4 Common Myths About IFS Lifts | Everything About Toyota IFS Part 2

Debunking 4 most common misconceptions about lifting the Toyota IFS for FJ Cruiser, 4Runner, Tacoma, Prado and Lexus GX. We'll learn about fitting large tire size, flex/articulation, preload and spacers.
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Link to Part I Video: • Everything About Toyot...
Link to KDSS vs Swaybar Video: • Toyota KDSS Ultimate T...
0:00 Intro
1:08 Need Lift to Fit Large Tires?
3:54 More Lift = Better Off-road?
8:44 Preload Causes Harsh Ride?
12:31 Are All Spacers Bad?
14:29 Summary
14:53 Aftermarket UCA

[@timbaer8525]

Keep these coming! As an engineer but not a hardcore 4x4 guy I’ve always understood what’s happening with these things but NEVER see any of the ‘reputable’ sources talk anything like this with detail and actual facts and proof on the vehicle. I LOVE IT!

[@sgt2025]

As a structural engineer, I am extremely impressed by the level of information and knowledge that is being passed along here. I am glad to have finally found someone that can logically explain why and how to lift our Toyota and Lexus vehicles. Amazing work, I look forward to your videos and the products you will be providing! ( just don't forget about us GX470 drivers)

[@typhoon-7]

I have a degree in Automotive engineering, I've worked for Aston Martin and McLaren racing as a design engineer. I also own a Toyota Hilux that I've modified and I want to congratulate your video. You make the points I've been trying to explain for years but you do so more eloquently than I usually do! Maybe I should carry a whiteboard with me... I upgraded my front suspension because the additional weight of a steel winch bumper and winch meant the OEM springs were struggling. I opted for Land Cruiser springs because they were available in the right rate but without lifting the front too much. Every other spring wanted a 2" lift which I didn't want because of driveline issues. It is very much worth mentioning that over lifting IFS usually gives the CV joints such a hard life at extreme angles then when a large torque spike is experienced (such as grabbing a rock off road after spinning in the air) that they usually fail way before a non lifted vehicle. Then whatever small advantage that clearance gave you is lost and more because you're now on a 3 wheel drive vehicle in a remote location! Hence why my ride height is back to near standard. 1“ higher than OEM. 1/2" from slightly larger tyres and 1/2" from the springs.... Its a close as I could get!

[@TinkerersAdventure]

Really appreciate it and it's my honor to get validation from an actual automotive engineer! My career is mechanical engineering for product design, but I love to apply the fundamental principles to my passion in 4X4. Great point on CV angles. Now I want to ask you a technical question I've been pondering. It's regarding CV joint wear over highway driving (no off-road torque spikes). Generally, we relate bearing surfaces wear to pressure velocity (PV) limit. For a lifted full-time 4WD, highway driving will wear the CV because we have both pressure (torque) and velocity. However, what about part time 4WD cars which is only RWD on highway? The front CV joints still get the "velocity" but there is very minimum "pressure". Too much lift still have other concerns, but can part time 4WD owners be less worried about CV wear over highway driving?

[@typhoon-7]

@@TinkerersAdventure Hi there. Yes indeed there is less abuse on the front diff when it's free wheeling. It's under load that problems will occur. The only issue I can think of with prolonged high speed running with high CV angles is that grease will tend to be shoved to one extreme of the tripod slider rather than being more evenly spread. I can't see that causing many issues as the first time you hit decent compression it'll get relocated pretty fast. In a perfectly designed system all the driveline components should be in line or within the angles specified. Another issue is tail shaft angles round the centre bearing when the rear is lifted. You'll usually feel this, usually around a certain resonance period and particularly when lifting off as the driveline will react to make the tailshaft angle more severe. I've not known any to break because of this but my mechanical sympathy kicks in... Things aren't meant to vibrate like that!

[@daveg4963]

Prove it on the trail. Performance competition rock crawlers are solid axle.

