Help Tire and Suspension !! 98 4runner

[Ghost Note]

I currently have 16 inch rims and no lift.

I want to lift 3 inches

Trail riding and the New Orleans Pot Holes are the most this truck will see. So what is the best suspension that will work ? I want to be able to have a stable ride on the highway.

What is the biggest tire I can fit without rubbing. Should I stay with 16 inch rim or go to the 17 ? What difference would that make other than looks ?

I plan on adding the Shockworks Bull Bar as well

 

[Jacket]

285/75/16 or 255/85/16 tires would be fine on your 16" rims, and should fit with minimal rubbing.

The "best" lift is whatever you can afford. You can get high quality coilovers from Icon or SAW, or an Old Man Emu kit with springs and shocks for all 4 corners. Here's one place to look:

4Runner 96-02 - Toytec Lifts: Toyota Lift Kits: FJ Cruiser Lift Kits, Tacoma Lift Kits, Tundra Lift Kits, 4 Runner Lift Kits, Sequoia Lift Kits, Toyota Truck Lift Kits

 

[Ghost Note]

Cool thanks !

Should I stay with the 16 inch rims ? I will get more tire huh ?

I plan on doing it right on the suspension.

 

[Bighead]

Stay with the 16" wheels.

Another place to look: Sonoran Steel - 1996-2002 4Runner Lift Kits

 

[fightman]

Hey man!

If you're looking for a good lift, that won't break your bank:

Get some 2000 - 2002 TRD 4x4 Tundra Strut assemblies ( I got mine slightly used from a wrecked unit at the wrecking yard) with a 3/8" Top plate spacer for the front.

Get a Toytec Front Diff drop kit

Some FJ80 or FZJ80 (Landcruiser) Front coils for the back of your truck and some new Landcruiser rear shocks for the back! (Try the For Sale section under the Landcruiser section of this site!)

The ride is great, and the cost can be very low!

I did both my front and back setup for under $350.00!

I'm running 285/70/16's on some Procomp 1079's (4.25" backspace)

Check out my build thread for more info!

 

[Ghost Note]

Does anyone know anything about the Shock Works Armor ?

 

[fightman]

I hear they do great work, and the quality is great!

Here's a pic of a 3rd Gen 4Runner with the bumper installed:

Great stuff. However, I hear they take for ever to build them and ship out.....I mean MONTHS!

You may want to look up "Outdoor logic", they are relatively new to the 4runner game, but put out a great looking product and turnover time is alot shorter!

Here's a link:

Group BUY on Outdoorlogic 3rd Gen Front Bumper - Toyota 4Runner Forum

 

[Ghost Note]

I hear they do great work, and the quality is great!

Here's a pic of a 3rd Gen 4Runner with the bumper installed:

Great stuff. However, I hear they take for ever to build them and ship out.....I mean MONTHS!

You may want to look up "Outdoor logic", they are relatively new to the 4runner game, but put out a great looking product and turnover time is alot shorter!

Here's a link:

Group BUY on Outdoorlogic 3rd Gen Front Bumper - Toyota 4Runner Forum

Do you also have back bumper Armor ?

 

[fightman]

I personally have no armor....but I hear Outdoor logic has either already come out with, or is developing a new rear bumper for the 3rd Gen. You could also check out CBI for the rear bumper...they also do quality work, and the turnover is not too bad either!

Brian2Sun has a CBI rear bumper with Tire Carrier and raves about it. Here's the link to his thread:

CBI: 3rd Gen Rear Bumper - Page 2 - Toyota 4Runner Forum


I believe Brian is part of this forum too......

 

[Ghost Note]

Thanks for the insight !

I will post pics from start to finish... Good thing im single ! :lol

 

[fightman]

Please do! Just an FYI, if 3rd Gen 4Runners are your flavor, you may want to check out:

3rd gen T4Rs - Toyota 4Runner Forum

It's 3rd Generation 4Runner specific forum, with tons of active members. I don't want to knock IH8MUD.COM, but this section just doesn't seem to have very much activity. T4R.ORG, there are people with 4Runners just like yours, on there all day, every day! Some are fully built, some are stock....all kinds of folks over there.

Hope to see you there too!

 

[Bawlzdeep]

I love the Toytec Ultimate lift. Lots of flex great ride and I have yet to break it. The Kumho KL71's are real aggressive off road and still good on hwy. I'm wanting to do a 2"bl and 35's now but that's just an addictive personality.

Fightman- is there a forum that your not on man!? Still lookin good

 

[fightman]

Hey Jon,

Actually, I'm a member on about 5 forums! HA HA HA!

 

[sportscarfan]

I just got some GY duratrac 285/75-16's a couple days ago on a '97 SR5.

This truck has a 1" body lift, and correct color coded coils from a '99 (bu/pk, bu/yel, yel/rd). Between the tires, coils, & BL, floor to fenders measure 38" all the way around - about +3" from stock.

With 285's, the front tires will hit the pinch weld under the bottom of the fender liner at a specific steering angle. You can fold the pinch weld over with a decent size hammer. I used a heat gun to soften & push back the fender liner where the tire hits. With the pinch weld folded, the warm liner can be pushed in on itself. I also swapped out the M10-head screw holding the mudflap on for a pan head version where the tire comes closest.

The duratrac's side lugs brush the upper control arm at certain steering angles (near lock) and droop - the contact is minimal.

After moving the body out of the way, everything clears fine for street & easy trails. If you try to stuff a tire, they'll rub for sure. I'm not planning to hit anything technical until I've got more lift (gotta let the wife get used to it before stepping it up, again). It was stock with running boards 6 months ago, and is currently mom's taxi.

The only picture I have: