Old gal needs help from you young bucks

I bought a 06 4runner a few years ago. It already had a lift and I used it to
scout out fishing spots in Arizona, and just do a bit of exploring.
Now I have hurt my back and can't get up into the thing any more. This is where your
expertise comes in: The guy at my Toyota garage (never the dealership) said that all
they would need to do is take the lifts out, and that they are only in the front. But first
he says I should get smaller tires if I want to keep my 17 rims, then come for the lift
removal.
I just got new Michelins and they have very few miles on them. I was thinking of going
back to the stock rim size and tires to get a couple more inches removed.
1: would a junkyard be a good place to get these wheels? Where would I find someone
to take them off for me? (Long ago someone told me you have to pull your own parts at
a junk yard).
2: I could sell the tires on Craigslist on or off the wheels. Which is the better idea?
The 4runner is going to look sadly tame without the lift. I'll worry about scraping my
backside on the asphalt every time there is a bump.
I don't have brothers, husband, ex-husband, boyfriend, etc, to ask about this, so I have
come to the experts! If you think any of the above -mentioned ideas are bad, please say
so! What would you do? I will read every word.
I forgot: the reason I was going to do this is because I know what I have fixed on the truck (plenty) and hate the idea of getting someone else's "pristine" car or truck, and have to start again.
Or should I sell the thing and get a Prius? or corolla, whatever. Or the little Toyota truck.
I like that I can haul things
in my truck and could sleep in it if I had to.
Bless you all and please don't go out without your mask and gloves. We are very far from
the end of the pandemic. There is another big wave to come yet. Scrub your paws with soap and water, and then your face. Hand sanitizers are not necessary and Triclosan is a
carcinogen. Disabled RN here. Thanks. Roz

 

Hey Roz, I’m not to familiar with a 4th gen, nether I know how much drop you really would need to get in the truck but I would start with the lift in case the wheel/tire combo could work without the lift. That would bring the truck down without loosing ground clearance
I wouldn’t care about the look, it should be still a comfy ride and capable leave the pavement

 

Hey Roz,

How big are the tires on it right now? If they aren't that much bigger than stock, do what Matze says and keep them and just take off the lift.

If they are pretty big and will rub with the lift removed, then get a smaller tire, but keep the 17" rim. You can get a stock size tire to fit on a 17" rim.

 

Welcome to the forum Roz, sorry to hear you have a back problem. Is this something long term or? Not trying to be nosy, just wondering if you have the lift removed for now and maybe put running boards on for awhile until you get better.

 

Welcome to the forum!

Even if you go back to stock height, you should be able to get into your fishing spots. I would also try to keep the current tires if possible. Otherwise, stock size tires are still pretty good size.

I like the idea of running boards. Have you considered this option?

 

I knew I came to the right place!
It already has the tubular running boards, but the right hip can't seem to get me up there, even with my arms working like crazy.
I was thinking that the rims on there now were bigger than the stock ones. They guy I bought it from, the one who described it as
having been kept up religiously and was pristine (I thought Fire Fighters were supposed to have integrity? Silly me.) said he wanted
it to look more masculine , thus the lift and the change of wheels and tires, so I assumed he'd put quite a but of lift with all included.
More thinking to do. Sure would welcome more ideas! Thanks, you wonderful Toyota drivers.

 

The title of this thread just makes me think of

https://youtu.be/IpDk_Fw89U4

 

Is it possible for you to post a picture?

 

You sick guy, now stiffler mom is spooking in my mind

 

Welcome. We need some photos, and the size tires currently on the 4R to answer your questions.

 

I'd be shocked if you need new/different rims. You should be able to have your current tires removed (then sell them on Craigslist or other site to get some of you money back) and install a smaller, original sized tire.

This alone might be enough to get you into your rig. So then you could save up to have the lift removed when finances allowed.

 

Welcome from SoCal. Sorry about your back problem. My wife has a little bit of an issue getting into our T4R, so we will be looking in to rock sliders (stronger than running boards for protection from side swiping rocks and stuff, but will also provide a lower foot step).
Just for reference, our rig is bone stock and has no issues with ground clearance when exploring (probably won’t try and run a bolder field).

Post some pics of your runner. There are probably lots of people on this forum that have OEM rims sitting in their garage that would love to get rid of them for cheep, or have OEM rims on their rigs that might be interested in trading you for your rims/tires.

 

Welcome Roz.
Bummer about your back injuries. My Wife has had a Herrington rod in her back since her early 20's, we are now in our 60's.
Within the last 10 years, she has been dealing with crappy knees. Our solution to make it easier for her to climb into the 4R is
with a folding step I place on the ground. It's 9" high, then the running board is at 16" and then the door sill is at 23".
Three short steps up and she's in. When she drives by herself she clips a thin rope onto the folding step to retrieve it.
She is also a Quilter and amateur Quilt Historian, so we're able to make our own masks while we're out and about on our not so daily jaunts.
And thank you for being a care giver.

 

Welcome but something is off. I bolded what is off. The mechanic says only the front lift needs to come off? That doesn't make sense unless there are only spacers up front and the rear is stock? Sound right guys? Pictures and current tire size would help a lot.

 

Trihiker: I was thinking the same thing about the lifters. I remember they put in Bilstein (?) shocks since the shocks were shot. I am pretty sure it was Bilstein, it would take me a huge effort to find the paperwork. So is the consensus that there were lifter "things" put in the rear as well? Why would he make such a dopey statement? He's always been very good and fair with me.

 

MeefZah: Thanks for the concert. I haven't listened to my G. Brooks cd's in ages. Time to dig them out. I think I'm a bit older than the
temptress in the song, but I could teach a young feller a thing or two or three.
I had to look up Stifler's mom. She's played a lot of dim blonde roles, often with a weird voice. Will have to find that movie and watch it
again. Is what you are experiencing anything like having an ear worm? Uh, no, I guess not. Never mind.

 

What do you all want for pictures? The wheels and the tires, especially the lettering on the tires? The side view showing how much space there is between the top of the tires and the actual wheel well? I do know the lifts are 2 inches.

 

Photos of the front shocks/springs would be good. Be sure to capture the top where the spacers would be.

My guess is that you have front spacers and rear is stock (previous owner “leveled” the truck). But you might have adjustable front bilstiens, with the rear being stock (but unlikely if “your car guy” said he has to remove something).

Also a photo from the side of the whole truck. Some of these guys here have enough experience that they might be able to just look at the truck and tell how much lift it has (roughly).

 

Also- lots of tire shops will prorate/trade tires. Especially if they’re pretty new.

 

Thank you all. It is dark now, but will get photos in the a.m. Same Bat time same Bat station. Holler YO if you remember this.

 

Yo, but that's going back a ways...

 

YO, and OH MY for Cat Woman.

 

My 7 year old daughter can not climb into the 4 runner, so I HAD to get running boards. Mine are Toyota factory and they retail for approx. $600.

 

All three of these seem to be the right front wheel inside the well. On to the next batch.

 

OK, trying again.

 

Ignorethese

 

Oh, hell it to damn! I cannot et the stupid photos to got onto the forum. Please excuse my ignorance.
But, I noticed when I was out there that the tubular running boards are hooked , or maybe welded would be
a better word, on really strongly. What do you think of having one of those extra steps, or even two,
welded to the running board?