[@MattIon]

@@daveg4963 Tell me you completely missed the point of the video without actually saying you completely missed the point of the video...

[@typhoon-7]

@@daveg4963 Baja trucks and Humvees are all IFS. They're pretty handy off road. But I agree with Matt here... What's the point in the comment? Edit: I've owned a Jeep and two Defenders and managed to break suspension and steering components off road. Solid axle is cheap, easier to lift and gives great articulation hence rock crawlers use it. Doesn't make it indestructible.

[@sherimendes9986]

As a female, I was never taught about cars/trucks and basic information one should know about them, let alone anything beyond the basics. Anything related to vehicle modifications is intimidating to me, but as a 3rd Gen Tacoma owner, I’m trying to learn how to give my truck its best life, and to do the work on my own as often as I can. THANK YOU, so much for your videos. I feel like you break everything down in a way I can easily comprehend (even though I may need to rewind and listen again haha). I appreciate you and your videos so much!! 🙌🏼

[@Absolute_Unit135]

Please make more content like this regarding suspension geometry and limits. This single video cleared up nearly a year’s worth of misconceptions I’ve accumulated on the forums while deciding on a lift kit. Thank you so much for making this.

[@zakikahl6904]

What an awesome video. Had to subscribe after watching. As a solid axle guy I think there’s a lot to be learned in this video not only for IFS guys but for solid axle guys too, I wish half the guys in the Jeep groups I’m in would watch this video and learn something from it. A really cool and controversial topic that this reminds me of is whether or not wheel spacers alone add stability, after watching this video I think you could do a great job at proving or disproving this theory in a way that guys would understand. Another idea is the benefits of running an offroad swaybar as apposed to no swaybar and how the presence of a swaybar improves not only stability but traction as well.

[@TinkerersAdventure]

Thank you and I really appreciate those technical topics. I had actually reasoned through the effect of wheel spacers and swaybars in my mind before. I can see where you're going and I think we share similar ideas. I will definitely try to get something together in an easy to digest presentation. The bottle neck of most internet discussions is that many think only the first layer and isolate a single component. It is also common to have black & white binary reasoning (this is good, that is bad). The reality often has more nuances and requires looking at the system as a whole.

[@jaredtansley3236]

Yea brother I thought the video was brilliant.

[@jaredtansley3236]

@@TinkerersAdventure Awesome Post brother, and exactly what I was looking for.

[@thehoofersclub]

Just now subscribed after watching a couple clips.

[@barryraven4745]

Me too

[@Donovanhal]

I think the most important measurement of articulation here is YOUR ability to articulate these tests and measurements. So great! Thanks for all your work.

[@dragonrider2.064]

Yo, please keep making these, you're giving information I've been hunting for all over, thank you for your time

[@TrailTape]

This is the most informative lift explanation video I've ever seen! The quality of the content is superb, with clear graphics and narration. I can't wait to see the 5th gen 4runner video you teased!

[@TylerPoppe]

These really are amazing. I hope you'll continue making videos like this - about any thing with vehicles. Love how informative it is.

[@donwatson3601]

This is easily the most informative and educational video on IFS lift suspension geometry I've seen. Thanks for the great info!

[@awhoot1]

Brother I am so happy to see somebody do such a fantastic job of explaining the science behind preload, ifs, and lift kits !! 🤯🤙🏻 keep it up man!

[@IamJakePark]

I’ve watched practically all the Toyota IFS related videos on KZbin. And this is the best one. Thank you !

[@royj8549]

VERY nicely done! Refreshing to see actual technical content in the off road community, backed up by science. Too many channels focus on what "looks sick", which unfortunately is what most bros are capable of digesting...

[@josh6249]

This is the most easy to follow detailed and precise information on ifs I have found. Thank you for making this.

[@TrevorDyck]

Yet another great video. Can't wait for the next one on sway bars. Very interested in learning about that!

[@evanolson8819]

Great debunking of all the common bro science that exists in the off-road world! Keep up this content!

