JD's lift

[JD914]

So a combination of a fully beat Xreas system and slowing my buddies down on the trails with my stocker, led me to the decision to lift my truck. Since I already have enough expensive hobbies, I took my time and tried not to spend too much. I decided on the FJ/5100 conversion, set to the top setting, with a 1.5" spacer in the rear. I also installed Airlift 1000's, since I pull my bikes around regularly. I also found a perfectly good set of used BFG's in 275/75/17 to give myself a little more sidewall.
I'm really happy with the setup, and I've been getting compliments on the look. I haven't had a chance to get off road yet, and I can't wait. A set of sliders are the next addition... eventually.

 

[JD914]

I pulled the biggest load yet out to the desert this past weekend. I had 5 people (including me), my 250F on the hitch rack, 5 smaller bikes in the trailer, and all of our camping gear spread between the truck and trailer. The Airlift's were great! I had them set at 30lbs, with 42 in the rear tires. There was a bit of squat, but the truck handled well and was comfortable for all on the dirt, highway and through the canyons. Unfortunately, I waited till we were on the way home to snap a photo of the setup, so here she is... in front of a dumpster. Oh well.

 

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

Looks great, way better than stock!!!

 

[Casper421]

I pulled the biggest load yet out to the desert this past weekend. I had 5 people (including me), my 250F on the hitch rack, 5 smaller bikes in the trailer, and all of our camping gear spread between the truck and trailer. The Airlift's were great! I had them set at 30lbs, with 42 in the rear tires. There was a bit of squat, but the truck handled well and was comfortable for all on the dirt, highway and through the canyons. Unfortunately, I waited till we were on the way home to snap a photo of the setup, so here she is... in front of a dumpster. Oh well.

:bravo: Nice set up!! Damn, pulling the trailer from the hitch carrier. Custom? I needed that last year.

 

[empty403]

I pulled the biggest load yet out to the desert this past weekend. I had 5 people (including me), my 250F on the hitch rack, 5 smaller bikes in the trailer, and all of our camping gear spread between the truck and trailer. The Airlift's were great! I had them set at 30lbs, with 42 in the rear tires. There was a bit of squat, but the truck handled well and was comfortable for all on the dirt, highway and through the canyons. Unfortunately, I waited till we were on the way home to snap a photo of the setup, so here she is... in front of a dumpster. Oh well.

Looks good! Airbags worked, the squat is not too bad considering you extended your hitch point.

 

[JD914]

Thanks, I was pretty nervous about how it would look with the roughly 3" lift and only 32" tires, but I'm pretty stoked on how it turned out.

And when I detached the trailer, I rechecked the air pressure with a more accurate gauge, and the bags were only filled to about 22psi.

 

[Jester4kicks]

Thanks, I was pretty nervous about how it would look with the roughly 3" lift and only 32" tires, but I'm pretty stoked on how it turned out.

And when I detached the trailer, I rechecked the air pressure with a more accurate gauge, and the bags were only filled to about 22psi.

275/75/17? Aren't those 33" tires? Any rubbing?

 

[Mytoy4]

Looks good!

 

[JD914]

275/75/17? Aren't those 33" tires? Any rubbing?

My bad. They're 70's, not 75, so yes, they're a true 32". I also have 1.25" wheel spacers, and they rubbed pretty badly in reverse at about half lock. I moved the wheel well liner forward and now there's no rubbing at all.

 

[snowbrdr033]

Nice lift, looks awesome. That is almost exactly what I am looking to do to mine....and I think we have the same too. :banana:

I definitely wouldn't be getting the airlift, as I don't tow nearly enough to make it worth the investment. Definitely diggin' the blackwalls on the BFGs you put on. Thanks for sharing your info with us!!!

 

[honda_nos]

Any pics of airbag installation? Thanks!

 

[BReardon21]

Looks great!

 

[JD914]

:bravo: Nice set up!! Damn, pulling the trailer from the hitch carrier. Custom? I needed that last year.

No, it's a Versahaul. They have a couple of models that can either be doubled or have another hitch added to it. So I can haul one sportsbike, 2 dirtbikes, or a dirtbike and a trailer (under 3,000lbs).

 

[JD914]

Any pics of airbag installation? Thanks!

Sorry, no pics of the install itself, but here's a couple of the compressor and valve install. I got these ideas from Antman:
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/92013-antmans-thread.html
The 4th gens have a larger brace inside of the storage cubby than Antman's 5th gen, so i was able to mount the compressor horizontally on top of it, using an L bracket, so that I can still fit the tool bag in there. One day, I'll hard wire the compressor to the truck to clean things up in there. At the moment, I just run the plug across to the other side of the trunk and plug into accessory outlet.

 

[JD914]

I just spoke with the guys over at Outdoor Logic, who'll be using my truck as a testbed for their new 4th gen sliders, and I should be slider-equipped in about 10 days! I'll post pics as soon as they're on.

 

[450exc115]

JD, what reciever are you using on the 4R? I bought the 6000lb one for mine as I'll be hanging my KTM450XCF off the back of my 4R for non race day rides. Otherwise I pull a trailer which has a pretty low tounge weight. I was thinking of doing air bag suspension but I may just go with OME HD springs as the stock setup feels mushy and squirly with just the trailer (loaded with bigs and gear).

 

[JD914]

I have the stock V8 (7000 lb) receiver, and attached a Versahaul carrier (VersaHaul VH-SPORT Sport Bike Carrier).
I ran this setup with my sportbike before I put in my lift and airbags and there was significant squat. The FJ springs help a lot, but the airbags make all the difference in the world.

 

[JD914]

Thanks to Outdoor Logic, I'm now slider equipped! Since this is also my daily driver, I didn't want anything too outrageous, so I asked for them to be somewhat low profile, while also providing protection for the truck. I'm pleased with how they turned out.

 

[JD914]

I installed Skyjacker sway bar links this weekend. In the process, I've moved the brake line out of the way so that the longer link can't contact it. Details here:
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/126391-sway-bar-end-links-install.html
Hopefully, I'll see a little better articulation and traction next time I'm out on the trail!