Icon lift do it yourself?

[Vegas]

I finally figured how to do multiple quotes!!! Now if only i can figure out what BUMP means?

Vegas,

I think waiting is the worst part about all of this. I was in the same boat since I purchased my lift before I even took delivery on my new rig. I did the same thing you are doing, a ton of research. I had a leg up though since I had just lifted two FJ's in the past two months. The only thing new was the KDSS that I had to deal with.

Once you get the parts and start doing the job, it will make more sense to you. You will thank yourself for doing so much research.

Good luck and you can always ask here if you get stuck.

You got to lift two fj's, that is great practice.. I have found the best instructions with lots of pics and step by step info on doing the install on the fj board... I am guessing the major difference is just fighting the sway bar.... But with all the help I have gotten on here it... If makes me feel better.

Just wondering, how much do shops normally charge to do a lift?

I was told around $500 and it depends on which setup you go with and what part of the country you get it done... There is a good thread somewhere that talks about it and bobby aka Ducmonsta gives a lot of good info on it.

 

[jbstrd]

I finally figured how to do multiple quotes!!! Now if only i can figure out what BUMP means?


You got to lift two fj's, that is great practice.. I have found the best instructions with lots of pics and step by step info on doing the install on the fj board... I am guessing the major difference is just fighting the sway bar.... But with all the help I have gotten on here it... If makes me feel better.

People say Bump or TTT (To the top) to get their thread to go to the top of the thread list. When there is a new post in a thread, that thread goes to the top. So, if people want their thread seen and not buried pages down on the thread list, they "Bump" it.

Anyways, I would definitely do it yourself. Countless reasons: cheaper, learn about your vehicle, gratifying, did I mention cheaper?

It was helpful working on the two FJ's prior to lifting my T4R. They were the first 120 platforms I had worked on. However, it was not too much different than my '98 Tacoma, previous 2000 4Runner, and my buddies '03 Tacoma that I have lifted.

I am in no way a professional mechanic, I have no formal training, but these types of lifts can easily be performed by a "weekend mechanic" who does his/her research on lovely forums like this. I can attribute all of my knowledge of Toyotas to Toyota forums. It is a great place to seek information from other enthusiasts. The beauty of it is if there has been a modification or problem, someone has performed or experienced it. You just have to find the answers and determine of you are willing to perform the task.

Good luck,

Jason

 

[jbstrd]

No I hear ya I have a TE w/KDSS. Going up and down certain terrain it lifts to keep the cabin as level as possible thus llifting. On a flat surface obviously it does nothing. I'm contemplating lifting next year but my concerns are affected gas mileage if any and having a higher center of gravity. Since I offroad 3" would most likely help. Just thinking out loud a bit, I had yet to hear my thought of when going up and down on certain terrain KDSS is in and of itself a type of on the spot lift. Most likely I'll do it, the higher center of gravity is my biggest concern.

KDSS does not "lift" the vehicle, it allows the suspension to move freely despite the fact it has a very large diameter sway bar. Here is a video that has been posted before that explains things pretty well: 2010 Toyota 4Runner: KDSS - YouTube

I would definitely not hesitate to get a suspension lift. Body roll will not be an issue with KDSS, especially if you run high quality Coilovers that run a slightly stiffer spring. The upgraded suspension will counter the lifted center of gravity if you only plan to go up 2-3". I did not notice any difference in body roll when I lifted my rig with Icons set at about 3". I think others will tell you the same thing.

The thing that will kill your gas mileage is adding unsprung weight, i.e. heavier wheels, bigger tires, etc. If you are concerned about this, you can maintain your stock size tires as I have seen many do on this forum. If you don't mind the open wheel wells and small looking tires, you would save power loss and gas mileage.

 

[Vegas]

As a suggestion from personal experience on the KDSS, get all 4 wheels off the ground. That will alleviate some of the pressure on the system. Something that helped with getting it back was to ratchet strap the sway bar to towards the rear of the truck (can't remember where exactly I used) and that will pull the bar close to the LCA, and then I used the floor jack to push the bar up just enough to get it to realign. Once you get past the KDSS it wasn't all that difficult and pretty straight forward.

DO NOT BLEED KDSS haha. That will be one expensive mistake.

when you recommend having the truck up on 4 jack stands to help give you more "slack" with the KDSS to help get the sway bar aligned to get the bolts in.... Can I do this after doing the front and back lift then with all the tires back on? Or when doing the lift I should have it up the entire time on the 4 stands... The reason I ask is I am a little scared having the truck up on 4 stands when pushing down on the rear axle to get the coil in... Scared it might make the truck unstable up on 4 stand and pushing down on the axle? I hope that question makes sense... I of course will have a jack under as well as the stands for safety... But if I have to put it up on 4 stands I would rather have the tires on so if it falls I don't break the disk and a billion other items including my legs....

 

[FactoryRide]

when you recommend having the truck up on 4 jack stands to help give you more "slack" with the KDSS to help get the sway bar aligned to get the bolts in.... Can I do this after doing the front and back lift then with all the tires back on? Or when doing the lift I should have it up the entire time on the 4 stands... The reason I ask is I am a little scared having the truck up on 4 stands when pushing down on the rear axle to get the coil in... Scared it might make the truck unstable up on 4 stand and pushing down on the axle? I hope that question makes sense... I of course will have a jack under as well as the stands for safety... But if I have to put it up on 4 stands I would rather have the tires on so if it falls I don't break the disk and a billion other items including my legs....

