Installing a lift kit

[AmbideXtrous]

Hey

New member here. I've had my 03 4R for about a year now. Love it love it love it! So far I've done little to it other than add a Westin bull bar with some PIAA lights. I'd like to install the Daystar 2.5/2 spacers myself. Is there a good install guide somewhere with a list of the tools I'll need? Thanks in advance. Below is a picture of my beloved:

 

[btaylorbarry]

Man I dont know about a guide, shouldnt the kit come with instructions?

It shouldnt be hard, just time consuming. It took me all day (7hours).

As far as tools go, youll need a mcpherson strut compressor (rent from an auto parts store. most are free with a deposit refunded to you when you return it) An impact wrench with metric bits would be a huge help. Along with an extra set of hands.

 

[Falls]

You can see the instructions at www.daystarweb.com and click on the kit you want.

 

[J.A.]

Write Up

 

[Falls]

J.A. , forgot about your site .......... sorry

 

[AmbideXtrous]

Thanks for the link to that write up. Looks like as long as I take my time and be careful I should be just fine.

I emailed sales at Wheelers and they were pretty helpful also.

Thanks!

 

[4rnr4me]

You DEFINITELY will want an impact to make compressing a LOT easier, and faster...

and an extra set of hands is ALMOST a must have...

 

[Falls]

You will also need a front end alignment so have the shop check it over while you there. Make sure everything is tight.

 

[AmbideXtrous]

The Daystar 2.5"/1.5" kit has been on for about a week. Here are my thoughts:

Installation: I would describe the install as hairy at times but armed with J.A.s writeup, the service manual pages from his website and the Daystar directions I was able to finish the front install. My 4R is a 2003 and it is obvious that nobody has replaced any of the parts down there. The sway links had me pulling my hair out trying to get them loose. Once I got the swaybar off things went fairly smoothly. It was fun beating the bolts out of the strut top plate. Good for getting frustration out! All in all over the 3 nights I worked on it including getting ready and runs to Lowes it took me about 10 hours to complete the front end.

In the end I ended up doing nearly the same thing as J.A. I took the truck to the local Goodyear Gemini for my front end alignment and had them do the rear end. I also watched and helped and then enjoyed seeing the looks on their faces when they put the truck on the alignment rack and watched the screen turn completely red. The rear install took about 20 minutes. We ended up having to remove the bolt for the panhard rod to get enough play to put the spacer and spring back in. I yanked down on the axle while the tech shoehorned the spring back into place.

The Ride: The ride is great. It feels lifted. It is not at all uncomfortable or jarring. Perhaps it feels a little sproingier. It feels like I expected it to. The stance is nice but now it looks a little rear saggy to me. Perhaps that is because I am used to the "rake" look that it had before. In any case it has me wondering about replacing the rear 1.5 with the Cornfed 2. Anyone done that?

I don't have any measurements or install photos to post. My before and after pics aren't really that great either but I'll post them below.

On an unrelated note. My 4Runner is an 03 SE V8. I bought it a little over a year ago. When I bought it I noticed that the plastic trim around the wheels and the side panels has a pattern to it. It is almost like an animal print. Sort of looks like tiger stripes or a marbleized pattern. At the time my wife said that it looked like a mistake or cheap plastic but I find it hard to believe that Toyota would allow this into production. So I have always figured it to be part of the look. Having said that, I have never seen another 4Runner with this trim package. Can anyone tell me if they have seen this before?

 

[awskeetskeet]

The Daystar 2.5"/1.5" kit has been on for about a week. Here are my thoughts:

Installation: I would describe the install as hairy at times but armed with J.A.s writeup, the service manual pages from his website and the Daystar directions I was able to finish the front install. My 4R is a 2003 and it is obvious that nobody has replaced any of the parts down there. The sway links had me pulling my hair out trying to get them loose. Once I got the swaybar off things went fairly smoothly. It was fun beating the bolts out of the strut top plate. Good for getting frustration out! All in all over the 3 nights I worked on it including getting ready and runs to Lowes it took me about 10 hours to complete the front end.

