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Toyota's 4Runner is a hugely popular mid-sized SUV in North America. The nameplate has been around for over 30 years and continues to maintain a cult following among Toyota off-road fans. The current generation is based on the hugely capable J150 Prado/Lexus GX platform, and brings impressive off-road chops to the table straight from the factory, coupled with immense family practicality and healthy doses of comfort and luxury. It's really all the car you're likely to need. However, being an off-roader, there's also a community of aftermarket enhancements available for it, and one of the most popular mods is a 4Runner lift kit. A lifted 4Runner is much more than a mean-looking SUV, as it offers practical benefits off-road. In this article, we'll take you through some of the pros and cons of lifting your 4Runner, as well as the types of lift kits available for 4Runners. Pros of Lifting Your 4Runner Why should you lift your Toyota 4Runner? A lifted 4Runner brings many benefits, and allows you to enjoy the trails to the fullest. Here are some reasons why you should consider it. - A 4Runner lift kit provides enhanced ground clearance, improving your approach, departure, and break-over angles when off-roading, and increasing your vehicle's overall off-roading capability as a result. You'll be able to tackle more advanced trails (with the requisite upgrades to other areas as well).
- It looks mean. A lifted off-roader always has a certain presence about it, and we can't help but agree that the right degree of lift, coupled with the correct tires, wheels, and accessories, enhance your off-roader's looks to no extent.
- Lifting your 4Runner enables you to upgrade your wheels and tires to larger and meatier ones. There's an upper limit to what can be fitted to your stock 4Runner, as is the case with most off-roaders. If you want to upsize your tires and wheels beyond that, a lift kit is the way to go.
- There are various kinds of lift kit available, offering a variety of lifts. A mild lift is considered in the 1-inch range, while a serious lift for hardcore off-roaders can easily exceed 3 inches.
Cons of Lifting Your 4Runner As with most things, there are a set of negatives as well, and this is what you must bear in mind when lifting your 4Runner.
- You should consider your garage clearance before attempting a lift, especially the clearance at the entryway. This is important if your 4Runner barely clears the door in stock form. It's going to be a major issue if you install a lift kit on your 4Runner, only to discover that it won't fit in your garage when you return home.
- Lifting any vehicle changes its dynamics, especially its on-road behavior, and response to crosswinds. You should bear this in mind, and adjust your driving style accordingly, especially if it is on the aggressive side. You may have to take corners more gently and accelerate and brake in a smoother fashion.
- A lift kit can cost as little as under $200, but you don't want to go bargain basement on what is effectively a modification to your vehicle's suspension. A decent lift kit can run you close to $2,000 when you factor in the cost of labor for installation as well.
- If you use your 4Runner for towing, it's not recommended to lift it, or if necessary, perform a minor lift at most. This is because lifting your 4Runner increases its center of gravity, and as well as changing its dynamics, causes a negative effect on towing ability. There are specific towing-optimized lift kits from certain manufacturers, but these can be costly and do not offer much lift.
Process & Tips The process for airing down your off-road tires isn't complex, as long as you've got the necessary tools that we've outlined in the previous section. Basically, you just need to follow the steps below. - Determine the required pressure for your tires based on the surface you're going to tackle and what we've recommended above. If there's a pro in your group, go by what they say.
- Remove the dust cap from your tire valve, and connect the tire deflator.
- Gently release the pressure until the gauge indicates your desired pressure. Ensure that you remove the deflator from the valve quickly so that air does not escape while removing it.
- Once you've finished the trail and are ready to drive on the pavement again, don't forget to air your tires back up to their recommended pressures for tarmac driving.
Some tips to make the process easier include: - Check your tire pressures before setting off from home, and ensure that they are set to the recommended pressures for road or tarmac driving. This simple step will ensure you catch any potential air leaks before setting off.
- Always ensure that you've stopped on firm and level ground before airing your tires down.
- When airing your tires back up, keep an eye on the air compressor, and ensure that it isn't overheating. Many cheaper air compressors can only operate for a few minutes at a time before needing to cool down.
Tires, Wheels, and Everything Off-Road At 4 Wheel Parts Hit us up at 4 Wheel Parts for all your off-road requirements. No item is too big or small for us, as we deal with hundreds of brands, and carry thousands of high-quality products. You can either visit us at one of our 90+ physical stores located nationwide, or visit our website to browse the entire range, as well as make purchases from the comfort of your armchair. If you choose this avenue, you don't need to worry about timely delivery as we've got six distribution centers and a great logistics team to ensure that your order reaches your doorstep as quickly as possible, and in good condition. If you're a newbie or seeking some advice, our friendly off-road experts are happy to offer help and support via our physical stores, or through the website. A price matching policy ensures that you always get the best prices from us, and we offer applicable warranties depending on each item. Choose 4 Wheel Parts for all your off-road requirements and you won't need anyone else - really.
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