2008 Sport Leveling Kit Questions.................

[5POINT56]

So I just up-sized my tires to a brand new set of Nitto Terra Graplers in 265/70/17. I have no lift, no spacers, no nothing...bone stock. The tires fit great, no rubbing at all so far, even during hard u-turns....so I'm good there. The tires look great...look like the way my T4R should have left the factory in my opinion.

As has been discussed here at length from many angles, the 4th gen T4R's have a sloping front end....and like many others, I don't like the way it looks....so I want to add a leveling kit to fix that issue.

Now I wont be 4x4ing, only minor muddy off-roading, my rig is a 2wd.....this is all for aesthetics....and personal preference based on some of the great work you guys have done to your rigs that I've seen here.

This is my question:

Leveling kits come in various heights. 1", 1.5", 2"....

All I want to accomplish is to level out the front with the back. Nothing more.

What I don't want is to have a kit installed only to find out the front is either still sloping...or, a bit too high. I'm thinking from what I've read here that a 1.5" front leveling kit should do the trick. But Should is not a great basis to go forward with in my world so I'm hoping for some direction here.

Whose kit? What height specifically will level my T4R with the back?

I don't want a lift all the way around, just want to level the front with the back.

The Daystar 1" kit just seems like it wouldn't be quite high enough to get the ob done, but I honestly have no idea.

Any help?

 

[Casper421]

Check out Toytec for 1"-3" front spacers. Also, contact Jason Burtman at Burtman Industries, he can provide numerous ways to level your front end. Good luck!

 

[5POINT56]

Check out Toytec for 1"-3" front spacers. Also, contact Jason Burtman at Burtman Industries, he can provide numerous ways to level your front end. Good luck!

It's the 1"-3" part I'm having questions with.

Which one? "Level" is a pretty definite concept....so having multiple choices seems unusual to me.

And thanks for the tip on Jason...I'll get in touch and see what he has to say.

ETA: By the way, the only reason I have a 2x4 is because I left your neck of the woods for Florida a few years ago....you live in PARADISE brother. What I would do for fresh tracks at Heavenly, oh my god.

 

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

The daystar will give close to two inches, not one inch like they say. Your best option is a Toytec 1/4" spacer combined with FJ Cruiser springs all around. Total this will give you the lift you want and also improve ride. Check out the link in my sig for more info and pics. Only difference from mine is you need the 1/4" spacer and both front/rear springs.

 

[DocMT]

If you install a 1/2" spacer, you'll get 1" of lift. Keep that in mind. You double the thickness of the spacer to determine how much lift you'll get.

Another thing you have to keep in mind is that looking at the gap between the fenders and the top of the tires is not the only way to determine if a 4Runner looks level or not. You should also look at the running boards. In my opinion, the best thing to do is look at both the wheel gap and the running boards.

That said, if you install a 1/2" spacer (for 1" of lift), the 4Runner will look more level, but it will still be higher in the rear than the front.

If you install a 1" spacer (for 2" of lift), the wheel gap will look just about even in front and rear. But the running boards will look like they are a bit higher in front than the rear.

So the best bet is to get yourself a 3/4" spacer, which will give you 1.5" of lift. This is a really good option, as you'll end up with just a little bit more wheel gap in the rear than the front, but the running boards will be just about perfectly level.

 

[Husker Z]

I put the 1" Daystar Spacer on this weekend on my Limited and it now looks perfectly level, or pretty dang close. I really like the look!

 

[Krazynative]

The first mod I did on my Sport was a DS 2.5"(1.25" thick) spacer. It had exactly the same gap in the front and rear wheel wells, but the running boards were a bit higher in the front. And every time I put a load in the back it would look too high in the front. I ended up adding 1" of lift in the back to compensate. I also noticed an extra vibration or reverb in the front when I hit bumps, such as speed bumps. I think because the DS is rubberish. I wish it was hard plastic or alluminum.

