ABS not working after 2" lift/new tires

It's been a while since I had the work done, I had it done in 2018 in fact and I don't even live in the same state as the shop that did the work anymore.

I finally got to the point after taking a long drive the other day and having to slam my brakes on a couple times that it's to the point that I want to figure out what is going on.

2017 4Runner, installed 265/70R17 Falken Wildpeak AT3Ws and Bilstein 5100 + OME 1.75" front spacers to level.

Since the install, when at speeds and I have to nail the brakes, the 4R stands on its nose and you can year the front tires screetch and the car usually dives one way or the other. I'm luckily pretty fast at reactions and I've managed to self modulate the brakes to avoid something really bad happening but I'd like to figure it out.

I've looked around and haven't seen anything obvious. The truck runs flawless, fluids are all fine, and this didn't happen from what I can remember before the install. I bought the 4R new.

There are no dash lights on either.

TYIA

EDIT: It's possible I have the fronts set at 1.75" with a 1" corn fed spacer in the back. I can't remember exactly, but it's level, that's all that matters.

 

Is the ABS warning light on?
Do you have any codes on the OBD?

Good luck,
Mike

 

In the 6+ years I've owned it, I've never had a dash light come on. I've even run an scanner just to see if any haven't triggered a light and there was nothing.

It's quite confusing, from what I've read if a wire got sheared, a fuse blew, etc, there'd be a warning light.

 

It could be one of the Wheel speed sensor or the wheel speed sensor wire.

 

If you don’t have any lights on the dash, it could be the simple fact the 4runner has shitty handling at the threshold of traction during maximum braking. Mine is lifted (about 2.5 in). High speed maximum braking is a bit scary, even with my excellent Dobinson IMS suspension. The nose dives, the rear end feels light, and the tires can start to growl. During this the abs/and stability control doesn’t seems to step in, but granted, the tires aren’t locking up, just growling at the very edge of traction. It can really feel like it’s going to step out on you if you needed to do any steering input.

I’ve always managed to keep it straight in these situations, but I sense that abs/stability control isn’t the most aggressive in terms of interceding early or strongly. Honestly, I don’t think stability control would be able to save it in some situations. However, given the physics involved with this vehicle, it just might be the nature of the beast.

Edit: might also be worth it to inspect brake pads for signs of sticking calipers. That could cause it to pull one way or another on hard braking. Frankly, it might pull regardless of brake caliper condition, but it’s worth checking.

Edit2: It stands to reason a lifted 4runner will feel less stable than a stock height vehicle. You have a higher cg which dkesnt help. Also, I think it might be easier to get the rear end to feel lighter on hard braking, because it might be easier to “top out” on the suspension stroke. Topping out would be a point where rear traction could be reduced suddenly.

 

You don't have a pinched brake line do you? I had one do that and it was brake line. You hit brakes it pulls one way then the other like a late caliper? Fluid goes to good line first and pulls other way when fluid gets through hose of bad line. My Ramcharger did same thing. My Corolla had one and it took a while of driving to search it out. Caliper would lock onto rotor enough that it felt like a wheel bearing to but I could turn steering wheel back and forth to open caliper back up. Best $10 I ever spent on a $1000 car getting 43 mpg. Tried to buy back the other day. I don't feel like folding up to drive. One of best cars ever.