The truck was raised
From Schaffter
The 4Runner is lifted 4 inches with a kit from TrailMaster.
The red piece is the more important one. To raise the truck, the front differential and drive shafts are lowered, using tons and loads of spacers. New heavy-duty shocks where included in the kit.
The rear axle is simply lowered by mounting higher suspension springs. (And a bunch of spacers.)
Of course, all this does not give any better clearance for the differentials over the ground, but it does give the possibility to mount 33 x 12.5 x 15 inch tires. This gives a better ground clearance for the differentials, plus it gives a 4" better clearance under the body. Finally the attack angles are much improved. This is critical, primarily in the rear end that is all too long for serious wheelin'.
Another nice feature of the TrailMaster kit (often forgotten while comparing) is that there was a new cross-member included for the rear end of the 'A-arms' in the IFS. Originally, Toyota has installed a cross-member for the front end of the 'A-arms'. Some times, in real hard off-road, the rear end can get spread apart after a rough touch-down. This will change the complete steering geometry and also reduce the strength of the front suspension in all. By mounting the rear cross-member, the rear ends of the 'A-arms' will be kept in place.
For those that have not mounted the TrailMaster kit, such a cross-member can be bought separately from Downey Industries in Los Angeles. (Or at least, that was possible in the year of 1996. You'll have to check for yourself if it's still possible today.)
