a month into daystar lift

[kunia]

After a month of driving around with the daystar lift, spidertrax and 265/70R17 all I gotta say is this: IT IS ****!

I should have done a proper lift, not this half-ass solution just because I wanted to keep crappy XREAS. Live and learn I guess, but damn, it was a freaking expensive lesson - around $1k with parts and install

I was driving a stock 4th gen 4runner (with XREAS) for 8 years. I always though the ride was soft / floaty...for all those soccer moms out there I think. But ever since I got the daystar it's even more floaty and bouncy...like I'm driving a 90's Cadillac with worn out suspension. But what pisses me off the most is the god damn wobble when I drive under 40km/h over uneven pavement. The hole back is going from side to side, feels like my suspension & frame's gonna go one way and the body the other...no to mention in the past month I've had my rear bottom out about 6 times over speed bumps (and a soft thump) when I go over them a bit faster.
I hate it.

Few weeks ago I tried out another memeber's 4runner with spidertrax and daystar (sock tires though) and it was wobbly as well....not as wobbly as mine (cuz it's limited and heavier?), but still...similar.

I don't know WTF is going on. I dunno if the XREAS leaked during install and the mechanic covered it up or they ****ed up something else. I've looked few times under the truck....no leaks anyway and everything appears fine. And the most screwed up thing is there's not one god damn place in Toronto that know's anything about 4runners. I wound't trust all those re****ed Toyota dealerships with a ****ing toaster, much less a T4R....

If this ride quality is "normal" or to be expected when doing a spacer lift, here's what I have to all those people thinking of doing it: stay the **** away from a spacer, screw your useless Xreas, don't be a cheap ass and get a proper lift.

Meh....

sorry for *****ing so much....but I'm $1k short and pissed.

 

[knightsfs4]

Doesnt sound entirely your fault honestly. I personally think the daystar is a waste though. I bought Bilstien 5100s all the way around, FJ coils, and a rear daystar spacer. Total cost me $450 for everything. Install was $350 w/ alignment. So I walked out at $800. I have a 3/2 and its awesome.

I've learned to just do things right the first time. You'll always be happier knowing you do it right and you'll enjoy it more.

 

[kunia]

Doesnt sound entirely your fault honestly. I personally think the daystar is a waste though. I bought Bilstien 5100s all the way around, FJ coils, and a rear daystar spacer. Total cost me $450 for everything. Install was $350 w/ alignment. So I walked out at $800. I have a 3/2 and its awesome.

I've learned to just do things right the first time. You'll always be happier knowing you do it right and you'll enjoy it more.

Yup...But all those BS threads saying how daystar doesn't change the ride quality, etc, are all just that - BS.
One thing I like is how steering got stiffer....but I guess it's because of wheel spacers.

Live and learn

 

[knightsfs4]

I mean I've never had the daystar kit, but unless you install it yourself (which I can't do yet) it's just a waste cause installation kills the rest. It just makes so much more sense to buy a new suspension. Just my 2 cents :frog:

 

[zstampe]

Kunia, how many miles are on your 4runner? I would bet money that they screwed up the xreas when they did the lift. You're the only person to complain about it like this. I ran the exact same lift for a year and it drove just fine. As far as dropping a grand for daystar installed I can't say I have much sympathy there my friend, it's an easy lift to install and you got hosed in labor since the kit is about 160 bucks.

I hope you get it ironed out, if you are so unhappy with it just cut your losses and go with an OME lift or something of that nature. I'm much happier with mine now than I was with daystar, even though the spacers werent bad, I just wanted more lift. Good luck man.

 

[knightsfs4]

Zstampe,

Off topic but where did you get your roof rack?

 

[superman3043]

Just a thought: I've got the Daystar kit and have not experienced anything that you've got going on. Mine rides better than it did stock as a matter of fact since one of my buddies is a co-worker of mine and T4R owner I get to ride in a stock one every other day and I like my ride a whole lot better.

That being said, I've got a couple theories on what you could be experiencing. the first is that it's a function of the X-REAS. I personally don't think this is it because other members have installed Daystars on X-REAS and have been fine.

My second thought comes from you saying you've got a "floaty" rear end. I'm thinking that your installer put in your rear spring cups upside down. I took a look at some of your pictures and to me, it does appear that your rear end is a tad high. This would definitely cause what you're experiencing if this is the case, so you might want to take a peak.

I did the install myself, so with the Daystars I was only out $160, and for that price, I couldn't be happier!

Good luck man! Let us know what you find.

 

[zstampe]

Zstampe,

Off topic but where did you get your roof rack?

Etrailer.com, it's the rola rack with extension. They're a great website to order from too. Let me know if you want any more pics.