In the end I ended up doing nearly the same thing as J.A. I took the truck to the local Goodyear Gemini for my front end alignment and had them do the rear end. I also watched and helped and then enjoyed seeing the looks on their faces when they put the truck on the alignment rack and watched the screen turn completely red. The rear install took about 20 minutes. We ended up having to remove the bolt for the panhard rod to get enough play to put the spacer and spring back in. I yanked down on the axle while the tech shoehorned the spring back into place.

The Ride: The ride is great. It feels lifted. It is not at all uncomfortable or jarring. Perhaps it feels a little sproingier. It feels like I expected it to. The stance is nice but now it looks a little rear saggy to me. Perhaps that is because I am used to the "rake" look that it had before. In any case it has me wondering about replacing the rear 1.5 with the Cornfed 2. Anyone done that?

I don't have any measurements or install photos to post. My before and after pics aren't really that great either but I'll post them below.

On an unrelated note. My 4Runner is an 03 SE V8. I bought it a little over a year ago. When I bought it I noticed that the plastic trim around the wheels and the side panels has a pattern to it. It is almost like an animal print. Sort of looks like tiger stripes or a marbleized pattern. At the time my wife said that it looked like a mistake or cheap plastic but I find it hard to believe that Toyota would allow this into production. So I have always figured it to be part of the look. Having said that, I have never seen another 4Runner with this trim package. Can anyone tell me if they have seen this before?

i have an 03 4runner sr5, and it has the same plastic trim. i kind of like it like that though. i didnt like it so much at first but it grew on me i think it looks good

 

[AmbideXtrous]

i have an 03 4runner sr5, and it has the same plastic trim. i kind of like it like that though. i didnt like it so much at first but it grew on me i think it looks good

It has grown on me also. And since it is one of the less popular (in my experience) trim packages I like it even more. Thanks for the response.

 

[retco]

Ive noticed that on mine also. After u clean it up use MOTHERS BACK to BLACK, it's for all trim. Protects against sun, oxidation, everything. It will make a world of difference. Everyone has seen that SUV or MINI VAN with that oxidised, faded look, that comes from using the wrong product on their trim like(tire dressing).U can get this product at any auto store. ITS A MUST HAVE FOR CLADDING.

 

[Falls]

Ambide , why didn't you just disconnect the Xreas , probably would have been easier.

Retco , what size/type of lift ? tire size ?

 

[retco]

CORNFED 3/2, 285/70R/17 BFG KO'S, I kept my Xreas, the spacer really wasn't that hard to install with it. If i was going to disconnect Xreas, i would have went with all new springs OME, but really like Xreas.

 

[chronicanomaly]

Just ordered my Daystar 2.5/1.5, installing over the weekend. AmbideX, your truck was the inspiration. Since I have a Galactic Grey 03 with the cladding and bull bar as well, your pictures were the ones I used to see how mine would look. I'll post pics as soon as it is on there.

 

[T?@\7]

DO WORK SON! and enjoi

 

[AmbideXtrous]

Just ordered my Daystar 2.5/1.5, installing over the weekend. AmbideX, your truck was the inspiration. Since I have a Galactic Grey 03 with the cladding and bull bar as well, your pictures were the ones I used to see how mine would look. I'll post pics as soon as it is on there.

Great. Good luck with the install!

 

[chronicanomaly]

Well, just picked the 4Runner up from the shop, looks great, but I think they actually put 2.5" on the front and the back, so it still has the raked look. It's raining pretty hard right now, so I'll be able to look better in the morning.

On another note, the mechanic said my passenger side CV boot was leaking a little, hopefully that won't get any worse from the lift. Shop said it was a sealed part, but I'm pretty sure I've heard of other users putting more grease in it and tightening the seal.