WalkaWalka
New member
Ok, maybe I didn't read the threads right but this is far from a plug and play install. After getting the truck in the air and getting the old spring out I knew that the FJ80 coils weren't going to sit in the cones correctly. This was the point of no return. With the help of my buddy and his plasma cutter we cut out the cones on the top and used a grinder to clean it up a little. Next we cut out some angle iron into 1.5" sections and used 4 per side to keep the top of the coil centered. First we migged up the bottom two pieces and then stacked the next two on top of that. We thought the worse was behind us. I used the spring compressors on loan from the parts store and got them compressed as possible, I actually compressed one half and then the other half. An hour later they were still slightly taller than the stock ones so we knew we had to get the axle to drop lower. First off was the brake hose, then the sway bar, and then the trac bar (shocks were already off). Took us a while to realize the passenger side upper link was resting on the fuel tank skid plate. Removed the link and got the clearance we needed with pulling the axle down and cursing my 4runner. We put the link back on and the sway bar. Then we decided to put it on the ground and see what it looked like. The back end is at least 3 inches higher than the front and we are laughing so hard I peed my pants a little. At this point we realize that the stock shocks are far from long enough and the brake hose is about 4 inches too short. Also the trac bar was a little short. Unfortunately this was about midnight and all the part stores are closed (not like they'd have them in stock anyway). So the temporary fix was we cut the trac bar in half and using an elaborate combination of angle iron and C-clamps we got it straight again and tig welded a 5/8" extension which works awesome. Next with my friend jumping on the back we got the stock shocks back on and the brake hose back on. So for now my 4runner is sitting in the drive waiting for extended brake lines and the right length of shocks. I cranked up the front a couple turns but it's still uneven so I'd imagine some ball joint spacers will be ordered shortly. Long story short just buy a kit. I'll try to get some pics of the install when I go back to put the shocks and hose in.
My 4runner :gun4:
My 4runner :gun4:
