16 Best 3Rd Gen 4Runner Mods (2022 Updated)

Just finished up the installation. I’ll try to remember to update this review when I’m able to go on a test drive (I’ll wheel it, too, and let yall know how that goes). The rear springs and shocks were easy to install since I had a couple of buddies “convincing” the new parts with massive prybars.

The front was a different story; extremely aggravating and it REALLY felt like it was maxing out the travel. At full droop, the spindle on the passenger side contacts the spring of the front strut, and the stock UCA contacts with my 265/75/16 tires on both sides.

Stock brake lines in the rear were EXTREMELY flexed(changed with $60 upgraded lines from wheelers), and the front definitely needs a diff drop kit ($20-30 on amazon). I planned on replacing the upper ball joints, but that’s not going to cut it.

going to replace the UCA’s with JBA high casters. In summary, this kit DOES lift your 4runner. Does a good job of it. The 2. 5-3″ lift looks fantastic. HOWEVER, make sure you have an additional ~$1k set aside for UCA’s, lower ball joints, end links, diff drop kit, and extended brake lines.

I wish I knew the final cost before I got started, but it’s all good. 4runner looks better than ever.

My 2000 4Runner had original suspension so I went with lifted struts for the front and the monotube rear shocks. I am pleased with the height, rides nice on road and off. Hopefully these hold up, will report back after more usage.

The Install wasn’t too bad – there are ton of youtube videos out there to help/give tips. I did have to compress the rear springs slightly to get them installed. Do yourself a favor and just cut the old shocks out instead of trying to remove them after 20 years of rust (and yes I did use PB blaster).

Used a come-along to get the rear track bar over far enough to get the bolt back through, broke my rear abs sensor, no biggie, should have disconnected it. Same with the front just cut out the old struts and save yourself the time.

These do fir with stock front upper control arms but that will probably be the next thing I replace so I can get full extension. I did move the front sway bar end links to the back and put some rear 2nd gen (1990 to 95) on the front.

Stock ones would have gone back on but were too short.

Another great product from Toyota. The install was easy, the included instructions were comprehensive and easy to follow. The kit comes with absolutely everything you’ll need to install. I haven’t noticed any great fuel economy gains.

but the intake really puts a pep in my FJ’s step. acceleration is definitely better, and under any amount of throttle, this intake really allows the old engine to breathe. the sound is impressive.

The Trd cold air intake, first impressions, its nicely packaged instructions are easy use and detailed, after driving for a Few km I can notice a defiantly sound difference at 4000 RPM, but anything under that Its hard to notice, The Trd logos on the air filter box looks sharp, I have noticed a slight gain in horsepower at higher RPM.

The price on this cold air intake was a Liitle steep I paid to much your paying for the Trd name, over all I give this cold air intake a 7 out of 10.

This was installed in conjunction with a Borla cat-back exhaust system on my 2017 4Runner. The end result was just what i wanted. an aggressive growl when you punch down hard and minimal rumble otherwise.

There is no drone at highway speeds at all. perfect setup. There also is a marked improvement on response — not throw you back into the seat improvement but an improvement nonetheless -.

Liking the look of my 4Runner lifted. Happy with the install. Price was a tad high, but its fine. Happy, highly recommend this kit. 1999 Toyota 4Runner

This lift looked high quality but it was not as easy to install as some people have said. It took me 10 hours and i had to rent some tools like a spring compressor and ball joint remover. My truck is 11 years old so take that in consideration because nothing came of easy, everything broke because it was rusted together.

I also had to use a torch to heat things up. The truck looks good but I think it did made the ride a little more bounci. Over all good product but if you have an older vehicle seek a mechanic’s help.

I also had to have it realigned so i ended up spending twice as much as i planned.

Install took me a total of about 8 hours. I split it up into two days. This is a two man job. I highly reccomend air tools. I used a hand socket wrench to take of most of the nuts and it was near impossible.

It looks good afterwards and it is the best deal for a lift for this truck. But installation is very hard, make sure you know what youre doing before you start.

After hitting a deer, who’s horns carved out the right corner of the front bumper on my girl’s 4Runner, I decided a grill guard was in order. A little more protection might help prevent spending another $1000 bucks to her insurance company.

I didn’t want to add 60+ pounds on it’s already smooshed down looking nose. So the leveling kit seemed a good cheap alternative to a full suspension mod. Concerns about Xreas shocks and changes in the vehicle’s dynamics and ride were foremost.

I’m happy to report the Toyota rides great, just a little bit stiffer maybe. The handling is very nearly the same as stock. The truck looks the way Toyota should have made it. When her tires wear out (it’s gonna be awhile, they’re new Michelins) I’ll go up one size in aspect ratio (65 to 70) since they’ll fit, and that’ll give it just a little more ground clearance.

No real issues on the install, but it’s tedious and time consuming when you’ve just got a floor jack, a good spring compressor, and no air-power. A good repair shop could knock it out in a couple of hours if you can afford it, took us six.

Be sure to get a alignment afterward. I installed a diff drop kit just to be on the safe side. Overall. well worth it.

I gained a little more height than expected. Nice surprise. Installation wasn’t bad. Would be a lot easier with 2 people. Remember to remove brake line brackets. Stock brake lines don’t allow suspension to drop enough.

