Superlift for 4Gen 4Runner

[T4RSpectreSix]

Yeah, my 4Runner's suspension is stock too, hence the "nothing too extreme" clause. The last thing anyone wants is a trashed $30k truck! =P

I've got a baby due within a month or so anyhow, so I wouldn't be able to commit to anything too soon. I wasn't trying to suggest we do anything extreme or immediate, just maybe something to chew on for the future.

I do think it would be cool to someday see a scenic trail run dominated by 4Runners though.

As far as the tint goes, mine hasn't peeled, so I can't comment on how hard it is to remove - though I am sure other members on the boards that have dealt with it can fill you in.

I was told by the guy that did mine that it is 100% reversible if done properly (IE if he removed it himself). I think you just have to use your brain and take care not take a razor blade to your antenna/defrost bits. But again, I haven't ever had to remove tint so I can't be sure. I certainly haven't ever heard of it ruining windows though.

 

[hoggy]

Well my parts came in a day early so I was able to get the lift installed. By the time I got to Firestone for the alignment and got home it was dark so no pictures. I took the before pics so as soon as I can get a chance to get afters and figure out how to post them I'll do it.

T4RSpectreSix: Central 4 Wheel Drive did a good job and the mechanic that did it has had a lot of experiance so it turned out to be just over 2 hours for him to complete it.

I am concerned about one thing though. I thought the OME kit was going to raise my 4 runner 2"+ but in reality it turned out to be almost 3 1/2". SO now I need to find out if this is going to affect thinks like CV's and ball joints plus brake line length's etc. I know 2 1/2" was safe but not sure abut 3 1/2. Also what about drive shaft lengths/differencal drops etc. Is there any thing else I should be concerned about? At a 2" lift I was not concerned.

Also Firestone had a bit of trouble aligning, and that may have been because I told them the lift was only 2" and the shop said to use factory settings. With it at close to 3 1/2 maybe the factory settings are wrong to use.

Anyway that's about it. Maybe CJ3Flyr can chime in as he seems to know quite a bit about this stuff. Anyone else's commits are more than welcome. I really don't want to sock more money into this (Brake lines etc.) unless absolutely necesary as I'm retired and on a very limited income now.

I just wonder how they could be so far off on how much lift I was suppose to get.

 

[CJ3Flyr]

Well my parts came in a day early so I was able to get the lift installed. By the time I got to Firestone for the alignment and got home it was dark so no pictures. I took the before pics so as soon as I can get a chance to get afters and figure out how to post them I'll do it.

T4RSpectreSix: Central 4 Wheel Drive did a good job and the mechanic that did it has had a lot of experiance so it turned out to be just over 2 hours for him to complete it.

I am concerned about one thing though. I thought the OME kit was going to raise my 4 runner 2"+ but in reality it turned out to be almost 3 1/2". SO now I need to find out if this is going to affect thinks like CV's and ball joints plus brake line length's etc. I know 2 1/2" was safe but not sure abut 3 1/2. Also what about drive shaft lengths/differencal drops etc. Is there any thing else I should be concerned about? At a 2" lift I was not concerned.

Also Firestone had a bit of trouble aligning, and that may have been because I told them the lift was only 2" and the shop said to use factory settings. With it at close to 3 1/2 maybe the factory settings are wrong to use.

Anyway that's about it. Maybe CJ3Flyr can chime in as he seems to know quite a bit about this stuff. Anyone else's commits are more than welcome. I really don't want to sock more money into this (Brake lines etc.) unless absolutely necesary as I'm retired and on a very limited income now.

I just wonder how they could be so far off on how much lift I was suppose to get.

The shaft angles on the 4th gen are fine even at your amount of lift. If you feel the need there's a $30 diff drop that'll make a tiny difference.

It might be wise to get a slightly longer rear brake line depending how much the rear lifted. Occasionally someone will have an issue I think (not sure). Again... I don't know. At some level of lift/mod the guys at T120 go for a longer rear brakeline but I think that only happens when super-long shocks are used.

Alignment- Caster is probably the hard spec to get 'in'. If it doesn't wander excessively just enjoy it

Balljoints- It'll be fine. Where you could get into trouble with that is using a thick top-spacer to lift which allows the wheel/suspension to drop too far. The OME setup won't allow that to happen. Your suspension travel hasn't changed significantly so a top-out or bottom-out occur at about the same angles as stock.

Keep this thread handy. Sometimes CV's will begin to drool a bit after a lift due to cheezy factory clamps. Kmvreter did a great post here: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=37107

In all liklehood it will settle back down a bit. Many report some settling during the first few weeks then it's good for years.

HB 4x4 (aka Josh220) is the guy to ask. He's quite the guru.

:cheers:

 

[hoggy]

Thanks CJ3Flyr. You say "Sometimes CV's will begin to drool a bit after a lift due to cheezy factory clamps." I don't think I'll run into that problem as my runner only has a bit over 10k miles and when I looked the CV boots still looked new. As long as the angles are ok than I won't worry. I'll go back to the shop today and ask the mechanic how tight the rear brake lines were when he was doing the rear springs and shocks. The back looks funny with the wheel and tire so far away. I doubt I'll be buying tires as the original Michelins only have 10K on them. I'll worry about that when I finally move to AZ or NM which might be awhile with the economy as it is. I'll check the other thread. When you say the diff drop kit will make a tiny difference is it one you think I need and how tiny is tinyt? I can afford $30 for the kit if it doesn't require much to put it in. Now that the runners up high i can probably do it myself depending on how hard it is to do.

 

[CJ3Flyr]

Thanks CJ3Flyr. You say "Sometimes CV's will begin to drool a bit after a lift due to cheezy factory clamps." I don't think I'll run into that problem as my runner only has a bit over 10k miles and when I looked the CV boots still looked new. As long as the angles are ok than I won't worry. I'll go back to the shop today and ask the mechanic how tight the rear brake lines were when he was doing the rear springs and shocks. The back looks funny with the wheel and tire so far away. I doubt I'll be buying tires as the original Michelins only have 10K on them. I'll worry about that when I finally move to AZ or NM which might be awhile with the economy as it is. I'll check the other thread. When you say the diff drop kit will make a tiny difference is it one you think I need and how tiny is tinyt? I can afford $30 for the kit if it doesn't require much to put it in. Now that the runners up high i can probably do it myself depending on how hard it is to do.

The mechanic should be able to see the rear brakelines very well on the lift as the axle will be at max drop.

The diff drop kit is the same one as the 3rd gen and sold by Wheelers and others. If you can change brake pads and have 'normal' tools you can do it easily.

Post some pics... This is a fun thread, this guy is exactly your boat (running with "donuts" instead of macho tires).

:cheers:

 

[hoggy]

Guess the brake lines are ok. I went down there and told them that 3 1/2' lift was making me think about the diff drop kit and they are getting me one to put in tomorrow. They told me they'd do it free as I had them install the rest. Thought that was good of them. On the way home I noticed a squeak that I had not heard before. Upon futher inspection when I got home I discovered that my sway bar is making a squeak as the suspension goes up and down. Now I'm kind of worried about that. Wonder if that will go away or is there too much pressure on it or the arm it hooks to. Guess I'll ask them tomorrow about it too. This is starting to turn a bit complicated for what was suppose to be a simple 2" lift. Wonder if others had the same problems but have not read any other theads about it. Well enough ranting for now. I need to get this resolved as I want to get out of town this weekend and times running out. I sure don't need to be broken down yet!!!

 

[CJ3Flyr]

Guess the brake lines are ok. I went down there and told them that 3 1/2' lift was making me think about the diff drop kit and they are getting me one to put in tomorrow. They told me they'd do it free as I had them install the rest. Thought that was good of them. On the way home I noticed a squeak that I had not heard before. Upon futher inspection when I got home I discovered that my sway bar is making a squeak as the suspension goes up and down. Now I'm kind of worried about that. Wonder if that will go away or is there too much pressure on it or the arm it hooks to. Guess I'll ask them tomorrow about it too. This is starting to turn a bit complicated for what was suppose to be a simple 2" lift. Wonder if others had the same problems but have not read any other theads about it. Well enough ranting for now. I need to get this resolved as I want to get out of town this weekend and times running out. I sure don't need to be broken down yet!!!

If I've read correctly and understand what I've read...

With OME's it's important the shock is 'clocked' properly as in the correct position so the bottom of the spring doesn't contact the swaybar when it flexes. It's simply installing the strut properly in terms of the bottom of the spring with respect to the swaybar. Have them double check it. If it's wrong they can fix it quickly and easily. Basically the strut gets unbolted and re-bolted, that's it. Good luck!

:cheers:

 

[hoggy]

I'll mention it. To dark for me to check now but I don't remember seeing anything touching the sway bar.

 

[hoggy]

You are right. I just went out with flashlight and turned the wheels right and left checking each one. The passenger side strut plate that the spring rests in is touching the sway-bar. The drivers side is very close and may benifit by turning. These people are suppose to know this stuff. Glad someone here does.
Thanks
Steve (hoggy)

 

[Falls]

That would make me nervous that a professional shop lets something that simple out the door without double checking.

 

[CJ3Flyr]

You are right. I just went out with flashlight and turned the wheels right and left checking each one. The passenger side strut plate that the spring rests in is touching the sway-bar. The drivers side is very close and may benifit by turning. These people are suppose to know this stuff. Glad someone here does.
Thanks
Steve (hoggy)

Cool, I hope it is an easy fix and they'll 'turn' enough to do the job. In the event the struts don't turn enough; the fix I've read about (at T120) involves swaybar brackets. It relocates the bar forward (or is it aft )just a hair giving the extra clearance needed. Other than being cheap and simple I don't know a lot beyond that.

I don't think that with the OME it will require the swaybar relocation. I offered that so if you can't get the swaybar to clear you don't panic.

Good luck!

:cheers:

 

[hoggy]

I don't know if the plate the spring rests on turns or not. If it doesn't it seems to be they'll have to unbolt the strut and turn it 180 deg's. I've seen the spacer relocation kit at Toytech. Looks simple enough. Wonder if any damage can occur by driving it 50 miles or so? I did that after getting the runner back before I discovered or even knew I had the problem. I ask because it looks like the plate is not sitting perpendicular to the shock on the one that's touching?

 

[CJ3Flyr]

I don't know if the plate the spring rests on turns or not. If it doesn't it seems to be they'll have to unbolt the strut and turn it 180 deg's. I've seen the spacer relocation kit at Toytech. Looks simple enough. Wonder if any damage can occur by driving it 50 miles or so? I did that after getting the runner back before I discovered or even knew I had the problem. I ask because it looks like the plate is not sitting perpendicular to the shock on the one that's touching?

I don't know about the "potential damage" aspect of it. I wish you all the luck. I know it's it's PIA but don't get discouraged. OME is one of the coolest T4R mods out there.

:cheers:

 

[hoggy]

couple of photos. Gonna have to paint the rear shock black. Don't like the yellow. Stands out too much. Of course after I get the problems sorted out.

before after

 

[hoggy]

I'll try again, Been awhile since I posted photos anywhere.

before
after

 

[CJ3Flyr]

couple of photos. Gonna have to paint the rear shock black. Don't like the yellow. Stands out too much. Of course after I get the problems sorted out.

before after

:bigok: Looks great! Hit the yellow with a shot of undercoating, that'll fix it.

To do the pics make it look like this minus the *
[i*m*g]h*tt*p://i202.photob*ucket.com/albums/aa246/hoggy25/4runnerliftcrop005.j*pg[/*i*m*g]

:cheers:

 

[hoggy]

They turned the shock 180 degrees and that fixed it. I was told it was not touching when it was the other way but when it was aligned the alignment put it touching. Either way they fixed it with no charge and put in the diff lowering spacers no charge. So I'm happy. Yes I'll be hitting it with some undercoat I have left over.

 

[CJ3Flyr]

They turned the shock 180 degrees and that fixed it. I was told it was not touching when it was the other way but when it was aligned the alignment put it touching. Either way they fixed it with no charge and put in the diff lowering spacers no charge. So I'm happy. Yes I'll be hitting it with some undercoat I have left over.

:bigok: Freakin' sweeeeeeet! Good for you. Glad it all worked out It sounds like a good shop that made 'an honest mistake'.

I'd love to see a photo straight on of the underneath that'll show the CV angles if you could.

Congrats! You've got a great lookin' ride. Time for some 275/70/17's or 255/75/17's

Seatown, your thread was totally hijacked. Sorry!!!! Lots of cool stuff got covered though

:cheers:

 

[Seatown]

hoggy that's sweet; lets see some pics!

Well, I too got my lift installed today! 4wheel parts in Lynnwood, WA hooked me up for real cheap on the install. I love the lift and the ride firmed up just a bit. I was expecting a lot more firmer based upon my last Toytec lift, but this is just perfect! I'll post some pics tomorrow!:biggrin2:

 

[CJ3Flyr]

hoggy that's sweet; lets see some pics!

Well, I too got my lift installed today! 4wheel parts in Lynnwood, WA hooked me up for real cheap on the install. I love the lift and the ride firmed up just a bit. I was expecting a lot more firmer based upon my last Toytec lift, but this is just perfect! I'll post some pics tomorrow!:biggrin2:

Do you have a single 1.25" front spacer or two front spacers?

:worthless:

I know they're coming tomorrow I just like that smilie.