Non-spring-compressor-required leveling kit?

[gr8hifi]

I know that lift questions have been asked a million times. I've been reading through these <excellent> forums for the past 3 hours and have gathered all the knowledge i can about leveling out my '05 sport. I've ran in to some trouble though. I really like the simplicity of the Daystar kit, but, I dont think I really want to raise mine that high front and rear. The front only is still 2.5" (3" for some apparently). I think i'd prefer something closer to the 1.25-1.75 range. Trouble is, i can't find a kit that does NOT require spring compressors that offers this level of lift. I feel I've given it the old college try but have come up empty handed.. so, I'm resorting to the NOOB post. Thank you for any help you can provide... and all of your pictures of your rides are freaking AWESOME!

Jason

 

[jlmilligan]

Burtman Industries makes a 2/1 kit. Or you can just buy the front. Any spacer can be installed without a spring compressor. I did my own and I did not use a compressor. Some one on Toyota120.com did a great write up on how to do it. I will see if i can find it.

 

[gr8hifi]

Thanks jlmilligan... Thought that all of the topout spacers required compressing the springs in order to install longer studs whereas the DS kit had the stud extensions. I'll poke around the Toyota120.com site too.

Jason

 

[Jed]

Keep in mind that the size of the spacer you install is half of the overall amount of lift that you'll get. In other words, a spacer 1/2" thick will give you 1" of lift. If you're looking for a more level look, get yourself either a 1/2" spacer or a 5/8" spacer. You'll end up with a more level look, but the back will still be slightly higher than the front with either of those two spacer choices. Most guys (myself included) prefer to keep some of the factory rake, otherwise the back end will look like it is sagging if you have any load in the cargo area or if you're towing even a relatively light trailer. I went with the 1/2" spacer on mine and I love the look. No more squashed down look to the front end.

BTW, you'll need to compress the springs no matter which option you choose. But it's really not a big deal. You can "rent" a set of basic spring compressors for free from your local Autozone store.

 

[gr8hifi]

compressing the springs make me nervous due to the XREAS (sp?) system. I want to be as cautious as possible with regards to that expensive system. Seems like the daystar 2.5/1.5 can be installed without a lot of effect on the XREAS. But, after looking at toyota120.com (OME Install - no spring compressor - Toyota 120 Platforms Forum), this person did his shocks without using compressors. I could see putting the spacers in using his method while not completely removing the strut from the vehicle. It's a tough call. I think you're right though, I feel the 5/8" would be my first choice.. who knows, wifey said a lifted 4runner "might be cool"...so, perhaps the Daystars are in my future after all : )

 

[Jed]

compressing the springs make me nervous due to the XREAS (sp?) system. I want to be as cautious as possible with regards to that expensive system. Seems like the daystar 2.5/1.5 can be installed without a lot of effect on the XREAS. But, after looking at toyota120.com (OME Install - no spring compressor - Toyota 120 Platforms Forum), this person did his shocks without using compressors. I could see putting the spacers in using his method while not completely removing the strut from the vehicle. It's a tough call. I think you're right though, I feel the 5/8" would be my first choice.. who knows, wifey said a lifted 4runner "might be cool"...so, perhaps the Daystars are in my future after all : )

It shouldn't make you nervous at all. Compressing the springs has no effect on XREAS. You only need to compress the springs so that you can disassemble the top plate and install the spacer. I did it and I have XREAS. The only worry you'll have is to avoid pulling too hard on the hydraulic line when you remove the XREAS shocks. There's not too much room to move them around, but it can be done quite easily. You just have to rest the shocks on something while you work on the installing the spacers. It sounds like it's difficult, but it's really not.

 

[Maz]

BTW, you'll need to compress the springs no matter which option you choose. But it's really not a big deal. You can "rent" a set of basic spring compressors for free from your local Autozone store.

Huh?? Corn Fed, Day Star, and Toytec all sell spacer lifts the do not require the springs to be compressed.

 

[Jed]

Huh?? Corn Fed, Day Star, and Toytec all sell spacer lifts the do not require the springs to be compressed.

Okay, if you say so.

I would have had a hell of a time squeezing my spacer on top of the spring without compressing it first. Even Hercules couldn't have pulled that off.

 

[bulldogtaxi]

You should get a top spacer and not a preload spacer. Some are made to go between the spring and top plate and some go above the top plate between it and the mount.

 

[gr8hifi]

A top plate space is what I am after. Top plate spacers all seem to require longer studs. DayStar is the only company I've seen that uses stud extensions eliminating the need to compress the springs to remove old studs and install new ones. I have read and read and read and have not seen ANY other company that provides provisions to lift the truck without compressing the springs. Only Daystar and only with their 2.5/1.5 kit... but, I'd LOVE to be corrected...

thanks for the help everybody,
Jason

 

[Maz]

Okay, if you say so.

I would have had a hell of a time squeezing my spacer on top of the spring without compressing it first. Even Hercules couldn't have pulled that off.

