Daystar Design changes

[Cybercannon]

Just a heads up. I ordered the Daystar 2.5" lift kit for my '05 4Runner and the spacers are different than others on here describe or their sites show. I called Daystar and spoke with Don who confirmed there was a design change. There's no preload spacer any longer for the front. It's all top-out. I guess now I don't need to worry about renting the coil compressors.

The kit I ordered is KT09115bk, but that is just a combo pack that includes front and rear, so the front only kit (KT09116) is changed like this also.

Hope this keeps anyone else from getting surprised and confused like I did.



BTW, I finally did get my White '05 V8 Sport T4R after shopping & searching forever. Only 29k miles for a great deal from a chevy dealer that had no idea what options it had or what it was worth. Awesome. Sometime I'll start a thread with pics before and after the mods I have planned. In the meantime I'm just stoked I got it. My wife and I have both had toyotas before and this one meets/exceeds expectations. Love it.

 

[rdrunner]

Interesting, let us know how the ride is and how it changes with the lift. I've been thinking of getting the Daystar 2.5 lift for my V6 Sport so I'm curious how this top-only would change the ride compared to the older version. Did he say why they changed it?

 

[J.A.]

I am disappointed to hear that. Previously I believe they offered the "easy install" kit for the FJ. It's easier to install as it is top out only and no compressor is needed as mentioned above. I guess they want to sell more units to people who care about the ease of installation only. I still would prefer some sort of preload so that the topout size is reduced, thereby limiting potential damage to the suspension from overextension.

 

[Cybercannon]

I am disappointed to hear that. Previously I believe they offered the "easy install" kit for the FJ. It's easier to install as it is top out only and no compressor is needed as mentioned above. I guess they want to sell more units to people who care about the ease of installation only. I still would prefer some sort of preload so that the topout size is reduced, thereby limiting potential damage to the suspension from overextension.

Yeah. The splitting between preload and topout was one reason I chose daystar, but I'm going to give them a try. I will only be able to compare it to the stock ride since I don't know anyone personally with the older version. I know I've read on other threads that it should be a problem for the suspension if that's as high as I'm taking it. We'll see.

He didn't say why it was changed, but mentioned that it is an easier install, so I assumed that was why. I'll probably get around to the lift in the next week or so and I'll post after that and before swapping the tires on how the ride feels.


edit: Ha! I just noticed J.A. that it's your site I found with your before and after pics that inspired me to go for it. Thanks for your very helpful website and the daystar install walkthrough, though I guess mine will be different.

 

[dai_lo]

I've been considering a cornfed or daystar lift. I either want to level the front, or do a 2/1 type lift. I was a bit confused by your post, I thought all lifts required coil compressors? Can anyone explain? Thanks.

 

[Cybercannon]

I've been considering a cornfed or daystar lift. I either want to level the front, or do a 2/1 type lift. I was a bit confused by your post, I thought all lifts required coil compressors? Can anyone explain? Thanks.

A coil compressor is a tool to squash the springs down and keep that tension off the parts your disassembling or reassembling. Since the new Daystar kit doesn't have a proload spacer I won't need to use the compressor to slip a spacer between the spring and the plate.

However, I haven't looked at or evaluated what I actually have to do yet. Someone else told me I may still need the coil compressor to take off the top plate and replace the stud bolts, but it actually looks like I won't even have to do that because the bolts that came with the Daystar actually look like extensions that fit on the existing bolts. I'll post more in a week or so after I finally get around to doing it.

 

[Cybercannon]

Got the Install Done. No pics, but none really needed because JA's website (see post above) was more than enough. I also looked over Bulldog's page in the Toyota120 site. I simply followed their directions and skipped the part about taking apart the shock/spring setup. The springs were a PITA to squeeze back into place.

I didn't need coil compressors since there wasn't a preload, but I wondered afterward if I might have been able to use them to help squeeze the longer strut back into place.

