older cherokees could be lifted higher before needing a slip yoke kit. My 2000 was starting to show some issue at 3" with the proper shims installed. Just like their quality, they varied a lot in this area too.

As far as the newer 4 runners, I must admit that I haven't done enough background on them to see if they lost anything, as I bought the X and wasn't looking after that. Having said that, the Toyotas have one thing I really do miss with the X, more aftermarket availability. Not as much as for a Jeep, butter easily twice what we have available. The X market is comming along though.

3" is about the limit for an Xterra without putting a solid axle under the front. I bought my girlfriend a 3.5" lift that came out to be 4.5" in front and 5" in back. With a SYE and new drive shaft it was still about $500 less than the 3" lift I put on mine.

Most early 90s 4 Runners rear bumpers are not real bumpers like on the X. They more or less attached to the body. Get rear-ended major damage!

Dan

Yes, the bumpers on the 2nd gen (and I think the 3rd gen) 4runners are attached to the body. However, I saw one on a trail and he came down pretty hard on it. Surprisingly, it held up pretty well, it was a little tweaked but much better than I expected. Never seen one in an accident, though.