Quick question about Daystar 2.5/2

[GoldenRage]

I just purchased mine from wheelers offroad about a week ago. it was 165 shipped I think. Just go with the 2.5", it really doesn't look that odd, actually I don't think anyone would notice. I have the old version btw, so they must still be in stock.

Thanks for you input and thanks for everyone too .............
I'm just going to order the Daystar 2.5 lift and hopefully have it installed within the next two months - my friend, a mechanic, is going to assist me when he's free.

Once again thank you all, this forum is the best - with everyone's input

 

[SonRunner]

Thanks for you input and thanks for everyone too .............
I'm just going to order the Daystar 2.5 lift and hopefully have it installed within the next two months - my friend, a mechanic, is going to assist me when he's free.

Once again thank you all, this forum is the best - with everyone's input

Cool. You definitely won't regret it. It makes the truck a whole lot more capable.

 

[RedKnuckles]

Have It Your Way

I spoke with a rep from Wheeler's yesterday in regard to leveling my 08 Urban Runner while leaving the rear at stock height. He actually called me to confirm that I wanted the top out 1.25" spacer, instead of the preload 1.25" spacer. I asked him about a specific DS kit number during our conversation, and he stated that he couldn't confirm a DS number because they order in bulk. The point being, at this juncture, Wheeler's has either type spacer you want to buy. They apparently buy components and assemble their own kits.

I wish I had noted the gentleman's name who called me, because he was very eager to please and deserves recognition. He actually called me back a second time to clear up a statement that I had made in the previous conversation. I was under the impression, based on reading J.A.'s excellent install guide, that the springs need not be compressed when solely installing a top out spacer. He told me that I will indeed need to compress the springs in order to replace the top studs. That makes sense, but it sure does sound as if it adds significantly to the task at hand. Is there no chance of the three existing top studs being long enough to accommodate a 1.25" top spacer?

 

[SAC-CA-Runner]

I ordered my kit up today(topout and preload kit). Can't beat the price and I like the fact it can be used with XREAS, the rear mounts, and they are black. The guy I spoke with was really cool and I would most certainly do business with them again. I'm going to run these spacers till one of my XREAS shocks goes, then I'll upgrade to coilovers. I don't offroad much so a really nice suspension really isn't needed right now. And if the XREAS never fails...so be it. <shrugging> Now...to just wear out these Dunlops so I can get new meats. I'm thinking I can't get much for them so I might as well wear them out!

 

[SonRunner]

I ordered my kit up today(topout and preload kit). Can't beat the price and I like the fact it can be used with XREAS, the rear mounts, and they are black. The guy I spoke with was really cool and I would most certainly do business with them again. I'm going to run these spacers till one of my XREAS shocks goes, then I'll upgrade to coilovers. I don't offroad much so a really nice suspension really isn't needed right now. And if the XREAS never fails...so be it. <shrugging> Now...to just wear out these Dunlops so I can get new meats. I'm thinking I can't get much for them so I might as well wear them out!

Exactly. The price pretty much makes them the obvious choice.

 

[J.A.]

Re: Have It Your Way

I spoke with a rep from Wheeler's yesterday in regard to leveling my 08 Urban Runner while leaving the rear at stock height. He actually called me to confirm that I wanted the top out 1.25" spacer, instead of the preload 1.25" spacer. I asked him about a specific DS kit number during our conversation, and he stated that he couldn't confirm a DS number because they order in bulk. The point being, at this juncture, Wheeler's has either type spacer you want to buy. They apparently buy components and assemble their own kits.

I wish I had noted the gentleman's name who called me, because he was very eager to please and deserves recognition. He actually called me back a second time to clear up a statement that I had made in the previous conversation. I was under the impression, based on reading J.A.'s excellent install guide, that the springs need not be compressed when solely installing a top out spacer. He told me that I will indeed need to compress the springs in order to replace the top studs. That makes sense, but it sure does sound as if it adds significantly to the task at hand. Is there no chance of the three existing top studs being long enough to accommodate a 1.25" top spacer?

Try double checking with them again, especially since they are being very helpful. Replacement longer studs defeats the purpose of an easy install style kit. I believe the new DS kit comes with stud extensions that screw onto the existing factory studs to legnthen them without the use of a spring compressor.

 

[camit34]

why on the pic on there site it shows the top and bottom spacers for the front?

