Lift kits

[07FJFAN]

I have heard that installing a lift kit kills the nice ride of the FJ. Any thoughts?

Dave

[Topless4runner]

depends on the type of kit. if you do a spacer kit it will screw the ride quality and suspension articulation because essentially what it does is reduce suspension travel and increase preload on the springs. Best bet performance and ride wise is to go with replacement coilovers in the front (Donahoe, Old Man Emu, etc) and new, longer coils and shocks in the rear. most of the coilovers that you would use in the front are adjustable, so you can set the height to whatever you want.

i didn't mention it already because they are utter crap, but if you are going to have a 100% all show, no go street queen you could also go with a drop bracket lift, but these are simply worthless if you are going to do any kind of off-roading.

[Tranman]

Topless: you mentioned that the coilovers are height adjustable in the front. Do they adjust in the back as well? Is this system similar to the range rovers?

Also what is the relative price difference for a spacer kit installed versus a coilover and new rear springs and shocks?

I've heard that some people are also saying that with the coilovers and rear springs and shocks, the ride in the tacomas are better than stock. Assuming this would carry over onto the FJ as well.

[oldawg]

Tranman previously said:

Topless: you mentioned that the coilovers are height adjustable in the front. Do they adjust in the back as well? Is this system similar to the range rovers?

Also what is the relative price difference for a spacer kit installed versus a coilover and new rear springs and shocks?

I've heard that some people are also saying that with the coilovers and rear springs and shocks, the ride in the tacomas are better than stock. Assuming this would carry over onto the FJ as well.

Yes they are height adjustable 1" to 3",haven't seen whats available for the rear, ,Spacer kit is around 600.00, front coil overs are 900.00 alone,full kit will be in the 1500.00- 2000.00 range most coil over kits are as good if not better than stock slightly a bit firmer due to the increased spring rate

[Topless4runner]

Tranman previously said:

Topless: you mentioned that the coilovers are height adjustable in the front. Do they adjust in the back as well? Is this system similar to the range rovers?

Also what is the relative price difference for a spacer kit installed versus a coilover and new rear springs and shocks?

I've heard that some people are also saying that with the coilovers and rear springs and shocks, the ride in the tacomas are better than stock. Assuming this would carry over onto the FJ as well.

its unlikely you will find an adjustable kit for the rear unless you are switching to airbags where you can adjust the air pressure to change ride height. the rear has seperate coil springs and shocks, whereas the front is a coil over shock (coilover) which usually have adjustment collars built in. I cant comment on range rovers as i know virtually nothing about them.
Almost all spacer kits are far overpriced, simple because people dont know any better. essentially all they are is a machined "hockey puck" with holes in it for the upper coilover mount, some additional hardware, and usually new shocks. hardly something i would willingly pay almost $1000 for. going the "good" route will cost you more, but you will actually get performance gains out of the deal too. usually the springs and shocks are designed for off-road use and are made by premium, specialty mfrs. The kit i have seen for tacomas runs around 1200 for the full kit, i havent looked into anything for the 4runner, but pricing on those should be virtually identical to the FJC as the kits will use almost identical components. expect something in the range of $1500 or so. if they want to charge you more (than a comparable 4runner kit) because its a brand new kit, just designed, etc. they are blowing smoke up your you-know-what as all they really did was modify the 4runner kit to work with the FJC, which should make it cheaper, if anything.

as far as the install goes, i dont know how mechanically inclined you are, but these are amoung the easiest to install, provided you have basic shop tools in your garage, such as hand tools, jack stands, a floor jack, etc. if you pay someone to do it it will cost significantly more, i would estimate $500-ish? i really dont know as i do all the work on my truck myself. If you do the install yourself you will want to get an alignment immediately after you finish getting everything installed and adjust the ride height, add new tires and such as any kind of lift will throw it off a bit.

[K-Fri Cruiser]

yeah the lift kits are sweet

[Jordansrealm]

I saw an FJ this morning on the tollroad running on 33x12.5 BFG ATKO tires and looked to be Donahoe Coilovers in the front and couldnt tell in the rear. It had American Racing Mojave teflon rims. Not sure if thats anyones here but it looked darn nice. Tried to signal the driver but I dont think he saw me.