New Owner - Need Advice

Hello. I just purchased a 2016 4Runner SR5 RWD. Before you ask, 4WD is not needed where I live.

My 4Runner will be my daily driver (I’m a full time real estate investor and Realtor). I need some advice on lift kits.

Currently I’m sitting stock everything with highway tires. Attached are photos. I would like to get a lift kit and a set of tires and rims with a negative offset for a more aggressive look. For lifts, should I just do a leveling kit for the front? A small lift in back and front? Or should I jump in and do a 2in rear and 3in front?
My concern comes from being a former Grand Cherokee (05) owner. I had the truck lifted only 2 inches and my tires wore horribly (inside or outside only). I was told it was because of the lift and because I didn’t replace UCA to accommodate lift. Is that the case with 5th gen 4Runners? I don’t want to make a mistake again. Someone guide me in the right direction

I have also attached a photo of a 4Runner I found online that I would like to achieve with my own.

 

Welcome aboard
I can’t give you advice what to do, it’s a thing of preference and needs, fact is that UCAs are highly recommended above a certain lift hight.
The best is you slow down, read some threads and dive into it. As more you know about it, the options, the pro and cons and then decide. The 4Runner can be a long lasting friend, so don’t put yourself in a hurry!

 

Thank you @Matze ! That is why I purchased it.. ready for my forever vehicle. What is the certain height it starts being recommended for UCA? I've read several things in forums... 2 ,2.5, and 3.

 

I’ve no advice on what you asked about, but welcome!

 

Welcome to the forum.

 

@Dakotawright, what size tires do want to change to? That has a bearing on the lift size you'll need.

I can't speak from experience, but I would think 2" in the front & 3" in the rear wouldn't work very well, the rear is already higher. Did you mean the other way around?

 

Lots of people are pleased with the Eibach kit ( myself included). Its about a 2.5 lift overall no need for UCA's and is one of the lower priced complete kits out there ( if you can get your hands on one). There's plenty of options depending on budget, bilstien shocks are another option. Just google 4runner lift and hundreds of links will pop up.

 

Also, coming from Tacomaworld, I know that Tacoma 2WD trucks had other options for lifting the front vs. 4WD, i.e. a different spindle instead of taller springs. Anyone know if the 4R is the same?

 

Since some UCA give you one xtra inch of travel it’s not as easy to say you don’t need UCAs with a 2.5” lift... as I said it is a question of needs and preferences!
A simple, cheap lift maybe looks cool but it doesn’t help off road, nether it won’t make my ... bigger so there would be no gain in my case!
In case you wanna go step by step I would say get the adjustable bilstein coil overs for the front axle and the shocks for the rear, next step get the ucas adjust the coil overs to max. and put +1” springs to the rear.
But again, take your time, read up some threads, learn what your 4Runner is already able to do without a lift, gain your knowledge and your decision will be good. I’m in the same process and let me tell you: better boring stock as a half ass mod on it.

 

welcome and Congrats on your new ride. i take it you wanted to look like the last picture
depending on your needs you have tones of options spacers or lift kits
make sure do your research so you don't have to do it twice there is a lot of info on this forum and may i suggest going to a 4X4 store and see some rigs so you get a better idea of what is possible good luck

 

I did, lol.. whoops.

 

Yes, just for looks. I love the 2014+ models are they already look aggressive.. but I don't think I can say I've ever owned an suv without lifting it haha.

 

Thanks! Doing it twice is something I definitely want to avoid.

 

Try and find a local club and see what they are running. Hell, you can probably find 30 or 40 at your mall parking lot.

 

Nothing wrong with lifting for looks.

 

Are you saying your 4 Runner isn’t 4x4? I didn’t know they made a 2WD 4 Runner. Anyway, good advice about doing some research, measure twice, cut once. I have a stock ORP, and I use it off road without any issues where I go with it, up here in the wilds of Canada. But, I get it, lifts look cool, I had one on my last Tacoma. I’ve looked at them for my 4 Runner and I’ve been attracted to ELKA, but I haven’t made a decision yet. It’s a Cadillac, and may be too expensive for some, but maintaining the integrity and driveability of the original is really important for me. Sure, it’s nice to hit the trails, but I also drive at high speeds on big roads and I’m not willing to sacrifice any of that high speed performance.

 

Welcome!

 

@Dakotawright , welcome to the forum!

There's lots of great information here already.

As mentioned, many happy customers using the Eibach kit. Bilstein 5100's are another good budget option.

Congratulations on your purchase! Post pictures of your progress.

 

Welcome to forums. Just read the threads which interest you such as lifts, wheels, tires and when your ready.. start modding. Personally unless you building for wheeling and crawling, a lifted 4x2 is fine. Many guys here have 4x2.

 

Thanks for the positivity. Not everyone (in real life, too) has been kind to me buying a 4x2 and wanting to make it more aggressive.

 

Do your thing man. Those people have their own issues.

Anyway, from my research you could probably just use spacers without spending the extra money on suspension. I'm new to it too though.