Lift kit won't work

[Captain Can]

I have a 2004 limited with the x-reas suspension and dropped my truck off the other day to get a lift kit installed. 2.5" spacers in the front with 1.25" spacers in the back. Did some research first to make sure it all fit with the x-reas and it did. Anyways, I got a call from the guys installing it saying it won't fit, that theres some kind of air bag in the way. I don't know much when it comes to suspension but I'm assuming this is because I have option for raising and lowering the back and the air bag is needed for that. So they say they can't do it, and their supplier says no as well. Good news is at least I didn't have to pay. Does anyone else have the same suspension system and how have you gotten around this?

I'd really like to raise/level my runner, anyone have any suggestions as to what I should go for?

 

[paraordnance]

I have a 2004 limited with the x-reas suspension and dropped my truck off the other day to get a lift kit installed. 2.5" spacers in the front with 1.25" spacers in the back. Did some research first to make sure it all fit with the x-reas and it did. Anyways, I got a call from the guys installing it saying it won't fit, that theres some kind of air bag in the way. I don't know much when it comes to suspension but I'm assuming this is because I have option for raising and lowering the back and the air bag is needed for that. So they say they can't do it, and their supplier says no as well. Good news is at least I didn't have to pay. Does anyone else have the same suspension system and how have you gotten around this?

I'd really like to raise/level my runner, anyone have any suggestions as to what I should go for?

yes, you have rear air self leveling suspension and it needs to come out if you want to do a lift. Front spacers will still work but rear no way, that airbag has to come out. I have it too :redbrick: and its nothing but pain in da ass. There is 3 options. 1) Leave it as is 2) Raise front with spacers 3) Pull the whole thing out, xreas & air bags and with some minor manufacturing work install OME lift kit or Toytec Ultimate whichever you prefer. Option 3 requires some modifications to seating place for rear coils (to prevent them from spinning). Its possible and couple people here done it. Do a search here and on toyota120 and you will find threads discussing this topic.
As soon as my xreas fails ($$$$ to replace) or when one of self leveling sensors dies ($$$$ to replace) I will be pulling both of them out and getting OME 3" lift kit instead.

 

[Captain Can]

These are the options I was kinda expecting. Which one would you prefer, OME or the toytech? I'm not the one doing this so this needs to be doable for the shop that I'm bringing it too. Thanks for the help!

 

[paraordnance]

These are the options I was kinda expecting. Which one would you prefer, OME or the toytech? I'm not the one doing this so this needs to be doable for the shop that I'm bringing it too. Thanks for the help!

OME is like $800 and Ultimate 3" more like $1200. If money is not object I would definatelly go for Ultimate 3". I could have done this lift myself but to modify rear axle for rear coil springs I uderstand there is some welding/cutting required for some sort of clamp, if you find that thread (search for "lifting rear air") there is a couple of guys from the Ontario who done it, PM them and they will explain you whats need to be done, then just pass those instructions to the shop. Should be easy.

 

[pittpanthers]

How would you know if you have the rear air self leveling suspension? Is it a standard on limiteds? cause im looking to get a lift installed later this week...

 

[paraordnance]

How would you know if you have the rear air self leveling suspension? Is it a standard on limiteds? cause im looking to get a lift installed later this week...

Rear air is an option (useless in my opinion), and not only Limiteds I believe have it. Look under a truck at the rear axle and instead of spring coils there is mineature airbags just like on big rigs semis. Or see inside if you have button on center console to raise/lower vehicle. This picture dosent show it (two buttons blank), if yours is same, you dont have rear air which is most likely because its hard not to notice it, its constantly adjusting itself with little audiable psssssssssttt once in a while when I jump out of truck.

 

[ToyTech99]

Why not just get a set of small spacers for the front suspension only? Something to lift the front one inch or maybe an inch and a half at most. Then you'll have a better look (no more nose down in the weeds) and more ground clearance under the front end.

 

[chaz]

yup, i second the front spacer suggestion. just get 1 & 1/2 - 2 in. front only lift. youll still have a rake. unless of course you dont mind spending more cabbage.

 

[Captain Can]

I may just go for a small spacer for the front. It'll be cheaper too, which doesn't hurt. How big of a tire do you guys think I could fit with just a small front spacer with minimal rubbing?

 

[ToyTech99]

I may just go for a small spacer for the front. It'll be cheaper too, which doesn't hurt. How big of a tire do you guys think I could fit with just a small front spacer with minimal rubbing?

A lot of guys go with a 1" leveling lift and 265/70/17 tires. That looks pretty good, even though the tires are only a little bigger than the OEM tires.

 

[chaz]

this is with my front adj. coilovers set for 2in. lift, it measures 36 from ground to wheel well, i have airlift 1000 rear bags & filled all the way put the rear measurement at 37. thats on the passenger side like the photo, so this should give you some idea of the how high a front only lift you can do & still maintain a rake. the tires are 265/70/17, about 32in. & i still had to move the inner plastic fender forward.

 

[chaz]

front wheel is slightly turned, but you get the idea, any more agressive , larger, or MT tire might even need more trimming.

 

[Captain Can]

So if I go the front spacer rout, then I'm not gaining much more clearence, but saving money. If I go for the OME or Toytec, then I'm getting more clearence, but spending more. Well, sounds like I've got a decision to make. Going hunting this week, so I'll have lots of time to decide. If I get stuck, then I'll lean towards getting more clearence. If everything goes well, then maybe I don't need much more clearence and will just go with the spacer. I'll let the truck and woods decide.

Which front spacer should I go for?

 

[J.A.]

So if I go the front spacer rout, then I'm not gaining much more clearence, but saving money. If I go for the OME or Toytec, then I'm getting more clearence, but spending more. Well, sounds like I've got a decision to make. Going hunting this week, so I'll have lots of time to decide. If I get stuck, then I'll lean towards getting more clearence. If everything goes well, then maybe I don't need much more clearence and will just go with the spacer. I'll let the truck and woods decide.

Which front spacer should I go for?

Clearance where? If you go with a spacer up front you might actually have more clearance than OME. My DS kit gave 3.0" lift up front and if you want that much lift from OME you are going to need their most stiffest springs or use them in combination with a spacer.

 

[Captain Can]

I'd probably go for the toytec 3" lift rather then the OME. It depends on how much they charge me for install. I don't have the knowledge or the tools to do it myself. I just have to call and get some prices before I make any decisions.

Thanks a lot for all the info guys!