Opinions Wanted: What Height to Set Lift

[Aonarch]

I'm sure this has been asked a few times, but I'd like someone to talk some sense into me who knows this platform better than I.

I just got my GX 460 and have a Bilstein 6112/5160 kit sitting in my garage with 700 lbs front springs, 700# is what another thread told me based on part number E4-FD1-Y005B46.

I am not 100% on the lift amounts, but from what I can tell the struts go 0.9", 1.2", 1.5", 1.8" 2.1" and 2.4" The instructions do not list a GX 460, but instead a 4Runner with KDSS, so I compared to other kits to see the lift amount differences between the GX and 4R w/ KDSS and did the math. If these truly are 700# springs, will that cause the lift amount to actually be higher, or is this irrelevant?

With a full tank of gas here are my fender to ground measurements stock on 265/65/18 Destination A/T2s:
FD 35 1/8" 82.2cm
FP 34 3/4
RD 36"
RP 36 and change

So the rear is about an inch higher, minus the front passenger leaning a bit.

I bought the Bilstein kit for two reasons.

1) Get rid of the rake and make the truck look less soccer mom.
2) I am in Montana and drive gravel, washboard roads daily at speed.

The only "off-roading" this will see is a Forest Service Road/ National Park road.

I have a Gladiator on 37s and a Trooper on 33s.

I fully believe that lifting IFS over 2" starts causing problems, I definitely do not want to go above 2" in the front. I have 1" taller Dobinson rear springs in the mail, that I may or may not use, this depends if I lift the front 2". My thought was to lift the front 1.8" and the rear 1".

My question is, since this won't be an off-roader, what is a safe front lift amount keeping the KDSS system in mind? I don't want to have to mess around with spacers, or angled track bars, etc.

TIA!

 

[r2m]

Well, let's consider how large of tires you're planning on mounting? Do you want the largest tires that will still fit a full size spare in the stock location?
If so, you won't have to lift it very much (if at all). It sounds like this will be a daily driver and you don't want swamper size tires, but wanting the suspension more for load control than lift.
So on that note, perhaps just a 1" or so should be fine.
Getting close to what you're asking?

 

[Aonarch]

Well, let's consider how large of tires you're planning on mounting? Do you want the largest tires that will still fit a full size spare in the stock location?
If so, you won't have to lift it very much (if at all). It sounds like this will be a daily driver and you don't want swamper size tires, but wanting the suspension more for load control than lift.
So on that note, perhaps just a 1" or so should be fine.
Getting close to what you're asking?

Yeah I am sticking with the 31.6" size. Drives great with them.

I think 1" in the front works.

700# spring rate is way too high for the GX without bumper and a winch right? 650# is optimal? It is hard finding info for the GX vs the 4Runner.

 

[URJ150L]

The other thing to keep in mind is that these trucks can take more of a lift than other Toyotas for what ever reason. I’m sitting at 2.5” on the front with no cv angles. Rear is at 3.5” and no vibes there. My Tacoma on the other hand…

 

[thunderklees]

I have coilovers and set the front at about 2". I used a 1" spacer on the rear. It sits pretty level. I have 265/70-17 tires and had to trim a little so they wouldn't rub. Also needed rear KDSS spacers to clear the spare tire.

 

[r2m]

One other thing to remember is that when you get your lift on, give it a couple weeks for it to settle in.
The ride will get a wee better and the height a wee bit lower.

 

[ericm979]

If the lift amounts you're doing the math on are using a lower rate spring than the 700lb/in one then you'll see more lift at the same settings.

 

[ducktapeguy]

Yeah I am sticking with the 31.6" size. Drives great with them.

I think 1" in the front works.

700# spring rate is way too high for the GX without bumper and a winch right? 650# is optimal? It is hard finding info for the GX vs the 4Runner.

I think I have 700# on mine and it's not bad. The weight of the V8 in the GX probably negates the extra stiffness somewhat. I was planning on putting a winch and bumper but even without the extra load the ride is fine. I have noticed there are more than a few people who have installed medium springs and wanted to switch them out for heavier ones, but I rarely see the opposite happening.

The other thing to keep in mind is that these trucks can take more of a lift than other Toyotas for what ever reason. I’m sitting at 2.5” on the front with no cv angles. Rear is at 3.5” and no vibes there. My Tacoma on the other hand…

I've also noticed this too. The GX CV angles seem much flatter (almost inverted) than a comparable 4runner at stock height. So even with a 3" lift the CV angles don't look too bad, whereas my friends 4runner looked almost maxed out with the same amount of lift.

My question is, since this won't be an off-roader, what is a safe front lift amount keeping the KDSS system in mind? I don't want to have to mess around with spacers, or angled track bars, etc.

TIA!

If you're not going to be offroading it and you don't need the clearance for larger tires, then just get the minimum amount of lift needed. 2" and over and you'll probably want to do a PCK on the rear and get KDSS spacers, so 1" is probably safe to keep everything else stock. You might even be able to keep the stock bumpstops.

 

[Aonarch]

Thanks for the replies!

Good to know on the 700# springs. Those have been worrying me.

 

[URJ150L]

I've also noticed this too. The GX CV angles seem much flatter (almost inverted) than a comparable 4runner at stock height. So even with a 3" lift the CV angles don't look too bad, whereas my friends 4runner looked almost maxed out with the same amount of lift.

Yeah… stock, mine were inverted. After adding 2.5” of lift and they’re now flat. I’m guessing Toyota dropped the UR in there but kept the GR tuned springs. Thinking about adding another half to one inch and see what they look like.

 

[r2m]

Yeah… stock, mine were inverted. After adding 2.5” of lift and they’re now flat. I’m guessing Toyota dropped the UR in there but kept the GR tuned springs. Thinking about adding another half to one inch and see what they look like.

That's probably why the shop that did all my suspension suggested I don't bother with a diff-drop kit. Don't have one and so far haven't needed one.