If you want the best of both worlds (loaded to non-loaded), I would suggest getting a 1" spacer that would give you 2" of lift. This is, of course, if you are planning on keeping everything else stock.

And since you are doing this for aesthetics... You should also consider looking into wheel spacers. These give as much to the look as does leveling.

 

[5POINT56]

For the life of me, I still can't figure out why a 1" spacer would create 2" of lift in the front.

Regardless, it sounds like that's not only a simple fix, it's exactly what I'm looking for.

What do you think installation would cost?

 

[Krazynative]

For the life of me, I still can't figure out why a 1" spacer would create 2" of lift in the front.

Because of where the spacer sits as to compared to where the wheel is. Since the wheel is farther away from the pivot point than the spacer is, it is moved more. Think of holding your arm straight out in front of you. If you move your elbo up one inch, your hand moves two.

Regardless, it sounds like that's not only a simple fix, it's exactly what I'm looking for.

What do you think installation would cost?

This is where you need to be careful... Since you have a Sport Edition, you have X-reas shocks. These are not typical as they are fluid dampened and are connected with a hose. Either you find a shop that is REALLY familliar with these or you search on this forum for the "how to's" and do it yourself. There are a ton of threads on hear about X-reas. It takes about 4 hours the first time.

I did it myself, so I'm not sure of cost.

 

[M.A.R]

I just did the Fj Springs and shocks with the daystar budget boost 1inch. Its now level and the ride is so much better!

 

[DocMT]

For the life of me, I still can't figure out why a 1" spacer would create 2" of lift in the front.

Regardless, it sounds like that's not only a simple fix, it's exactly what I'm looking for.

What do you think installation would cost?

It's because of the suspension geometry. If you go for the 1" spacer (which is 2" of lift), your wheel gap will look even, but the running boards will appear to be higher in the front than the rear. Plus, if you ever put a load in the cargo area, your 4Runner will squat in the rear.

Just search the forum for pictures of 4Runners with 1" and 2" leveling lifts and you'll see what I'm talking about.

 

[5POINT56]

Because of where the spacer sits as to compared to where the wheel is. Since the wheel is farther away from the pivot point than the spacer is, it is moved more. Think of holding your arm straight out in front of you. If you move your elbo up one inch, your hand moves two.



This is where you need to be careful... Since you have a Sport Edition, you have X-reas shocks. These are not typical as they are fluid dampened and are connected with a hose. Either you find a shop that is REALLY familliar with these or you search on this forum for the "how to's" and do it yourself. There are a ton of threads on hear about X-reas. It takes about 4 hours the first time.

I did it myself, so I'm not sure of cost.

I don't think I have the tools nor the mechanical know-how to attempt this myself, particularly if a professional installation requires a shop that is 'REALLY' familiar with X-REAS shocks. I'm not at all familiar with it and I'm by no means a mechanic.

Tell me this, do ALL 08 Sports come with X-REAS?

How do I know if my ride has that?

I'm surprised that the installation of 1" front levelers/spacers is such a potentially tricky install. If I really want to get this done professionally, where would I go to make sure it gets done right?

On the surface it seems like it shouldn't be all that tough, but then again, I wouldn't really know.

Is this more hassle than its worth?

 

[DocMT]

I don't think I have the tools nor the mechanical know-how to attempt this myself, particularly if a professional installation requires a shop that is 'REALLY' familiar with X-REAS shocks. I'm not at all familiar with it and I'm by no means a mechanic.

Tell me this, do ALL 08 Sports come with X-REAS?

How do I know if my ride has that?

I'm surprised that the installation of 1" front levelers/spacers is such a potentially tricky install. If I really want to get this done professionally, where would I go to make sure it gets done right?

On the surface it seems like it shouldn't be all that tough, but then again, I wouldn't really know.

Is this more hassle than its worth?

All 4th generation Sport Editions have XREAS, regardless of year. A spacer can be installed without removing or disconnect the XREAS system. You just have to be careful not to stretch the hydraulic line while installing the spacer. It's really not that difficult or complicated. Many guys here have installed their spacers on their own, even with XREAS.

