Cornfed install ?

[Falls]

I went to a shop today and we were trying to figure out my 1" lift. They guy told be he would pull the complete strut out and disconnect the Xreas and hook it back up when completed . I said thats not right , so he called his buddy at the Toyota dealer and he said the system is self sealing on you can just hook it back up.

This is a reputable shop & thats all the do is suspensions , frame work ect..... they do know there shit but dont understand xreas . Never had to deal with it before.

If I cant get them to do it , I'll sell the kit, from the instructions I have and the tools I will need to buy and rent and I really have no idea how the stuff works. sucks , I really want it in.

 

[Even Steven]

Personally, I would find another shop. Unless you can get them to sign something that says they will pay to replace your XREAS after they destroy it.

 

[Falls]

Personally, I would find another shop. Unless you can get them to sign something that says they will pay to replace your XREAS after they destroy it.

If I just pick one out of the phone book , I'd rather go where there is a reputation for what they do. They do lifts and spacers , but just not familiar with Xreas ( many are not ). This is a state of the art shop and they mostly do semi truck frame straightening , suspensions , ect......

Where do I even begin to look ? Even the Toyota guy doesn't know chit . I sure as hell am not going to a chain place like Midas or car x , and let the high school kids work on it .

 

[Jaebster]

try posting a thread with the subject heading as "looking for reputable custom 4x4 shop near menomonee falls, wi" in the off-road section. I'm sure someone will post a few shops that they can refer.
Also, try yotatech.com. Seems like the folks over there are pretty hardcore off-roaders.

 

[Even Steven]

Just do it yourself! Find a friend or two with a bit of mechanical aptitude and follow the instructions. Its really not that hard. Plus, you will have the personal satisfaction of knowing that you did the job yourself and that you did it right!

XREAS is expensive to repair, so I would not trust a local shop with it unless they are willing to pay the repair bill if they screw it up! If you do it yourself, Im sure you will be very careful with it.

You might also want to recruit a member of the forum to help you. Does anyone live close to you who has experience with spacer lifts and XREAS? If I lived close, I would help you out.

 

[snap315]

Ask for help from the members on this site who live in your area. That's how I had my lift installed.

There are probably a few who'll be more than willing and able to help.

A title like "Wrenchathon" usually works.



All you need are the right tools and a little time.

 

[airbur]

Falls.....The shop that installed my 2/1 Cornfed had never done a 4Runner with X-REAS before either. They got on the Toyota Service system (All-Data) and discovered that if you follow the X-REAS line from the shock to where it enters the frame rail, where the airline meets the hydraulic line...there's a check-valve where you can safely disconnect the system.

If your shop isn't competent enough to do 10 min worth of research, I'd go somewhere else.

 

[HiVel-JR]

Hey falls, you finally got a spacer, thats really cool. Hey it really is easy to do yourself. I had a friend help me and it was too easy. The rear is way easier than the front. I know you know, but do not let anyone disconnect the Xreas. There is some wiggle room once you pull the shocks and springs off to install the spacer. If I lived with in 250 miles of you I would help you out. Good luck.

 

[Falls]

Thanks Guys , The shop is excellent , they did make an effort and contacted the dealership. This was NOT an appt. to get it done I just stopped in there to see what the deal was and what their thoughts were. I know these people personally , so don't make assumption that they are idiots , they have been doing this for 25 years. If I was going to car X or Midas , yes call most of them idiots.

Even Steven , I really want to do it myself. It easy for you to say , because you had someone do it .

I will get it figured out somehow. I really would like to tear into it myself , then If I decide I want it off or want to go to a 2/1 or even just add an add'l 1/2" in the back I can do it , another thing is that if something has a problem , I know whats going on.

I've done stuff like change intakes , throttle body's , exhaust work , pulled the rear end out of my which was real simple solid axle pull , welded in sub frame connectors , ect....... automotive detailing is more my bag ....lol.

For some reason the 4x4 shops are awful slim pickins here.

 

[Even Steven]

Even Steven , I really want to do it myself. It easy for you to say , because you had someone do it .

I

Um.....no. It\'s easy for me to say because I did my install totally by myself in my garage. The install is fairly easy to do by yourself, but an extra set of hands would always be helpful..

Did you actually read my spacer thread? I explained how I got the tie rod puller and spring compressors rental for free at Autozone. I don\'t know where you got the idea that I paid to have my spacers installed, lol

 

[Falls]

Um.....no. It\'s easy for me to say because I did my install totally by myself in my garage. The install is fairly easy to do by yourself, but an extra set of hands would always be helpful..

Did you actually read my spacer thread? I explained how I got the tie rod puller and spring compressors rental for free at Autozone. I don\'t know where you got the idea that I paid to have my spacers installed, lol

I apologize , I thought you had a shop do it.

I know about the tools and it will get done . One of the things that was weird was how Toyota said it was fine to disconnect the line from the shock , when we all know thats not true. Go figure . My step son is coming over today so I will ask him about a shop or if he can help. He is a Toyota / Lexus painter , but they have a suspension guy at the body shop.

When I look at it , it does not look difficult to do . What about the sway bar , do you have to do anything with that ?

 

[Even Steven]

No problem, Falls.

As for the sway bar, it is easy to remove.

After you get the front end up on jack stands and the wheels off, disconnect the sway bar from the sway bar links. A tie rod puller pops them right off). Then remove the front skid plate. Now you will have access to the sway bar mount bolts and bushings. Just loosen them and the sway bar comes right off. Piece of cake!

Now you will have the room needed to drop the strut assembly down while it is still attached to its XREAS line.

Did you ever download the instructions and pictures from Andries? Someone here suggested that you go over to his site and print out his instructions. He has the silver 4th gen and goes by the name of Bulldog (he has a picture of his bulldog in the instructions). Follow his instructions to the letter and you should not have a problem.

 

[Falls]

Yes I have those too , just need to rip into it...lol