1997 Toyota 4Runner Lift Kit (Review & Buying Guide)
Selecting the Best 1997 Toyota 4Runner Lift Kit
At Ultimate Rides, lifted rides are our specialty. Our team spends a great deal of time working on lifted vehicles and installing lift kits, so it’s safe to say we know our stuff. With that, we also know that shopping for the right lift kit online can be a little confusing or time-consuming. There is an almost endless amount of choices to be made. We hope to simplify the process for you by offering some of our recommendations for lift kits.
Most of the lift kits you can buy from major sites like Amazon are on the lower end of the price spectrum. If you have the money in your budget to spend several thousand dollars on your kit, you can get a truly excellent model from your friends here at Ultimate Rides. However, if this is your first kit, or you’re on a tighter budget, you can bet that these are the best options for you.
Once you’ve got through our product recommendations, be sure to check out our buying guide. In it, you’ll find more information on what makes a quality lift kit, and what to remember while you shop. Hopefully we get you set up with the perfect kit for your needs today! Let’s get started.
1. Rough Country 77130 3″ Lift Kit (ASIN – B00C0W9XU4)
Our first 1997 Toyota 4Runner lift kit comes to us from Rough Country. Rough Country is a popular manufacturer of vehicle parts and accessories, and they’re widely renowned for their aftermarket lift kits. This particular kit will raise the suspension of your 4Runner by three inches. Along with that, it features premium N3 shocks for you to install. The kit is backed by Rough Country’s lifetime warranty, and won’t have a negative effect on your ride quality. For all those reasons, we believe this is the best option for 1997 4Runner drivers.
Rough Country 77130 3″ Lift Kit N3 Shocks 3″ (fits) 1996-2002 4-Runner 4WD Suspension System
2. SDT 4Runner 2″ Front Leveling Kit (ASIN – B01NBWZIAB)
Next up, we bring you a kit from StreetDirtTrack, also known as SDT. This two-inch front leveling kit consists of two billet aluminum strut spacers, as well as all the hardware you need to install them. SDT offers its customers a 100% satisfaction guarantee, as well as a transferable lifetime warranty. However, we don’t think you’ll end up ever needing to use it. SDT’s products come highly recommended, and if your front end is sagging, this is an excellent way to fix the problem.
3. Freedom Offroad 1996-2002 4Runner 3” Front + 2″ Inch Rear Suspension Lift Leveling Kit (ASIN – B016VATXVO)
Many 1997 Toyota 4Runner lift kit options consist of a combination of leveling and traditional lift kits. This is a perfect example of that. With it, you can both fix a sagging front end as well as raise the overall suspension of the vehicle. In this kit, you’ll find front strut spacers that will raise the suspension by three inches, as well as two-inch rear spacers. Freedom Offroad also offers a lifetime warranty for this product, so if you aren’t satisfied with their construction, the company should take care of you.
Freedom Offroad 1996-2002 4Runner 3” Front + 2″ Inch Rear Suspension Lift Leveling Kit
4. Daystar 4Runner 1.5″ Rear Lift Kit (ASIN – B001GH5PDS)
One company that you will see pop up again and again when it comes to lift kits is Daystar. They are also one of the most reliable manufacturers out there. If your 4Runner currently has a sagging rear end, you can use this easy-to-install kit to fix the problem. This pair of rear spacers is made from a high-density polyurethane, making it both affordable, safe and dependable. You won’t have to worry about drooping rear suspension once you order this set of spacers.
5. Liftcraft 2″ Front Leveling Spacer Kit (ASIN – B00TP7B5XA)
Here we have another set of front strut spacers to recommend. This time, the spacers were manufactured and sold by lesser-known company Big Brawns. They are made using 6061T6 aircraft-grade aluminum, which means that they are about as reliable as they come. For those drivers dealing with a slightly sagging front end, there couldn’t be an easier fix for you. Installation is possible with only basic tools, and those who know what they’re doing should have installation completed in no time at all. Get yours today and get started!
6. Supreme Suspensions 3″ Front Leveling Lift Kit (ASIN – B00HV2KIBG)
Looking for something more than two inches of increased front suspension? This set of spacers from Supreme Suspensions should do the trick. They offer three inches of lift instead, and feature excellent quality construction that will last for years and years. Once again, you’ll find that these spacers are made using aircraft-grade billet aluminum, ensuring your ride gets only the best. Whether you want a more aggressive stance for your SUV, or you’re just trying to fix aging suspension, we feel that these are a strong choice.
7. Daystar 1″ Lift Kit (ASIN – B001GH5PDI)
Sometimes, two inches can be too much of a lift for a leveling kit, causing uneven suspension once again. If you only need a slight lift, this one-inch offering from Daystar should be exactly what you’re looking for. Like the other Daystar option on our list, these spacers are made from a high-density polyurethane, which has some benefits that its aluminum counterparts don’t. If you’re looking for a quick and easy fix that doesn’t sacrifice dependability, you can bet on this option to work for you. It’s even available right now at a fantastic price!
8. Supreme Suspensions 3″ Front Lift Strut Spacers + 2″ Rear Lift Spring Spacers (ASIN – B00VKR6BGO)
Finally, the last item available on our list today comes to us from Supreme Suspensions once again. This kit consists of front and rear spacers that will help level the vehicle out and increase its overall lift. It’s great if you want to upgrade to the next tire size up, as well as fix some nagging uneven suspension issues. Installation is a little bit of a process, but it shouldn’t be too difficult if you’ve done this before or know what you’re getting into. The billet aluminum construction will help ensure you won’t have to replace this lift kit anytime soon, and it’ll also greatly improve the look and feel of your ride. What’s not to love here?
1997 Toyota 4Runner Lift Kit Buying Guide
If you’re feeling overwhelmed when shopping for a lift kit, we hope that this guide can help ease some of that tension. Once you break it down, the process shouldn’t be too complicated. The best thing to rely on would have to be customer reviews. Do your research and discover what other customers are saying about the product you want to buy. If you see one or two negative reviews, it’s likely not a big deal. However, if you start to see a recurring pattern, it may be time to start considering other options for your lift kit.
Additionally, you’ll want to pay close attention to compatibility. Only purchase a lift kit that you know will fit on your ride. Most products do a good job of listing out which vehicles will work either in the product’s name or its description. If you’re still in doubt, check customer reviews or other websites for more information.
Lastly, and this might go without saying, you’ll have to decide how much of a lift you need. Do you need a leveling kit to fix uneven suspension? Or are you hoping to get a full suspension lift kit? Most of the options available from major sites like Amazon are either leveling kits, or 2-3-inch lift kits. That’s a great place to start, and you may even be able to install the kit on your own from home!
However, if you are having trouble with installation, Ultimate Rides is here to help. As we said, we’re lift kit experts. If you’ve got questions or need a team to install your kit for you, reach out to us at 815-634-3900. We’re located at 38 W. Division St., Coal City, IL 60416. We’d be happy to hear from you today!
Two Brothers With a Dream, Building The Best Ultimate Rides
Ultimate Rides consists of two brothers who have been buying and selling custom vehicles for over ten years. Selling lifted trucks by day and writing these awesome reviews by night! They started their Ultimate Rides journey with a third brother Jake, who was a big part of building the business they have today. In 2016 Jake passed away and losing their brother was the hardest thing they ever had to deal with. Even though they had a tragic loss they plan to continue to set a new trend for the auto industry, keeping customers number one. Pushing the envelope on the lifted truck market, these guys love researching and learning about everything in the auto industry!
— Nick and Alex Bulanda, Founders of Ultimate Rides
