OME Lift installed - 02 install

[djbrand1]

Finally got to installing the OME lift kit I got from Toytec. It was a long afternoon putting this on outside in 90 degree heat. Took me about 5 and half hours.:violin: Front left shock took about 2 hours. Got the stock one out quickly, getting the bottom shock bolt back in on the new one was not possible. We had to take the 4 bolts that hold the knuckle to the lower a-arm. The bottom bolt wouldn't clear the cv joint by about 1/4 of an inch. The passenger side took about 15 minutes, the lower shock bolt slipped right in. Did it the same way each side, not sure how we got lucky on the passenger side. A pry bar here is pretty helpful to get the swaybars endlinks off as well. For the rears, the hardest part was getting the shocks out. Wedged a wrench on the top bolt and used some vice grips to twist the shock out. This rendered the old shocks useless, as they were pretty crushed by time they were out. New ones went in easily. For the springs I just left a tire on the opposite side and jacked it up to drop the side I was working on enough that the springs came out and went in easily. Diff drop was pretty straightforward. Luckily, I had access to a lift for this, but I see no reason why you couldn't do it on jackstands. It did give me an opportunity to change the oil and lube the drive shafts. Heres the pics!
Before:

During:

Diff Drop:

After:

 

[yc4runner]

Looking good!

What kind of skid plate is that

 

[blcktpgsr]

looking good indeed...what size tires are you upgrading to?

 

[runrunner]

Looks nice.

Doesnt appear you went with the topout spacers, but installed a trim packer (at least on the drivers side). I assume thats why the drivers one is labeled? Makes me wonder about mine as I was told they were both the same regardless of what side they went on .

And if I dont say it someone else will. Pull the running boards.

 

[djbrand1]

Looking good!

What kind of skid plate is that

Skid plate is the stock one that came on the Sport Editions. I think it's sourced from the Taco.

I was planning on just going with some 265-75-16's, but the tires that are on there now are still fairly new. They dont look as wimpy as I thought, so I'll probably just wear these out then go bigger.

I was debating on pulling the running boards, but after my last wheeling adventure, they kept a lot of low brush and branches from smacking the side of the truck. So probably going to keep them on for now.

 

[djbrand1]

Doesnt appear you went with the topout spacers, but installed a trim packer (at least on the drivers side). I assume thats why the drivers one is labeled? Makes me wonder about mine as I was told they were both the same regardless of what side they went on .

I didn't order the toppers with the kit. I was told the spring rate is slightly different for the drivers side, hence the label. Side by side they looked pretty much identical.

 

[bigtimeweb]

what a difference!

 

[djbrand1]

what a difference!

Thanks, yeah it does look much better now.

Next on the list is some wheel spacers and possibly painting the wheels black.

It rides pretty stiff, but it does ride better then the old shocks with 120k miles on them. Bumps are nicely absorbed with the new setup. Mine setup has the sport shocks all around. Many people say the comfort shocks help out in the back to soften the ride up a bit, but I am ok with the ride.

 

[xskydivingdudex]

nice job on the lift dude! reminds me of wat my 4runner used to look like...

 

[bigtimeweb]

We three last posters are triplets. We should caravan somewhere and freak people out

 

[djbrand1]

We three last posters are triplets. We should caravan somewhere and freak people out

Haha, might be alittle easier for you two, being in TX already. I got quite a drive being in PA.

 

[xskydivingdudex]

lol ya thats funny that us three that posted have the same color 4runners...

 

[Buetang.]

I was thinking of this lift myself, b/c of cost+value - I've been doing as much reading as possible... some places warn of this kit being for the Toyota Prado, bla bla bla - and saying it'll cause too much rake in the rear (6"+ lift) and little to no lift in the front... Your picture seems like its pretty damn level.

Its hard to tell in your side shot, but from the picture... your install looks like a pretty even lift front and rear.. am I seeing that right?

Would like to see more pictures of yours for sure to help me w/my decision.

 

[2000runr]

dont hesitate. i did a similar setup (906's in rear) and the difference is amazing. levelled, rides SO MUCH BETTER, worth every penny.

 

[Buetang.]

dont hesitate. i did a similar setup (906's in rear) and the difference is amazing. levelled, rides SO MUCH BETTER, worth every penny.

Cool - pretty sure I'm going to order it regardless.. Just don't want to deal w/the headache of removing everything to correct a noticeably un-leveled ride.

I'm wondering (since I'm ordering the whole kit anyway) If I should go ahead and get it w/the front spacers? My plans are for an ARB or (other) heavy bumper.. other than that just some rockers. (sorry for the thread jack OP) hope you don't mind me piggy backing on you for further info.

 

[Mauzer]

Cool - pretty sure I'm going to order it regardless.. Just don't want to deal w/the headache of removing everything to correct a noticeably un-leveled ride.

I'm wondering (since I'm ordering the whole kit anyway) If I should go ahead and get it w/the front spacers? My plans are for an ARB or (other) heavy bumper.. other than that just some rockers. (sorry for the thread jack OP) hope you don't mind me piggy backing on you for further info.

If your putting an ARB in front you'll want to get the 882's or 883's

Some info: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/59175-ome-882-vs-883-a.html

 

[brian2sun]

I was thinking of this lift myself, b/c of cost+value - I've been doing as much reading as possible... some places warn of this kit being for the Toyota Prado, bla bla bla - and saying it'll cause too much rake in the rear (6"+ lift) and little to no lift in the front... Your picture seems like its pretty damn level.

Its hard to tell in your side shot, but from the picture... your install looks like a pretty even lift front and rear.. am I seeing that right?

Would like to see more pictures of yours for sure to help me w/my decision.

OME coils give 2-3" of lift depending on which ones you choose, but none give 6". You must be thinking of Landcruiser coils.

Cool - pretty sure I'm going to order it regardless.. Just don't want to deal w/the headache of removing everything to correct a noticeably un-leveled ride.

I'm wondering (since I'm ordering the whole kit anyway) If I should go ahead and get it w/the front spacers? My plans are for an ARB or (other) heavy bumper.. other than that just some rockers. (sorry for the thread jack OP) hope you don't mind me piggy backing on you for further info.

OME kits ride level (no more than .5-1" of rake) unless you mismatch springs - like 891s in the rear with 880s in the front or something. If you know you're going to get a bumper like an ARB, get 883s with no spacers. With the weight of the bumper, you still get 2.5"+ of lift. For the rear, 890s will give you ~3", 891s will be just a little over 3".

The general consensus is that 883s are less prone to sagging than the 882s and I agree. The 882s will start out ~.25-.5" higher than the 883s, but over time they tend to sag and end up .25-.5" lower after a year or so. I'm very happy with my 883s.

882s and 883s w/ no spacers sit at right about the same height as 881s w/ spacers.

 

[Buetang.]

Yeah, I've read so much between Sa****ay and today.. . no telling what I might've gotten mixed up.

Regardless - major thanks to everyone for the info.

So I don't clutter up the OPs thread anymore, I'll move on and look @ pictures

 

[SoCal]

Your runner is looking good. It must be nice to have access to a lift when working on it. I'm about to install my lift in the next couple of weeks and am trying to bum some old floor jacks off some friends.

 

[giguchan]

thats looks great! best of luck with it. If i was Not still in the market for a sequioa i'd lift mine!