Hey guys I have a 2005 Sport Edition 4WD V8. I want to buy the Daystar 2.5/1.5 spacer kit and I was looking at some older builds like this 2007 Toyota 4Runner Sport Edition Lift and he says you need a spring compressor and a pitarm puller. But the instructions on the Daystar website don't mention anything about needed those. Many people say that the install is pretty easy and I'm debating doing it in the driveway or taking it to a friend's shop to use the lift.

you dont need a spring compressor, though it can help if you have XREAS.

i found the pitman puller useful with xreas to disconnect the UBJ, makes it really easy.

you have very little wiggle room (literally) with xreas.

too bad, i just moved back to philly from DC, would have been happy to help

I guess I can manage without the spring compressor but since the puller is cheap I'll buy one. Are there any write-ups with XREAS daystar lifts?

I just did mine with xreas a few weeks ago. Super simple. front:

It helps to have air tools or some help. If you are doing it in the driveway. It will take you a whole day. If you have a lift and air tools it should take you 3-4 hrs tops front and rear.

This is to the best of my memory how I did mine. If I've forgotten anything please someone chime in.. But I have had no issues so far. Just time consuming. Take it easy. Think it through and you'll do just fine.

Remove wheels
Remove skids
Remove sway bar.
Remove bracket that holds the brake lines to the shock
Remove 3 top nuts on upper shock mount.
Loosen lower control arm to body bolts. These are very tight.
Loosen lower shock bolt.
Remove lower ball joint from lower control arm.
Remove lower shock bolt
Push lca down if its loose enough it will just sort of fall away
Remove 3 top nuts on upper shock mount. Shock will drop down. Be careful of xreas lines dont let the shock hang by these.
Install extension studs use the locktite and spacer and reinstall shock and upper nuts. Hand tight is fine for now
Reassemble make sure everything is tight
That should about do it. GO get an alignment.

The rear is simple, any existing how to will work for you.

on toyota 120 bulldog did a write up... somewhere on here too... very helpful

i recommend buying a 10 dollar pitman puller and disconnecting the UBJ then prying down the LCA to get the clearance.

the rear takes 30 mins... the front can be a pain, the top shock mounts are annoying, well one thats all the way in the back.

From 120...Daystar lift with XREAS. Is this the one?


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

That handy write up is for the 4 part kit. IIRC, if you read it thoroughly it speaks to the "Easy Install" kit which needs no compressor as it uses bolt extensions. Also no need to buy the puller, just take it out on loan from Autozone.

yes and just skip the crap about the spring compressor.

FWIW i use the puller all the time, it was ten bucks at harbor freight - used it for rear sway links, TREs, UBJs ETCs...

Use the method in this link for the front. I've done numerous installs and this is by far the easiest way I've found. No need for the spring compressor or pitman arm puller.
Leveled her this weekend

On the rear, it's pretty easy. Disconnect sway bar end links and the shocks, nothing else should be needed.

I installed daystar kit on my 2004 v8 sport edition 4wd w/XREAS. It was really simple, and I did it all with just a craftsman tool set, stock jack, two jack stands, a hammer, and a buddy. For the most part I just followed the instructions that came with the lift. The only part that gave me trouble was getting the strut back in with the spacer on top.

One thing a mechanic buddy told me was not to use a ball joint puller (pitman puller) because they are really only meant to be used when you are replacing the ball joint, and can damage the boot. Instead just loosen the nut and give it a few firm whacks with a hammer and it should pop right out. I did and had no issues.

Also, to help get the strut in place after the spacer was put on I used my bottle jack to push down on the steering knuckle from the top. Just place the base of your jack on the metal part of the fenderwell and push down on the steering knuckle where the ball joint attaches. This should give you enough clearance to get the strut in place. Just don't go overboard with it. I used the same trick on the rear to push the axle down far enough to get the coil into place.

So you recommend removing lower ballpoint front control arm instead of separating the upper ballpoint from the spindle? Any reason for this ?

Thanks

Yes. This way you are just unbolting it. I don't like to separate ball joints if I don't have to. They like to stay together and you can risk damaging the boot. So I leave alone. Just my personal preference.

z

100% agree