Lift myself or pay a shop to do it???

[4route]

for those with air suspension, we've been making 2" or 2.5" front lift because then apparently the rear levels itself out ... that's the best way we've found so far .... everyone who has bought that kit from us has said it works how they hoped, so, i think a front lift of 2 - 2.5" is best for those with the air suspension, for sure.

as far as the revtek brake relocation parts, i got them with my hit, but didn't install them, and most people i know of didn't use those parts either.

 

[AK602]

what does this 2 to 2.5 lift cost? (parts) I can handle the install.

 

[4route]

I've been asked not to talk about it here, but I do encourage you to find a 2.5" front lift of some sort if you can, because that should allow you to level out your truck and have the rear level itself out in accordance.

 

[AK602]

ok i will have to look into it, as soon as i install my signal mirrors.
any clue where to look, a link maybe.......lol

 

[4route]

Sorry, that's just how it happens in the witness protection program.

 

[Faeylyn]

ok i will have to look into it, as soon as i install my signal mirrors.
any clue where to look, a link maybe.......lol

You should be able to get either the Revtek or Daystar kit and only use the front spacers. And keep the rest of the kit for paper weights or try to sell it on ebay. The Revtek kit comes with rear shocks, so you should probably be able to sell those at least. Nitrous Enterprises (www.nitrousenterprises.com) seems willing to sell custom kits, so you might want to write to them and see if they can hook you up. Check their website.

 

[boston_kevin]

what's the new overall height of the rig?

Now that you have it lifted, does it still fit in the garage or the parking garage? I would love to lift mine, but I like parking it in the garage when it gets really cold outside... I hate scraping windshields on lifted trucks in the cold

 

[schneidermj]

AK - I don't have the air suspension so I can't offer much advice. NE appears to be your best bet as they will customize the spacers and it will cost about a third compared to Revtek or Daystar. If you can find the right kit to lift it, go for it. It is by far the best thing I have done for the 4Runner to improve the look and handling.

Boston - As Doodz mentioned, just subtract 3"s from your current clearance. I thought it may be an issue as well seeing how I have a basket on top. Not much change. The Revtek 3" lift and 265/70-17's have a nice clean appearance. After lifting the truck you don't notice much of a change (appearance) until you get in/out the truck and see it parked next to other vehicles-especially a stock 4Runner. Then you find yourself saying, "oh yeah!". My wife didn't notice anything different when getting in (standing on the curb). When she got out she slid off the seat and stumbled forward (5'4"). She then took a second look at the clearance. I got a good laugh out of it.

 

[4route]

i'm letting my truck rest in the garage for the first freeze because after that, i'll be installing my 4.5" (instead of the 4" one i have now) lift and won't be able to fit in the garage because of the roof rack i have!

but for the most part, if you aren't using a yakima/thule/etc. rack up there, you'll have plenty of clearance for most garages!

right after i did my first lift (3") and didn't use the brake line parts provided by revtek, i wheeled my truck hard a couple times as well and never have had any problems. there is a good amount of slack in the lines ... far more than one would expect. Anthony has 5" of lift and still hasn't had to extend or relocate his brake lines .. and he'll be installing his body lift in the next week or so. (i just wanted to mention that because it's exciting and going to look really good on his truck!)

 

[schneidermj]

4route,

The directions were clear as mud on how to go about installing the brake line extender, so I had Toyota do it while they were doing the alignment. I was feeling tired and lazy after spending the previous 2 nights under the truck. I'm going to take another look tonight as I'm anal about those kind of things. It's one of the reasons why I went with Revtek (3"s was enough and brake line extension). Error on the cautious side...

 

[4route]

if you have time, could you maybe snap a picture or two so we can see how those parts were supposed to go on?

 

[schneidermj]

4route and Doodz,

I took a look at the brake line extension last night (no pictures yet). I can't imagine going wheeling without the extension. Even with the extension I would like another inch or 2 of brake line. It shouldn't take no more than 5-10 minutes to install.

