Why you should put a lift kit on your Toyota 4Runner
Why you should put a lift kit on your Toyota 4Runner
Congratulations! You are the proud owner of a Toyota 4Runner. Whether you have a 5th generation (2010-2024) or the newer 6th generation models (2025+), this guide covers the lift kit essentials that will transform your adventure capabilities.
30+ year pedigree in quality, safety and impressive off-road capabilities are built into your vehicle. As you have driven it around town with a grin painted ear to ear, you might have thought: What adventures are in my future? Camping, exploring, hiking? Plenty of fresh air and zero crowds?
TORQ ENGINEERING was founded in the Western United States, where within a few hours or so you can go from the urban sprawl to rocky mountains, forests and lakes- to red rock deserts with arches and slot canyons. Activities that range from skiing, camping, hiking, and climbing, to fishing, hunting, star gazing and stunning lookouts. Adventure is in our DNA and we are committed to helping you get there.
And while your capable Toyota is designed to be ready, why not add a TORQ ENGINEERING lift kit to your vehicle to improve its off-road capabilities and ease your mind about many of the obstacles that you could encounter.
What will a TORQ ENGINEERING 3/2 4Runner lift kit do for you?
Elevate your experience
Off road adventures provide you not only with limitless excitement - but also with remote roads, uneven trails that can be rocky, muddy, and potentially a real challenge. Nothing can ruin a trip faster than a ding or a dent on your new vehicle. Bumpers, exhaust systems and running boards can all be damaged on rocks and uneven trails.
Adding a TORQ ENGINEERING 3-inch lift kit to your 4Runner allows you peace of mind so that your focus can be on fun and your adventure. With TORQ’s lift kits, you have the option to add larger and more aggressive tires, improved clearance on your 4Runner to protect your investment from scratches, dings, and dents. More ground clearance also protects your skid plate and differentials on the uneven terrain, as well as better approach and descent angles on obstacles.
Turning Heads
The 4Runner has always had a commanding presence on the road. A TORQ ENGINEERING 3-inch lift kit paired with 32-33" tires takes that aesthetic to the next level—adding aggressive stance, improved ground clearance, and a trail-ready look that turns heads.
Quality
Just as there are cheaper options available to you in the vehicle marketplace -TORQ ENGINEERING 3/2 kits are designed to compliment your investment. On the Toyota 4Runner, aftermarket lift kit components are visible when you look at your 4Runner. For that reason, we have chosen not to use less expensive welded steel components that can potentially break, flake and rust.
TORQ ENGINEERING kits are
- Built to high quality standards in the U.S.A
- Designed to be installed with the least amount of change and disruption to your factory parts.
- Solid aircraft grade Aluminum - Anodized Black
- Heat treated bolts and fasteners, plated for corrosion resistance
- Polyurethane cushioning to eliminate annoying squeaks and rattles
- Trusted by dealers and 4-wheel drive shops across the country
Here are some options you should consider when deciding to lift your Toyota 4Runner.
The Look- Leveling -Lift kits – Both
4Runners arrive from the factory with a bit of a forward rake - meaning the front end sits lower than the rear. This design is to compensate for any added payload in or on the rear of the 4Runner. (Once you weigh it down, it will sit level)
For this reason, leveling kits have become increasingly popular. If you are not planning on using your 4Runner for towing or hauling anything heavy, most people prefer to have the vehicle looking level. Most leveling kits will consist of a thin set of spacers that sit on top of the vehicles struts to raise the front end an inch or two, thus leveling it out.
A lift kit, raises the vehicle higher off the ground using a variety of methods such as spacers, upgraded shocks, coil overs or a combination of each. Spacer lifts provide extra tire clearance without replacing the factory suspension. These are essentially leveling kits with taller spacers that lift the front and rear. They may feel slightly stiffer (due to spring preloading), but don't fundamentally alter performance. For a deeper dive into spacer lifts and how they compare to preload collar systems, [see our full comparison: Spacer Lift vs. Preload Collar] If you want to improve the 4Runners appearance or run slightly larger tires without breaking the bank, the TORQ ENGINEERING 3/2 leveling/lift kits are a great option.
