daystar 2.5/1/5 install

Synister said:
initial alignment resulted in a very twitchy ride but after I took it back and told them to max out the caster (2.1 a side was all I could get) the steering is much more manageable. Overall extremely happy with the results and the writeup here certainly made for very smooth sailing.
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so you would recommend telling the alignment tech to put caster out when doing it initially? Is this because of bumpsteer? Will an aftermarket UCA help on the alignment end with these?
 
I agree with Synister,if caster is set back to 2 degrees you likely will have wander or a twitchy ride. I installed new UCA because I got a good deal and I'll need them once I upgrade to a newer lift. I currently have my caster set over spec (4.5/4.7) and it drives great. I would highly recommend trying to get as much caster as you can.
 
Richierollz said:
Hey All,
Im an idiot and forgot all the pics to this write up were attached to my photobucket account, which i deleted a while ago.
I apologize and will try to put this back together or just post a new one

Rich
Click to expand...

I know this is an old thread but anyway of getting the pics back up?

Or does anyone else have a thread to a good write-up? This looked like the best write-up out there, just missing the pics.

Thanks!
 
Thanks for this thread!

Thanks for this thread! Just installed the 2.5Front/2.5Rear Daystar kt09124bk on a 2005 Limited V8 XREAS. I read this thread first but like a lemming decided to follow the daystar instructions. Big waste of time!

Definitely disconnect the LCA if you are putting a 1.5" spacer or higher in up front. It might not be necessary with a non-XREAS shock or a 1" spacer but trying to baby that XREAS tube and jam a 2.5 spacer in without the LCA all the way down is damn close to impossible.

I had air tools but ended up using a breaker bar half the time. Front took me about 4 hours. Rear took 1 hour. Two people was definitely helpful when aligning the LCAs.

Additionally I opted to remove the front sway bar upfront. Read up on this and consulted a mechanic. I found that it really improved the ride quality. My wife was complaining about how rocky the 4R is compared to our old Lexus (she gets car sick easy and Seattle has a lot of bends). After driving it yesterday she said she likes how it handles now. I'm not a mechanical engineer but have a few in the family, the consensus was that the sway bar + XREAS is probably too excessive in transferring pressure to the other side of the vehicle both front and rear.

Did a couple other projects while doing this. Installed 1.25 wheel adapters and baked the headlights to paint them a gunmetal color. If anyone wants pictures on any of that or further details let me know.

One last note...I bought the lifetime alignment at Firestone. Had it on a Lexus previously and it is definitely worth it. Its frequently on special for approx $159+tax-where-applicable. About the cost of two alignments. Figure my next set of tires and a full icon or toytec swap next year will require at least two more.

Once again though. THANK YOU FOR RECOMMENDING THE LCA DROP!!
 
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im installing mine today after work, at a friends house, he pretty much has
a full shop for a garage minus a lift... ive read it take peope anywhere from 2 hours to half a day, im hoping for 2 hours
 
VUHNILA GUERILA said:
Thanks for this thread! Just installed the 2.5Front/2.5Rear Daystar kt09124bk on a 2005 Limited V8 XREAS. I read this thread first but like a lemming decided to follow the daystar instructions. Big waste of time!

Definitely disconnect the LCA if you are putting a 1.5" spacer or higher in up front. It might not be necessary with a non-XREAS shock or a 1" spacer but trying to baby that XREAS tube and jam a 2.5 spacer in without the LCA all the way down is damn close to impossible.

I had air tools but ended up using a breaker bar half the time. Front took me about 4 hours. Rear took 1 hour. Two people was definitely helpful when aligning the LCAs.

Additionally I opted to remove the front sway bar upfront. Read up on this and consulted a mechanic. I found that it really improved the ride quality. My wife was complaining about how rocky the 4R is compared to our old Lexus (she gets car sick easy and Seattle has a lot of bends). After driving it yesterday she said she likes how it handles now. I'm not a mechanical engineer but have a few in the family, the consensus was that the sway bar + XREAS is probably too excessive in transferring pressure to the other side of the vehicle both front and rear.

Did a couple other projects while doing this. Installed 1.25 wheel adapters and baked the headlights to paint them a gunmetal color. If anyone wants pictures on any of that or further details let me know.

