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4 Wheel Drive/SUVs/RE: Suspension Lift on 98 4Runner

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Expert: - 9/18/2007


Question
Hi Carl,
I recently purchased a Stock 98 4Runner 4x4 SR5 with a 3.4L V6.  I am
looking at options to lift the truck to make it a better off-roader on a budget.  
I would like to lift it between 2.5"-4" and was curious if you could tell me the
components I would need for a do-it yourself job and what I could expect to
spend for a decent quality suspension package.
Thanks a lot,
Conor

Answer
Conor,

The lift you need would depend on the size tires you want, and how extreme the trails are that you want to go on.  As far as which lift you should get, this is really a personal choice, as there are several brands and everyone you talk to will have a different preference.  As far as cost goes, I would have to research that myself, as most of the lifts I do are somewhat home built.  

What you need to do would be to purchase a few off-road/4x4 magazines, and check out the ads for lifts, preferably from companies that specialize in Toyotas.  

When you find something that appeals to you, or seems to fit your budget, call the distributor, or manufacturer and ask them what they might suggest.  Any lift kit can be installed without taking the vehicle to a shop, if you have some mechanical ability, and a reasonable set of tools.

Carl

4 Wheel Drive/SUVs

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Carl Brandt

Expertise

Will discuss suspensions, lifts, lockers along with tire suggestions. Trail ratings and possible requirements needed for specific type of trails. Safety equipment and what you should carry with you. Certified off-road instructor. I am not a mechanic, and 4-Wheeling is a hobby, so if I can't answer a technical question it is due to my mechanical knowledge being related to vehicles that I have owned, or have worked on. I do not have manuals on all vehicles.

Experience

40 plus years of 4 wheeling in a variety of vehicles. At the present time, my major off-road rig is a 94 Jeep Wrangler with a spring over and a 1 1/2" suspension lift. This gives me a total lift of 7" or so. I have lockers front and rear. I have removed the track bars, and sway bar for maximum articulation. I am running a stock 2.5 ltr 4 cylinder with a Jacobs ignition along with a cold air high flow filter. It has 4.56:1 gears with a Dodge NV4500 transmission along with a 3.8:1 Atlas II transfer case. This gives me a final ratio of 105:1 in low gear/low range. Other vehicles I own, are a 96 Ford F-250 with a 6" lift, posi rear end, 36" Hummer tires, 5 speed with a fuel injected 460 ci engine, an 87 Samurai with an 8" lift, Ford 9" rear end with a spool, Chevy Dana 44 front end with an electric locker, 5.88 gears, 16% reduction in high range and a 6.5:1 low range with 35" Baja Claws, and a stock 2003 Grand Cherokee Overland. Trails I have run are the Rubicon (10 times), Dusey Ershim, Fordyce Creek trail, McGrew trail, several trails in Moab, Utah along with local monthly runs.

Organizations
Lost Coast 4x4's Cal 4-Wheel Corva UFWDA Blue Ribbon Coalition

Education/Credentials
Certified off-road instructor - Certificates in engineering/electronics

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