Donahoe Coil Over Lift 4th Gen

RL Lemke

RL Lemke

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Here are three photos of my Donahoe 2.5" Tacoma Coil Over struts installed on my 4th Gen 4Runner.

This is a photo taken from the front.

The amount of lift is just under 3". This was established by the amount of lift in the rear. There I have the NE spacer still in placee, with the Revtek shocks connected to the stock shock mounts. The front struts were adjusted to a height that leveled the 4Runner frame front to back. This measurement was taken between the bottom of the frame and the top of the alignment table.
 

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This photo is from the back.

The Total Chaos upper A arm required that the top hole in the spindle arm be enlarged to 3/4". So, no going back.
 

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This is a side view. What you see when walking by the 4Runner.
 

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On road driving impressions: Smooth, quiet, and just like the stock 4Runner. None of the harshness and rigid feeling I suffered with the two spacer lifts I tried before.

Off road - construction site - driving impressions: Controlled and compliant.

What I gave-up to have this system: The Xreas is now in a box.

What I have gained: The ability to go off road and even over curbs without fear of smashing the skid plates. Yes, in stock form I was hitting the front skid plate climbing curbs at an angle. The 4Runner looks like it should from the factory.

Cost: $2,200 installed, soup to nuts.

If you live around Dallas and don't want to do this install on your own, do yourself a favor and call Mike's Off Road (http://www.MikesOffRoad.com) No messing around, these guys know what they are doing. They are as fussy as I am when it comes to doing everything right, the first time.
 
looks great! hopefully i'll head down that road in a couple of years. is your trip still on, or was it canceled? what did the install set you back as far as labor?
 
Congrats on the new setup.

Great post that I'm sure will be viewed many times in the future.

Now I just have to justify the cost for myself:(
 
ahh that's soooo purrrtttyyy!! :) that has got to be the one of the best set up configuration you can ever have on a 4th gen!

RL, I'm glad everything worked out! Now to go out and enjoy some of those trails!

now go out there and show me some action shots!
 
Oh man that looks great!!!! It sounds like a great setup too.

Please measure from the ground to the fender in the front and rear, would love to know how much lift you now have. What tires (size) do you have

What did you end up using in the back? Revtek shock and spacer with stock coil? Or just the Revtek shock?
 
bulldog -- in the rear, he said he still had the NE spacers ... and the Revtek shocks.


RL, it looks great and I am so glad you are happy with it!!!

Now I know what to look for when I see nice white runners driving by! :)
 
OK, measurements across center of wheel: FR - 37.25, RR - 38.50, LR - 37.75, & FL - 37.00

Remember though, the measurements for the proper front strut level were taken from the bottom of the frame.
 
hre814 said:
looks great! hopefully i'll head down that road in a couple of years. is your trip still on, or was it canceled? what did the install set you back as far as labor?
Click to expand...

The Moab trip is delayed until Easter, or right after school is out at the end of May.

Edit: The Moab trip is delayed further. I went on a 2000 mile motorcycle ride to Big Bend instead.

The $2,200 includes everything, parts and labor at Mike's.
 
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RL Lemke said:
OK, measurements across center of wheel: FR - 37.25, RR - 38.50, LR - 37.75, & FL - 37.00

Remember though, the measurements for the proper front strut level were taken from the bottom of the frame.
Click to expand...
Cool, are you using 265/70/17 tires??

It seems your front is nice and level, but the rear is a bit off left to right??
 
bulldog-yota said:
Cool, are you using 265/70/17 tires??

It seems your front is nice and level, but the rear is a bit off left to right??
Click to expand...

Yes, BFG AT KO 265/70/17.

I don't know about the body measurements. I'll do it again tomorrow to see if it is different.
 
Yes please check again. It seems like you got a nice 3" lift from the Hoes :D And if I look at the way they sit now on the 4R it will be easy to get a bit more if required, even with a bumper and winch. NNIIIIICCCCCEEEEEEE!!
 
Very Nice. I'm jealous. A few questions...


Is all of the X-REAS removed (lines, hardware, ...) or just the struts and shocks?


The 4Runner weighs a bit more than a Tacoma. Are the coilover springs different than the Tacoma's? Or will part numbers be the same?

Coilovers + upper control arms + any other parts? New brake lines?



Enjoy the new lift.
 
Bluto said:
Is all of the X-REAS removed (lines, hardware, ...) or just the struts and shocks?


The 4Runner weighs a bit more than a Tacoma. Are the coilover springs different than the Tacoma's? Or will part numbers be the same?

Coilovers + upper control arms + any other parts? New brake lines?
Click to expand...

All traces of the Xraes have been removed.

I don't think there are any differences. Maybe valving in the shim stack internally. But then a call to Donahoe would reveal all, as they are very helpful on the phone.

Just those two parts. I would have used the proposed Donahoe upper A arm and rear shock, but they are not out yet.

Driving with the 4Runner since yesterday I have gone around fast sweepers with uneven concrete sections. Stock the 4Runner would shift it's weight a bit and act nervous on the joint. Then with the spacer lifts the 4Runner would lose tire contack and shift it's bulk a bit, like a POS pick-up or Suburban. Now with the Donahoe the 4Runner tracks perfect with minor weight shift. Maybe most of you wouldn't notice any of these differences, but I press every vehicle I own hard. Not as hard as the world rally drivers, but it feels like it to me.

With each mile I am becoming more aware of the mistake I made messing with the half measures of spacer lifts.

Within a matter of days I expect to see some posts from 4Route showing her SAW coil overs installed. Along with Good Times' reports, I think that more of you will see the light. If you off road or expect more control of your 4Runner at warp speed, replacement coil overs is the way to go. Regardless of the ride height you set your 4Runner.
 
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front suspension doesn't require new brake lines only the rear.

therefore if you're looking to upgrade your front suspension, just swap out the UCA's and the coilovers and call it a day.
 
RL Lemke said:
I have gone around fast sweepers with uneven concrete sections.
Click to expand...


What are fast sweepers? Maybe a term we don't use in the Northwest? Sorry, but I've never heard of this..
 
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