I finally ordered my Cornfed 2/1

[Even Steven]

I hate to break it to you, but I think it's just your perception, as both lifts employ a 1" rake difference.

Hey, whatever you say..... but J.A.'s 4Runner clearly looks higher in the rear than the front. Hivels does not.

Maybe it's the pictures, but I still far prefer the rear to be higher than the front. Like others have said many times--if you level it out completely, then it will look like its sagging in the rear with cargo (or a trailer) on the back.

That's one of the reasons I chose to lift the front only, although I could have gone more than 1" in front and still had the nose lower than the rear.

 

[Even Steven]

...you may not be adding in the factor that there are bigger tires on it, which fill the wheel well more, giving the illusion that it is not as high in the front.

Tire size doesn't matter if he has the same size tires front and rear. There's clearly a bigger wheel well gap in the rear on that particular picture, and others I've seen of his 4Runner.

 

[J.A.]

Before lifting I measured the rake at 2+3/8"
After DS lift I measured the rake at 1"

In theory the CF 2/1 should end result in 1" less rake than the starting point.

The issue here (scrutinizing measurement numbers to the finest detail) is two fold (regardless of what brand kit is used).

1) not all 4Runners will measure exactly the same from the factory.

2) two people measuring the same vehicle can come up with different figures. different people, different measuring tools, different vehicle placement may result in slightly different measurememts.

It should be fair to factor into anyone's numbers around a 1/4" standard deviation, understanding that to the naked eye you are not going to notice this variance anyhow.

 

[Iron Clad Lou]

I measured .5 inch rake after cornfed 2/1 install.

 

[00328]

Where is the rake being measured at? Top center of the wheel well?
The top of the rear wheel well is higher than the top of the front wheel well. Not that this is news to anyone, but that may help create the illusion of a little rear sag.
Having said that, in a couple pics the nose does appear to be a tad higher.

 

[Falls]

I measured .5 inch rake after cornfed 2/1 install.

Thats not much of a rake, Puling a trailer I love atleast an inch.

BTW , you can see different pic's of JA's truck on his site.

 

[keylay31]

Installed the kit last night/this morning. I'll get pictures up and details later. Got to get that alignment.. (4wheel i think).

All I can say is... IT TOOK 11 HOURS!!!
And we have a HORRIBLE spring compressor.

 

[Falls]

What was wrong with the compressor ?

11 hours , is a long time , but so what , you got to learn from doing it.

What was the hardest part ?

 

[keylay31]

What was wrong with the compressor ?

11 hours , is a long time , but so what , you got to learn from doing it.

What was the hardest part ?

Well, the compressor was shitty and old.
This is a nice picture of a new version of the model we got.

I learned a lot, it was fun.

What was the hardest part? Figuring WTF to do. It took about 2.5 hours doing the drivers rear, then another 10minutes for the passenger rear. It took us over 3 hours trying to get the coilover out of the wheel well alone, while it only took us about 45 minutes to to do the complete other side.

The most frustrating part was using the spring compressors to put the coilover back together in the wheel well, because once we got it together and in, we realized the spring compressors were in the wrong place for lining up the spring with the boot and also just in the way in general for the screws to line up and be in parallel with the shock mount.

We also had to relocate the jackstands when doing the back, which was a pain.

 

[keylay31]

On a side note, started calling around to get an alignment, and got some quotes $60-80. I was told they would do a 4 wheel analysis, but can only do the front two on the 4runner.

I was also told, by the place i have an appointment with tomorrow, that they would need to manually set up the machine because of the lift, and that it would take about 4hours, but they would still charge me only $60.

 

[Even Steven]

On a side note, started calling around to get an alignment, and got some quotes $60-80. I was told they would do a 4 wheel analysis, but can only do the front two on the 4runner.

I was also told, by the place i have an appointment with tomorrow, that they would need to manually set up the machine because of the lift, and that it would take about 4hours, but they would still charge me only $60.

On a solid axle vehicle like the 4Runner, you need a thrust angle alignment. Basically, they measure the angle of the rear wheels (which are non-adjustible) and match the front wheels to the same thrust angle of the rears.

I hate hearing people say that they paid for a 4 wheel alignment on a 4Runner because they got ripped off if that's true! Sounds like the place you chose is honest.

 

[Falls]

Well, the compressor was shitty and old.
This is a nice picture of a new version of the model we got.

I learned a lot, it was fun.

What was the hardest part? Figuring WTF to do. It took about 2.5 hours doing the drivers rear, then another 10minutes for the passenger rear. It took us over 3 hours trying to get the coilover out of the wheel well alone, while it only took us about 45 minutes to to do the complete other side.

The most frustrating part was using the spring compressors to put the coilover back together in the wheel well, because once we got it together and in, we realized the spring compressors were in the wrong place for lining up the spring with the boot and also just in the way in general for the screws to line up and be in parallel with the shock mount.

We also had to relocate the jackstands when doing the back, which was a pain.

Those spring compressors make me fricken nervous. If I ever get around to getting mine done I'll disconnect the Xreas and use a wall compressor.

EDIT , after looking at the spring compressors they look like a chincy POS. accident waiting to happen. Glad it went well for you , I've heard to many horror stories about them.

Did you do the install yourself ? Happy with the looks ?

 

[Even Steven]

Those type of spring compressors are completely safe if they are used properly. Notice that they have a safety latch to keep the coils in place..... I've used them many times without ever having an issue because I use them properly.

 

[keylay31]

New Measurements

Driver Front: 35.25"
Driver Rear: 36.5"
Passenger Front: 35.5"
Passenger Rear: 36.5"

Final Rake: 1-1.25"
Total Lift: 2" front, 1" rear. =D

 

[keylay31]

Also, the rear rose .75" and the front rose 2.5" as measured at the bumpers.

The Rake on the boards is 1/16", with the rear being higher =D

 

[keylay31]

 

[josh220]

Looks good, can't wait until mine gets here. But after seeing those pictures with the stock tires I think I may be getting the BFG AT KO's quite a bit faster than I had originally planned.

 

[keylay31]

Overall I am extremely happy. I think it looks great and the ride is pretty much the same. It's a tad stiffer, and i haven't noticed any additional top-heaviness.

Had the alignment done at 28th Street Garage in Boulder, CO. Here are the before and after measurements.

 

[josh220]

Did you do your alignment right after you lifted it? I heard from multiple threads on here that it's better to wait a few hundred miles before you get an alignment. And then to re-torque all of the bolts at about 500 miles.

 

[keylay31]

Did you do your alignment right after you lifted it? I heard from multiple threads on here that it's better to wait a few hundred miles before you get an alignment. And then to re-torque all of the bolts at about 500 miles.

I did it immediately. I will retorque the bolts in about 150 miles, when I am rotating the tires.

It's interesting you've heard its good to wait, because I'm thinking A) I've heard immediately B) it bad on the tires C) I remember a thread about a guy worried about driving 30 miles or so before getting an alignment