Hi everyone, this will be my first modification to my 04 4runner, tomorrow my dad and I are going to be installing a toytec unlimited 3 inch lift and spc ucas. I was wondering if anyone has any advice or tip and tricks that might help us out.
Low Range Off-road has a good instructional video on YouTube of them installing a full lift kit on a 4th Gen. It's super helpful and covers everything you'll need to know for this job and a bit extra. YouTube
Your front upper strut mounts are likely old, dry and brittle. Pick up a new mounting kit for $30 while you're at it. I went with a set from KYB. It will improve noise & vibration and to some degree even improve the steering system.
Also, invest in a torque wrench if you haven't already. Manufacture's Torque specs matter.
Mark the lower arm cam bolts and loosen them just enough to push them down out of the way.
Just remove the sway bar end links and remove it, you have to pull the brackets anyway to put in the relocation. Now is a good time to just put new ones in.
Be careful of the ABS sensor wires, they are quite fragile.
You will most likely get one or two leaky CV joint clams, get a set for the future.
Tighten everything to snug, then torque everything on the ground. You dont want anything to bind up or it wont sit properly, especially the upper arm. I used a floor jack under the lower and did one side at a time with the other three on the ground.
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2005 V8 Limited. ARB Bumper, ARB Touring rack, Bilstein 5100 with Toytec 3" Tacoma springs, OME 2895's, 255/80 Cooper ST Maxx. TG spacers. JBA UCA.
Check if the LCA alignment bolts spin first or else you'll have to reschedule your alignment and get new lowers too. They are a little of a pain to get out, but mine came out without cutting, just a lot of twisting and brute force