To the DIY FJ conversion fellas

[Sonicpilz]

After hours and hours of reading I finally made a decision on what lift to go with. I bought a set of 2008 FJ 4x4 springs and Bilstein 5100s. Springs are here and shocks will be here in 3-4 days. Im leaving tomorrow for Ohio for a week on business and should have everything ready to install when I get back (also have 3 days off work when I get back, yay).

So I've read a lot on this set up but I kinda would like to get some feedback on the installation. I work for BMW manufacturing as an industrial equipment maintenance associate so I'd like to think I am pretty handy at twisting a wrench. However I've never even thought about doing any suspension work on vehicles until I got the T4R.

I talked to a few other ESA here at work and they said quote "If you ever listen to anything I say hear this PAY SOMEBODY TO DO IT". I also got a response "you're going to knock your teeth out when the spring tool falls off".

Is it really that complicated? I had planned on attemption the job myself but now I'm thinking I'll just try to rear first and see how it goes. Maybe it would be easier just to pay somebody to do the front + alignment at the same time.

What ya think? Im getting ball park numbers at like $400-$600 for the 4 corner install. Sure would be nice to be able to buy a new 7" touch screen instead.

 

[Presta24]

If you do manufacturing machine maint, you can easily change your shocks/struts/springs. Read up and grab a buddy. Im in the same field and did my own.

 

[silverSEV8]

I just did the exact swap last week - '08 springs / Bilsteins. Decided to let local mechanic do it. He charged me $280 after tax if you have interest. In Chapin, SC. Not too far from you. "Kevin's Auto Repair".

 

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

I've already told you this, NO WAY would I pay that much to have it done. If you have the time and basic skills, you can easily knock it out. That and someone to lend a hand with certain things is all you'll need. Many here have done it themselves, even with little/no experience (me being one of them). I'm going to have my new shocks done at a shop, simply because I don't have the time and I can get it done for cheap. All four shocks and changing the front/rear diff fluid, $75. Not worth my time when a shop is willing to do it that cheap.

 

[810moto]

I will have to agree with alot of others on here. its almost like saying, if you can wipe your butt, you can do the swap. just set aside a day, take your time, grab a buddy if you can and let it rip. there is not alot to it at all. fairly simple procedure and doing it yourself will not only save you money but give you the satisfaction of when its done of stepping back, looking at your truck and saying wow, i just did that all by myself. lots of helpful info on here and i am sure we are all more than willing to help in anyway we can. best of luck and keep us posted.

 

[silverSEV8]

I would rather have done this myself, but with a kid and work I have more money than time these days. I will say it was convenient to walk in, hand them the keys and then a few hours later have it done. Damn it, I think I am getting lazy....

 

[t4rjasper]

It wasn't difficult in a mechanical-know-how sense, but some of the nuts on my rig were rusted/siezed on which greatly lengthened the swap process. One nut, the inboard upper shock mount on the driver's side, was siezed on and I had to hammer it off over the course of one hour. Not fun.

Still, I prefer to do things like this myself as I've seen some pretty shoddy workmanship by "professional" mechanics who are of course racing the clock. Plus, when I'm under the truck I can get a really good look at all the bits and pieces and check things out (while I'm resting between hammering sessions!).

A helper would definitely be an asset. The two of you could be doing different things to speed things up, then work together on some of the tougher stuff like reinstalling the front spring/shock combo.

 

[gm350reratliff]

It went pretty easy for me. If you got some tools and some mechanical know-how it should be easy too. Reserve a whole day to do the swap so your not rushing anything. I reserved two days, one to do the swap, the next day for the alignment and new tires. Did I need both full days, not at all. The day or two before you swap irrigate every bolt and nut you might have to take off with some PB Blaster or WD-40 or something. Here is a guide for a no-spring compressor install:

OME Install - no spring compressor - Toyota 120 Platforms Forum

 

[Merle]

You will need a breaker bar, and be sure it fits the head of your largest socket wrench.

At some point, I said "f it" and stuck a bottle jack between something and the lower control arm to get enough room to wiggle out the shock/spring.