Brake extension location: look between the rear axle and the gas tank. There's a round tubular bar running accross the bottom of the body. You'll see 2 thick tubes (size of your finger) with metal fastners connected to a bracket-that's it! Remove the screw (holding the bracket) and replace with the extension in this order: new longer screw, bracket, 2 spacers, and washer. Put some locktight on it and torque to specs. It doesn't look like much, but once it's assembled and installed it's solid. I'll try to get a picture out next week sometime.

 

[schneidermj]

Doodz...that is correct. You're just moving the bracket. No bleeding the brakes or anything like that. I'll get some pic's posted sometime next week, but if you follow my previous post you'll see what I'm talking about. Simple mod...good insurance.

I was able to get out for a little bit last night. I'm loving the feel of the new suspension. It's much more responsive and the added 3 inches clearance helps so much. I dropped down a decline (30 degrees) that had a 3' step at the top. The suspension sucked it up nicely and nothing rubbed on the bottom. When coming out of the valley I found a steeper hill (35 degrees) with loose dirt and another 3' step at the top. A friend advised me not to attempt it (he has a highly modified Jeep). I gave it a go and climbed up and over the step with no wheel spin and a tire in the air. Other than a little pucker factor and the feeling of blasting off to the moon, it was a piece of cake. The new suspension and climbing ability is simply amazing. We're going out tomorrow for a full day of wheeling.

 

[4route]

guys, while you should feel free to do this brake line relocating thing, you should also know that it isn't imperative. Anthony and I both just got under our trucks and with my 3" of rear lift I have a great deal of slack in both lines, and Anthony with his 5+" even has slack. we have both wheeled our trucks hard and haven't had any problems. the lines come down near the center of the rear axle, and when you are articulating off road, you will be doing so on the outer extremities of the axle, not the center. so the lines do not change that much, other than when the axle is at full droop.

i'm not trying to discourage doing this mod or adding the relocation/extension parts, i'm just saying that if you don't have these parts already, it is not a life or death thing. Anthony is going to post some pics later this evening probably, too.

 

[schneidermj]

Trip went well. I didn't need a spotter on obstacles I could barely do before with a spotter. Although I did try the more difficult lines this time around, I never bottomed out except in an extreme situation. Coming over a steep boulder I had my right tire in the air a good 3 feet. If it wasn't for the stiffer suspension (right tire coming down) I wouldn't have my right running board anymore. This was one of several "wheel off ground" moments for the day.

I flexed the suspension everyway it would go. No spacers laying on the ground . I couldn't be happier with the overall kit. No out of the ordinary sounds when driving it hard. The stiffer suspension has helped tremendoulsy on and off road.

As for the brake line extension, as 4route has indicated, she may have plenty of brake line to address the potential problem/issue. When looking at my brake lines, I felt it was a much needed mod that gives me piece of mind when my rear axles are being fully extended.

I'll post some pics when they're available. As for everyone who chimed in on my thread...THANK YOU!!!

 

[MAC4Runner]

How are your 265/70-17 Nitto Terra Grapplers working out?

 

[schneidermj]

I'm loving them! I initially was going for the BFG AT/KO's, but told them to buzz off as they were wanting $185 for a tire. With trade in and sale I was able to get the Nittos for $95 at Discount Tire. They have worked really well in mud, snow, and ice. They have bead protection and a good "lugy" design. Very little road noise from an AT. The BFGs, I believe, have 3 ply sidewall where-as the Nittos are 2 ply. Get the road hazard/replacement warranty to protect yourself from a blown tire. If you catch a sharp rock or knife in the sidewall, Discount Tire will give you a new one free of charge. I have gone everywhere my friend has with BFG Muds. I'm very happy with the Nittos.

Nitto web site gives you an idea of what the tire looks like, but in person they look much better.

 

[4route]

i'm installing my 3.5" spacers in the rear, and decided to dig through all my stuff to find the brake mount extension ... i found the parts, installed them, and now definitely agree that it's beneficiary to do that. not necessary, but definitely gives a little more peace of mind.

now ... if i could just get the @#($)@(#$ spacers in.

 

[schneidermj]

Post some pics if you can. Others would appreciate it. I haven't had the chance as of late. The wife and I just drove back from ND yesterday testing every bit of the VSC and traction control. Ice and drifting snow for 13 hours of driving. Fun...

 

[4route]

i'll try to get some soon.

glad you're out there having fun though!