country lift.
    Alternatively, Cornfed are nice spacers.
    Goodluck
     
  7. May 31, 2024 at 7:59 PM
    #7
    wendyww

    wendyww [OP] New Member

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    Yes that is what I thought a true lift - just dont want it to be super high...like the leveling kit look - so maybe a bit higher wouldnt hurt!! It did great over pretty rough terrain!

    THANKS ALL for your recommendations
     
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  8. Jun 2, 2024 at 4:52 AM
    #8
    Guppy1301

    Guppy1301 New Member

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    Bilstein 6112/5100 TSO bumper Rokmen rear LCA Northstar x2 Voltage pro booster
    I'm running 2" Bilstein 6112's in the front and rear 5100s with a T13 spring at about 1 1/4". Ride is way better than stock on and off road. Good luck with your rig!
     
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  9. Jun 2, 2024 at 6:24 AM
    #9
    wendyww

    wendyww [OP] New Member

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    Thank you!!!
     
  10. Jun 2, 2024 at 6:26 AM
    #10
    java

    java fauxrunner

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    can i just di 0.85 5100s in the front and be level? Thanks.
     
  11. Jun 2, 2024 at 10:08 AM
    #11
    2Toys

    2Toys Imperial Star Cruiser

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    I leveled my truck with Bilstein 6112s and Toytec coil overs that are adjustable. I believe the front of mine is lifted 1.85 inches in front and that leveled it. It also tamed the tendency of the truck to nosedive during braking. I would personally never consider using spacers.
     
  12. Jun 2, 2024 at 6:07 PM
    #12
    nova

    nova New Member

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    Hi @wendyww the fact is that the front suspension is a complicated beast and so what happens is people want a lift to look cool but they actually decrease the performance in doing so.

    You can lift the truck and improve your performance but to do it right is expensive.

    So to make the best decision for what you want out of your truck, you need to spend time on learning about IFS.

    Budget performance gains are 32” AT, and rock sliders.

    Some of the best places to learn are found on YouTube, specifically Tinkerers Adventures and Filthy Motorsports

    Here are a couple to help get you started:
    https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=_68Hc8GtLko

    https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=l1tTelhdEiM

    Upgrades are fun, but the best ones are well thought out.

    Cheers
    Mike
     
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  13. Jun 14, 2024 at 4:16 PM
    #13
    wendyww

    wendyww [OP] New Member

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    Thank you!!
     
  14. Jun 25, 2024 at 8:26 AM
    #14
    Ironguy

    Ironguy New Member

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    Good advice!
     
  15. Jun 25, 2024 at 7:36 PM
    #15
    wendyww

    wendyww [OP] New Member

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    @nova hello thanks for the info! I started with a lift and went back in and did the lift 3” old man emu suspension package. We went off roading last weekend and it was perfect! I do like the look and the performance was good!!
     
    nova likes this.
  16. Jun 25, 2024 at 7:40 PM
    #16
    whippersnapper02

    whippersnapper02 New Member

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    It all depends on what you want to do.
     

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