N90 Hilux Lift Kit Types: Block Spacer, ReadyStrut and Remote Reservoir

Formula 4x4 South Africa covers the N90 Hilux (GUN226R, 227R) with a clear range of lift kit types: a low cost rear block spacer, a 2 inch height adjustable ReadyStrut kit, and a 2 to 3 inch adjustable remote reservoir kit for hard gravel touring. Match the type to your load and terrain. Part of our full guide to the N90 Hilux suspension range.

Choosing an N90 Hilux lift kit for South African use comes down to knowing the types and matching one to how you drive. A block spacer, a ReadyStrut kit and a remote reservoir kit all lift the bakkie, but they suit very different owners. Formula 4x4 builds each as a matched system for real SA conditions, so the springs and shocks work together on gravel and bushveld rather than fighting each other.

What are the main N90 Hilux lift kit types?

There are three worth knowing. A rear block spacer is the cheapest, adding a small rear lift that suits a light towing setup. A 2 inch 50mm ReadyStrut kit is the popular tourer choice, a 50mm lift with a height adjustable front strut. A 2 inch to 3 inch adjustable kit runs remote reservoir shocks and suits the hardest gravel and bushveld use.

The takeaway: pick the block spacer for a small towing lift, the ReadyStrut for touring, and the remote reservoir kit for hard gravel work.

What is a ReadyStrut and why choose the adjustable version?

A ReadyStrut is a Formula 4x4 front strut that arrives preassembled and ready to bolt in. The height adjustable versions let you set the front ride height to suit your accessory load, because a bare bakkie and one with a steel bull bar and winch need different preload to sit at the same height. That adjustability means one kit can be set correctly for your build and levelled side to side, so you get the lift you paid for and it holds.

The takeaway: a height adjustable ReadyStrut tunes the front to your load, so the N90 sits level and keeps its height.

When is a remote reservoir kit worth it?

Remote reservoir shocks add a separate reservoir of oil and gas, increasing oil volume and cooling. On the long gravel transit roads and corrugations common in SA touring, that keeps damping consistent where a standard shock overheats and fades. If your N90 spends real time on rough roads, the remote reservoir kit stays composed when a standard kit would go vague. If it mostly runs tar and light dirt, the standard ReadyStrut kit is the sensible spend.

The takeaway: choose remote reservoir for hot, hard, corrugated gravel, and a standard kit for tar and light dirt.

What else should I fit with the lift?

A lift changes the front geometry, so most 2 inch and taller kits should be paired with SuperPro caster and camber correction and sway bar links to suit the height. Skipping it causes twitchy steering and uneven tyre wear. That is covered in our N90 Hilux control arms guide. To keep a loaded rear level, see our N90 Hilux load carrying guide.

The takeaway: pair any 2 inch or taller lift with geometry correction, and match the rear to your load.

N90 Hilux lift kit types compared

The takeaway: the more time loaded and on gravel, the further down this table you should look.

N90 Hilux Lift Kit Types FAQs

Looking for more information about the N90 Hilux lift kit options? Below we answer the most commonly asked questions

See the complete range: N90 Hilux suspension upgrade.