[@4WDABC]

Hahahaah "bro science", I love it!

[@williamokura2810]

You are the suspension professor! I'm very impressed with your practical (physical), and graphic depictions of these suspension scenarios! Brilliant and very helpful!

[@LT.BrianM]

I’m completely blown away. Nice video and thank you for the tremendous amount of time you’ve spent on this. Your Ironman FCP lift and truck happen to be identical to my exact setup so I got the added bonus of seeing the exact application. Well done sir.

[@SunchTube]

Great to see an explanation/demonstration at this high level of detail. Awesome content, awesome engineering on your products. Inspiring.

[@tkelly1087]

Thx for the great video! This is by far the most thorough explanation of the issues you discussed. I was already aware of the tire fitment issue and it really bothers me to see lift kit companies saying "get this kit to fit bigger tires" when there aren't changing the travel path, so basically lying to potential buyers. You're also the first I've seen to post actual travel #s of stock toyota suspension as well as the increase from extended travel shocks. This is great info for those considering different options like long travel kits, etc. Great work, Thx! 🤙👍

[@subinsong1967]

This video is so underrated! Awesome video man! Looking forward to seeing more of your videos!

[@Mulberryman375]

Amazing to see the effort and detail in all of your videos. Great job my friend. As a FJ owner myself, seeking knowledge in all set ups off road, finding factual data is even harder to find. You have a fulltime subscriber in me. Cheers!

[@TinkerersAdventure]

Much appreciate it! Yeah I am very much a data driven person. Opinions are only opinions. I always like to strive for quantitative fact based information.

[@DavidRamirez-fe5dd]

@@TinkerersAdventure What do you think of the wescott designs pre load collar lift kit for the trd pro 4Runner. Says it maintains factory ride. I want lift my pro but don't want to sacrifice my factory fox shocks for newer ones.

[@pauldelasaux5756]

Keep making these. Your hit count WILL go up. These are some of the best technical videos on the subject out there. Don't stop! Thank you for these. If you did 4Runner and Tacoma videos I promise you. Views will SOAR!!!!!

[@davidanthonytechurnangauta4880]

Sheess!!! Another awesome video! Keep making them don't stop! I absolutely love watching all your vidoes. Its funny after watching the previous ones, now makes me not wanna lift my truck lol🤣 unless i have the pocket to spend on a long travel setup. These videos are very basic but yet overlooked until we realize we are basically just sacrificing our vehicles performance for looks. Can't wait to see the upcoming video on the sway bars!

[@rhcockrum8746]

Another clear and educational tutorial. I appreciate the time you put into doing them. Great job.

[@andrewtorrico3673]

I had trouble following a few topics, but this videos definitely helped me understand IFS a bit more! Thank you! 👍🏽👍🏽

[@the510wagon]

This is my first TA video. Stumbled here looking for answers about lift vs down travel for my IFS Frontier/Navara. Absolutely top shelf, gold plated, twin-locked, perfectly tuned content! From one engineer to another, I love it when the guy that paid attention in school starts playing with cars! 😀 Subscribed.

[@happybobummy]

I'm subscribed after these 2 videos! Great content. I have an 09 Tacoma on a 3" Bilstein/Toytec coilover lift and this really helped me understand (better) what's going on in my suspension. I am not a mechanic by any means, but this vid was incredible! Thanks for taking the time to make this!

[@zeitgeist785]

You have a wonderfully easy way of explaining this complicated topic while at the same time giving plenty of detail. That’s a great skill to have - keep it up and thank you :)

[@ryanschmid7940]

Great video. Too many people throw their lift to its tallest setting without considering how suspension actually works.

[@ridgewalker2416]

I’ve never seen this explained! Excellent! I have lived and 4 wheeled the Rocky Mountains for nearly 50 years. I’ve only been doing it in Toyotas with IFS for the last 20 using skinny 235/85R16s. No more than a 1.6” lift. It has worked well for my purposes.

