hamiltonj2w1
New member
Oh I thought you had the top plate spacer cause you said you had a set of those in your garage must have mis read the top plate spacers are cheaper so its a thought.
Leveling Kit Questions
- Thread starter philo
- Start date
Oh I thought you had the top plate spacer cause you said you had a set of those in your garage must have mis read the top plate spacers are cheaper so its a thought.
shearerman320
New member
My next question I can tell from the conversation that since I don't use my 4 runner for off road use and am only looking to level the truck out the simpler spacer is a better bang for the buck. I wouldn't mind spending the money on the Toyotec spring spacer if somebody thought it was a better set up and worth in my guess $350.00 including the parts to install. I have a Limited since that will make a big difference in the install
hamiltonj2w1
New member
In my opinion the top plate spacer is a great way to raise the front get the level look like it should be from the factory. The spacer is fairly cheap and members do get a discount from toytec as well. I had the top plate spacers on my other 4Runner for years it rode great never had any problems the only problem is after the top plate spacers are installed you will probably really want to lift it more lol
GhostRunner
New member
what do you mean by members will get a discount....members of what?
hamiltonj2w1
New member
Members of this forum get a discount from Toytec just find them on here and PM them for the discount code.
GhostRunner
New member
On the toytec website one of the FAQ is the following
Q. Will I need an alignment after the lift?
Yes, you will need an alignment after the lift install. We recommend the Camber be set to zero and toe .04 degrees
what is this referring to, will the installer of the spacers know to do this and is this just part of the install or something to be done later. Sorry if this is a stupid question but completely new to the idea of a lift.
Q. Will I need an alignment after the lift?
Yes, you will need an alignment after the lift install. We recommend the Camber be set to zero and toe .04 degrees
what is this referring to, will the installer of the spacers know to do this and is this just part of the install or something to be done later. Sorry if this is a stupid question but completely new to the idea of a lift.
harper7
Senior Member
Just a regular front end alignment like with a Hunter or similar machine. Usually runs about 50-60 bucks around here.
shearerman320
New member
So I was on Toyotec website and they have the Top spacer kit with the 6 bolts only listed in the 96-02 4 runner section. Can someone confirm this will fit the 2010 4 runner limited, The Kit is the Top1-t kit. If its listed under the 03-10 I apologize i just didn't see it and didn't want to waist time or money ordering something that's not going to work
hamiltonj2w1
New member
There is a kit also in the 03-10 4runner section to it might even be the same part number
shearerman320
New member
Thanks you are correct I kept looking in the wrong section. I figured I was just an idiot
To try to clear things up up a little . There are 2 kinds of front lifting or leveling spacers that Toytec and most companies sell .
One,the top plate spacer, goes on top of the the whole coilover assembly. It is easy to install as you don't need a spring compressor. The spring rate won't change so the ride,and brake dive will be the same.It goes between the coilover and the shock tower on the frame.
Looks like this....
The other goes on top of the spring within the coilover assembly and the spring needs to be compressed. They increase the spring rate a little and make for a firmer ride and less brake dive . Not that much but firmer. I would NOT use a hand spring compressor,like I did, on truck springs as they are real firm with tight winds. For safety,take the coilovers out and to a shop with a wall spring compressor.
They look like this...
The first one,the top plate is much easier , especially on the limited where it's alot harder to take the coilover out since it is attached with a hydraulic line.
You will need a alignment with any lift as the especially the camber will be off and the tires will wear on the outside. I'd wait a week or so for it to settle.
Some people put both on to get more spacer lift in the front and then a spacer in the back. Cheapest 3/2 but doesn't even compare in ride quality to aftermarket coilovers like the Ultimates,OW's or Icons. A case of you get what you pay for.
IsItMe's shop said it wouldn't work on his Limited,he pm'd me and I explained how to do it and they put them on for him today.Most shops are scared of the X-reas suspension and don't want the responsabilty.If you disconnect the hydraulic lines at the wrong place ,they are trashed and very expensive to replace. Don't know how much they charged him.For a shop to charge $450 to put on top plate spacers or any spacers for that matter is a rip off.It should take a reputable shop less then an hour for top plate spacers.
Hi Harper7
Please show us how to install the spacers to x-reas.....I think many of us (limited guys) want to know :thumb3:
shearerman320
New member
Toyo Tec Top Spacer
So I had my car at my local 4x4 store to have the top plate spacer kit installed on my limited and when they got it apart the spring still needs to be compressed to get the old bolts out were they doing something wrong. If the spring needs compressed anyway should I just buy the bigger leveling kit. Please help
Photo with the ball joint taken off and the suspension lowered
So I had my car at my local 4x4 store to have the top plate spacer kit installed on my limited and when they got it apart the spring still needs to be compressed to get the old bolts out were they doing something wrong. If the spring needs compressed anyway should I just buy the bigger leveling kit. Please help
Photo with the ball joint taken off and the suspension lowered
harper7
Senior Member
The stock bolts would be way too long to fit into the plate. Go out and look at yours and I'd bet the 3 oem studs are what's holding it on to the shock tower and the 3 that came with the spacer were never used .
