Hilux 4Runner - Suspension Upgrade/Front Locker

Hi shaun,

Don't know anything about the motor - mine's a diesel. As far as the suspension goes, you're fairly limited with the IFS front. It's possible to fit bigger diameter torsion bars and wind them up a bit to make the front sit higher, but this brings the top control arm closer to its bump stop, so you tend to hit it more often when that wheel "drops" into a hole. I'm told you can get thinner bump stops from somewhere, but haven't seen them myself.

Mine has a 2" lift at the back, and I wasn't able to wind the front up enough to completely take that up - only got about 1 1/2 " at the front, I think.

I've seen some pictures on the internet of kits that enable you to lower the IFS control arms relative to the chassis. This enables you to get a lot more height, but your wheel travel is going to be pretty much the same.

One thing I have done is take the swaybar off mine. Road handling suffers - lots more body roll. Does help suspension travel a bit though.

Regards,
Tim Z.

put the locker in the rear!!!!!

Hi shaun 17,mate i'll leave the suspension to the other blokes/woman. If your gettin 350/400 out of a tank of fuel you doin ok. These motors were known for drinking it. Thats around town figs maybe an extra 50 klm on the open road.If you intend going on a long run inland get long range tank fitted or get yourself some fuel containers cause you wont get 400 out of it if you start working it hard sand etc. Also keep an eye on the temp if done around 150.000klms or more as these are proned to blown head gasgets,also oil leaks around the back of the heads. Make sure you run genuine coolant (red stuff) as we had a few come in with radiator blocked up due to mixed coolants. If you flush the coolant out make sure you open heater vavle so you flush system write through. Hope thats of some help Have fun Take Care Vitara

Shaun 17, there are some pretty neat USA suspension stuff that replaces most of the front end, e.g. – upper and lower control arms, to obtain the big lift and travel in IFS vehicles but check first with your state transport authorities first on the mods to see if it’s legal.

Don’t know who in Aust might import it or you could contact the USA dealer directly – just do a Google search for it – I’m sure you will find plenty to choose from if you go that way. Procomp is one - http://www.explorerprocomp.com/products.php?CAT_ID=K5050

Suspension lift of 50mm (2”) would now-a-days will are OK without additional certification – all to do with the bump stop clearances, vehicle stability etc.

Otherwise, phone the major suspension places – ARB, TJM, Opposite Lock, EFS, Terrain Tamer, Pedders to name but a few for suspension upgrades and options.

As for the fuel consumption – well that’s the nature of most 4WDs – weren’t really designed for the fuel consumption of a Suzuki Swift with a strong tail wind. By default diesel engines will do better per tank than a petrol but horses for courses – speed vs economy. You may be able to chip it and replace the exhaust system – extractors etc.

Front locker sounds good too or even a LSD will do the trick - easier to steer than a totally locked one like the ARB / McNamara (soon to be the TJM ones I believe) diffs.

Managed to get a three inch lift out of our 4 Runner by-fitting ball joint spacers(made these$20 for the alloy) to the front,OME torsion bars wound up 50mm(you gain 25mm with the ball joint spacers) topped with OME shocks.
Out the back-900 dds OME springs(60mm lift)OME 80 series shocks(STD ones too short) and the polyairs make up the last 15mm(I have 25mm spacers under the airbags as they are for std height vehicles.
Not really necessary to replace the torsion bars but wanted a complete OME package(getting a great ride now though).
At this height the rear diff is about 10-15mm out of allignment,I havent worried about this(adjustable panhard rod) but you can also get a drop down bracket to relocate your original panhard rod.
Make sure you get a wheel allignment done after lifting it as I didnt (didnt get round to it) and my tyres wore badly on our last trip.