2004 toyota 44runner.

This is a fairly simple way to level out the front of the truck without impacting the ride. Installation wasn’t too bad – it makes a good weekend project. My only complaint was that diagrams/pictures that came with the instructions weren’t that good, but there are plenty of instructions on line that made up for it.

My search that lead me to Rough Country was for a leveling kit. I thought that it said leveling kit when I ordered, but maybe not. Looking at pics, reviews etc I though leveling. Took it to a shop to have it installed and now I have a lifted 4 Runner that still looks like it’s pointing downhill.

Presently do not like it. Think I wasted $1000 on purchase and install at this point. May try to remove the rear lift and see how it looks. TBD.

I ordered the first kit and it was missing one of the strut spacers up front, I let customer service know and they had a replacement kit to me in 2 days. Awesome service! Problem is they sent a replacement kit and it was also missing one strut spacer, weird!!! You guys may need to check your packaging department.

Overall great experience and I will be back to buy the front bumper and winch for my wife’s 4 runner.

I installed the front and actually am going to hold off on the rear for now. The front spacers leveled out my truck nicely and it has a great stance. Also I didn’t need the dif drop, my cv angles and everything is all basic the same.

There is plenty of clearance now for the 265/70/17s A. T. Goodyear wranglers that will go in this weekend. Also my ride quality is absolutely the same so I’d say thumbs up for this kit. I’ll post more pics if I end up putting on the rear blocks, but for now I’m keeping it the way it is.

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I wanted to raise the rear of my truck 1″ and the front 2″ to bring it close to level but still allow for some load sag in the back. This kit did the trick. The quality of the components is good, installation was pretty straight forward.

My only disappointment is the shackle bolts are WAY too long. Supreme Suspensions did send me replacements but they too are 1 1/2″ too long. Not what I expected from Suspension Specialists and a vehicle specific kit.

Easy enough install in my driveway, took about 4 hours by myself. Really happy with how it turned out. Did have one piece of hardware that was sent to me incorrect-one locknut for the diff drop was the wrong size but I had a correct sized one in my stash so it wasn’t a biggie.

I did have to also install the ECGS clamshell bushing to replace the factory front diff needle bearing afterward but that too was no huge task and only a $60 part from east coast gear. Really happy with the lift kit!.

I was actually looking at the full price item on bams site. Then discovered these open box returns with blemishes. I dont see any at all and almost 100 cheaper. Didnt install it and didn’t count hardware but the skid plate looks brand new.

Besides, it goes under your truck and gets smashed on rocks, if u use your truck appropriately.

Skid plate was a excellent choice for my 2 wheel drive FJ. Even though it weighs the same as the OEM steel guard, the TRD skid plate is Aluminum and is a a bit thicker with welded edges to take a beating.

All its designed to do is protect the underside of your engine and front suspension and allow air flow to the proper components really does its job well and looks good!.

Fit perfect even with old man emu lift and differential drip kit. Cant go wrong here. Shipped fast for how heavy it is. Seems to weight the same as the steel one, but way nicer looking.

I replaced some Yukon gears in the front of my 2003 Wrangler TJ after my “mechanic” installed the other pinion incorrectly and damaged them. I have been very happy with these gears in the past on my other jeep (95 YJ).

No issues with these so far because they’ve only been installed a couple of days. We in fairly easy with no problems. Everything bolted in without issue and seem to be working perfectly. Went to the beach the day after the install, ran around on the beach all day with no issues.

Would recommend them to anyone needing gears, whether to upgrade or replace damaged/broken gears. They wouldve probably went in easier but I had to replace everything to to improper installation by another shop.

High quality gear set at a great price. I searched many other sites but the product was either out of stock or over priced. I shoped here and found the availability and the price I needed.

Re geared my Silverado 1500 35in tires with 373 gears stock. These gears run quiet and have not had any issues with them. Only have about 500 miles on them so I just passed the break in period. Mpg increased close to befor I got tires.

Had a shop install.

The spacer kit looks great. However, there is NOTHING remotely close to addressing anything about the Xreas system in your directions. There are even pictures that show you taking the strut completely out, which is impossible with the Xreas system.

I actually ended up ruining my Xreas (probably for the better) trying to install using the directions provided. The vague directions would be fine if it were a normal suspension but this is explicitly advertised as a system “only for Xreas” and there isn’t one piece of information pertaining to the Xreas system.

Because of the lack of any clear direction from the provider I ended up going to another 4 wheeling site and ordering a while new suspension. Not worth the pain or the extra money.

Since install, (500 miles) everything seems to be working great, handles great, didn’t jeopardize ride quality at all. Please note, install directions are vague and miss plenty of required planning for install and install directions.

Photos and directions for one show system being removed for install. You cannot unhook the x-reas system without adding much work. Install has to occur without you removing the shock completely, no directions indicate that you have to get spring compressors to rotate the hat of the coil system.

I called and spoke with someone at rough country and the only help they had was sending a video on how to completely remove the x-reas from your 4-runner???!!!???!!. Caution, it will take double the time they quote.

Took my son and I about 4 hours to install with basic tools on garage floor. (2007 4Runner) Had to search for instructions on line. (Found on RC website) Would be nice if they were in box. Quality of parts are excellent and no fitment issues.

Would recommend.