 

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

As stated, the install isn't too difficult, and after 1-2 hours reading here you could have all the know how you need to do the install. The rear is a piece of cake, it's the front that's a tad bit more complicated. I did the install myself (well, with the help of another forum member) and it was easy, just take your time. I know nothing about mechanics and have never done any suspension work myself, and even without someone who was more familiar with it helping me, I probably could have got it done. The biggest problem I had was that you can not disconnect the shocks from the hydraulic line. Every shop I went to was afraid to touch it, or didn't have the right spring compressor (you need a portable one, you can get these for free from most auto parts stores to use for the day; the shops all hand bench mounted compressors and since you can't take the shock out, they were unable to do the install).

I can't emphasize this enough: DO NOT overlook the FJ coil swap. Many here have done it and not only does it give you a little lift, it also makes a very noticeable difference in the ride. With the FJ springs in the front, you will gain about 1" of lift. Add a 1/4" Toytec spacer, and you'll total right at 1.5" of lift, which is pretty level. In the rear, you will gain around .25" of lift. It has already been discussed that 1" isn't quite enough, and 2" is a little much. This combo puts you right in the middle. To my knowledge, there is not a .75" spacer out there (which is what you'd need for 1.5" lift) with the exception of getting a custom Cornfed spacer build (not worth the cost IMO).

 

[DocMT]

To my knowledge, there is not a .75" spacer out there (which is what you'd need for 1.5" lift) with the exception of getting a custom Cornfed spacer build (not worth the cost IMO).

There was a guy on the forum who was selling .75" spacers. I don't know if he's still around or not, but I think he also had 1" spacers and .5" spacers also.

 

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

There was a guy on the forum who was selling .75" spacers. I don't know if he's still around or not, but I think he also had 1" spacers and .5" spacers also.

How long ago? I know I searched like crazy before making my choice and never ran across them nor anyone who knew about them. I'd love to be wrong on that and find out they are in production, a .75" thick spacer would be awesome for those looking for a simple lift.

 

[DocMT]

How long ago? I know I searched like crazy before making my choice and never ran across them nor anyone who knew about them. I'd love to be wrong on that and find out they are in production, a .75" thick spacer would be awesome for those looking for a simple lift.

It was a while back. I remember reading a few threads about it back when I first got my 4Runner, when I used to be a lurker. Here's a thread with pictures

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/off-r...nch-leveling-lift-using-inch-spacer-pics.html

 

[5POINT56]

All 4th generation Sport Editions have XREAS, regardless of year. A spacer can be installed without removing or disconnect the XREAS system. You just have to be careful not to stretch the hydraulic line while installing the spacer. It's really not that difficult or complicated. Many guys here have installed their spacers on their own, even with XREAS.

I think I found a place in S.E.Florida where I can get this done....but now I feel somewhat compelled to talk to these guys and make sure of the confidence level I get from them. I'm all for paying a qualified guy to do it right...but at the same time I don't want just any wrench-monkey telling me "Oh, no problem dude, we're good" and then f***ing up the program and leaving me with an "Ooops".

 

[DocMT]

I wouldn't worry too much. It's a pretty basic job. Just ask them if they plan on disconnecting the XREAS shocks or not. I'd rather go with a shop that will not disconnect them. Most people don't know this, but XREAS can only be disconnected and re-installed once, per the Toyota Factory Service Manual. After that, you'll need to buy new ones or replace your XREAS system with conventional shocks.

 

[5POINT56]

Should I be concered if the shop has no clue what XREAS is? Im guessing its a proprietary system Toyota uses.

I guess it's a matter of explaining how it needs to be handled in terms of not disconnecting the hose lines?

I'm probably making a bigger deal out of this then needed....I just want to avoid leveling my T4R at the expense of screwing up something that is ultimately more importantr than leveling is in the 1st place.