Soft flexing lift for 85 4Runner

[Flash]

I'm ready to lift my '85 4Runner (rolling project). It's a daily driver, but plan on doing some wheeling in the future. I want to run '33s (12.5 wide) too. Can anyone recommend a lift kit or other method to get 4" or so of lift that will give plenty of flex on the trails and a somewhat soft ride on the road if possible?

Thanks for any help...

[rocket]

Check out http://www.marlincrawler.com/trailflex.html

[ToyRunner1]

I'd also look at AOR's Orbit Eye springs. I'm pretty sure they use Alcan springs and then add their eyes to them.

[Flash]

Nice pic of your 4runner!
Did you have to cut the fenders or do other mods to keep those 35s from rubbing? I've got 32s on mine that need replaced. Wanted to go to 33s, but am afraid they will rub.

Thanks,

Trace

[Flash]

Can anyone help tell the difference between this $400 lift kit, and this $1500 lift kit? Are the springs just way better? Does the $400 lift kit not have everything I need?

http://www.marlincrawler.com/trailflex.html

versus:

http://www.4wpw.com/4wp/products/productLine.asp?cat=SUS&prodline=1228&catName=Suspension&man=FWP&parentProdline=SusToyotaFWP&expand=sub4

Thanks for any help!

Trace (newbie wheeler)

[KToy]

ya i can tell ya the difference.

one is for a rockcrawler and one is for a mall crawler.


also 4wheelparts stuff are just kits of some company.

marlins kit is his kit and its designed for offroad use.

the 4wheelparts kit is designed to look lifted but not function as a lift.

4wheelparts kit will make your back hurt and ruin all your drivetrain.

for 400 bux you buy headaches.

for 1500 bucks you buy state of the art suspension kit that will never fail you.

for 1500 bux you get the best of the best.



i also like aor kits. www.aor4x4.com they take a while on shipping but they use alcan springs.

[ToyRunner1]

Nice pic of your 4runner!
Did you have to cut the fenders or do other mods to keep those 35s from rubbing? I've got 32s on mine that need replaced. Wanted to go to 33s, but am afraid they will rub.

Thanks,

TraceThanks. The picture actually has the 33s. The only place I rub with the 35s is on the pinch seam. I haven't bothered to "clearance" it yet. I didn't notice a big difference in height with the 35s, but my 5'2" wife did :grin: I did notice a big difference off road though. I went from bald 33s to good 35 mud tires. I guess tread isn't over rated after all :silly:

[davemell0]

the 4 wheel parts kit offers a block or add a leaf to acheive the lift, these two options result in a harsher ride with the add a leaf, a more delicate drive train with the spring block, and no increase in suspension travel on either one. you may be able to put longer shackles on your current springs to get an inch or two, but I haven't tried that yet. hopefully someone here can add some more useful information. if you are mechanically inclined and have some welding/fab experience, you might consider a spring swap with junkyard springs, there are people here who can give you more details than I can, but I beleive that they put toyota rear springs on the front and either chevrolet or mazda rear springs on the rear, I don't recall the exact years but if you search for chevy or mazda spring swaps you might find something.
the short answer has already been given (you get what you pay for) but I thought I'd do my best to elaborate a little.