Unlocking Extreme Off-Road Potential: The 4th Gen 4Runner Long Travel Kit

Long travel suspension. These two words conjure up a mix of excitement and serious consideration within the off-road community. For many, it represents the pinnacle of suspension performance, fundamentally transforming a vehicle’s capabilities. If you’re exploring options for your 4th generation Toyota 4Runner and aiming for a significant upgrade in off-road prowess, understanding the 4th Gen 4runner Long Travel Kit is essential. It’s like unlocking the next level in vehicle modification and off-road driving proficiency, demanding a deeper understanding of both your vehicle and your own limits. While comprehensive front and rear kits exist, we’ll primarily focus on the front end for this discussion.

What Defines Long Travel Suspension?

At its core, long travel suspension is designed to increase your vehicle’s suspension travel and create a wider track width. This is achieved through a system that typically includes longer upper and lower control arms – these are what give the vehicle that distinctive wide “stance.” These extended control arms reposition the mounting points for the coilovers, allowing them to be angled more effectively compared to the nearly vertical orientation found in stock setups, accommodating their increased length.

Most long travel kits for platforms like the 4Runner add significant width, commonly around +3.5 inches per side, though some push even further, reaching +4.5 or +5 inches. Recently, more moderate +2-inch kits have also emerged. To utilize this increased travel, you must use long-travel-specific coilovers and shocks. While similar to standard struts, coilovers offer superior handling and dampening performance, crucially providing greater adjustability to fine-tune your specific long travel setup.

You’ll often see external reservoirs attached to the front coilovers and rear shocks on long travel setups. These reservoirs hold additional fluid, preventing overheating and cavitation during sustained, high-speed off-road driving, which greatly enhances dampening performance under demanding conditions.

Completing a long travel system typically involves upgrading to longer travel axles (especially for 4WD models), accommodating bigger tires, and often installing fiberglass fenders to clear the increased suspension articulation and wider stance. In essence, a long travel kit is a comprehensive, high-performance suspension overhaul that comes with a substantial price tag. For those researching the 4th Gen 4runner Long Travel Kit, it’s important to know it’s a significant investment in capability.

My Journey into High-Speed Off-Roading with a 4th Gen

My personal dive into serious off-roading began after returning home to Las Vegas from college in Colorado. The desert landscape offered a different kind of off-road playground compared to the mountains. Growing up influenced by import car culture – focusing on drifting, time attack, and autocross – my new passion for off-roading felt like a natural extension.

My first vehicle, a 2007 4Runner SR5 2WD V6, became the catalyst. As a typical eager 18-year-old, I was quickly pushing its limits on trails like Cottonwood. I vividly remember the stock 4Runner being tossed around, bottoming out, and the rear end struggling for traction. Cottonwood is a relatively mild trail, perhaps a 1 out of 10 in difficulty, yet it highlighted the need for something more capable for faster driving.

That experience sparked my drive to learn about high-speed off-roading and modifications. This was back in 2014, and I was starting from scratch, learning from others and immersing myself in the community. My interest in desert racing – like SCORE, BITD, Huck Fest, Mint 400, Baja 1000, and Baja 500 – grew, fueling my desire for a more capable vehicle.

I owned that 4th Gen 4Runner from November 2014 to November 2020. During that time, it was equipped with Dirt King LCAs, King Shocks all around, and various other components. Much of my foundational knowledge about off-road suspension and vehicle dynamics comes directly from building and pushing that 4th Gen 4Runner and the experiences and connections made along the way. Understanding the nuances of a 4th gen 4runner long travel kit starts with hands-on experience like this.
2WD 4th Gen 4Runner With Tacoma Front End & Dirt King Long Travel

Essential Considerations Before Adding Long Travel

Embarking on a long travel suspension build for your 4th Gen 4Runner requires more than just budget. It depends heavily on your existing research, your comfort level and skill as an off-road driver, and your commitment to the process. It’s not unlike investing in high-end photography equipment without knowing how to use it effectively.

The world of long travel can be daunting. The best approach is to start with fundamental knowledge and build from there. Focus on developing your driving confidence on various trails. This crucial step allows you to truly understand what your suspension setup is doing and what you need it to do better as you progress.

