Lifting an 84 4runner

[KliersLC]

Howdy,
A co-worker of mine wants to lift his 84 runner 2-4 inches with the least amount of cost. He has limited mechanical skills so fabbing something is not an option. He will be using it for camping trips and driving on logging roads/hunting. No hardcore off-road capability needed. Any ideas would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Dan

[bkg]

Skyjacker 3" system. Comes w/ shocks, front and rear springs, etc. Works great as well.

Another option would be a 2" system from OME.

[WristPin]

i hate to mention it. a body lift is way cheeep and easy to install.

springs are way more $$$


he can check out Oregon Spring. they will re arch them for less than the cost of new.

[bkg]

Originally Posted by WristPin

he can check out Oregon Spring. they will re arch them for less than the cost of new.

22 year old springs won't hold a re-arch very well.

[a85toy]

I had the front springs on my '85 re-arched and added a leaf 3 years ago and the springs haven't started to sag yet. A good spring company can re-arch and add new leafs. Save more by removing the springs and carry them to the spring shop. The cheapest way is still the bodylift if he doesn't plan to wheel the truck. Another thing to think about is the push pull steering. To much lift and you have to do something about the j arm.

[KliersLC]

Good suggestions all,
He wants a spring lift due to excessive Butt-Sag, so a body lift is out. I'll let him know about the re-arching, but I doubt he'll go for it due to the vehicle down time. He is currently looking at skyjacker lifts on ebay, but we'll see.
thanks,
Dan

[Isotel]

i hate to say it, but trail-gear is a quality kit, done the right way, and its about $1600

includes bilstien shocks, axle rebuild, truss, springs, hangers, Hysteer, Tie rod/drag link, EVERYTHING

[bkg]

Originally Posted by isotel

i hate to say it, but trail-gear is a quality kit, done the right way, and its about $1600

includes bilstien shocks, axle rebuild, truss, springs, hangers, Hysteer, Tie rod/drag link, EVERYTHING

And an absolute waste of money for a person who just wants a 3" lift for a little light wheeling. Plus you need to add $150 for an IFS steering box.

That's almost 3x the cost of a complete 3" kit from SkyJacker. Not everyone needs a rock-crawler.

[KliersLC]

Well, he likes the skyjacker kit and that seems to be the cheapest, so I guess we'll see how/if it works out and I'll report back.....
Thanks,
Dan

[Isotel]

yea your right, he will end up with the same worn out J-arm steering, get some new Cheep ass shocks, and it will be taller..

if he dosent need it for rock crawling, why even do the lift.. 31" tires and a rear locker and he can get into alot of "light wheeling".

ive done things the cheep way before, just trying to show that for a bit extra time and money he could end up with a truck that not only performs better on the trail, and on the road, but will have a way higher resale value. also when he decides that he wants to do some harder trails, he will already be setup for it!

Originally Posted by bkg

And an absolute waste of money for a person who just wants a 3" lift for a little light wheeling. Plus you need to add $150 for an IFS steering box.

That's almost 3x the cost of a complete 3" kit from SkyJacker. Not everyone needs a rock-crawler.

[bkg]

Originally Posted by isotel

yea your right, he will end up with the same worn out J-arm steering, get some new Cheep ass shocks, and it will be taller..

That makes no sense. Steering can be rebuilt for <$100. Done it before. Shocks will NOT lift a truck.

if he dosent need it for rock crawling, why even do the lift.. 31" tires and a rear locker and he can get into alot of "light wheeling".

Because he wants to and needed good advice on how to do so.

ive done things the cheep way before, just trying to show that for a bit extra time and money he could end up with a truck that not only performs better on the trail, and on the road, but will have a way higher resale value. also when he decides that he wants to do some harder trails, he will already be setup for it!

First, the skyjacker kit isn't "cheap". It's well priced for what it is, and it's a very nice kit. Second, recommending that a person spend 3x the amount of money makes ZERO sense when it isn't necessary and it doesn't address the core need.

Plus, he wants 2-3" of lift, not 4-7"...

["N8"]

now this is just personal opinion... but even if he doesnt wheele the thing ive never had much respect for skyjacker (sry dont mean to offend) ide suggest pay the extra 100 bucks and get an OME spring lift and itll drive nice on and off road as aposed to drive like CRAP like my buddies new 85 4 runner.
again i dont mean to offend anyone with skyjacker spring

[86 toy]

i've had skjacker 5" softride springs in the front of my truck for like 5 years now and the are still in good shape and the ride quality is great not to mention they flex great off road.. so i would recomend the skyjacker stuff to anyone

[KliersLC]

Well, it turns out he ordered Alcan Springs, and he is going to piecemeal the rest of it......

Dan