If you're looking into a 5th gen 4runner body lift, you've probably realized that even with a decent suspension lift, those bigger tires still like to rub against the frame or the fender liners. It's a common headache for anyone trying to squeeze 33s or 34s under their rig. While suspension lifts are the go-to for performance, a body lift is often that "little bit extra" people use to get the clearance they need without completely overhauling their geometry.
But let's be honest—body lifts have a bit of a reputation. Back in the day, people would throw 3-inch pucks under their trucks, leaving massive, ugly gaps between the frame and the body. Luckily, things have changed. For the 5th Gen (2010–2024 models), most guys are looking at much smaller increments, like a 1-inch or 1.25-inch lift, which provides just enough room for rubber without making the truck look like it's hovering off its chassis.
Why even consider a body lift?
The main reason anyone looks at a 5th gen 4runner body lift is purely functional: tire clearance. When you install a suspension lift, you're changing how the axle sits relative to the frame, but you aren't actually moving the body away from the wheels at the top of the wheel well. A body lift literally creates more vertical space inside the wheel well.
If you've moved up to a 285/70R17 or larger, you know the struggle. Even with a 3-inch suspension lift, you'll probably still rub the body mount or the plastic fender liner when you're turning or compressed on a trail. Adding a small body lift can be the difference between a smooth ride and that annoying scrub-scrub sound every time you pull into a parking spot or hit a bump off-road.
Another big plus is the cost. Compared to high-end coilovers or long-travel setups, a body lift kit is dirt cheap. You're essentially buying high-density polyethylene (HDPE) or aluminum spacers and some longer Grade 10.9 bolts. It's a budget-friendly way to get that extra height.
The difference between suspension and body lifts
It's easy to get these two confused if you're new to the 4Runner world, but they do completely different things. A suspension lift replaces your springs and shocks to give you more ground clearance under the frame and more "flex" or travel when you're crawling over rocks. It improves how the truck handles both on and off the pavement.
On the flip side, a 5th gen 4runner body lift doesn't touch your suspension at all. Your ground clearance under the skid plates stays exactly the same. You're simply unbolting the body from the frame, sliding in some spacers, and bolting it back down. Because you aren't changing the suspension geometry, your factory ride quality stays exactly the same. If you love how your 4Runner drives right now but just want it to sit a little higher and clear bigger tires, a body lift won't mess with that "Toyota feel."
What are the downsides?
Nothing is free in the world of car mods, and the body lift definitely comes with some trade-offs. The most obvious one is the aesthetic. When you lift the body up, you're going to see more of the frame. On a dark-colored 4Runner, it's not super noticeable, but on a white or silver one, those gaps in the wheel wells can look a bit unfinished. Most people solve this by installing "gap guards" or rubber liners to hide the frame, but it's something to keep in mind.
Then there's the installation. While it's technically "just bolts," there are a lot of little things that need to move when the body moves up. You have to think about your bumper alignment. If you have stock bumpers, they move up with the body, which can leave a gap between the bumper and the frame-mounted components (like a hidden winch mount or a hitch). If you have aftermarket steel bumpers, they are usually bolted to the frame, meaning you'll suddenly have a 1-inch gap between your headlights and your bumper. Most high-quality kits come with brackets to help relocate these things, but it's extra work.
You also have to keep an eye on your steering shaft and brake lines. On a small 1-inch lift, there's usually enough slack, but you'll want to make sure nothing is stretched too tight. Some kits include a steering shaft extension just to be safe.
The sweet spot: 1-inch vs. 1.5-inch
If you search the forums, you'll see that the 1-inch 5th gen 4runner body lift is widely considered the "sweet spot." It's just enough to clear 285s or even 295s comfortably with a minor fender liner mod, but it's small enough that you don't really have to worry about extending wires or hoses.
Once you go up to 1.5 inches or higher, the complications start to stack up. You might need to mess with the radiator shroud because the fan (attached to the engine/frame) will no longer be centered in the shroud (attached to the body). It's not a dealbreaker, but it's another thing on the "to-do" list during the install.
Installation: Can you do it yourself?
If you're comfortable with a wrench and a floor jack, you can totally do this in your driveway over a weekend. The basic process involves loosening the body mount bolts on one side of the truck, jacking up that side of the body just enough to slip the spacers in, and then doing the same on the other side.
The biggest "gotcha" for 5th Gen owners is the KDSS (Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System), if your rig has it. It doesn't necessarily make the body lift harder, but it's one more thing to be aware of when you're tilting the body. You also need to be really careful not to lift the body too high while the bolts are out—you don't want to accidentally pull a wire harness or snap a plastic clip somewhere deep in the engine bay.
Always use a piece of wood on your jack to spread the load so you don't dent the floor pans. And for the love of all things holy, use Loctite and a torque wrench. You don't want the body of your truck vibrating loose while you're doing 70 on the highway.
Does it affect safety?
This is a question that comes up a lot. Since you're raising the center of gravity (CoG) of the heaviest part of the truck (the body, interior, and passengers), there is technically a slight increase in the "rollover" risk compared to stock. However, a 1-inch lift is so marginal that most people will never feel the difference in daily driving. It's certainly less of a CoG change than adding a massive heavy-duty roof rack loaded with gear.
Modern 5th Gens have pretty advanced stability control systems, and they usually handle a small body lift without throwing any codes or getting twitchy. Just remember that your truck is taller, so take those corners a little slower than you would in a Camry.
Final thoughts
At the end of the day, a 5th gen 4runner body lift is a specific tool for a specific problem. If you're struggling with tire rub and you've already done a Body Mount Chop (BMC) and pushed your fender liners forward, this is the final piece of the puzzle. It's an affordable, effective way to get that "aggressive" stance and functional clearance without spending thousands on a long-travel suspension.
Is it for everyone? Probably not. If you hate the look of frame gaps or if you're worried about bumper realignment, you might want to stick to a smaller tire. But for the off-road enthusiast who wants to run 34-inch tires and actually use their suspension travel without tearing off their plastic trim, a body lift is a lifesaver. Just take your time with the install, hide those gaps, and enjoy the extra clearance.