Quick answer: A 4Runner takes a lift differently than a pickup. Most builds land in one of two places - a simple front leveling spacer for about $550 installed with the alignment, or a full coilover and rear spring package in the $1,800 to $3,200 range that actually improves how the truck rides. Anything over about two inches of front lift needs upper control arms, and 33s (285/70R17) are the sweet spot before you start cutting or regearing.
We see a lot of 4Runners at the Willis shop, and they are one of the few vehicles where spending more genuinely gets you a better-riding truck instead of just a taller one. Here is how the options actually differ.
Why a 4Runner Is Not Like Lifting a Pickup
Half-ton pickups run a leaf spring in back. A 4Runner runs coil springs at all four corners with a solid rear axle. That matters for two reasons: the rear can be raised with springs rather than blocks, and the whole vehicle is more sensitive to spring rate than a truck is. Get the rate wrong and you end up with a 4Runner that rides like a wheelbarrow.
The front is independent, which means lifting it changes your alignment geometry the same way it does on a Tacoma or an F-150. Camber and caster both move. That is why the alignment is not optional - it is included in every install quote we write at $150.
Option 1: The Leveling Spacer
A spacer sits on top of the factory strut and pushes the front down, which raises the body. It is the cheapest way to lose the nose-down stance, and on a 4Runner it usually buys you an inch and a half to two inches up front.
What it does: fixes the rake, makes room for a slightly bigger tire. What it does not do: improve the ride at all. You are still on factory struts, now compressed a little more than Toyota intended. If your 4Runner already rides fine and you just want it to sit level, this is a perfectly reasonable place to stop.
Option 2: Coilovers and Rear Springs
This is where a 4Runner build gets interesting. Replacing the front struts with a real coilover - Bilstein 6112, Icon, Fox, or King depending on budget - lets you set ride height and get a better damper at the same time. Out back, taller progressive springs bring the rear up and stop the sag that shows up once you add a bumper, a drawer system, or a roof rack.
We finished a 2024 4Runner recently on exactly this setup: Bilstein 6112 adjustable coilovers up front, 5160 remote-reservoir shocks with matched rear springs in back, B8 upper control arms, and 33-inch BFGoodrich KO3s. It sits level, it has real travel, and it still drives like a daily. You can see it in our build gallery.
Quick Estimate
When You Need Upper Control Arms
Past roughly two inches of front lift, the factory upper control arm runs out of range. You will see it as caster you cannot get back into spec, a ball joint sitting at a bad angle, or contact between the arm and the coilover at full droop.
Aftermarket UCAs correct the geometry and give the ball joint its articulation back. If you are running a coilover at a mid or high setting, plan on them. We cover the reasoning in more depth in do you need upper control arms with a leveling kit.
Tire Sizes That Actually Fit
On a lifted 4Runner, 285/70R17 - a 33 - is the size most people end up at. It fits with a modest lift and minor or no trimming on most model years, it does not wreck your gearing, and there is a huge tire selection at that size.
Going to 35s on a 4Runner is a bigger project than people expect. It usually means trimming, sometimes a body mount chop, and the gearing starts to feel lazy because the 4Runner was not geared with that much tire in mind. It can be done well, but it is a build, not an afternoon.
What About KDSS?
Some TRD trims came with KDSS, Toyota's hydraulic sway bar system. It is a good system and it does not prevent a lift, but it does change the install. The bars have to be handled correctly during the process or you end up with a 4Runner that sits crooked afterward. If your 4Runner has KDSS, mention it when you get a quote - it affects how we approach the job.
What It Costs
A front leveling spacer with alignment starts around $550 installed. A full coilover and rear spring package, with upper control arms, generally runs $1,800 to $3,200 depending on which brand of suspension you choose. Tires and wheels are separate and depend entirely on what you pick.
Every quote we write includes the alignment at $150. We do them in-house, so your 4Runner does not leave the building half finished.
Financing
We work with Affirm and Sunbit for financing, and Acima, Snap, and Kafene for lease-to-own. Acima starts a lease for as little as $10 with a 90-day early purchase option. Snap goes up to $5,000 and all credit types are welcome to apply. Full terms are on our financing page.
Get a Quote
Tell us the year, the trim, whether it has KDSS, and what tire size you are picturing, and we will tell you honestly whether a spacer will get you there or whether you want the coilover route. Get a free estimate or call (936) 320-8120. We are in Willis, TX and we see customers from Conroe, Montgomery, The Woodlands, Huntsville, Spring, and Tomball.