Another Daystar Lift Complete

[OHP]

So I started this project at about 5pm last night and didn't finish until about 3pm this afternoon. I read a ton of threads about doing this install and everybody said it's fairly easy. I've got to say, it kicked my ass! Several problems that consumed time but thanks to forum members I worked through them and got it done. arty:

I used the drop the lower control arm method and it worked great. Made it very easy to move the strut in and out. I think it looks great even with the original, 8 year old tires.

Over the next couple of weeks I should have some refinished FJ rims and BFG's on it. Can't wait.

Thanks to the guys that helped me earlier today and to the wealth of info on this site.

 

[orignalbrad]

truck looks great. I'm about to drop the daystar 2.5 up front, what were the biggest problems you ran into?

 

[stanleybb50]

Looks great!

 

[JET4]

looks good

 

[OHP]

truck looks great. I'm about to drop the daystar 2.5 up front, what were the biggest problems you ran into?

The biggest problems I had was not taking enough stuff apart to get the strut out and a seized alignment cam bolt. Here are the steps to take to get the front strut out easily:

1. Remove front skid plate
2. Loosen lug nuts
3. Jack truck up and support with jack stands
4. Remove sway bar completely
5. Remove three top strut nuts
6. Loosen bottom shock bolt
7. Support bottom of lower control arm with bottle jack
8. Loosen alignment cam bolts (you have to get an alignment anyway)
9. Remove two bottom bolts that connect the lower arm to the spindle
10. Lower the bottle jack and the strut should come right out.

On the rear follow the daystar instructions with the addition of unbolting the sway bar from the axle. I was unable to get the suspension low enough to get the springs back in with the spacers on them until I did that.

Good Luck

 

[honda_nos]

nicely done! Nice air nautique as well!

 

[B.Wilfong]

Look's good! Doing the same thing next weekend. Have a set of 255 bfg's that is going on after. Thanks for all the info on this. Did you install this your self or did you have an extra 2 hands?

 

[OHP]

Thanks all for the compliments!

Look's good! Doing the same thing next weekend. Have a set of 255 bfg's that is going on after. Thanks for all the info on this. Did you install this your self or did you have an extra 2 hands?

All by myself with the exception of my wife standing on the rear rotor so I could get the springs back in.

 

[trailrazer]

The biggest problems I had was not taking enough stuff apart to get the strut out and a seized alignment cam bolt. Here are the steps to take to get the front strut out easily:

1. Remove front skid plate
2. Loosen lug nuts
3. Jack truck up and support with jack stands
4. Remove sway bar completely
5. Remove three top strut nuts
6. Loosen bottom shock bolt
7. Support bottom of lower control arm with bottle jack
8. Loosen alignment cam bolts (you have to get an alignment anyway)
9. Remove two bottom bolts that connect the lower arm to the spindle
10. Lower the bottle jack and the strut should come right out.

On the rear follow the daystar instructions with the addition of unbolting the sway bar from the axle. I was unable to get the suspension low enough to get the springs back in with the spacers on them until I did that.

Good Luck

Thanks for that information. My FJ coils came this last week. I'm waiting for my 5100's and DS spacers to arrive so I can install everything. Hopefully my install will go fairly smooth. Your results look great.

Did you notice an improvement in handling? Aside from lift, I hope to get good results that others have experienced.

 

[Mr. Banks]

Re:

OHP your 4runner looks Great! I'm not saying it is your fault, but after seeing how it turned out I might go back to the spacer lift instead of suspension lift. Alimony checks have shattered my dreams of an ICON lift.

Thanks for the hints with the installation. Where did you get the Daystar kit from? If I decide on the spacer lift I'll order mine from Wheeler's Offroad in Oregon.

 

[SilverStag]

I've done the 2.5" Daystar spacers and the biggest problems I ran into are seized nuts and bolts and tight spaces. I assume the newer the vehicle the easier it would be but totally worth the results! Good Luck!

 

[B.Wilfong]

One more ? for you. How hard was it to do the rear? The instructions seem straight forward but no one has posted anything on the rear, or pictures.

 

[Dougtoms01]

One more ? for you. How hard was it to do the rear? The instructions seem straight forward but no one has posted anything on the rear, or pictures.

I posted a lot of pictures and talked about the rear install. The 2 things I recall was being very careful to jack the suspension down far enough to get the spring back in with the spacer. One person watching the brake lines and the other extending the bottle jack.

Getting the rear bar back into position was a real challenge. I ended up cutting a 2x4 and putting it between the small lower concrete wall of my garage and the spindle with a bottle jack. Jacked the axel over to get the bar bolt lined up. You can search my profile for that thread.

Best regards,
Doug

 

[OHP]

[QUOTE Did you notice an improvement in handling? Aside from lift, I hope to get good results that others have experienced.[/QUOTE]

At the moment handling is a little weird. The steering wheel is cocked a little to the left because I need an alignment. I'll get one when I install my new wheels and tires.

Another poster asked where I bought the Daystar, Amazon, $150.

 

[OHP]

[QUOTE Getting the rear bar back into position was a real challenge. I ended up cutting a 2x4 and putting it between the small lower concrete wall of my garage and the spindle with a bottle jack. Jacked the axel over to get the bar bolt lined up. You can search my profile for that thread.

Best regards,
Doug[/QUOTE]

I assume your talking about the panhard bar. I disconnected mine from the axle only. When I needed to line it back up I jacked up the right side of the axle until the bolt holes lined up, worked perfect.

 

[sonerick]

Lookin good!

 

[momo.75]

Looks good.....:guitar3: