LC Lift advantages and disadvantages?

[Bad1975]

I am lifting mine about 2" next Thursday. All parts Dobinsons. MRR's on all 4, UCA's, panhard rod, rear endlinks, diff drop kit. Driving 4 hours to the best installer I can find which I also think is very important. I have researched myself to death on this and just getting it done! Will provide honest report back here once I have driven a bit.

You got the Dobby UCAs and extended travel MMRs? The UCAs are beefy, I got same full setup except I went GS shocks.

I wouldn’t add the Dr KDSS panhard bracket if you were considering? My measurements show it will contact the frame at full droop by about a 1” of interference.

I may make a bracket for the frame side of the panhard, but haven’t experienced any ill effects alignment or otherwise with slight panhard angle after lift.

Also want to add adjustable front end links to remove preload from the stabby bar from the lift but haven’t found anything yet that will work without modification.

Can’t speak for the MMR but the GS and IMS are great I think you’ll love them!

Would like to know the mileage you get out of the MMRs before they start leaking and need a rebuild if you keep it long enough and want to report back?

 

[LCOceans]

You got the Dobby UCAs and extended travel MMRs? The UCAs are beefy, I got same full setup except I went GS shocks.

I wouldn’t add the Dr KDSS panhard bracket if you were considering? My measurements show it will contact the frame at full droop by about a 1” of interference.

I may make a bracket for the frame side of the panhard, but haven’t experienced any ill effects alignment or otherwise with slight panhard angle after lift.

Also want to add adjustable front end links to remove preload from the stabby bar from the lift but haven’t found anything yet that will work without modification.

Can’t speak for the MMR but the GS and IMS are great I think you’ll love them!

Would like to know the mileage you get out of the MMRs before they start leaking and need a rebuild if you keep it long enough and want to report back?

First thing, your posts are awesome and have been super helpful. You are at the top of the most knowledgable of members here, and I'm sure I speak for many - we appreciate your thoughts.

Yes, Dobinsons UCA's. Just thought I would keep all in same family and heard they are solid. Heard some other brands (IKON) need oiling/maintenance.

Not extended travel. I asked about extended travel and was advised against them. I specifically asked if I will lose range of articulation / down-travel / up-travel with standard, and they told me I will not. That I will actually gain a bit from stock. Sounds like this may not be true?

Debated the KDSS. Researched. Not doing it. staying with panhard rod from Dobinsons.

Diff drop - I heard 2" lift, its good to have. I hope there is no downside. As long as CV angle is correct. I'll address with installer when I am there.

Really went back and forth on IMS or MRR 3 way and decided for $1k more this will allow me to dial in comfort. Hope I made right choice. I love this truck. While I am not a huge off-roader, I do plan on taking it on some trails, and hope to keep the LC long term so wanted to do it right.

Thanks again and I will definitely provide feedback.

 

[Bad1975]

Thanks, my posts are probably too long, but just trying to help people avoid headaches and down grades.

I doubt you’ll maintain stock articulation without extended travel but would love to know if Dobinsons if different than the rest here as well?

If you could just measure droop before and after that will tell you for sure. Take accurate ground to either axle center or fender well height before and after and then jack vehicle up while the tire is just barely contacting the ground and you can turn it by handle with some drag both before and after and that will get you a decent measurement for droop comparison, dynamic droop will be more but that requires serious ramps to accurately compare.

Compression should remain the same unless the shock bottoms out (bad) since the bump stops aren't changing and they are at the inside of the LCA vice outside so it’s not really a measurable difference.

Diff drop worked perfect for my setup at 3” lift CV angles at ride height are more neutral than OEM yours will likely match OEM angle at 2”.

Sounds like you did great research good luck!

 

[Bad1975]

Couple of potential disadvantages:
1. Extra axle swing - Panhard leveler/correction is one I am going to add next (B.O.T.C.K - Bolt On TrackBar Correction kit Land Cruiser 250, GX550 and 6th Gen4runner)

2. Damaging CV/etc. if not done properly. Like lifting too high without UCA.

I feel anectodally like my turning radius is reduced, but nothing to back that up except a feeling (and 50k on odometer before lifting). Hopefully somebody more mechanically inclined knows about that.

Couple things:

The Dr. KDSS bracket will contact the frame at full compression from the measurements I took, they actually caution about that possibility annd either option will contact from what I’ve checked.

UCAs aren’t for correcting CV angles, they allow adjustability for caster and camber and prevent UCA contact with the springs at full droop.

A lift won’t normally cause decreased turning radius provided alignment can be put in spec, incorrect alignment and or wheel offset will cause that.

 

[jbtaco2002]

I just installed my BP-51 and the front is now at 24" from hub to fender, so ~3" of lift. Still have the stock UCA in and there is no contact with the spring at full droop on mine. I have Trailhunter UCAs I was thinking of installing but am not sure yet if they provide any camber or castor differences from stock. Now leaning towards the Arb UCA to be safe. I've ordered a diff drop kit, but honestly CV angles don't look too bad and there doesn't appear to be binding at full droop either. Good conversation in this thread, thanks all

 

[fftfk]

I just installed my BP-51 and the front is now at 24" from hub to fender, so ~3" of lift. Still have the stock UCA in and there is no contact with the spring at full droop on mine. I have Trailhunter UCAs I was thinking of installing but am not sure yet if they provide any camber or castor differences from stock. Now leaning towards the Arb UCA to be safe. I've ordered a diff drop kit, but honestly CV angles don't look too bad and there doesn't appear to be binding at full droop either. Good conversation in this thread, thanks all

Did you request it at that height or adjust it? I’ve thought about those but think the most I would want is to level the front. I may have been asking you questions on your thread.

I went with a full king lift on my Tacoma. It rode great but ended with some of the annoyances CCN talked about.

I’m really interested in your feedback on the bp-51. OME makes nice stuff and their approach to this particular setup makes sense to me (with the caveat that I am not an automotive suspension engineer).

 

[wakeskate]

UCAs aren’t for correcting CV angles, they allow adjustability for caster and camber and prevent UCA contact with the springs at full droop.

Thanks for the insight and correction. I watched some videos and that makes sense now. It’s the diff drop to correct CV angles? And then if so, what lift height is that recommended for?

 

[Bad1975]

Diff drop is to correct the CV angles: Dobinsons and ICON require it for 2.5” and up in order for their warranty to apply.

I’d do it at 2”, it doesn’t mess with ground clearance at all since it’s still under the skid with adequate clearance from the skid afterwards.

 

[ovʀʟxnᴅ]

I want to lift eventually, 1-2 inches, but it's going to be tricky. My current load out has my stock LC sitting level front to back.

 

[Martin]

I am looking into suspension change because I dont like the body roll in turns and the suspension also let's me feel all the little bumps in the road. I won't be doing much off road except on a jod site. So it will be mostly a mall crawler. I went to Ok4wd company near me and they recommended OEM MT64. They did my tacoma lift and what a difference in ride after thier recommendation. They know what my plan is for the truck and did not try to over sell me anything that I wouldn't need. I have 20" rims and just planning to change tires to 275/60/20.

 

[BMFS33]

I'm curious about this. because I'm not doing a full suspension lift. I'm having Toyota install a "lift" when it arrives in about six weeks. I am planning on this so I can get some larger tires on the vehicle, as I want to step up from the stock tire size. As far as I'm aware, this is a safe way to do this and doesn't affect the Toyota warranty either. It certainly isn't cheap but I don't feel like spending what I'm spending on the vehicle and have a warranty issue down the line with them because of aftermarket mods. I'm going to be doing some off roading but nothing too crazy. As much as I love the Rockies, I'm terrified of shelf roads and that really limits some of the trails that I can do, especially around the San Juans.

 

[D-mac]

I’m hoping there will be some more posts about installing 4Runner TRD, or Trailhunter Bilstein, OME, or Fox suspensions. They should all be bolt ins and have a lot more R&D behind them than most aftermarket vendors. They also are unlikely to provide much “lift”, but should perform better than stock LC250 suspensions. Maybe Ed Martin Toyota could take this on as a project since they seem to be the most capable of doing mods with Toyota OEM parts.

 

[turbo8]

I’m hoping there will be some more posts about installing 4Runner TRD, or Trailhunter Bilstein, OME, or Fox suspensions. They should all be bolt ins and have a lot more R&D behind them than most aftermarket vendors. They also are unlikely to provide much “lift”, but should perform better than stock LC250 suspensions. Maybe Ed Martin Toyota could take this on as a project since they seem to be the most capable of doing mods with Toyota OEM parts.

I wanted my 250 to be mostly all OEM, I put the TRD pro suspension on mine. It raised the front ride height by 1.5" inches.
Part numbers for trail hunter and Pro suspension parts are in my build thread.

 

[D-mac]

I wanted my 250 to be mostly all OEM, I put the TRD pro suspension on mine. It raised the front ride height by 1.5" inches.
Part numbers for trail hunter and Pro suspension parts are in my build thread.

Thanks for the head's up! It looks like you got the 4Runner FOX shocks. I noticed the TRD Off Road trim 4Runner has Bilsteins, and the Trailhunter trim has OME shocks. A lot of choices out there!

 

[LCDakota]

I'm curious about this. because I'm not doing a full suspension lift. I'm having Toyota install a "lift" when it arrives in about six weeks. I am planning on this so I can get some larger tires on the vehicle, as I want to step up from the stock tire size. As far as I'm aware, this is a safe way to do this and doesn't affect the Toyota warranty either. It certainly isn't cheap but I don't feel like spending what I'm spending on the vehicle and have a warranty issue down the line with them because of aftermarket mods. I'm going to be doing some off roading but nothing too crazy. As much as I love the Rockies, I'm terrified of shelf roads and that really limits some of the trails that I can do, especially around the San Juans.

Toyota has a factory lift for the Land Cruiser?

 

[BMFS33]

Toyota has a factory lift for the Land Cruiser?

My lift was to be installed at the Toyota Dealership prior to delivery of my vehicle and the cost was rolled into my final vehicle price. In speaking with them again, it was simply a 2" leveling kit, not a suspension lift. I cancelled it yesterday and will roll with the stock set up. I'll swap out the factory tires for some Toyos.

 

[Sugarloafer80]

Sounds similar to what we have told our track students for years. Before you mod ANYTHING, improve your skills to a point where you have become faster than the vehicle setup. You will learn much faster this way as well and truly understand your needs. Maybe better skills will limit the need for big lifts etc.

 

[bconti]

New here, wife’s 2025 Land Cruiser just got a leveling kit on it and the company I used is having issues with the alignment and chamber being off. Steering wheel is off. They were going to email rough country to see if they had any info. Used this local company for every vehicle I’ve had with no issues. Any info helps, thanks!

 

[turbo8]

New here, wife’s 2026 Land Cruiser just got a leveling kit on it and the company I used is having issues with the alignment and chamber being off. Steering wheel is off. They were going to email rough country to see if they had any info. Used this local company for every vehicle I’ve had with no issues. Any info helps, thanks!

What's the kit you're using?

 

[bconti]

What's the kit you're using?

1 in rough country block.