Lifting at 4” or more

I was considering going with a 4 inch lift on my 04 prerunner. Will I have to upgrade anything so nothing breaks? Like maybe UCR, break lines or anything else. Kinda new to lifting

 

Stick with 2" at most.

 

First thing you need to answer is why do you want a lift?

What is a UCR, by the way? Do you mean UCA (upper control arm)?


Are you after the Hawaii Bro look, or are you wanting to thrash this thing off road?

With a prerunner, at least you don't have to worry about CV angles, so you can "get away" with larger lifts than for a 4x4, but that really just means there are fewer things to contend with when lifting it.

However, anything over 2.0-2.5" and you typically run into alignment issues and need aftermarket UCAs to correct for the geometry. Front brake lines are probably fine if you're only messing with the control arm angles (no bracket lift). For a bracket lift, I'd hope that would be accounted for in the kit, but knowing the quality of a lot of the bracket lifts out there, probably not... You'll need a rear brake line for sure.

Most 4" lifts are bracket style lifts, like the 6" ones, and are just cheap-o spacers and blocks. Honestly I'd stay away from those unless you are looking PURELY for looks (even then I wouldn't run out and stand in line for one, lol). 3" is about the max you can expect to get out of just messing with control arm angles, and really, is as high as you really need to go for off-roading anyway. More lift doesn't make fitting 35's any easier, and just makes your truck's center of gravity higher (bad for wheeling).

Plus, with most of the bracket lifts you have to cut out the crossmember, which means you can't exactly go back without a bunch of fabrication. I see lot of posts from people who end up wanting to revert back to stock or go with a true performance oriented lift system for off-roading, and that's hard to do when you're now missing your crossmember.

If you want something to fit some larger tires to go offoading, you're WAY better off to stick to 2-3" and put that money into better shocks, a good set of 33's, and hammering the pinch weld (and *maybe* a little cutting).

Now, if you're just looking for looks, I would just advise you to not go out and get the cheapest kit on the market.

 

Another option would be new Spindles since 2WD

 

I don't think that applies to first gen

 

https://www.solomotorsports.com/sho...oyota-parts/fully-fabricated-toyota-spindles/

Edit: I guess only 3" of lift

 

Spindles alone I don't think are going to get you 4" of lift. I think most are 2.5-3".

That's definitely a way to go though.

I don't have any experience with spindles, but I'd imagine some fabtech spindles (3") and a good set of coilovers (or even just some 5100's set on the middle setting) would do nicely.

Out back, however, that's a little different. If you want to match the 4", longer shocks are needed (5100's are not long enough), and ideally you'd get an entire leaf pack that's designed for 4" of lift, which I don't think there are many out there. Most are 3" or less. The 6" bracket lifts make up the difference with blocks and add-a-leafs. You might be able to get a 3" leaf pack, then get a 1" lift shackle. I know with a stock height leaf, 1" lift shackle works pretty well (it's what I have), but the geometry of a 3" lift spring is pretty different, so not sure that would work the same on a set of 3" lift springs.

 

I doubt that's what the OP is looking for, lol. I don't believe those are lift spindles anyway. They do widen the track by 2"

Fabtech makes a 3" spindle, too, for like $400.
https://www.4wheelparts.com/p/2004-Toyota-Tacoma-FabtechFabtech-3-Inch-Lift-Spindle-FTS4130-7/_/R-BKBN-FTS4130-7?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI5MTxqYy75gIVCYiGCh2cQgTCEAQYASABEgLM3PD_BwE&ecmp=s:google_1749763888_65275301221__aud-320825497387la-670066724636_Fabtech_FABFTS4130-754827_YMM_US&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=shopping&emlprox=out&ppcfon=1&gp=1&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&sc_intid=FABFTS4130-754827&ef_id=EAIaIQobChMI5MTxqYy75gIVCYiGCh2cQgTCEAQYASABEgLM3PD_BwE:G:s&s_kwcid=AL!7836!3!340663032463!!!g!670066724636!&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=SC Shopping - NTM Desktop&ecmp=s:google_1749763888_65275301221__aud-320825497387la-670066724636


Obviously not the same quality, and doesn't include bearings, etc... But iirc, you can't just use those solomotorsports spindles, they require uniball UCAs and are geared for the dudes with long travel, i.e. people who spend $10k on their front suspension.

EDIT: I don't know what the hell is up with the happy faces in that link but it works....

 

SAS

 

Fabtech spindle is only for 5 lugs

 

Blame 4WheelParts if that's true, they say it's for Pre-runners.

I do remember something about 5 lugs and spindles, though. I don't see a lot of lift spindles for the 4x4's. Seems like the hubs on 4wd/prerunner spindles are already pretty low.

Looking at the fabtech site, looks like the spindles are mostly for the 5 lugs,

 

All these answers are great. I’m mainly going for look and ride quality. Considering it’s 2wd, not much off-roading unless it’s to get to some favorite camp spots. Looks like I’ll go 3 and probably stick to the 5100’s with an add a leaf in back. And yes I meant UCA hah misspelled

 

In what condition is your leaf pack?

I ask because if your leaf pack is shot, you may as well forego an AAL and just replace your pack with an aftermarket setup for height and flex.

Bilstein 5100s are favored around here and are a great value.

 

They’re almost flat. I was also looking into a leaf pack just because I can get the additional inches for the lift without an AAL

 

3inch suspension lift and 1inch body lift for your 4inches

 

Yooo 4wheelparts are the biggest legal scam artists around. I have no idea how they are in business. Avoid these clowns! Sorry for the off topic post. AVOID LIKE THE PLAGUE

 

Don’t mean to hijack here, but I’m looking at some 5100s paired with the eibach coils to lift my front slightly. What would I need to then even the rear out? I’m new to lifting, but same as op I’m mainly going for looks to fit larger tires do little off-road unless it’s to a camp site being I’m 2wd.

 

Shackles or AAL.

AAL can help with supporting a bit more payload.

You'll want 5100's in the rear as well as they're extended travel compared to your stock shocks; you may not need the shocks as you said you don't off road but it'll be nice to know that shocks won't be your limiting factor.

 

You can go cheap and get a block to lift, but AAL is a better option.

 

I’m def not wanting blocks. I believe I can do the AAL myself.