I did mine with all four at droop with the tires off. Put all of your tires underneath the truck as well. That way if for some reason your jack stands gave way, the tires would catch them to some extent. More for peace of mind than anything.

I'm sure you could put your wheels back on, but that seems like it may just be creating more work. I did have a little bit of a time getting my coils out, so I rented McPherson style spring compressor. That made getting the springs out super easy. If you choose to do that, BE CAREFUL with it. They can be very dangerous if not used properly.

 

[jbstrd]

It is not necessary to let all four tires droop with KDSS if you don't want to. I installed my lift with two tires on the ground at all times.

I did not find it necessary to use a spring compressor to remove the stock springs or install the lift springs. If you remove the shocks and sway bar completely, you can use a jack on the opposite side and they will practically fall out.

 

[FactoryRide]

It is not necessary to let all four tires droop with KDSS if you don't want to. I installed my lift with two tires on the ground at all times.

I had issues with my sway bars lining back up with 2 wheels on the ground. And the 4 wheel trick was just something passed along to me.

I did not find it necessary to use a spring compressor to remove the stock springs or install the lift springs. If you remove the shocks and sway bar completely, you can use a jack on the opposite side and they will practically fall out.

The spring compressor was not necessary, just made it a little bit easier. I also did not think of jacking up one side of the axle. We learn new things every day haha.

BE CONFIDENT in yourself while doing this. If you run into any problems or have any questions, jump on here and search around or ask questions. have with it also.

 

[jbstrd]

BE CONFIDENT in yourself while doing this. If you run into any problems or have any questions, jump on here and search around or ask questions. have with it also.

Agreed. We psych ourselves out by reading how to's without being able to do it then and there. But, when you get into it, things start to make more sense.

 

[Vegas]

Thanks for the help gents... UPS Tracking says my parts should be here Friday!!!arty:

 

[jbstrd]

Thanks for the help gents... UPS Tracking says my parts should be here Friday!!!arty:

Nice! If you are anything like me, you won't be able to sleep until you get it installed. Usually, I end up staying up into the wee hours of the night working on my rigs.

 

[Vegas]

Nice! If you are anything like me, you won't be able to sleep until you get it installed. Usually, I end up staying up into the wee hours of the night working on my rigs.

Well of course UPS drops it off it off right now as the sun sets... So lets see do it now and runout and get a brighter shop light? Or wail till tomorrow morning for a fresh start.... Hmmmm ....

Why not tonight it is.... ready set...Time me... If I do not check in a few hours I'll probably be trapped under the car... Send help.

 

[dhalsey]

I'm waiting for my icons as well. Check your Spc light racing arms box . Mine was missing some parts. I'm waiting for the UPS man.

 

[jbstrd]

Good luck man. Let us know if you need any help. Can't wait for pics.

 

[Vegas]

A few mins in and Im already having issues...The FJ step by step that I am following is great... just confusing that when looking at the KDSS the pics are not there... I just want to make sure that these are the two bolts that I remove to to drop the Kdss sway bar? and I am going to try to strap it up befor I unbolt it.


And this bracket for the remote res. goes between those to bolts right?




Seriously thanks gents...

 

[Vegas]

hope this is right...(((FYI my computer is gettting real greasy)))

 

[tjnaples]

KDSS does not "lift" the vehicle, it allows the suspension to move freely despite the fact it has a very large diameter sway bar. Here is a video that has been posted before that explains things pretty well: 2010 Toyota 4Runner: KDSS - YouTube

I would definitely not hesitate to get a suspension lift. Body roll will not be an issue with KDSS, especially if you run high quality Coilovers that run a slightly stiffer spring. The upgraded suspension will counter the lifted center of gravity if you only plan to go up 2-3". I did not notice any difference in body roll when I lifted my rig with Icons set at about 3". I think others will tell you the same thing.

The thing that will kill your gas mileage is adding unsprung weight, i.e. heavier wheels, bigger tires, etc. If you are concerned about this, you can maintain your stock size tires as I have seen many do on this forum. If you don't mind the open wheel wells and small looking tires, you would save power loss and gas mileage.

Um, KDSS does lift up. I've watched that video many times before i owned the vehicle. Wow. Other than that though I'm all over your other thought. Folks be amazed as the left rear tire "lifts" the rest of the 4runner. http://youtu.be/06t-iOPEFNE

 

[Vegas]

Ok... Several red bulls deep and a couple calls to Harper...

Anyone have any advice how to get the inner small washers on on the light racing long bolt?

 

[harper7]

You should have 4 big washers per side(8 total)for where the long bolt goes through. Like this and the pic down below.http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/129917-icon-stage-1-hel.html#post1235689

 

[Laubage]

Ummm if it makes you feel better, I couldn't get the third washer in either. I gave up and just put the last outside one on and tightened everything down. Once I got it fastened, the UCA was pretty stiff, so I called it good.

I'm sure that means my wheel will fall off eventually, but it hasn't yet.

 

[jbstrd]

hope this is right...(((FYI my computer is gettting real greasy)))

Yep, those are the right bolts. I did not hold the bar with straps until I went to put it back together. I just let it drop, then coaxed it into place with the straps and jacks.

How is the progress?