 

[kunia]

Kunia, how many miles are on your 4runner? I would bet money that they screwed up the xreas when they did the lift. You're the only person to complain about it like this. I ran the exact same lift for a year and it drove just fine. As far as dropping a grand for daystar installed I can't say I have much sympathy there my friend, it's an easy lift to install and you got hosed in labor since the kit is about 160 bucks.

I hope you get it ironed out, if you are so unhappy with it just cut your losses and go with an OME lift or something of that nature. I'm much happier with mine now than I was with daystar, even though the spacers werent bad, I just wanted more lift. Good luck man.

I'm at 50k miles. And I really don't know what to think about this whole spacer lift...I don't even know how to check that stupid Xreas for problems much less a shop that would know how and what to do with it.
Hopefully I'll meet AlexJet (member) soon...maybe he can help me out.

I'm defiantly getting a new lift. Proper lift. I'm leaning towards OW 2.5 kit (goal is to get bumpers in a year or so - going all out. spacer lift was just a temp solution till I save up some money). Again, I hope AlexJet's there to advise

 

[kunia]

Just a thought: I've got the Daystar kit and have not experienced anything that you've got going on. Mine rides better than it did stock as a matter of fact since one of my buddies is a co-worker of mine and T4R owner I get to ride in a stock one every other day and I like my ride a whole lot better.

That being said, I've got a couple theories on what you could be experiencing. the first is that it's a function of the X-REAS. I personally don't think this is it because other members have installed Daystars on X-REAS and have been fine.

My second thought comes from you saying you've got a "floaty" rear end. I'm thinking that your installer put in your rear spring cups upside down. I took a look at some of your pictures and to me, it does appear that your rear end is a tad high. This would definitely cause what you're experiencing if this is the case, so you might want to take a peak.

I did the install myself, so with the Daystars I was only out $160, and for that price, I couldn't be happier!

Good luck man! Let us know what you find.

Thanks for the hint....I'll take a look after this long weekend since I'll be away. Honestly I'm a complete nub when it comes to car mechanics...learning as I go along.

 

[kunia]

Just a thought: I've got the Daystar kit and have not experienced anything that you've got going on. Mine rides better than it did stock as a matter of fact since one of my buddies is a co-worker of mine and T4R owner I get to ride in a stock one every other day and I like my ride a whole lot better.

That being said, I've got a couple theories on what you could be experiencing. the first is that it's a function of the X-REAS. I personally don't think this is it because other members have installed Daystars on X-REAS and have been fine.

My second thought comes from you saying you've got a "floaty" rear end. I'm thinking that your installer put in your rear spring cups upside down. I took a look at some of your pictures and to me, it does appear that your rear end is a tad high. This would definitely cause what you're experiencing if this is the case, so you might want to take a peak.

I did the install myself, so with the Daystars I was only out $160, and for that price, I couldn't be happier!

Good luck man! Let us know what you find.

Come to think of it, I'll take some decent pictures next week of the underside of the truck. Maybe it'll help

 

[zstampe]

I'm at 50k miles. And I really don't know what to think about this whole spacer lift...I don't even know how to check that stupid Xreas for problems much less a shop that would know how and what to do with it.
Hopefully I'll meet AlexJet (member) soon...maybe he can help me out.

I'm defiantly getting a new lift. Proper lift. I'm leaning towards OW 2.5 kit (goal is to get bumpers in a year or so - going all out. spacer lift was just a temp solution till I save up some money). Again, I hope AlexJet's there to advise

The same AlexJet that claims he has a 300 horsepower v6 in his 4runner? Good luck with that.

I would trust someone like arkswamprider or something, he seems to be the resident guru here on suspension. Drop him a PM. I hope you get it solved bud, but hey maybe you can just get the OW2.5 kit sooner this way right? Is there anyway you could record a driving vid of the 4runner to post and see if what you're experiencing is normal (i doubt it is normal) or to see if maybe its similar to a bad XREAS issue?

Zach

 

[superman3043]

Yeah, hopefully I'm right about this and you can get it squared away. All signs are pointing toward this though: Your going over speed bump "thumping" issue, loose rear end, and the fact that your 4R still has a significant amount of rake from your pics. Mine has about 1/2" of rake after the leveling kit. Yours looks more than 1/2". I'm certain what you're experiencing is not typical for Daystar users.

 

[emelianenkov]

Yeah, hopefully I'm right about this and you can get it squared away. All signs are pointing toward this though: Your going over speed bump "thumping" issue, loose rear end, and the fact that your 4R still has a significant amount of rake from your pics. Mine has about 1/2" of rake after the leveling kit. Yours looks more than 1/2". I'm certain what you're experiencing is not typical for Daystar users.

