88 4runner automatic body lift???

[carlos4x4sand]

If come to know that there is no available body lift for my truck which is a 88 4runner automatic, but there is a body lift for a 88 pickup automatic does anybody know whats up wit that?? I know the bodies are different but somebody please fill me in??

[bikeguy18974]

I've got an 86 4runner w/ the automatic, and I just installed a 3" body lift. I went with a trailmaster kit. If you go to the trailmaster site they will list the same kit for autos and manuals however there is an extra bracket (the part number is listed on their site) that you will need. The bracket lowers the transfer case linkage so that you can shift into and use 4low. My buddy w/ a similar 87 had a 3" w/ out the bracket and would have to hold the t-case shifter in 4 low if he wanted to use it.

The reason I went w/ trailmaster is that they were the only ones who offered this bracket and even took into account that some people do have autos.

I've since learned (from this site) of the 4crawler body lifts. I think his name is rob. Maybe someone has a link. He offers whatever you need for the lift for your specific vehicle (including the bracket) and not just a generic kit. My trailmaster kit had leftover pieces for the manual trans, some bolts were pretty long, and the bolts were not the size claimed in the instructions.

Although my trailmaster kit went on just fine (and it was my first time doing such a thing) I would probably go w/ 4crawler if I had known of it at the time. Also the 4crawler site has excellent instructions w/ pics for installing the lifts and the specifics for each model year etc. Hope this helps. Sorry so long.

[carlos4x4sand]

Hey man thanks alot. by the way how much was the kit and where did u get it?, and how much was the bracket?

[carlos4x4sand]

Oh and did u need any steering extentions???

[bikeguy18974]

I got my kit at a local speed shop. I went to the dealer locator on the trailmaster website and found the closest one. They ordered it for me. The kit was under $100 but the bracket was $35.

As for steering extensions. I just drilled out the plastic pins like the directions said and left it like that. I marked the steering shaft but it moved very little if any. I had my mechanic check everything out and he said it all looked okay. I've got about 1000 miles on it now some of them with heavy loads (moving) on tight city streets with lots of parallel parking. The steer shaft seems to be just fine.

[fourwd1]

4crawler is Roger Brown 4crawler.cruiserpages.com/4Runner.shtml

He has the bracket needed for the auto tranny linkage (not t-case linkage, there is none; it's the auto linkage that's the problem) as well as his own line of custom made body lifts. He'll make it to your specs, it's not off the shelf, and reasonable $$ too.

[4xfred]

;D Thanks fourwd1!!!! I'm not "involved" w/Roger, BUT, I can personally speak for the quality of his product. I have his 1" kit on my truck along w/poly bushings. The install was clean, any probs I had were dealt w/now!. I highly recommend his product. Later...

[bikeguy18974]

Just wanted to point out that there is some sort of linkage for the trnasfer case and the transmission. According to rogers site they both need to be adjusted for a three inch lift.

To adjust the transmission shifter its a matter of loosening a bolt (or in some cases two) and adjusting as per instructions on rogers site. I had to adjust mine a bit as I could barely get the truck out of park after lifting it.

The adjust the transfer case lever you need the special bracket. This pic is from Rogers site. The bracket lowers this whole backwards 'C' shaped assembly and allows proper functioning of the transfer case lever and thus linkage.




My buddy didn't adjust either of the levers and had it like that for over three years. I just told him about the bracket and he's looking forward to getting 4low back.

[bikeguy18974]

Oh yeah, and as mentioned above definitely get poly bushings and install them at the same time if you don't already have them.