Garage Notes

6th Gen 4Runner Lift Kits: What's Actually Available (and What to Skip for Now)

April 23, 20265 min read
4runnersuspensionliftbuying-guide

The 6th gen 4Runner has been on the road for just over a year, and builders are already in the thick of figuring out what actually fits. The platform changed enough from the 5th gen that nothing just bolt-in transfers — different front strut geometry, revised rear suspension mounting, new frame rails. That means the aftermarket had to start from scratch, and some brands are further along than others. Here's exactly where things stand right now.

What Changed on the 6th Gen Suspension

The 5th gen 4Runner ran the same basic suspension geometry from 2010 through 2024. Brands had 14 years to dial in fitment — kits were mature, parts were plentiful, prices were reasonable. The 6th gen reset all of that. Toyota switched to a new coilover-style front setup, moved the rear leaf springs, and updated the overall geometry to improve on-road behavior. The result is a better-riding stock truck that's also a harder platform to lift without doing it right. Upper control arm clearance is tighter, and the IFS geometry means lift heights interact with alignment more aggressively than the old setup did.

Before you drop money on anything, know this: on the 6th gen, going above 3 inches in the front almost certainly means you need aftermarket upper control arms. Factor that cost in from the start.

What's Actually Available Right Now

Westcott Designs Preload Collar Lift Kit — $425 (2.5" Front / 0.75" Rear)

Westcott was one of the first brands to ship a production kit for the 6th gen, and it's the most accessible entry point right now. The Preload Collar kit gives you 2.5 inches up front and 0.75 in the rear by adjusting preload on the factory struts — no new shocks required. If you're running stock tires or 265s and want some visual stance without committing to a full suspension overhaul, this is the move. At $425, it's also the most budget-friendly legit option on the market.

The limitation is exactly what you'd expect: factory struts are still factory struts. Ride quality improves slightly from better geometry, but you're not getting a meaningful upgrade in damping performance. If you plan to run 33s or bigger, or you're going on actual trail, this is a starting point — not a destination.

ReadyLift 2.5" SST Lift Kit — $435

ReadyLift's SST kit is the other early-to-market option and takes a slightly different approach: new front spacers and rear leveling components instead of preload adjustment. Similar price range, similar lift height. The SST kits have a strong track record on previous Toyota platforms and the fitment notes on the 6th gen have been mostly positive out of the forums so far. If you're choosing between this and the Westcott at the same budget, either is a reasonable pick — it mostly comes down to which brand your shop has experience installing.

ARB / Old Man Emu MT64 — Starting at $2,282

OME's MT64 series is the most complete kit available for the 6th gen right now. The full 3" front / 2" rear kit runs $2,282 at most dealers, and you can add their upper control arms for another $680 to bring it to $2,962 all-in. These are valved specifically for the 6th gen's weight and geometry — not a carry-over from a previous platform. OME's reputation on 4Runners goes back decades, and the MT64 is their trail-focused build: stiffer valving, more damping control, noticeably better articulation than stock.

If you're running 33s or 35s and spending real time on trail, this is the kit the community is gravitating toward as the "do it once" option. The $3,000 price tag is real, but it's also a complete system from a brand with a long track record on this platform.

Bilstein 5100 — Coming Soon

Bilstein has been showing a 5100-based kit for the 6th gen — 3 inches up front, 1.5 in the rear — but as of spring 2026 it has not officially shipped. They've confirmed it's in development, and a 6112-based kit is expected to follow. Pricing hasn't been announced but expect it to land 18–23% above what the 5th gen 5100 kits cost. If you've run Bilstein on a previous 4Runner and liked it, this is worth waiting for. If you need something now, the OME MT64 is your best comparable option.

Rough Country 3.5" — $850 (Skip It)

Rough Country is technically available for the 6th gen. The price is tempting. The community consensus is consistent: the valving is soft, the geometry correction is minimal, and the quality control on the 6th gen application has had fitment issues reported in multiple forum threads. If budget is the constraint, the Westcott or ReadyLift at half the price are genuinely better choices. Save the Rough Country money and put it toward the OME kit instead.

What to Watch For

ICON and Fox aftermarket kits for the 6th gen are both in development. ICON's Stage systems are the most anticipated — they built the definitive kit for the 5th gen, and the community is waiting for them to bring that same level of engineering to the new platform. No ship date confirmed as of writing. If you're willing to wait another quarter or two, ICON's entry could be worth holding out for. If you can't wait, OME is your move.

For tire sizing: the 6th gen clears 285/70R17 without lift on most trims. At 2.5 inches you're good to 285/75R17. At 3 inches with UCAs, builders are running 295s and some are squeezing 33x12.5s depending on wheel offset. Tuck your offset math carefully — the 6th gen's wheel wells are less forgiving than the 5th gen.

Bottom Line

The aftermarket for the 6th gen is early but moving fast. If you need something now: Westcott or ReadyLift for budget, OME MT64 if you want to do it right. If you can wait: watch for Bilstein 5100 and ICON Stage kits over the next two quarters. Skip Rough Country. Don't lift without planning for UCAs if you're going above 2.5 inches.

If you're tracking your build parts and researching options, Build List Garage makes it easy to log everything in one place — parts, links, prices, and the full rig — and share it with one link. Download it free from the App Store.