Geez, Louise first you tell 4Runner owners they can turn their ignition key to start even if their engine is already running, with no problem. Except that thousands of 1st, 2nd, and 3rd generation 4Runner owners can't do that without grinding away on their starter. Now you insist someone who's looking to lift their Runner must compress their springs, which hasn't been true for a couple of years.

::wtf:

 

[Jed]

Geez, Louise first you tell 4Runner owners they can turn their ignition key to start even if their engine is already running, with no problem. Except that thousands of 1st, 2nd, and 3rd generation 4Runner owners can't do that without grinding away on their starter.
::wtf:

Um, no...wrong again. I was replying to a 4th gen owner when I said that. That's 3-0, you lose again. Thanks for playing!

 

[Maz]

DayStar is the only company I've seen that uses stud extensions eliminating the need to compress the springs to remove old studs and install new ones. I have read and read and read and have not seen ANY other company that provides provisions to lift the truck without compressing the springs. Only Daystar and only with their 2.5/1.5 kit... but, I'd LOVE to be corrected...

thanks for the help everybody,
Jason

Jason If you check with Burtman he can fill you in on the Corn Fed options that won't require you compress your springs. I called the Toytec people (who were very professional and helpful) about their Ultimate package. During the conversation they also told me about their spacer option which is just what you're asking about, and also doesn't require any compression work.

 

[Jed]

Jason If you check with Burtman he can fill you in on the Corn Fed options that won't require you compress your springs. I called the Toytec people (who were very professional and helpful) about their Ultimate package. During the conversation they also told me about their spacer option which is just what you're asking about, and also doesn't require any compression work.

Maz, you really need to learn about pre-load and top-out spacers. Then you can talk intelligently about small front leveling lifts that use spacers.

Hey, I'm a medical school dropout just like you.....oh yeah, you never did go to medical school, did you? But you're a self-proclaimed "intelligent person", so I'm sure you can figure this spacer lift stuff to some extent.

BTW, what kind of lift do you have on your 4Runner?

 

[Maz]

Maz, you really need to learn about pre-load and top-out spacers. Then you can talk intelligently about small front leveling lifts that use spacers.

Hey, I'm a medical school dropout just like you.....oh yeah, you never did go to medical school, did you? But you're a self-proclaimed "intelligent person", so I'm sure you can figure this spacer lift stuff to some extent.

BTW, what kind of lift do you have on your 4Runner?

I do know the difference between pre load and top out spacers. One requires the springs compressed and the other doesn't. I also know virtually no one buys the pre load style spacer lift kits anymore. Obviously you don't know that since you gave gr8hifi flat out wrong advice "BTW you'll need to compress the springs no matter which option you choose."

We now return you to Jed's nonsense rambling about med school. On the other since he thinks you have to compress your springs no matter what option you choose on a spacer lift, maybe he also thinks doctors install them.

 

[Jed]

I do know the difference between pre load and top out spacers. One requires the springs compressed and the other doesn't. I also know virtually no one buys the pre load style spacer lift kits anymore. Obviously you don't know that since you gave gr8hifi flat out wrong advice "BTW you'll need to compress the springs no matter which option you choose."

We now return you to Jed's nonsense rambling about med school. On the other since he thinks you have to compress your springs no matter what option you choose on a spacer lift, maybe he also thinks doctors install them.

LOL, you have no idea what you're talking about. You're not even worth getting into further debate on this. Sorry, but you're really starting to bore me Maz.

Oh, BTW, the advice I gave him was correct. I was talking about the 1/2" and 5/8" spacers. And yes, you do have to compress the spring with either of those options. But again, you obviously have reading comprehension problems. Were you ever really a candidate for medical school? If that's true, then we can only thank God that you never made it. I'd hate to see a doctor who has trouble comprehending basic English at an 8th grade level.

 

[gr8hifi]

whoa. I sure didn't mean to start up any kind of fisticuffs action on here. I have sent burtman industries an email requesting assistance. I've heard great things about that company so I will be sure to let you all know what response I get. Thanks again for the help.

Jason

 

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

Just a tad bit off topic.
gr8hifi, I suggest sending a PM to Toytec Lifts. He is a member here, and an employee for Toytec. He should be able to answer any questions you may have, and also provide you with a code for a discount since you're a member here. All I know is that my 1/2" Toytec topout spacer came with instructions that said I'd need the spring compressor. Whether or not you *could* do it without, I'm not sure. However, using the spring compressor isn't really a big deal, and you'd be better off with a kit that include the new bolts vs. just extensions.

 

[gr8hifi]

I sent him a message. Thanks for the tip on the "coupon code". Again, will respond here once I get responses back from each company.

 

[chaz]

just in case anyone is interested, heres 2 links to the daystar topout spacer install where extensions go onto the strut bolts so a spring compresser is not needed. check what cybercannon has to say. Daystar design change caught me by surprise - Toyota 120 Platforms Forum http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/38024-daystar-design-changes.html?perpage=15&pagenumber=1