Installing lift: Need some advise

[FoCo-4Runner]

My new 4Runner would be arriving any day and I've spent the last 4 months getting my lift ready. Free time is a hard to come by lately so I'd planned to have a shop do the install. I contact several reputable shops and not one is below $1000. After doing a bit of research I think that what they are asking is completely crazy.

I'm mechanically inclined and have done basic aftermarket installs on cars over the years but nothing this complex. I've decided to tackle installing the complete lift myself, with the help of my father and a buddy. These are the parts I will be installing:

1) Icon Extended Travel Coilovers
2) Total Chaos UCA's
3) Icon Rear Springs and Shocks
4) Sonoran Steel Panhard Bar
5) Metaltech Upper and Lower Rear Links

My tool collection is basic at best. So I will need to buy several things to make this install happen. Given the above mentioned parts, what tools will be needed to make this install happen? Let pretend for ease of an answer that I don't have any tools (I have some but after living with roommates for 10 years, they are not complete and I'm missing lots - time to replace tools with the $1000 it was going to cost me to have the parts installed).

I know that there are lots of members that have done the work themselves and I was hoping I could get some insight and advice to make this as smooth as possible.

Thanks for the help

-Chris

 

[Gabex35]

Jack, jack stands, 10 -22mm sockets in 3/8 & 1/2" drive, corresponding ratchets, wrenches, and extensions, a punch (for lining up bolt holes), hammer, torque wrench (crucial IMO), ratchet straps, breaker bar, needle nose pliers, grease gun and grease. These are the things I can think of off the top of my head and make for decent start to a tool kit IMO.

 

[harper7]

My new 4Runner would be arriving any day and I've spent the last 4 months getting my lift ready. Free time is a hard to come by lately so I'd planned to have a shop do the install. I contact several reputable shops and not one is below $1000. After doing a bit of research I think that what they are asking is completely crazy.

I'm mechanically inclined and have done basic aftermarket installs on cars over the years but nothing this complex. I've decided to tackle installing the complete lift myself, with the help of my father and a buddy. These are the parts I will be installing:

1) Icon Extended Travel Coilovers
2) Total Chaos UCA's
3) Icon Rear Springs and Shocks
4) Sonoran Steel Panhard Bar
5) Metaltech Upper and Lower Rear Links

My tool collection is basic at best. So I will need to buy several things to make this install happen. Given the above mentioned parts, what tools will be needed to make this install happen? Let pretend for ease of an answer that I don't have any tools (I have some but after living with roommates for 10 years, they are not complete and I'm missing lots - time to replace tools with the $1000 it was going to cost me to have the parts installed).

I know that there are lots of members that have done the work themselves and I was hoping I could get some insight and advice to make this as smooth as possible.

Thanks for the help

-Chris

This is a very good DIY write-up for front and rear suspension and list most of the tools . ICON (IVD) STAGE 2: Inst. w/pics - Toyota FJ Cruiser Forum

The factory rear LCA's ,panhard bar and links are a PITA and will take a big breaker bar and long wrenches if they are like the ones we changed on Jakers LE. They were way over torqued from the factory and hard to get on some of the nuts.

Here some write-up tips on them and I take it you have the factory repair manual from in the stickies.Suspension change should be the same or pretty close for all 5th Gens including 14's.
How To...Rear Lower Control Arm Install w/pics - Toyota FJ Cruiser Forum

ICON Rear Suspension Links Installation Notes for FJC - Toyota FJ Cruiser Forum

 

[Lenny33]

A friend (much of the job is easier with another person to help)
Beer (Dales Pale Ale preferably)

 

[mace.]

Make sure your jack stands are tall enough. I have a set that didn't get me high enough up and if you do it in a garage with a low ceiling make sure you keep an eye on the clearance. I started up front and after one corner was out of the way it was smooth sailing. As mentioned an extra set of hands makes a big difference while trying to line up the long UCA bolt. Otherwise the rest can easily be tackled solo just expect it to take longer.

 

[onsafari]

Pretty much all the tools needed have been listed above but you'll need a pickle fork or ball joint puller to get the upper control arms off.....which you can rent for free. Also $1000 isn't horrible if it includes an alignment which will run over $100 since it's a science to properly align a lifted IFS front end. It will probably take a shop 6-8 hours to put the lift on.

 

[Intruder]

it's a science to properly align a lifted IFS front end.

Not really. My friend does my alignment so I watch him do it and it's still just wrenching alignment cams and tie rods. It only gets really difficult when you wheel your truck and bash the LCA tabs and cams making them difficult to adjust.

 

[mace.]

Pretty much all the tools needed have been listed above but you'll need a pickle fork or ball joint puller to get the upper control arms off.....which you can rent for free. Also $1000 isn't horrible if it includes an alignment which will run over $100 since it's a science to properly align a lifted IFS front end. It will probably take a shop 6-8 hours to put the lift on.

You won't need a pickle fork or a ball joint puller. Just loosen the nut without taking it completely off and one firm strike with a dead blow and it will release.

 

[WODWorldWide]

You think with all these Colorado people, we could all get together and help install lifts on each others 4Runners. I looked at Slee to install an OME lift with UCAs and Got a decent quote (install was much less than $1000) but still contemplating doing it myself.

Let me know how it goes and if there are any other Colorado people around, I wouldn't mind meeting up to help install stuff. I have a buddy in an Colorado Xterra group and they help each other all the time.

 

[thebwlife]

From my build thread:


Tools:

Tools that I found made the job much easier in addition to a 3/8” and 1/2” metric socket set and boxed-end wrench set.

A Giant pry bar – I borrowed a 2’ craftsman one from my neighbor.
½ Torque wrench – I borrowed from AutoZone “loan-a-tool” paid $100 deposit returned got my money back.
3x Strut compressor – “loan-a-tool” paid $60 each and returned – only used one set for the rear springs.
Good Floor jack – mine crapped out half way through the rear and had to use the OEM bottle jack.
2x Good jack stands
3/8” extension set. Typically had 3 sizes and not too expensive.
3/8” socket swivel for reaching some of those tougher bolts
1/2” socket swivel for reaching some of those tougher bolts

These help speed up the timing:
1/2” Air Impact Wrench
3/8” Air Wrench
Metric ratcheting boxed-end wrench set – got mine from Home Depot for $16 worked fine

 

[Sac State]

Slee is a good shop, bought my OME lift from them.