<img src="http://www.wheelersoffroad.com/fjdstrlift.jpg">

or am i wrong?

This is what I ordered from Wheeler's 2 weeks ago on a saturday night and received it that wednesday afternoon for a grand total of $161 to my door. With my fathers help and tool rental from Auto Zone we installed it in about 5 hours. I have XREAS and it was a pain but well worth it. The ride is a little stiffer then before but not bad at all. I only have a nasty cell phone pic right now but will get a few good ones soon. I am running the stock 265/70/17's and it does look a little "funny" but is not bad until I can get some spacers and wear the tires down some more, just have too much tread left to toss them...

 

[SAC-CA-Runner]

camit34...get us some pics if you could. If it doesn't look TOO dorky then I may just throw mine in now. And how were the directions they provided? Any hints or "don't do this" while installing them kind of thing? I'm sure it's pretty straight forward like any other suspension swap I've done. Just don't tweak the XREAS lines too much, etc.

 

[GoldenRage]

Some pics would be great ........ camit34, ........... thanks

 

[RedKnuckles]

Re: Re: Have It Your Way

Try double checking with them again, especially since they are being very helpful. Replacement longer studs defeats the purpose of an easy install style kit. I believe the new DS kit comes with stud extensions that screw onto the existing factory studs to legnthen them without the use of a spring compressor.

Thank you for the response. Stud extensions sure would make the job much simpler. BTW, your website is awesome. I really appreciate all the work you have put into it.

Although my spacers won't be here until tomorrow, I currently have the left front of my 4R sitting up on a jackstand with the wheel removed. I am simply studying what is taking place inside the wheel well, in an effort to wrap my mind around the task at hand. Darn, I wish I didn't have to replace those top studs..... If I knew where to get them, I would pay $10 each for six threaded top stud extensions!

 

[J.A.]

Re: Re: Re: Have It Your Way

Thank you for the response. Stud extensions sure would make the job much simpler. BTW, your website is awesome. I really appreciate all the work you have put into it.

Although my spacers won't be here until tomorrow, I currently have the left front of my 4R sitting up on a jackstand with the wheel removed. I am simply studying what is taking place inside the wheel well, in an effort to wrap my mind around the task at hand. Darn, I wish I didn't have to replace those top studs..... If I knew where to get them, I would pay $10 each for six threaded top stud extensions!

Daystar makes them and if you dont receive them I would contact them directly.

 

[RedKnuckles]

Live And Learn

Wheeler's ability to provide reduced pricing on this particular kit is partially explained in this single aspect.

According to their website, the pic below depicts what will be delivered in the kit I ordered. Their replacement studs certainly appear different than the newer "easy install" extensons in your pic.

 

[J.A.]

Re: Live And Learn

Wheeler's ability to provide reduced pricing on this particular kit is partially explained in this single aspect.

According to their website, the pic below depicts what will be delivered in the kit I ordered. Their replacement studs certainly appear different than the newer "easy install" extensons in your pic.

Ok, I see what they are doing. You are not getting the newer easy install 2.5" kit. You are getting half the old (topout portion only) kit. Thats ok but only expect 2" of lift and yes, you will need to compress the spring.

 

[RedKnuckles]

No Go

Just sent an email off to Daystar to see if they would sell me the "easy install" stud extensions. I kid you not, I received a phone call from Daystar in less than 2 minutes from the time I sent the email! That is the good news. The bad news is that the 1.25" top out spacer kits that Wheeler's is currently selling are not compatible with the new "easy install" stud extensions.

This is purely speculation on my part, but I would imagine the complete 2.5" front and rear DS kits that Wheeler's is currently selling for significantly less than the "official" DS KT09115 kit is selling elsewhere are not the same parts. As previously stated, Wheeler's buys these DS parts in bulk. They then assemble the individual parts into Wheeler's branded kits. And now I know the rest of the story....

Although I could have saved myself some aggravation on the install, I am not bitter with Wheeler's over this. Their pricing is exceptional, and the gentleman did tell me when he sold me the front 1.25" top out kit that I would have to compress the springs. At any rate, I don't recall ever receiving better customer response from any other two companies in any other industry.

