After being a bit turned off yesterday by a certain nat'l chain (rhymes with 4 Wheel Farts) by giving me attitude when I asked about installing a spacer lift or Bilstein 5100 shocks on my '03 Ltd 4x4 (XREAS suspension), I decided to do a bit more asking.

I stopped by a well-known mom and pop local truck accessory store and garage today (I know, I should have gone there first). They had a Daystar banner out so I figured what the heck since the Daystar kit is one of the one's I was looking at. I happened to get the owner to help me and we called Daystar to talk about the 2.5" spacer lift on my '03 with the XREAS as he wasn't familiar with that system. He quoted me $350 out the door and that includes getting it re-aligned once he is done with the install! I won't be able to do a full suspension lift for a while so this will get me leveled and open the way for slightly larger tires in the meantime. I don't really pound it off-road...most of what I do is flat muddy stuff but no major rocks or anything.

How does that sound price wise? By the way it breaks down to basically $140 for the lift, $150 installation, and $60 for the alignment. Also, any comments on the Daystar kit I am looking at? I have done alot of reading and it seems suitable since I don't do any major wheeling at this time but any advice is more than welcome! Thanks in advance.

sounds like a fair price. main thing is dont let him disconnect any of the xreas hydraulic lines durring the install. also make sure he dissconnects all the abs sensor wires to be sure not to stretch and break the wires durrings installation.

That's not bad at all. I've seen and heard a lot worse than $350. If you have a 4wheelparts near you I'd check with them. i was able to get an out the door price with alignment for $210. All depends on their experience and comfort level so each store may be different.

hahaha, I guess Seatown didn't read the OP too carefully

Anyway, sounds like a fair price if you don't want to try the install yourself.

Kit will run about $150-160
Alignment $60-80
and install at $150 we'll say is about a 4 hour job so $37.50/hour which is a fair if not very good labor rate.

So yeah, go for it! I've got the Daystar kit. Still got half of it in. Cheap, easy to install, gets you the lift, the good looks, let's you upsize tires, and rides great. I think there has been enough said about these.

Agreed, not bad considering that includes parts and alignment.

Thank you! I will print this and take it with me to make sure I go over it with him. I am assuming there will be evidence of hydraulic fluid present if he doesnt' listen and takes the lines loose. Anything else I can look for once it is done to make sure it got done properly? Thanks again, exactly the kind of advice I am looking for. Especially since he is not familiar with the XREAS system.

oh you'll have a lot more to worry about than some fluid if he disconnects a line...

lol if your ABS light comes on after install then he broke one of the sensor wires.. If he leaks fluid out of the system you'll feel a difference in the ride qaulity right away.

Well crap...now I am worried! I was thinking of doing it myself but with two sets of twin girls (10 yr olds and 5 yr olds) having time to start AND FINISH a project is rare..especially on my daily driver vehicle. Decisions, decisions...

There are a few Daystar kits listed in the sale forums. Might save you some $$.

dont worry about it... just talk to the guy about what info you've learned and see how confident he is. He wont touch it if he feels theres a chance he could damage something at least thats what a good mechanic will do. its not that challenging of an install. You asked what concerns there should be and we've explained what "could" happen now that you know you can inform them mechanic and prevent any trouble lifes a garden man dig it!!

Good point...time to grab a shovel!!! I have to round up the funds which shouldn't take long. I will keep you posted. Thanks for all the responses...can't wait to see how it turns out!

Wow, mechanics/technicians work for 37.50/hour down there?

in my city general mechanics go around $85/hour and any specialty place like a 4x4 shop will be anywhere from $90-$110/hour.

if I was playing 37.50 for labour i'd never do anything myself. lol

I was quoted over $700 dollars for a daystar lift install here.

cheap parts, cheap labor, next to no cost for shipping. You guys have it made down there.

Its a great price - I just got mine done for $400 (4 hrs x $100/hr) + $129 for a 4 wheel aligment.

I would also take in the detailed instructions, and make sure they dont disconnect the x-reas....

Daystar (Spacer) installation on 4Runner with XREAS - Toyota 120 Platforms Forum

Seriously, mine shop d/cs the Xreas accidentally - and i needed two new Xreas shocks up front... and a wheel speed sensor replaced. Fortunately the shop owned up to the mistake and replaced them at their cost.