Lift kit/tire suggestions...downfalls of an OME kit?

So I was lucky enough to find a decent gem 97 4Runner for sale near by. It only has 140k on it and was the car of a mechanics wife, so it’s been taken car of (minus some of the typical Toyota rust and rot). The best part is I snagged it at $3500.

The front and rear steering/suspension components need to be replaced so I’ve been thinking about just upgrading with a lift kit and tire set. I was considering a OME lift but I’ve been reading a lot on here that people don’t think it’s worth it and suggesting to stay stock and upgrading to better tires. So I’m curious what the downfalls of going with an OME kit would be? Also what size tires I would be able to go with if I stayed stock with out having to trim for rubbing?

Side question. It’s a limited so it has all the plastic exterior trim pieces and there’s some rust that needs to be patched under it which would involve removing it all. Does anyone have any suggestions on aftermarket fender flares that look decent?

Thanks for taking a look and I look forward to hearing all the knowledge this forum has to offer.

 

If you read anything about suspension already, then you would've seen all the many different reasons why people like/dislike OME as well as the other options available.

There's a new suspension thread every few days and the answers will all be the same.

Just search.

 

Warm welcomes with long drawn out explanations were good for awhile, but when new members constantly join and ask either a tire question or suspension question...people seem to stop replying.

Main reason is because much information has been regurgitated over and over again and the original poster never comes back.

The second reason is because these vehicles are so old, much of the old information out there is still relevant as there will not be anything 'new' created for a rather stale platform.

People that are actually experienced in the hobby, know the answers. And those that aren't, aren't ready to coin up (or will even benefit from) for the expensive stuff. These vehicles are cheap, which means those that bought them for cheap expect suspension to be just as cheap.

Here are some threads with a the only keyword being "lift" all for 3rd Gen 4Runners

https://www.4runners.com/threads/lift-kit-quote.32160/

https://www.4runners.com/threads/looking-for-lift-kit.31681/

https://www.4runners.com/threads/advice-lifting-a-99-4runner.27204/

https://www.4runners.com/threads/lift-gods-i-need-your-help.25165/

https://www.4runners.com/threads/suspension-lift-ideas-for-3rd-gen.23139/

https://www.4runners.com/threads/lift.23799/

https://www.4runners.com/threads/best-lift-kit.22727/

https://www.4runners.com/threads/advice-on-suspension-lift.22611/

https://www.4runners.com/threads/2000-4runner-lift.22556/

https://www.4runners.com/threads/which-lift-kit.21869/

https://www.4runners.com/threads/li...-still-drive-with-oem-trac-panhard-bar.20945/

https://www.4runners.com/threads/lift-questions.17355/

Again, a search that took 5 seconds and will yield so much more information that the OP asked for but people want to be spoonfed nowadays.

 

I put the OME BP-51 on my 2020 4R. The lift kit was a good choice for me. I ordered the kit from Mudify and they were great to work with, as the helped me select the proper spring rates and ensured everything went well.

There are many good lift kits out there, so I won't say that the OME kit is the one to get. Rather, determine what your needs are and do your homework. I would recommend you call Mudify, and other lift kit companies, and share with them what your needs and ask them what kit they recommend that would best suit your needs.

The only thing I would like to see improved on the OME BP-51 kit is the guards on the rear shocks. They are a bit difficult to install. They are also made of a quality plastic, but some talk of them breaking. Having said that, the part is replaced for free should they break. I am not a hard core rock crawler of mud bogger, so I doubt I will jeopardize them.

Lastly, on a 5th gen 4R, I highly recommend you swap out the needle bearing on driver side axle. Not sure if that is an issue on a 97 4R or not.

Assess your needs and find a kit that meets your needs, as there are many good options out there.

Mudify provided great support through the whole process. Check out my build page for details of my mods. Also, below is a link to a great video of the OME BP-51 install.

https://trail4runner.com/2020/11/05/ome-old-man-emu-bp51-suspension-lift-kit-for-5th-gen-4runner/

 

Totally wrong generation.

 

Honestly if this is such a problem then maybe there should be a pinned thread for lift and tire questions. Because that’s the first place I looked.

You’re right, with them being older vehicles older information is still relevant, but that also would mean that pretty much every question has been asked and answered at some point right? So what’s the point to making any new threads at all? It should all be found from a simple search. This is a forum people are going to want to create conversation and ask specific questions to understand it in the way that makes sense to them. I don’t know how many times I’ve responded to an older thread in the past on forums to never get a response back.

Also not everyone is able to fork out for the high end components so if that’s the reason for not going with OME that’s just ignorant.

The reason I posted the thread was because of the multiple questions I had to ask, and then to be able to build on the answers with follow up questions. People like you are the reason folks go and find a different forum.

I do appreciate the links to the threads on lifts, but coming with a backhanded insult is also ignorant. Knowing myself it doesn’t matter how much I read I am still going to have questions I need talked out.

 

Don't worry about it. If all anyone had to do was search, there'd be no need for a forum. Yes, the same questions get asked over and over. That's just the nature of a forum. If one doesn't want to answer the question, it's easier to ignore them than post about why they don't want to answer them.

 

I recommend researching shock valving differences: digressive, progressive, and linear. Also mono tube vs twin tube and decide what your use will be. I've installed numerous OME kits (older Land cruisers, Tacomas, and 4Runners) and they are very stiff on-road, in my experience. Everytime I drive one I say "oh yeah, this is why I don't like them."