Toyota 4Runner Lift Kit Guide

Body Lifts

The first style we’ll discuss is the body lift kit: a budget-friendly method of gaining tire clearance and overall ride height on body-over-frame chassis. These kits utilize rubber, polyurethane, or composite plastic spacers that install between the frame’s body mount and cab, spacing the body off of the frame by the height of the spacer (typically 1–3 inches). 

Body lifts are a primarily aesthetic modification; though they increase your 4Runner’s overall height and fender clearance, the chassis retains the same low-slung height and factory handling characteristics. While promoting a comfortable ride on the street and improved aesthetics, ground clearance and overall off-road performance are no better than stock.

Leveling Kits

Leveling Kits are a popular option for those desiring minimal lift, but a more balanced appearance. From the factory, your 4Runner features a significant rake (i.e. when the rear suspension sits taller than the front.) Though ideal for towing and hauling cargo, this rake creates an undesirable, unbalanced appearance. 

Leveling kits counteract the factory rake and low front ride height by elevating the front end to sit level with the rear–hence the title. These kits utilize strut spacers, aftermarket strut assemblies, lift spindles, modified upper control arms, or any combination of the aforementioned components to net a small front lift (typically 1–3 inches). 

These kits can significantly improve off-road performance due to the increased front fender clearances and travel; however, they maintain your 4Runner's factory towing characteristics due to retaining the stock rear suspension.

Suspension Lifts

Suspension lift kits are typically the most expensive of the three lift styles; however, they significantly improve off-road performance. These kits modify the front and rear suspension with numerous aftermarket components, including lift struts, strut spacers, lift spindles, drop brackets, coil spacers, longer shocks, and more! 

Lift kits significantly increase your 4Runners overall ride height, ranging from mild 1–3-inch lifts to wild 4–8-inch lifts! With greater variety, suspension lifts allow you to tailor your 4Runner’s ride height to its specific use, whether daily driving or dedicated wheeling. 

However, it’s important to note that, on top of being the costliest, suspension lifts are also the most labor-intensive to install, requiring modifications to the chassis and near total disassembly of the suspension. Suspension lifts also greatly impact on-road handling, often reducing stability at high speeds.

Your Vehicle’s Primary Use

Arguably the most vital consideration is how you typically use your 4Runner. Is it a daily driver, a weekend wheeler, or a dedicated trail rig? Each constitutes a different style of lift, and while everyone’s different, we have a few recommendations. 

Suspension lifts are best kept for dedicated off-road rigs where on-road performance is less of a concern. Not to mention, who wants to leap into their daily driver to commute to work? 

Leveling kits and body lifts are solid contenders for daily drivers and weekend wheelers. These kits mildly increase ride height and minimally affect on-road driveability, towing capacity, and payload capacity.

Your Budget

While some have seemingly unlimited budgets, the average enthusiast has bills to pay aside from their 4Runner build. For this reason, it’s important to factor your budget into a lift. While there’s a considerable price range for each lift style, body lifts and leveling kits are typically at the low–mid end of the spectrum, while suspension lifts are at the mid–high end.

Installation Difficulty

Whether you plan to install your 4Runner’s lift in your driveway or have a shop perform the labor, installation difficulty should always be considered. 

If you have the kit installed professionally, installation difficulty is closely related to cost. A more complicated installation means longer hours at the shop and, as a result, more money spent on labor. If you’re planning to take on the job yourself, installation difficulty can directly impact your choice of lift. For instance, a spacer leveling kit is far easier to install than a body or full suspension lift, requiring fewer tools and hours. 

As a rule of thumb, leveling kits are the easiest of the three to install. Body lifts aren’t overly complex but do require you to lift the entire body off of the frame, which will likely pose a challenge for the DIY-er. Suspension lifts are typically the most complex and time-consuming to install.