One last note...I bought the lifetime alignment at Firestone. Had it on a Lexus previously and it is definitely worth it. Its frequently on special for approx $159+tax-where-applicable. About the cost of two alignments. Figure my next set of tires and a full icon or toytec swap next year will require at least two more.

Once again though. THANK YOU FOR RECOMMENDING THE LCA DROP!!
Click to expand...

id love to see it! I have the DS lift and im about to put in spider trax spacers. I didnt find the need to loosen the LCA bolts, but I had a few friends and a lot of pry bars.

working around the xreas is a huge pain.
 
I was hoping for a 2 hour install, it took me 4 hours even with impact gun, shop hydraulic jack, air ratchet, ratchet wrench, and plenty other useful tools.i followed the given instructions except on drivers side I had to remove the shock to insert the top 3 bolts into upper perch because the angle wasn't allowing it to go in. I had a bit of trouble on both sides getting the bolts that hold the lower control arm to the bottom of the ball joint, took me about 20 - 30 min each side. otherwise the front went as planned. the rear wasn't as easy as mentioned by others, and I don't know how you did it with prying. I used a spring compressor. this was definitely a two man job, and I wouldn't advise trying to tackle it on your own. I didn't get measurements prior to lift, but will get some today post lift.
 
ddnww said:
I was hoping for a 2 hour install, it took me 4 hours even with impact gun, shop hydraulic jack, air ratchet, ratchet wrench, and plenty other useful tools.i followed the given instructions except on drivers side I had to remove the shock to insert the top 3 bolts into upper perch because the angle wasn't allowing it to go in. I had a bit of trouble on both sides getting the bolts that hold the lower control arm to the bottom of the ball joint, took me about 20 - 30 min each side. otherwise the front went as planned. the rear wasn't as easy as mentioned by others, and I don't know how you did it with prying. I used a spring compressor. this was definitely a two man job, and I wouldn't advise trying to tackle it on your own. I didn't get measurements prior to lift, but will get some today post lift.
Click to expand...

I definitely needed my brother on the other side to wiggle that axle. For me it was unbolt shocks (from axle), sway bar (from frame) and track arms (from axle). But I agree, two people for that.
 
Now it's my turn..
Bought them yesterday from a local dealer. Only one kit in Edmonton.

DS 2.5"/1.5"
Will report later!

DS.jpg


Max
 

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VUHNILA GUERILA said:
I definitely needed my brother on the other side to wiggle that axle. For me it was unbolt shocks (from axle), sway bar (from frame) and track arms (from axle). But I agree, two people for that.
Click to expand...

I actually used a jack on the other side of the axle to realign the lower rear shock bolts. a lot of trial and error lol
 
Dang, just got got my Daystar from Amazon and was hoping the pics would have been restored to this post by now. No such luck. It seems like the most helpful thread out there, after having searched for hours.

Wish me luck!
 
loconzly said:
Dang, just got got my Daystar from Amazon and was hoping the pics would have been restored to this post by now. No such luck. It seems like the most helpful thread out there, after having searched for hours.

Wish me luck!
Click to expand...

I installed mine christmas day. Whole thing (front and back) took me about 3.5 hours working by myself.

DO NOT follow the Daystar instructions. I tried that one the first side and it took exponentially longer.
Its much easy to unbolt the lower ball joint from the spindle and loosen the LCA bolts. I only had to loosen my LCA bolts a hair, just enough to slide the spring back in.

Even after the install the truck drove very straight, but the steering wheel was way off. Took it for an alignment the next day and all is well.

I did not put the bump stops back in on the rear, Im not sure if Ill leave it this way or throw them back on in the future.

It will be much easier if you have a friend to help and a decent jack. The my floor jacks did not like the cold weather and were pretty much useless. The stock bottle jack is your friend.

P.S. Dont forget the red loctite
 
All the methods listed in this thread, does it involved disassembled of the struts and springs? I have a set of fully assembled TT FJ fronts that is not installed on the truck yet and was thinking of adding Daystar 2.5 as well but wasn't sure if I need to disassemble them.
 
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