Know Your Front End First

The second generation runs independent front suspension on torsion bars, not front leaf springs. That changes both what you can do and what you buy: front ride height comes from the torsion bars and the lift kit, and the wear items are ball joints rather than spring bushings.

If yours is a 1984 to 1989 it is the previous generation, and part of that range is leaf-sprung up front — go to 1st gen 4Runner suspension instead.

Where to Go From Here

  • Lift kits — the biggest section by far, and the right starting point if you want the truck higher. A 2" kit built specifically for the 1990-1995 4WD, through to long-travel 3-link and 4-link.
  • Stock height — torsion bars, Old Man Emu shocks and IFS ball joints for a truck staying at factory height.
  • Brackets and hardware — shackle mounts, spring hangers, U-bolt flip kits, link brackets and shock hoops.
  • Lowering — one item only, and we would rather tell you that than waste the click. Almost nobody lowers these.

The Parts That Actually Wear Out

On a truck this age the front end usually needs attention first, and it is rarely the springs.

Tell us the year and what the truck is doing — daily driving, towing, or carrying armour and a winch — and we will point you at the right end of the range. The rest of the 2nd gen 4Runner catalogue is one level up.

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