A question for all of you that actually lifted your 4Runner yourself

[Charlievee]

Good catch. I have a ball joint separator.


OP, do NOT use a picklefork. Get the right tool for $20 at Harbor Freight, and be careful of the boot.

I recall my ball joint separated with a wack of a hammer, but I did rent the tool from the box store. Think I "rented" a spring compressor also, just in case. Most if not all the part stores have a rental program. No need to buy a tool that you only need once.

 

[LaFJ86]

Highly recommend the no spring compressor method. I've lifted vehicles both ways, and lifting my 4Runner with that method was way easier and safer. A good long pry bar will help get the lower shock mounts into their correct location, thats the one tool I always use for a lift install. Good luck!!

 

[vt100]

Highly recommend the no spring compressor method. I've lifted vehicles both ways, and lifting my 4Runner with that method was way easier and safer. A good long pry bar will help get the lower shock mounts into their correct location, thats the one tool I always use for a lift install. Good luck!!

+1
Spring compressor is not needed (unless you're installing long travel springs). Disconnecting rear shocks and jacking up the opposite side gives more than enough room to put new springs in.

 

[daytonaviolet]

Highly recommend the no spring compressor method. I've lifted vehicles both ways, and lifting my 4Runner with that method was way easier and safer. A good long pry bar will help get the lower shock mounts into their correct location, thats the one tool I always use for a lift install. Good luck!!

Unfortunately this method won’t with kings

 

[bt24drexel]

Great References

I just did an OME lift, front (885) and back (889). I found these videos extremely helpful.

***PRO TIP: USE THREAD LOCK (RED 271) ON REAR LOWER SHOCK MOUNT BOLTS. TORQUE TO 72 FT-LBS***
In case you don't, here's the P/N for the new bolt you'll need: Toyota 90119-A0018 Bolt w/ Washer. Ask me how I know.

Front Spring and Shock Installation
How to install UCA's and Coilovers on a Toyota Tacoma in 14 min
Before/After Height:
Driver Side Wheel Well 35.25”/38.5"
Passenger Side Wheel Well 35.75”/38.75"

Rear Spring and Shock Installation
Tech Tip Tuesday - Rear Spring Install
How to Install OME Rear Springs and Shocks on 2003-2016 4Runner
Easier way to Install Rear Coil Springs on a Toyota 4Runner
Before/After Height:
Driver Side Wheel Well 37.25”/40.25"
Passenger Side Wheel Well 37.75”/40.25”

Once I put my bumper+winch, and Gobi rack on, it sits pretty level. They're 285/70R17 Cooper AT3 4S on Trail wheels. No rub.
After Pic

 

[Cndnmax]

The KDSS is what kicked my butt. If you don't have it doing the lift will be a little easier. I used this video as a guide.

If you use the “Jack up the opposite side” method, KDSS is a non issue. When I did my instal I didn’t unbolt or unscrew anything KDSS related.

 

[Bikeric]

I recommend everybody perform this project once. After that, you will have earned the right to pay someone else to it a second time :cheers:
I replaced the XREAS on my 03 Sport by myself with an FJ quick spring kit. I didn't have to install the front springs and the struts were already assembled. The whole debacle still took me 2 days on the weekend......
The rear spring change is easier if you remove the sway bar links.
I'll never do the fronts again as I'm too old and the kids at 4WP need something to do to earn a paycheck. :whipping2

 

[vt100]

Unfortunately this method won’t with kings

it worked for me :shrug: and actually I was surprised how easy the process was

 

[Charles Bronson]

Using spring compressors is a non-issue if you know what you're doing and you're safe. I've done 50+ springs swaps on my cars and friend's cars, trucks, and SUVs over the last 25 years. I've never had an issue with compressors failing or not securing the spring.

With that said, the non-spring compressor method shown in this thread should work fine too.

When doing suspension, the following tools are super helpful:

1) Pry bars
2) Long ratcheting flex-head wrenches
3) 18" breaker bar
4) Electric impact gun with 250+ ft/lbs capacity
5) PB Blaster
6) MAP torch for stubborn/rusty nuts
7) Short and tall sockets
8) Pass-through sockets and wrench

 

[daytonaviolet]

it worked for me :shrug: and actually I was surprised how easy the process was

With kings, the plastic cup at the bottom needs to be removed in order to separate the body from the coils. Removing, the 3 bolts at the top does not do this.

 

[umidkusername]

Most important tool is a torque wrench. I’m telling you, if you don’t tighten things back up right you are literally a bullet on the interstate.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[daytonaviolet]

This link has most of the torque specs

Full List of Suspension Torque Specs For the 5th Gen 4Runner

 

[Signal]

So I don't have everything they used in this video. like the spacers for the sway bar and the rear bump stops.

How To Install a Lift Kit On a 5th Gen 4Runner-All The Details - YouTube

 

[Signal]

So I started the lift today, I got the rear out and I am trying to put the springs in without a compressor. I lifted the other side and it opened it up a little but not enough to get the springs in. I am now waiting on a spring compressor. I only need to compress it a inch.

 

[Charlievee]

Could have someone stand on the rotor, may give you what you need. Disconnected the sway bar links and shock on both sides?

 

[daytonaviolet]

So I started the lift today, I got the rear out and I am trying to put the springs in without a compressor. I lifted the other side and it opened it up a little but not enough to get the springs in. I am now waiting on a spring compressor. I only need to compress it a inch.

I didn’t use a spring compressor. I just removed the lower shock bolts, sway bar end links and the lower end of the pan bar. While frame is held up, use a jack a lift up one end of the rear end, then the other end allows for the spring to come out. Install the spring and repeat for the other side.

 

[Signal]

So this is where I am at I have everything on, how can I tighten this though, this is the passenger side rear. I now know to pay someone to do this. I am still working on the rear passenger side and havent even started the the drivers rear or the front and I am over 6 hours into this. It's enjoyable but I have no clue how to torque the nut in the picture or even tighten it, the body is sliding and when I use a cresent wrench it is taking the paint off of it.

 

[Signal]

Imgur: The magic of the Internet

some reason pictures aren't showing up.

 

[Strykar]

All the tools everyone has mentioned above, wanted to also share if/when you get realigned, make sure they torque the cam adjusting bolts to spec or they will probably clunk like my buddies did, he had to get a 2nd alignment and re torqued to spec.

 

[daytonaviolet]

So this is where I am at I have everything on, how can I tighten this though, this is the passenger side rear. I now know to pay someone to do this. I am still working on the rear passenger side and havent even started the the drivers rear or the front and I am over 6 hours into this. It's enjoyable but I have no clue how to torque the nut in the picture or even tighten it, the body is sliding and when I use a cresent wrench it is taking the paint off of it.

Which bolts ? Top of the rear shock ?