installation of leveling kit?
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Doozi
New member
2.5" up front with nothing added to the rear will be noticably nose-high. If you want that, then fine, but you need only about an inch up front to level the 4Runner. The full Daystar kit is 2.5" front/1.5" rear. You'll also notice that every other kit has +1" for the front... like the Cornfed 3/2 as an example. Daystar has a "1" Budget Boost" to level the front. ToyTech also has a "1/2" front spacer" that actually lifts the front 1".
ryangab
New member
I had a Daystar Budget Boost 1" leveling kit put on a couple months ago a got about 2" of lift from that. I thought it looked a bit nose high even though it really wasn't. The lines on the truck make it look like that. So.....I put on the rear 1.5" spacer kit from Daystar and now it sits with about 1/2" rake at the most. I love the look now, just have to get some bigger tires.
All you need is some basic handtools and a 2x4 
Loosen the two bolts under the lower control arm. NOT the one balljoint nut. Then loosten the control arm bolts a little bit. There is a really good write up on here. No ball joint or tie rod removal necessary. Takes about 2 hours. less if you have air tools. better yet check this out: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/68638-daystar-2-5-1-5-install.html those are the instructions i followed and it was super easy. Actually this doc is the best!
http://www.yardmulesinheat.org/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderfiles/4runnerlift.pdf
That PDF shows you every bolt you need to touch. That's the easiest way then get an alignment after. presto done.
Loosen the two bolts under the lower control arm. NOT the one balljoint nut. Then loosten the control arm bolts a little bit. There is a really good write up on here. No ball joint or tie rod removal necessary. Takes about 2 hours. less if you have air tools. better yet check this out: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/68638-daystar-2-5-1-5-install.html those are the instructions i followed and it was super easy. Actually this doc is the best!http://www.yardmulesinheat.org/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderfiles/4runnerlift.pdf
That PDF shows you every bolt you need to touch. That's the easiest way then get an alignment after. presto done.
galactic_04
New member
see my thread below. I thought i posted but it seems to have not gone through: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/77183-leveled-her-weekend.html
You can either pry the heck out of the lower a-arm or loosen the eccentric bolts a hair like I did. since you'll want an alignment anyways. See the first post of that link though.
You can either pry the heck out of the lower a-arm or loosen the eccentric bolts a hair like I did. since you'll want an alignment anyways. See the first post of that link though.
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1clean4runner
New member
All you need is some basic handtools and a 2x4
http://www.yardmulesinheat.org/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderfiles/4runnerlift.pdf
That PDF shows you every bolt you need to touch. That's the easiest way then get an alignment after. presto done.
+1000. I tried this method after I couldn't get get the ball joint to move. Ended up taking ~25 minutes per side (after I had wasted hours trying the other method).
Go ahead and get the 2.5/1.5 kit. If you get the 1", you'll immediately wish you had gone with the 2.5/1.5. That said, after putting on the 2.5/1.5, I wish I had gone bigger with a full lift :wow2:
Amazon.com: Daystar KT09115BK Comfort Ride 2.5" Strut and Coil Spring Spacer Kit: Automotive
It's only a few bucks more and looks perfect. The rear is really easy to do as well.
Good luck! :reddance:
kind of the position i'm in too. i know it's supposed to work with xreas but it's got to put more stress on the system.
1clean4runner
New member
I know the feeling. I only had a basic socket wrench set, out-dated mechanical skills and still completed it without a problem by myself (once I found the easier method of unbolting the lower control arm at the hub instead of messing with the balljoint). The XREAS still works perfectly with no leaks or weird handling.
The flexible XREAS line that attaches to the bottom of the shock seemed (at least to me) to be quite stout. I pulled on it pretty hard just to test it and it was fine. If you follow the easier method, you end up putting very little stress on the XREAS line. And what little stress you may put on it, is for a very brief moment while you slide the spacer onto the shock assembly.
Just take your time. Take the wheel off and stare at the whole assembly for awhile (while the PB Blast soaks on the nuts/bolts) and map out what you are going to do. Once you get that first one done, you'll know exactly what to do with the remainder of the daystar kit.
I called 4wheelparts and they wanted $470 for the install. A few hours later, the 4runner was lifted and I still had $470 in my pocket
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Doozi
New member
I did my own FJ coil swap with front spacers and kept the XREAS... the ride is awesome! That netted me 2" of lift in front and I've had no problems at all. I also removed the two large bolts holding the lower control arm to the upright, wrestled with trying to flex the LCA until I decided to loosen the eccentric (alignment) bolts... after that, it was a breeze! Just keep everything organized as you go!
Just thinking... the only reason you'd have to break down the strut assembly would be if you have to replace the three top strut mounting bolts, but I think that the Daystar kits use extensions.
Just thinking... the only reason you'd have to break down the strut assembly would be if you have to replace the three top strut mounting bolts, but I think that the Daystar kits use extensions.
rodneyk
New member
I found the biggest PITA of the job was the 3 nuts at the top of the shock tower that holds the shock/spring assembly in. There isn't enough clearance to get a rachet and socket in there.
Do yourself a favor and get a set of racheting wrenches and save the trouble of turning them 1/8 of a turn at a time with a normal open ended wrench.
Do yourself a favor and get a set of racheting wrenches and save the trouble of turning them 1/8 of a turn at a time with a normal open ended wrench.
Bigrupp
New member
Do it. It really is easier than it sounds, and it sounds really easy.
MistrWebmastr
New member
I don't mean to hijack a thread, but I'm interested in doing the same thing (possibly even go with 3" all around") and I was wondering, how does this change the ride of the 4Runner? I do 98% on-road driving, but I did find some chunks of mud stuck to my bumper from when I took a trip on a dirt road to a family property this weekend, and I want to make sure I don't damage the bumper.
Also, kind of a secondary question, how does it affect handling, and dangers of tipping the 4Runner?
Also, kind of a secondary question, how does it affect handling, and dangers of tipping the 4Runner?
Bigrupp
New member
The nice thing about the daystar kit is that it doesn't affect the ride that much at all. You get more clearance but it still rides the same. As far as the handling I haven't found it to be any worse than it was before I installed the lift. I ride my 4Runner pretty hard and at no point have I ever felt like I was in danger.