Also the instructions from Daystar say you can free the UCA after removing that castle nut by hitting the side of the spindle. No way. I worked that thing with my mallet. Went to Autozone and got a tie-rod puller and that step was done in 3 seconds.

Personally I'm not as bothered with the all top-out design as I thought I might be. In fact I'm very happy with it now that I've driven on it a while. The CV joints currently run at less of an angle than they did stock, just angled slightly the other direction, so I'm not worried about the all top-out. The ride felt pretty much stock to me except in some tight turns it was a little more noticable that I was in a taller vehicle, but that just goes with any lift and raising the center of balance.

I thought I tweaked an ABS electrical harness when prying a spring on it's back axle seat. I checked the light after each wheel and on that last one it did. Dealer said it was the actual sensor that went bad and their covering it on a warranty I didn't know was still good. We'll see if that fixes it or if it really was the harness.

I've since got BFG AT KOs put on in 265/70/17 C-load. They look great with the lift and the spare fits . They do feel a bit more mushy/squishy than the stock dunflops. I'm not sure if it's due to taller sidewall, even though it's a thicker/stronger wall, or if it's because they're not inflated enough. Discount tire put them to only 35 PSI even though my old P tires were at 33.

Other than that the ride feels pretty good and I'm very happy with it. I might put up some before after pics on this thread or perhaps a new thread after I get a few more things figured out. (I'm trying to decide whether or not to keep the bug deflector and window vents that came with the 4R or not, and waiting on spidertrax and shrockworks sliders.)

 

[jeremysoca]

Pics please

 

[Falls]

Up the BFG pressures . They can handle a lot more . Just get that balance of comfort and handling. It will take away that mushy feeling. Thats to low in my opinion.

Does that 2.5 lift go all the way around or is it a 2.5"F / 1.5"B ?

Do you have Xreas ?

 

[Cybercannon]

Up the BFG pressures . They can handle a lot more . Just get that balance of comfort and handling. It will take away that mushy feeling. Thats to low in my opinion.

Does that 2.5 lift go all the way around or is it a 2.5"F / 1.5"B ?

Do you have Xreas ?

I'm going to take them up to 40 or slightly higher today and see how that feels.

I ordered KT09115bk which just says 2.5" lift, but most people are calling it the 2.5/1.5 kit. That kit actually comes with KT09116bk which is the front 2.5" spacers and I got closer to 3", but it might settle some. It also comes with KT09118bk which is the back, and that is actually called a 2" spacer, but I got 1.5" from it.

And yeah, I have Xreas still setup. Maybe in the future OME or Drs.

 

[Falls]

Interesting you would not need a compressor. I also though people were using the factory bottle jack to push the bottom up to the top.

You also have to keep the springs in the factory position correct ? I'd imagine you could do that buy just marking the edge of the spring where they seat at the bottom .

Cant wait to see it.

Also the cushy / mushy feeling could be just from being more top heavy compared to before. Just a thought.

 

[Cybercannon]

I had to use the bottle jack and the floor jack in a wierd combination. It's laid out better on JAs and Bulldogs website better than I could explain it. I kept the springs in the factory position. They already had some paint markings on them, but because I didn'thave to take them apart the bolts only lined up in one direction anyway.

I took my tires up to 42 PSI and I'm much happier. It feels like it did after after I lifted it and before the new tires (I was still on the dunflops). I think 35 psi allowed these sidewalls to compress quite a bit more in the turns. Of course it could be just me and it might be too stiff for others. I wouldn't off road with them this hard, but they feel much better on pavement now.

 

[Falls]

Glad it works well.

Can't wait to see it.

 

[Cybercannon]

Here's a few preliminary pics. Ignore the sticky pads that protected the hood from the bug deflector. I had just taken it off. It came with the ventshades and deflector. I was going to take them all off, but with the bulkier tires the vent shades kind of balance it and make it look a bit more aggressive, so I'm going to keep those on for now. Besides, that automotive tape is a real pain in the a$$ to get off (even with goo gone).