Looks like I will simply have to roll up my sleeves and go for it. I have it pretty much in my head, except the part about using the pry bar and an upside down bottle jack braced against the wheel well. I imagine it will be self evident once I get to the putting it back together stage.

 

[SonRunner]

Here's mine, just installed it a week ago.

 

[J.A.]

Re: No Go

Just sent an email off to Daystar to see if they would sell me the "easy install" stud extensions. I kid you not, I received a phone call from Daystar in less than 2 minutes from the time I sent the email! That is the good news. The bad news is that the 1.25" top out spacer kits that Wheeler's is currently selling are not compatible with the new "easy install" stud extensions.

This is purely speculation on my part, but I would imagine the complete 2.5" front and rear DS kits that Wheeler's is currently selling for significantly less than the "official" DS KT09115 kit is selling elsewhere are not the same parts. As previously stated, Wheeler's buys these DS parts in bulk. They then assemble the individual parts into Wheeler's branded kits. And now I know the rest of the story....

Although I could have saved myself some aggravation on the install, I am not bitter with Wheeler's over this. Their pricing is exceptional, and the gentleman did tell me when he sold me the front 1.25" top out kit that I would have to compress the springs. At any rate, I don't recall ever receiving better customer response from any other two companies in any other industry.

Looks like I will simply have to roll up my sleeves and go for it. I have it pretty much in my head, except the part about using the pry bar and an upside down bottle jack braced against the wheel well. I imagine it will be self evident once I get to the putting it back together stage.

Are you looking to precisely get only 1.25" of lift. If so the measure the spacer when you get it and double that amount to anticipate the amount of lift you will get. I can tell you that on my old stlye DS kit the preload and the topout spacer are not sized at 1.25" each. The topout is 1" which provides 2" of lift. The preload is 1/2" and provided 1" of lift for a total of 3" lift.

I mention this as since you are going through the hassel to compress the springs, and not installing the rear lift, just want you to be prepared for a 1.75-2.0" lift and most likely not 1.25"

 

[J.A.]

Also regarding the stud extensions, I guess I can understand as to how they might not be compatable with the old style kit. The bore for the stud on the old style spacer is probably not wide enough to fit the extension (which screws onto the existing stud). :bash:

 

[RedKnuckles]

Net Lift Result?

Are you looking to precisely get only 1.25" of lift. If so the measure the spacer when you get it and double that amount to anticipate the amount of lift you will get. I can tell you that on my old stlye DS kit the preload and the topout spacer are not sized at 1.25" each. The topout is 1" which provides 2" of lift. The preload is 1/2" and provided 1" of lift for a total of 3" lift.

I mention this as since you are going through the hassel to compress the springs, and not installing the rear lift, just want you to be prepared for a 1.75-2.0" lift and most likely not 1.25"

I asked the Wheeler's Rep what the result would be, and he stated 1.25". My goal is to raise the front just enough to where it is level with, or preferably still slightly lower than, the stock rear height. UPS just delivered the spacers. I measured them, and they are 1.125". My guess is that they will compress to 1" when under load. If the resulting ratio is 2:1, do you think the front will be higher than the stock rear? I sure hope not. I need to just go measure the difference as is.

I am also trying to decide whether or not to remove the factory rubber spacer that is currently in place. If this new DS top out spacer will result in a 2" lift, I will probably want to remove that factory soft rubber spacer. If the result is 1.25", I will likely want to leave the soft rubber spacer in place. What do you suggest? Start from scratch, and order the DS KT09115 kit to raise both ends?

Thanks a bunch for taking the time to hash this out with me. I really do appreciate it.

 

[J.A.]

My results show that my rear is 1" higher than the front after installing the old style DS kit. My preload spacer is measured at 0.5" and provides 1" lift. Without that you should be exactly level front to rear.

 

[J.A.]

Re: Net Lift Result?

I am also trying to decide whether or not to remove the factory rubber spacer that is currently in place. If this new DS top out spacer will result in a 2" lift, I will probably want to remove that factory soft rubber spacer. If the result is 1.25", I will likely want to leave the soft rubber spacer in place. What do you suggest? Start from scratch, and order the DS KT09115 kit to raise both ends?

Thanks a bunch for taking the time to hash this out with me. I really do appreciate it.

I am trying to recall where that factory rubber spacer was. Isnt it on the preload side, if so leave it as you are not replacing it with a poly spacer. If not remove it.