Suspension kits are more specialized off-roading suspension systems. (New springs, shocks, control arms, and anything else to maintain the desired height) A good rule of thumb is, that the taller you go the more involved (and money) the kit is.
Note: If your 4Runner has modern safety systems like backup cameras, parking sensors, or adaptive suspension, verify compatibility with your chosen kit. TORQ ENGINEERING kits are designed to work seamlessly with factory tech, but we recommend confirming with your installer if your model year is 2023 or newer.
Budget-
How do you plan to use your 4runner? Will it regularly see dirt and rocks or is it a pavement princess? A weekend Warrior? Or a weekly workhorse?
There is a very wide range of pricing and lift kit manufacturers for the Toyota market. On the low end, spacer lift kits typically range from $200-$800. Full suspension systems can run $2,500-$5,000+ depending on components and features. TORQ ENGINEERING 3-inch lift kits fall in the mid-range, offering the best balance of quality, durability, and value for most 4Runner owners. [Shop our current 4Runner lift kits] to see pricing and options.
Deciding how you are going to be using your 4Runner, whether it is a weekly workhorse, a weekend warrior or a pavement princess should be your first task. For street driven 4runners and adventure opportunists, things are a bit simpler. Finding something that gives you the aggressive head turning appearance that you want while also making sure it offers a smooth ride can be easily ordered on our website and delivered quickly to your front door.
Installation-
TORQ ENGINEERING kits come with detailed written instructions and comprehensive videos for a DIY approach. Professional installation typically takes 2-4 hours at your local tire shop or dealer.
TORQ ENGINEERING 3/2 lift kits were designed to work with your Toyota suspension so no additional cutting or trimming of your vehicle is necessary – unless you choose to push the limits on tire size.
Our suggested Tire Size 3-4" Lift: 33x12.50 (Max)
After installation -taking your 4runner to a shop that has off road experience to get an alignment is a good idea. They should know a few tricks to put your 4Runner where it needs to be and make it continue driving great on the road. We recommend the Camber be set to zero and toe .04 degrees
Possible drawbacks
While we have tried to shine a light on many of the reasons you may want to consider a 3” lift kit and larger and more aggressive tires, there are a few drawbacks.
Aftermarket parts can be addicting
Loss in fuel economy
Expect a modest decrease in fuel economy, typically 1-3 MPG depending on your driving style and tire size. V8 models will see slightly larger losses than V6 models. Highway driving shows minimal impact; aggressive off-road or city driving will be more noticeable. This is the trade-off for improved capability and appearance.
4Runner may not fit in your garage anymore
Warranty
Lift kits are aftermarket equipment. Naturally, you may be concerned about putting your 4Runners warranty at risk. Rest assured that we have many great relationships with Toyota dealerships where they sell and install our lift kits on “new” vehicles and fully intact warranties. Car dealers might say that unless they install your lift kit, it will automatically void your warranty, but this is NOT true. There are many advantages to using professional installation facilities, but it should not ever be considered a deal breaker.
MAGNUSON MOSS WARRANTY ACT
US Code - Title 15, Chapter 50, Sections 2301-2312Legally, a vehicle manufacturer cannot void the warranty on a vehicle due to an aftermarket part unless they can prove that the aftermarket part caused or contributed to the failure in the vehicle (per the Magnuson Moss Warranty Act (15 U.S.C. 2302(C)) . For best results, consider working with performance-oriented dealerships with a proven history of working with customers. If your vehicle manufacturer fails to honor emission/warranty claims, contact EPA at www.epa.gov (1-888-372-7341) or the FTC at www.ftc.gov (1-877-438-4338). TORQ ENGINEERING has strong relationships with Toyota dealerships that sell and install our kits while maintaining full warranty coverage. [See our dealer directory] for a certified installer near you.
Have fun with this decision and don't forget to take pictures of all your adventures! We would love to see all the places that you will go. Tag us @torq_usa on your Instagram pictures or @Torq Engineering on Facebook