I still needed an alignment here, and I'm waiting before I start my own gallary/build thread until the sliders and spacers get put on. The pics don't really do the difference justice, but I think the front shot gives the best idea of the difference. It's the big black running boards in the shadow in the side stock pic and more visible in the lifted pic that hides the difference I think.

I took it out and got it muddy on a dirt road right after these pics. Should have taken pictures of it then. Even my wife (neat freak) told me "wow, it actually looks better muddy."

When I start the proper thread I'll take pics of it on a level surface and I'll put up closer pics of the lift spacer.
I've got 12" under the first front skid plate now, 11" under the second skid plate and 10" maybe 10 1/4" under the rear diff.

It definately stands out now. I've gotten several curious 2nd looks from other T4R drivers and a nod from a modded wrangler after I got it muddy.

 

[Falls]

Looks great !!

Do you have an pics on level ground so I can see how the rake is ?? or what are your rake measurements ?

 

[Cybercannon]

No shots on level ground yet. Where would you like me to measure? Front and back wheel wells are 37" and 37.5". I'll get some better pics once stuff comes in.

 

[Falls]

No shots on level ground yet. Where would you like me to measure? Front and back wheel wells are 37" and 37.5". I'll get some better pics once stuff comes in.

That what I wanted to know thanks .

 

[Cybercannon]

I was curious so I went to a dealer after closing and measured a stock 05 V6 Sport they have because I forgot to take before measurements on mine. Here's the comparison if anyone's interested in the Daystar. (All in inches)

Stock:
1. Bottom of Front wheel well fender - 33.25
2. Bottom of Rear wheel well fender - 35.5
3. Rear diff - 9.5
4. 1st skid plate - 7.5
5. 2nd skid plate - 7

Mine:
1. 37 (a bit more, but I rounded)
2. 37.5
3. 10 (Rear diff is only changed because my tires, not lift)
4. 12
5. 11

So the back end is up 2" (1.5 from lift and .5 from tires)
Front end is up 3.75 (3.25 lift and .5 tire)

So I guess the Daystar 2.5/1.5 is really more of a 3/1.5 but it leaves me with a 1/2" rake that I'm happy with.

I don't know why the 4.5" and 4" difference for the skidplates. Subtracting the 3.75" of lift leaves a 0.75" and 0.25" difference unaccounted for. Both vehicles were 05 sports, but mine was a V8 and that one was V6. Skid plates looked the same, but maybe different because the engines? Maybe mine were bent/pushed up some? They looked the same.

If anyone else wants to measure and post I'd be interested. I just did it from the ground to the lowest part of those two skidplates.



Falls - How'd you get the color keyed front grill? I'm guessing since it was "color keyed" you didn't have to have it painted. I'm thinking about putting the 06+ grill on my 05, but only if I can get it in white. I chose the 05 for other cosmetic reasons, but I like the snubby front grill of the newer ones, just not in chrome.

 

[Uneek]

How'd you get the color keyed front grill?

Not sure about the 2003-05, but for the 2006+, Limiteds come with a body color grille. They come painted from the factory.

The parts catalog at Partznet doesn't list anything for the 2005 grille. Here's what I found for a 2004. It should be the same from 2003-04. Or you can take the part number and have your local parts department verify that it will fit.

 

[Cybercannon]

Not sure about the 2003-05, but for the 2006+, Limiteds come with a body color grille. They come painted from the factory.

The parts catalog at Partznet doesn't list anything for the 2005 grille. Here's what I found for a 2004. It should be the same from 2003-04. Or you can take the part number and have your local parts department verify that it will fit.

I'll probably have to ask the local dealer. I'm thinking about putting the 06 Limited's color key'd grille on my 05 because I like them better. I checked a friends out and it should fit. Now I'm just curious if it will come painted or if it needs to be painted.