[@tonymartinez5798]

👍🏽

[@MrElShawn]

Your videos are terrific! Just got a new (to me ) Tacoma and want to lift it but want to be as smart about it as possible. I really appreciate your clear, evidence based information.

[@yangthao4612]

Kai is soo legit straight forward not only was he fact based and technically concise and well delivered it’s about the most perfect kinda tech video that I have ever seen, soo visually well demonstrated,reminds me of the old tech videos of the 70-80s thank you soo much Kai I could not have seen your videos at a better time as I was about to make mod purchase for my 4Runner 😂

[@ExpatonTwoWheels]

Very clear explanations for very technical stuff. I love it. Keep them coming.

[@Dusther210]

I wish you did this for the torsion bar suspension on the 1st gen frontiers/xterras. Great video and thank you for putting out this type of content!

[@brokespoke5424]

I'm really enjoying your content. Keep up the good work and thank you.

[@DavidRoberts-nt8fn]

This is the most comprehensive explanation of lift, hands down 🙌🏽

[@roberthohlfelder9780]

This is outstanding. I can't wait to see more of your videos.

[@XB0XHeadShot]

One of the best videos I’ve seen on here. Instant subscriber! Going to check out your other videos. Great job!

[@marcosarg1]

Quality stuff in this channel. Well done!

[@KeithBickford]

Great video. I wish the ARB USA customer service would watch this. They told me I can make my BP-51 coil overs softer by reducing preload. That’s one of the reasons I ditched them and went to King coilovers. Easy to modify, tune, and rebuild at home. But then I switched entirely to a Jeep and can lift 6” and fit 42” tires and retain my full travel.

[@hi-death1354]

Hands down the best information on 4x4 out there. You're the goat bro!

[@tacodrewww]

People need these detailed videos keep ‘em coming !

[@chadlegaultgmail]

Yes, this technical content is amazing! Thank you!

[@madcratebuilder]

Keep these coming, great info and great presentation.

[@thingsibuild7534]

Great job. Thank you. This was one of the best explanations of our suspension.

[@flash8972]

What an amazing informational and captivating video. You will definitely become big in time. Thank you for taking the time to make quality videos.

[@montechie]

This is excellent and well done, thanks for putting this out there! I think suspension is the most misunderstood part of autos much less 4x4s. I see so many people only look at $$ => inches of lift without considering quality.

[@onegraham]

That graph for preload made something I never understood quite simple. Great video

[@rootednode]

Good content dude. Keep it up!

[@ezee8317]

When he said, “Don’t worry if you haven’t viewed part 1.” I thought he was going to say , “Click on the link to view part 2” next. Instead he summarised and integrated part 1 into the video. Great job!

[@yoboo6167]

Good info. I'm in the process of fitting 35's without adding any additional lift to what I already have. This video helps! I'm a firm believer of "Lift as much as needed but as little as possible" (~Roger Brown)

[@TinkerersAdventure]

Yes I operate with the same philosophy!

[@Daniel-xp8km]

this is my thought process. i have a 2019 tundra with about a 2.75" preload collar lift and 285/75R18 tiree. just under 35" tires and didnt have to do any type of BMC or wheel spacers or anything. i can turn full lock and have no rub at all. no need to go any higher cuz its absolutely pointless!

[@matthoffman8162]

People always forget about caster angle. Very informative breakdown.

[@SPARTAN-107]

Definitely subscribed! Great videos!

[@evolusd]

Excellent! Glad you popped up in my feed.

[@GrizzlyPath]

Great video, I really enjoyed the content and am looking forward to your future videos!

[@daver.2871]

Excellent information dude and very well presented. Thank you!

[@Mines220]

Great info and great presentation! I love the technicality! Subscribed!!!!

[@OmerPhotoscene]

good to see you back

[@mshawari1]

We need same videos for the rear suspension... Keep these coming!