Indeed. That's one of the reasons I like to do things myself. That way I know it's done right with no corners cut. I learned the whole brake changing process last night as I went. More knowledge for the future, more money in my pocket, more confidence in the parts and work done!

I've been trying to install my daystar kit but New England rust is killin me!

This thread scared me for a second

 

[kunia]

The same AlexJet that claims he has a 300 horsepower v6 in his 4runner? Good luck with that.

I would trust someone like arkswamprider or something, he seems to be the resident guru here on suspension. Drop him a PM. I hope you get it solved bud, but hey maybe you can just get the OW2.5 kit sooner this way right? Is there anyway you could record a driving vid of the 4runner to post and see if what you're experiencing is normal (i doubt it is normal) or to see if maybe its similar to a bad XREAS issue?

Zach

The way things are going with this spacers lift that OW2.5 + UCA will probably end up sooner at my door steps that I originally planned. I just hope I won't get raped with duties (I'm in Canada)
I'll try taking a video, thou I doubt it'll help, but might as well try. I still think pictures of the underneath of the truck might be more useful.

Here in Toronto there are few people that have done anything to their t4rs. Trying to find someone is near impossible. On top of that shops don't even know how to deal with 4runners....and I'm taking Toyota dealerships. The crap I've been through with two 4runner over 8 years is downright pathetic. All those those dumb "mechanic" kids know is how to change oil....that about it. It's pretty sad

 

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

I really don't have much to add, most has already been said. I don't think this is caused by the spacers but rather poor installation. I'd bet the shop disconnected xreas during the install (common mistake) and that's causing the issues. I would definitely advise trying to talk to the shop that did the install, they should be held liable imo.

I've ran a spacer lift before and loved it. Little change in the way it handled. I've since upgraded, but that was more because I had 150k miles on the stock shocks and was ready to replace them.

I've also helped another member install the daystar kit on a xreas equipped 4runner. Took it for a ride afterwards and ride was great. If your results were typical or common, companies wouldn't produce spacer lifts because they wouldn't sell.

 

[kunia]

Yeah, hopefully I'm right about this and you can get it squared away. All signs are pointing toward this though: Your going over speed bump "thumping" issue, loose rear end, and the fact that your 4R still has a significant amount of rake from your pics. Mine has about 1/2" of rake after the leveling kit. Yours looks more than 1/2". I'm certain what you're experiencing is not typical for Daystar users.

Sorry, but a nub question, but what are "rear spring cups". Is that an OME part or is that the actual spacer lift component?

 

[superman3043]

Sorry, but a nub question, but what are "rear spring cups". Is that an OME part or is that the actual spacer lift component?

Oh, sorry. Yeah its your rear spacers. Basically if you look underneath the truck where your springs are, the spacers will sit on top of your spring providing you with the lift. If its upside down, it'll look like the spring is just sitting underneath a flat "puck like surface" sandwiched between your frame. The proper install will show the top of your coil recesses within a milled groove in the spacer.

If it is indeed upside down, like ARK said, definitely take it back to the shop and rip them a new one, because not only is it a botched installation, but I'm pretty sure it's a safety concern as well. Be careful out there man!

 

[AlexJet]

I'm at 50k miles. And I really don't know what to think about this whole spacer lift...I don't even know how to check that stupid Xreas for problems much less a shop that would know how and what to do with it.
Hopefully I'll meet AlexJet (member) soon...maybe he can help me out.

I'm defiantly getting a new lift. Proper lift. I'm leaning towards OW 2.5 kit (goal is to get bumpers in a year or so - going all out. spacer lift was just a temp solution till I save up some money). Again, I hope AlexJet's there to advise

Something is not right with yor setup.
Pass by and we'll take a look at it. I've been through several lift kits and have a few trucks built.
P.S. I do not claim my V6 has 300hp. It has 1GR-FE engine with full streight exhaust, hi-flow cats in customized intake. 1GR-FE is rated at 256hp, all additions will ease up another 15-20hp (never counted, just estimate) which brings ~270-275hp on the engine, not on the wheels. I used to have a chip which should of gave me additional 40hp, but it was FJCruiser mapping and did not work well on 4Runner, so it's back to stock "brain".

 

[emelianenkov]

Something is not right with yor setup.
Pass by and we'll take a look at it. I've been through several lift kits and have a few trucks built.
P.S. I do not claim my V6 has 300hp. It has 1GR-FE engine with full streight exhaust, hi-flow cats in customized intake. 1GR-FE is rated at 256hp, all additions will ease up another 15-20hp (never counted, just estimate) which brings ~270-275hp on the engine, not on the wheels. I used to have a chip which should of gave me additional 40hp, but it was FJCruiser mapping and did not work well on 4Runner, so it's back to stock "brain".

I have T4R.org stickers that added about 50+ hp straight after install. No calibration necessary!