Difficulty of Daystar Lift

[KryptonianVol]

So I found a suspension/lift specialty shop here in Knoxville that is an authorized Daystar retailer. Their costs are comparable to the online prices for the 2.5/1.5 leveling kit (149.99 +tax) and I don't have to pay any shipping.

I was glad to find this, and also that they installed them. I am not super mechanically inclined (with enough time I can figure stuff out, but I am an electrical kind of guy-- build computers, that type stuff) and I don't have any of the tools I would need -- jack lift, wrenches, etc aside from basic home use tools. So I called down and they quoted me $250 just for the service alone before the $150 for the kit. I am sorry, but that is ridiculous. I could buy the dang tools and do it myself for half that.

Well, it just so happens I have a friend who does have all of these tools. He's never done a lift kit for a 4Runner, but he has messed with some suspension work on his chevy truck, but looking at some of the threads and JA's website, I have seen some good reference guides.

Now, all that said. Can one mechanically inclined person with tools (and no experience with 4 Runners) and a relatively intelligent but non-mechanically inclined person figure out how to do the leveling kit spacer lift? If I am going to have a hell of a time doing this with just myself and my friend, I will try and find someone to do it for the $100 range. Is there any alignment or balancing needed after the lift?

Again, forgive me for asking simple questions. I can repair a computer, build one from the ground up, install a car stereo, run electrical wiring, etc.. but I just never had the impetus or desire to learn automechanics.

Thanks for your help!

Eli

 

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

I'd say absolutely you can do it!! That's what I did. I found a fellow member who was familiar with other vehicle, just not the T4R. I don't have much experience at all, but am a hands on type of guy. We did my lift (front only) in 4 hours. This included disassembling the struts to replace the springs. We ended up getting the springs on the wrong side, the so we had to redo it. The second time took barely over 2 hours. As long as you have the tools, I'd say it shouldn't be bad. I'm not familiar with the rear, but it's suppose to be super easy (much more simple than the front). There is a link in my sig to my lift/tires. In that post I list several install write-ups that helped me tremendously. Both of you read over those really good, and you shouldn't have any issues at all.

 

[4runr30]

So I found a suspension/lift specialty shop here in Knoxville
Thanks for your help!

Eli

I assume knoxville, tn. Im in Johnson City and would be willing to help on a weekend. I dont know what your timeline is for getting the spacers installed but I could help anytime after may 5 if you can wait that long. Possibly before just depends on exams. When I installed my 2.5 i borrowed all the tools from buddies and autozone. You def need an air rachet to speed up the process. Its a PITA to do the 1st time but shouldnt be too bad now that I know in what order to do things. And yes an alignment is needed after.

 

[proz07]

first off most jobs you can buy the tools for half labor costs not a big surprise there.... second DONT go off JA's daystar lift install on top4runner he has the old kit the new one only has a spacer that goes ontop of the front strut and then the rears are the same as JA's. infact this makes it even easier than JA's install.

sounds like your friend will help you a bit andif yu can read instructions not a hard install.

NOW add the price of an allignment to your 'lift'. i add this cause you seem really worried about price of modding your vehicle.

so itll still run you around 300 after all is said and done doing it yourself+ parts

z

 

[K.C.]

Daystar Spacer Lift
http://www.top4runners.com/ja/2007/lift.html

thank you J.A.

&

Daystar (Spacer) Installation On 4Runner w/XREAS
http://www.toyota120.com/forum/showthread.php?t=3384

thank you bulldog

 

[RPC]

Proz, careful with your misinformation. Several dealers still sell the original preload/top out DS kit, which many prefer over the "easy install" kit. JA's site is as helpful as its ever been (see K.C.'s link).

 

[KryptonianVol]

NOW add the price of an allignment to your 'lift'. i add this cause you seem really worried about price of modding your vehicle.

It's not so much that I am really worried about the price of modding my vehicle. I usually pay to get my oil changed, not because it is impossibly hard, but because when you factor in time, disposal, etc, it is worth a little extra to not have to deal with the hassle. I am installing, today, about $1,200 worth of high end audio equipment into the vehicle myself. Cost is not so prohibitive as much as what I deem to be fair. If someone who has done it tells me $250 is easily worth it for the labor and alignment and it is a good value, then that is one thing. But from almost everything I have read, the Daystar lifts are relatively easy to install if you have the tools. In that instance $250 seems a little pricey.

It so happens that one of the guys who works for me went to school with the man who started and owns the Top Guns Customs shop who quoted me this, and thinks he can get me a deal on the install in the $140 range. Now, suddenly $140 is a bit more reasonable, because I'm not wasting the time of myself or of my friend.

It ultimately, in my opinion, is all about how you value your time versus the mod. For instance, I am a store manager for Best Buy. For me, $250 to mount and level a 65" plasma TV is a terrific value. I can (and have) done it myself and it is a massive pain to do something that big, especially when you factor in wire concealment and such. Mount it insecurely, break your TV, your floor, and possibly someone gets hurt if we're talking an articulating. It is just a real pain to do, and so I would probably pay someone to mount a large TV for me. Something else that is a pain is moving from one house to another. I hate it. Hate it. Last time I did it, I vowed I would never do it again. It is just miserable. The boxes, furniture, beds, multiple trips. Some people don't mind, but it makes me miserable and I just decided never again. And then I got quotes to have it done professionally. Most of them were upwards of $1000. I hate moving, but it isn't worth $1,000 to have someone do it for me. See what I mean?

I just don't want anyone thinking I am being a cheapskate about it. While I've never done much work on the mechanical side of cars, I am sharp enough I think I could figure it out. But on some stuff, it just isn't worth my time and headache to do myself. At $250, I think I am being overcharged for what is, by all accounts, a relatively simple mod. At $140 or so, it is not a bad value when you consider my learning curve and limited time off.

Still, I will wait and see if I can get a deal. If not, I may take you up on your offer 4runr30. I can definitely help you out if you're in the market for some new consumer electronics.

Thanks for the responses, all. This definitely helps!

Eli