[@DADVNTRS]

You’re amazing Kai, thanks for all the info, subscribed! 😊🎉

[@lincolnp]

As a 4runner owner, thank you for the info and unbiased opinion

[@bille5399]

Great video. Very well done yet again 👏 👍

[@gee_tee_garage4x4]

I stumbled across these videos by accident. Took the time to watch them and they are fantastic and informative. Def recommending to my 4wding mates! 🙌

[@anonymousjoel]

I absolutely love you still out there doing gods work youre the best man

[@zxx9554]

Me: *taking notes all the time* Thank you for sharing such detailed information!

[@darreng75]

Wow this video is awesome. The effort you put in is unreal. You have taken an engineer's eye to 4x4, I am not. It is so cool to see the numbers and theories on things people overlook. Will be a subscriber thank you for your video

[@reedgreiter4194]

Excited for the sway bar episode! I hope you do a test without a sway bar at all to show the increase in flex!

[@dukenukem7183]

Same I took my front and rear off years ago and not looking back. I bought a rock jock rear but have not installed it yet

[@wherezmyadhdpillz]

My kinda guy, DIY toyota scientist lol. We need more creators focused on hard data and experimentation. Subscribed, keep up the amazing work man!

[@LivingHealthy4God]

Excellent detailed video! The best I have seen

[@skunkworksnighthawk]

Finally! This! Is going to help a lot of us understand with the real life demo! 💯

[@justino8935]

I love these technical information videos. Thank you

[@brennanford6182]

Great video, can’t wait for the sway bar vid

[@dadbod4life]

Thank you!! I will watch a few times to understand fully!! Cant wait to upgrade my 2013 GX suspension!

[@Agent.K.]

Although not scientific, I learned about the top spacers from trial and error. This confirms my theories. Thank you for your effort and the very detailed information.

[@tundra2000boy]

Nice video, I never knew that about pre load was always told more pre load the stiffer the ride. Thanks for clearing that up

[@amaurycaraballo1254]

I agree with all the comments. As a Tacoma owner, it was an eye-opener. I was thinking to go 3" and now everything changes. I have to rethink my options. My Tacoma is also my dairy driver, so it is a new game. Thanks @Thinker's Adventure

[@meelad88]

That’s pretty informative! Great job 👏

[@brianpeck697]

These videos are awesome, thank you so much for sharing your knowledge

[@TheRockasaki]

Another fantastic video, Kai! Those myths needed debunking!

[@ExploringCabinsandMines]

A very thorough assessment of IFS suspension, great video!

[@a.b.c.1961]

Love the engineering technical approach

[@smashedhulk8492]

Fantastic work. Knowledge is power.

[@toomanyprojectstx]

OUSTANDING CONTENT!!! Well done and thank you!! Wow!!

[@Ductaco]

Finally someone who brings quantitative analysis and engineering to the typical forum subjective BS. Keep up the great content!!

[@levsheppard2859]

So much great info, and awesome production!

[@locoloc4sho]

Thank you for these videos!! 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@Potz4pizza]

Great content. Keep educating and the subscribers will follow 👍

[@hmu958]

Just found your channel. GOLD for Toyota builders and modders, like me. Saving me time and money.

[@ShellbackUSN]

Very informative video. Subscribed. Thank you!

[@pkingpure100]

Thanks! I’m new to all of this and you explained it so simply

[@adrianw3985]

Interesting and nerdy... Bravo. Solid work.

[@MartinsGarage97]

Love this. I am trying to help my friends with their yotas ifs. I have a excursion so solid axles. This helps me a lot thank you

[@ghanimalmatar7721]

This guy is dropping some gems out there

[@ogopogohunter69]

Awesome video, I'll watch them all before modifying my truck.

[@netybar7136]

As a alignment mechanic I love this dude !!

[@thedolt9215]

Damn dude! You do a lot of work for your channel… Outstanding!

[@marc-andrebenoit5776]

That is hands down the best video for lift out there

[@YkkkL]

There are too many vehicle professionals on youtube give opinions but never explain why … these videos are very knowledgeable.