I went and dug my old X-Reas shocks out of my shed in back to take a look. You are correct that the spring would have to be compressed to get them 3 oem studs out and put the 3 longer ones in.
The 3 oem ones are very long and probably long enough to use with the spacer and not use the 3 that came with the spacer. As a rule of thumb ,you should have at least 1 thread seen or even after the nuts are tightened down.
Either that or compress the spring to change them as as you said might as well use the other spacer for that.
These X-Reas shocks put alot of scare into shops because they don't understand how they work and heard nightmares of opening the lines at the wrong places. I too was scared and compressed them on the truck. Now that I know how they work it's no big deal really.
So if you put all 4 wheels in the air,so there is no pressure on the shocks,they can be disconnected at the check valves and removed. Once they are removed a regular wall spring compressor can be used and treated like any other Coil Over to install the spacers
Here are some pics of my X-Reas coilover I took off and you can plainly see where to disconnect where the bracket is on the frame.
X-Reas front coilover with Toytec spacer painted black. You can see how long the studs are and that there is no way to replace them with longer ones without compressing the spring.
X-reas line and bracket... the check valve is on the bracket.
Close-up of the check valve-the other line when attached pushes the check valve in so fluid can flow.
harper7
Senior Member
Nice workbench you got there Harper!
Did it come with the full plastic tool set too?
lol! Lost the tools a couple of years ago .Swingset too! I had to ditch it last spring as I got too big. Not too old ,just too big mind you!
My youngest is 12 so now I use it to paint stuff on, out in the back yard:nerd:
Will733
New member
haha... I guess I was just expecting some Mega-Workbench from you considering all the mod's you've done.
shearerman320
New member
So I guess that kind of limits me to having this done at my Stealership for 500 bucks if i have it done. My current shop refuses to touch the Xreas and I don't blame them. I don't think any of these chain type places or local garages will be able to handle it either.
Brian LSU how did they install your kit was it just like harper7 said and they used the original bolts
Brian LSU how did they install your kit was it just like harper7 said and they used the original bolts
ThirdToy
New member
Any word Brian LSU? This is exactly where I am at too. Deciding which way to level the '11 Limited...
4x4 shop in this area told me not to put in leveling kit
Went to a 4x4 shop here on long island to ask about having my 2010 SR5 4Runners front leveled (Hate the 2" lower in front look). I had planned on using the Bilsteins 5100 adjustable shocks with my stock coils in the front and leaving the rear stock. I just want to level the front to the rear. My front is exactly 2" lower than the rear.
But I was told by the shop (that's been in business for many years) not to do it with either spacers or Bilstein adjustable shocks because it would preload the springs and cause problems down the road with ball joints, tie rods,steering etc. This shop just does 4 wheel drive work and had trucks in the shop with up to 6" lifts and does the lifts for new car dealerships. He said you have to go to at least a 4" lift where all the components come with the kit to drop all the necessary things that have to be changed (sway bar, differential, UCA's etc).
What's up with his advice and everybody on this forum that has leveled their 2010 4Runners? I don't want major problems down the road but I hate the Rake on my truck. By the way he also said not to use the front Top Spacers for leveling as this will cause all the same problems!
Please tell me your opinions.
Thanks:bash:
Went to a 4x4 shop here on long island to ask about having my 2010 SR5 4Runners front leveled (Hate the 2" lower in front look). I had planned on using the Bilsteins 5100 adjustable shocks with my stock coils in the front and leaving the rear stock. I just want to level the front to the rear. My front is exactly 2" lower than the rear.
But I was told by the shop (that's been in business for many years) not to do it with either spacers or Bilstein adjustable shocks because it would preload the springs and cause problems down the road with ball joints, tie rods,steering etc. This shop just does 4 wheel drive work and had trucks in the shop with up to 6" lifts and does the lifts for new car dealerships. He said you have to go to at least a 4" lift where all the components come with the kit to drop all the necessary things that have to be changed (sway bar, differential, UCA's etc).
What's up with his advice and everybody on this forum that has leveled their 2010 4Runners? I don't want major problems down the road but I hate the Rake on my truck. By the way he also said not to use the front Top Spacers for leveling as this will cause all the same problems!
Please tell me your opinions.
Thanks:bash:
