Deciding on a 4runner body lift 4th gen for your rig usually comes down to one of two things: you either want to stuff bigger tires under there without cutting your fenders to pieces, or you're looking for a cheap way to get a bit more height. The 2003 to 2009 4Runners are legendary, but let's be honest—they sit pretty low from the factory. If you've already maxed out your suspension or you're on a budget, a body lift starts looking like a really tempting option.
I've seen a lot of guys go back and forth on this. Some people swear that body lifts are just for show, while others realize they're a practical tool for clearing 33s or 35s without messing up your suspension geometry. If you're trying to figure out if it's the right move for your 4th gen, you've gotta look at more than just the price tag. It changes how the truck looks, how it works, and how much work you're going to be doing in your driveway on a Saturday morning.
Why even consider a body lift?
The biggest reason people go for a 4runner body lift 4th gen is tire clearance. On these trucks, the wheel wells are surprisingly tight once you start looking at larger tires. Even with a 3-inch suspension lift, you're often going to rub on the body mounts or the inner fenders when you're turning or when the suspension compresses. By lifting the actual body of the truck off the frame, you're creating literal physical space for those tires to move.
Another huge plus is that a body lift doesn't change your center of gravity as drastically as a tall suspension lift does. Since the heavy stuff—the engine, transmission, and frame—stays right where it is, you don't get that "tippy" feeling on the highway. Plus, it doesn't put any extra stress on your CV axles. If you've ever dealt with torn boots or clicking axles because your suspension lift was too high, you know exactly why that matters.
The difference between suspension and body lifts
It's easy to get these two mixed up if you're new to the off-road world, but they do completely different things. A suspension lift uses taller springs and shocks to push the frame further away from the ground. This gives you more ground clearance under the skid plates and the "belly" of the truck.
A 4runner body lift 4th gen, on the other hand, uses spacers (often called pucks) that sit between the frame and the body mounts. You're literally unbolting the cabin and the bed area and propping it up. This doesn't give you any more ground clearance under the frame itself, but it does allow the body to sit higher, which is why it helps with tire fitment. Many guys actually run both—a 2.5-inch suspension lift paired with a 1-inch body lift is a classic "Goldilocks" setup for these trucks.
The 1-inch vs. 1.5-inch debate
When you start shopping for a 4runner body lift 4th gen, you'll notice most kits are either 1 inch, 1.25 inches, or 1.5 inches. You might think, "Why not go for a 3-inch body lift?" Honestly? Don't do it. On a 4th gen, anything over 1.5 inches starts to look pretty goofy. You'll end up with massive gaps between the frame and the body, and your bumpers won't line up anymore unless you have specialized brackets.
The 1-inch kit is usually the sweet spot. It's enough to clear those 285/70R17 tires (the classic 33-inch size) with minimal trimming, but it's subtle enough that most people won't even realize the truck has a body lift. It keeps the aesthetic clean while giving you that extra bit of "breathing room" in the wheel wells.
What's actually in the kit?
If you buy a quality kit for your 4runner body lift 4th gen, you aren't just getting some plastic pucks. A good kit should include: * High-density polyethylene (HDPE) or aluminum spacers. * Grade 10.9 zinc-plated hardware (you don't want cheap bolts holding your body to your frame). * Loctite (because things shouldn't vibrate loose). * Steering rack spacers or extensions (crucial for safety). * Radiator drop brackets.
That last one is important. On the 4th gen, the radiator is attached to the body, but the fan is attached to the engine, which is on the frame. If you lift the body and don't drop the radiator, your fan is going to chew right through your shroud. A lot of the cheap "universal" kits won't tell you that, but a 4th-gen-specific kit will include those brackets to keep everything cooling properly.
Dealing with the "Gap"
One of the biggest complaints about a 4runner body lift 4th gen is the visible gap it creates. You'll see it most clearly in the rear wheel wells and between the front bumper and the grill. To fix this, a lot of owners install what are called "gap guards." These are basically pieces of heavy-duty rubber or plastic that hide the frame and the daylight showing through the lift. If you care about the look of your truck, these are pretty much mandatory.
The installation process: What to expect
Installing a 4runner body lift 4th gen isn't incredibly difficult, but it is time-consuming. You're going to need a floor jack, some sturdy jack stands, and a lot of patience. The general process involves loosening all the body mount bolts, then lifting one side of the truck at a time just high enough to slide the spacers in.
You have to be really careful about "stretching" things. When you lift the body, you're pulling on brake lines, wiring harnesses, and the steering shaft. On a 4th gen, there's usually enough slack for a 1-inch lift, but you still need to keep a close eye on everything as you're jacking it up. If you feel resistance, stop and check what's pulling.
The steering shaft is another big one. You'll usually have to loosen the splines on the steering column to allow it to extend slightly to compensate for the body moving up. If you forget this, you could end up with binding steering or, worse, damaging the rack.
Impact on daily driving
One of the best things about a 4runner body lift 4th gen is that it basically feels like stock. Since you aren't changing the spring rate or the shock valving, the ride quality stays exactly the same. If your 4Runner rides like a cloud right now, it'll still ride like a cloud after the lift.
However, you might notice a tiny bit more wind noise at high speeds, and your headlights will definitely need to be readjusted. Even a 1-inch lift will throw your beam pattern off enough to annoy oncoming traffic. It only takes five minutes with a screwdriver to fix, so don't be that guy who blinds everyone on the way home from the trail.
Is it the right choice for you?
At the end of the day, a 4runner body lift 4th gen is a tool. It's not a replacement for a good set of coilovers, but it's a fantastic supplement. If you've already spent two grand on a nice suspension setup but your tires are still rubbing on the firewall or the body mounts, a small body lift is a lifesaver. It's a way to get that final bit of clearance without having to go to a 4-inch or 6-inch "drop bracket" lift, which usually ruins the truck's off-road capability anyway.
If you're just doing it for looks, stick to the 1-inch kits. They keep the 4th gen's lines looking sharp without making it look like the body is hovering over the wheels. Just remember to grab those radiator brackets and check your steering extension, and you'll be good to go. It's one of those mods that doesn't cost a fortune but makes a massive difference in how the truck performs when things get tight on the trail.