If you're looking to get a bit more height and a better stance without ruining your factory ride, a westcott designs 4runner lift is probably sitting right at the top of your list. It's one of those modifications that has taken the 5th Gen 4Runner community by storm, especially for those of us who spent a premium on a TRD Pro and don't want to throw away those expensive Fox or Bilstein shocks just to fit larger tires.
The struggle with lifting a 4Runner is usually finding that middle ground. You want the ground clearance and the aggressive look, but you don't necessarily want to drop $4,000 on a full long-travel suspension if you're mostly doing weekend camping trips and daily driving. That's where Westcott really found their niche. They've figured out a way to work with the engineering Toyota already put into the truck, rather than fighting against it.
What Exactly Is This Lift?
First off, it's important to clarify that this isn't your run-of-the-mill "spacer lift" or "puck lift." We've all seen those cheap plastic or aluminum blocks that sit on top of the strut assembly. While they're cheap, they usually make the truck ride like a brick and can cause issues with your suspension geometry over time.
The westcott designs 4runner lift is actually a preload collar system. Instead of just shoving a spacer on top of the assembly, this kit uses a CNC-machined collar that replaces the lower spring perch. By shifting where the spring sits on the shock body, it provides lift by using the spring's own tension.
The beauty of this design is that it keeps the shock in its optimal operating range. Since you aren't changing the overall length of the strut assembly like a top-hat spacer does, you aren't putting unnecessary stress on your CV axles or ball joints at full droop. It's a much more "pro" way to get height out of a factory setup.
Why TRD Pro Owners Love It
If you own a TRD Pro, you know the dilemma. You have these amazing Fox Internal Bypass shocks (or the older Bilsteins) that ride like a dream on fire roads and soak up bumps in the city. But the truck comes from the factory with a bit of a "nose-down" rake, and the front end is just a little too low to clear 285/70R17 tires (the classic 33-inch upgrade) without a lot of rubbing.
Most people don't want to swap out their $2,000+ factory suspension for an entry-level aftermarket kit just to get two inches of lift. It feels like a waste of money. The Westcott lift is basically the "hack" for this. It gives you about 2.5 inches of lift in the front and 1.25 inches in the rear (depending on the specific kit), which perfectly levels the truck and gives it that beefy, off-road ready look while keeping those Fox shocks right where they belong.
The Difference in Ride Quality
One of the first questions everyone asks is, "Does it make the ride stiff?" The short answer is: slightly, but in a good way. Since you are preloading the spring, it does firm up the front end a little bit. However, most 4Runner owners actually prefer this.
The stock 4Runner suspension is notoriously "mushy." If you hit the brakes hard, the nose dives toward the pavement. If you take a corner too fast, you feel like you're on a boat. By adding a bit of preload with the westcott designs 4runner lift, you actually get rid of a lot of that nose dive and body roll. It makes the truck feel more planted and "sporty" on the road without making it feel harsh over speed bumps or potholes.
Honestly, it feels more like how the truck should have come from the factory. It's still compliant and comfortable for long road trips, but it loses that lazy, floaty feeling that can be a bit annoying on winding roads.
Let's Talk About Tire Fitment
Let's be real: most of us are doing this because we want bigger tires. The stock 265s look a little small in those big square wheel wells once you start looking at the truck from the side.
With a westcott designs 4runner lift, the world of 33-inch tires opens up to you. A 285/70R17 is the "gold standard" for a lifted 4Runner. With this lift, you can fit them, though you'll still probably need to do a tiny bit of trimming on the front bumper plastic and maybe move the fender liner forward (the "fender liner mod").
If you're feeling really ambitious, some guys have managed to stuffed 34s or even 35s with this setup, but that's going to require a body mount chop (BMC) and some more aggressive trimming. But for the average person who just wants a set of BFG KO2s or Nitto Ridge Grapplers, this lift provides the perfect amount of clearance.
Installation: Is It a DIY Job?
If you're handy with a wrench and have a Saturday afternoon free, you can do this yourself, but there's a catch. Because this is a preload collar, you have to completely disassemble the front strut. That means you need a high-quality spring compressor.
I'll be honest here—spring compressors can be dangerous if you don't know what you're doing. Those coils are under a massive amount of tension. If you aren't comfortable with that, it's worth taking the struts to a local off-road shop and having them swap the collars for you. Most shops will charge a couple of hours of labor, which is a small price to pay for peace of mind (and keeping all your fingers).
The rear is much easier. It's usually just a spacer that sits on top of the rear coil spring. You just need to drop the axle far enough to pop the spring out, slide the spacer in, and put the spring back. No crazy compression required there.
Quality of the Hardware
One thing that really stands out about Westcott Designs is that they don't cut corners. Their parts are made in the USA (Phoenix, Arizona, specifically) and the machining is top-tier. The collars are usually made from billet aluminum and come in a nice black anodized finish.
Even the hardware they include is high-quality. You can tell they actually drive these trucks and have tested these kits in the desert. They aren't just selling a part; they're selling a solution they've perfected on their own rigs. In a world of cheap Amazon parts, it's refreshing to see something that feels like it's built to last the life of the vehicle.
Is It Worth the Money?
You'll find that a westcott designs 4runner lift is more expensive than a basic spacer lift, but significantly cheaper than a full suspension swap. You're usually looking at a few hundred dollars for the kit itself.
When you consider that you're keeping your high-end factory shocks and getting a lift that's engineered specifically for your truck's geometry, the value is definitely there. It preserves your warranty in most cases (though always check with your dealer) because you're using factory components, and it doesn't ruin the resale value of the truck.
Final Thoughts
At the end of the day, the 4Runner is a blank canvas. Some people want a rock crawler, and others just want a cool-looking SUV that can handle a dirt trail to a trailhead. If you fall into that middle category—where you want performance, aesthetics, and reliability without going overboard—this lift is a fantastic choice.
It levels out the stance, lets you run beefier rubber, and actually improves the handling characteristics of the truck. Plus, it just looks "right." It gives the 4Runner that aggressive, tall-standing posture it deserves without making it feel like an aftermarket experiment gone wrong. If you're on the fence, just look at a few "before and after" photos of a TRD Pro with this kit. The difference is night and day, and once you see it, it's hard to go back to the stock look.