How hard to install suspension lift?

[seoulstice]

Thinking of possibly lifting my '00 SR5 5-speed in the near future...but don't want to pay for an install!

I have a couple of friends willing to help out and I have access to a lift. I live on an Army base so there is a bay I can rent out for a nominal fee and they also offer some services in their machine shop. It looks like they will assemble springs/shocks for $10/side.

We have no experience installing lifts but we all have some mechanical aptitude...I just replaced my timing belt, crank seals, water pump, radiator, etc. last month with the help of my dad.

(1) Is this a job that can be done in a day by novices?
(2) I don't plan on doing a lot of wheeling just yet, how important would it be to get new shocks as well?

TIA

 

[PitbullRescuer]

If you did the TB, water pump, etc, the lift won't be a problem. Fairly straight forward, having access to a shop with a lift will help a lot. Definitely doable in a day.

Don't cheap out, replace the shocks at the same time. You're already in there, do it once and do it right.

 

[puppetz007]

My buddy and I knocked it out in a day with it snowing will finishing the front. They're not too much trouble.

 

[Baja Runner]

It is straightforward.

If you plan on buying front Old Man Emu springs and shocks, you will need to disassemble your stock coilovers and use the top plate, and re-assemble the OME spring and shock together. This requires the use of external spring compressors, and it is a ***** unless you have an impact wrench. Not to mention its just a pain in general. Either you buy new top plates, and bring the top plates, spring and coil to a shop and have them assembled, or do it yourself. I've done it probably 10 times and got it down but the first time is nerve racking.

The other problem area is the upper nut on the rear shocks. People seem to have problems who live in the rust belt, but i've never had an issue with them. I've always just wedged a 3/8" ratchet with a 14mm deep socket against the frame and turned the upper shock body with my hands or a pipe/strap wrench. The rear coils will just fall out after you undo the rear shocks and drop the axle down (after disconnecting the sway bar and panhard/lateral bar).

 

[4-Ripcord]

Super easy if you have access to a lift. Soak the bolts in PB the day before.

Old junk out, new junk in.