Anyone Near Minneapolis?

[Erkelbot]

Hey folks,

Started working through my 4R hit list last night, and began with the front Bilsteins. That lasted a bit until I realized I thought I needed a compressor. I gave that a good try, but didn't have much luck compressing it enough. I took that off and WAS going to try a lift and a floor jack, but I chickened out thinking I might break something (including my face). I did some reading today, and it looks like that might be the way to go...

The trouble is this: I don't have access to the shop again (a buddy had a free night), and the shops here are quoting me stupid figures -- aside from b*tching because I have my own parts and they therefore can't hose me for costs. One shop quoted me $1,100. Honestly...$1,100?!?...

My question is this: Anyone in Minneapolis, have the tools, and have the experience and knowhow on how to install some 5100s and rear spacers? It doesn't seem terribly hard, but I'd consider myself a novice with this stuff considering I've never screwed with suspensions before.

Any MSP folks out there who want some good karma and help brother out? I pay out good beer for the help.

 

[Erkelbot]

Nobody 'round these parts?...

 

[Rocket61]

I took my 885s and 5100s to a Saltire and they assembled them in 20 mins for $50.

 

[yotaguy674]

I'm about 3 1/2 hours south. Wish I could help!

 

[Erkelbot]

Man, $50 is so tolerable! $1,100 is not. I'll probably just wait it out and do it myself later when I have access to the tools again, or see if someone else is local and wants to help out. There's no way in h*ll I'm handing over good tires cash for something so silly easy.

 

[MPLS88]

I was pretty much in the same boat as you. I am in MPLS and started to attempt the install of the 5100s on my new to me 2006 t4r. After researching on here i got the truck up in the air one night and backed out.

Next morning called a couple 4x4 shops, but no luck on an affordable price or using the equipment I already had.

I called my normal tire shop, and they were willing to help me finish the job if I removed the xreas.

That gave me the confidence to at least try bc I had a back up plan. I figured I could at least get the xreas ripped out lol.

I too had no suspension experience, but once I got the xreas removed I just kept going and 7 hrs later I had all 4 shocks in. (Definitely wasted some time getting the rears off... like probably 3hrs...)

I just used a floor jack. I followed the techniques I found thanks to this site. Here are the two links I followed:

http://www.toyota120.com/forum/showthread.php?t=3358

http://www.toyota120.com/forum/showthread.php?t=3385

Just saw this one too, might be helpful:

http://www.toyota120.com/forum/showthread.php?p=189814#post189814

Honestly just study these links, and have a laptop near by. It's pretty straight forward. Although I just did the bilstein 5100s; no spacer, and kept my stock coils.

Some tips:
-Use at least 4 good truck stands to get all the tires off the ground if you have xreas
-consider just cutting the old rear shocks off... could save you a lot of time
-someone to help leverage the lower control arm is extremely helpful, just watch for the lower ball joints and cv boot.

I wish I could help, but my week is booked, plus I am already catching the heat from my wife for spending so much time working through the to do list on our own "new" t4r.

I would be happy to share the tire shop info with you. They are good guys and located in Crystal. Idk how much they would charge though...

You can do it though. Just take your time and study up on the steps.

 

[Erkelbot]

Thanks, man. If you could PM me the shop, that would be great. I can get access to the tools and stands again, it'll just take a while of me wishing the parts were in my car and not in the hatch... Still, I like getting my hands dirty...I may go renegade and try it again on a weekend.

 

[MPLS88]

Your welcome. PM sent.

I just replaced mine on Thursday of last week. Only have had the truck for a little over two weeks.

 

[MN4RNR]

Been there done that. South side of the cities. PM me if still need a hand.

 

[84ability]

I'm in South Minneapolis but zero help... I haven't done suspension on the 4runner yet, and my tool set isn't so great right now. I only have experience lowering cars in the past and a spring compressor worked fine. Just wanted to holler, good luck with the install.

 

[Erkelbot]

A buddy of mine has a shop and he's going to lend a hand getting the new shocks and spacers put in. Thanks for the help!

 

[MN4RNR]

Glad to hear its getting squared away. Not a T4R group per se but Midwest Overland Society has folks going on runs throughout the year if that is something you would be interested in. We arent the wide open west but they are lretty knowledgable of the area.

 

[Erkelbot]

She's up on the lift now for an alignment. New 5100s in front and 1.5" Daystar spacers in back. First impressions: ride is greatly improved, rake eliminated and looks much more like it should've off the line. And it has the ride height of my old 2015 TEP...a nice feature for a dude who stands 6'3 and likes to get into his truck -- not fall into it.

Booyah.