Key Considerations for Your 4th Gen LT Build:

• Driver Confidence: Build your skills gradually. A capable vehicle needs a capable driver.
• Thorough Research: Understand the components, installation, and implications of a 4th gen 4runner long travel kit.
• Commitment to Learning: The off-road world is constantly evolving, and learning is continuous.
• It’s Never Truly “Done”: Be prepared for ongoing modifications and tuning.
• Significant Expense: Long travel is a costly upgrade, both upfront and in maintenance.
• Avoid Getting Overwhelmed: Focus on one step at a time.

Expect the process of installing and dialing in long travel to be tedious and time-consuming. While the visual impact is undeniable, achieving peak performance requires considerable effort and commitment.

Increased Maintenance Requirements:

Even with kits designed for direct bolt-on installation, adding long travel increases the need for regular maintenance. Be prepared to inspect and service components like limit strap clevises, spindle gussets, frame plates, cam tab lockout kits, bypass hoops, bushings, heims, and uniballs. Coilovers and shocks, especially race-spec variants, require frequent rebuilding. CV axle boots on lifted and modified suspensions are prone to failure over time. Additionally, you’ll need to watch for premature wear on wheel bearings and hubs, tire wear patterns, and potential long-term stress on the steering rack and tie rods.

Alignment Challenges:

Finding a qualified shop or technician who understands long travel alignments is critical. Standard alignment procedures often aren’t sufficient. You’ll need someone with specific knowledge and equipment to correctly set the alignment for your setup, which is essential for both on-road driveability and preventing component wear.

On-Road Manners:

Daily driving a long travel 4th Gen 4Runner feels different. While it handles bumps and hard cornering exceptionally well, truly “hugging” the road, removing the sway bar (common for maximizing off-road articulation) will increase body roll. However, the increased track width (at +3.5 inches or more) significantly enhances stability. The wider stance results in heavier steering that requires more effort, and the steering wheel won’t return to center as readily as stock.

Off-Road Performance:

This is where a 4th gen 4runner long travel kit truly justifies the investment. With properly tuned shocks, the vehicle excels in high-speed terrain, absorbing impacts and maintaining control over rough surfaces. The increased travel allows wheels to stay planted more effectively over obstacles. While primarily built for speed and desert running, long travel also provides benefits for rock crawling due to improved articulation, though the increased width requires careful line choices in tight spots.
Dirt King +3.5

Understanding Build Components and Maintenance Needs

While my specific current build list detailed below pertains to a 5th Gen 4Runner, the types of components and maintenance requirements are highly relevant when considering a 4th gen 4runner long travel kit from a reputable manufacturer like Dirt King.

Typical Long Travel Component List (Examples, may vary for 4th Gen):

• +3.5 long travel suspension kit (includes extended UCAs, LCAs, etc.)
• Upper arm shear kit (often requires welding)
• Spindle gussets (often requires welding)
• Long travel-specific coilovers and shocks (e.g., King DK LT-spec 2.5)
• Complete longer axle assemblies (for 4WD)
• Optional bypass shock hoop kit (often requires welding)
• Optional front frame plate kit (often requires welding)

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Common Maintenance Tasks for Long Travel Systems:

• UCA & LCA Bushings: Requires frequent greasing (especially Delrin types) and more frequent replacement compared to OEM. Watch for squeaks.
• Wheel Bearing Replacement: Increased stress, especially with offset wheels, leads to faster wear.
• Coilover and Shock Rebuilds: High-performance components require regular servicing.
• CV Axle Boots: Prone to tearing on modified suspensions, requiring replacement.
• Steering Components: Long-term watch points include the steering rack and tie rods for wear.

Final Thoughts on the Long Travel Commitment

Daily driving a vehicle equipped with long travel suspension isn’t the right choice for everyone. It demands a certain level of commitment and mindset, especially if you are new to heavily modified vehicles.

Having been involved in the off-roading community since 2014, I’m personally comfortable with the reality of potential breakages, the need for frequent maintenance, and owning a vehicle that isn’t strictly practical as a daily driver. However, the performance gains off-road and the satisfaction of a capable, well-built rig make it worthwhile for me. If you’re the type who enjoys pushing limits and understanding the mechanical aspects of your vehicle, exploring a 4th gen 4runner long travel kit could be your next exciting step.