What a Difference

[jpless]

I doubt it'll add 5 minutes total to the install time by going with the spacer (topout).

You convinced me. I'm going go to with the 1" kit. Hopefully I'll have the bilsteins today and then I'll order the kit. Thanks for the help all!

 

[MSU4Runner]

When I ordered the 1.25" kit from Wheeler's it only came with the longer bolts, not the extensions. The guy I emailed said they do not stock the kits with extensions. That being said, I had to go rent a spring compressor so that I could remove the top plate and then remove the 3 old short bolts on each assembly and replace with the long bolts. It was not tough at all once I figured out the easy way to knock the bolts loose. They press fit into that top plate and are very tight. The spring compressor worked fine, too. I just used a regular ratchet and it took maybe 2 minutes to tighten it enough so the spring has a little movement and is free from the top plate. Breaking that top nut loose may have been the toughest part physically.

 

[euy]

awesome job!!! looks great. i just want to clarify, you used both front and rear FJ springs and not the FJ shocks correct? also, can comment on how the ride is now compared to stock. thanks in advance.

-euy

 

[jpless]

I got the bilstein's today. The front is already assembled and the rears are already compressed and pinned. So, I believe I still need a compressor to remove the stock t4r shocks. With that, I'll install the spacer whether or not I need to compress it.

Since it'll be some time, I'll do what RPC did and install in steps (spacer then swap)

 

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

You may be able to use a large pry bar and push the arms down enough to free the shock up and get it out. I can't remember for sure, but I think I did mine like that, just used the compressor for disassembling and swapping coils.

 

[RPC]

awesome job!!! looks great. i just want to clarify, you used both front and rear FJ springs and not the FJ shocks correct? also, can comment on how the ride is now compared to stock. thanks in advance.

-euy

Hey pal, who are you asking? A couple of us in this thread have FJ springs. Even though I got the FJ shocks & struts too, I didn't use them. I was concerned about ending up with too stiff a ride. I went FJ springs front & rear, kept stock shocks & struts.

For me, the ride with the springs is much better. Actually feels like a truck now. Parts $50 from a guy on FJ Forums, a couple of tools rented from Autozone and a long afternoon in the garage with a friend- no brainer.

 

[RPC]

I got the bilstein's today. The front is already assembled and the rears are already compressed and pinned. So, I believe I still need a compressor to remove the stock t4r shocks. With that, I'll install the spacer whether or not I need to compress it.

Since it'll be some time, I'll do what RPC did and install in steps (spacer then swap)

Some great references I used:

OME Install - no spring compressor - Toyota 120 Platforms Forum

Daystar (Spacer) installation on 4Runner with XREAS - Toyota 120 Platforms Forum

2007 Toyota 4Runner Sport Edition Lift

Burtman Industries 3/2 Lift Kit Installation - Toyota 120 Platforms Forum

http://www.top4runners.com/cgi-bin/image.pl?/ja/2007/lift/boltpress.jpg

 

[euy]

Hey pal, who are you asking? A couple of us in this thread have FJ springs. Even though I got the FJ shocks & struts too, I didn't use them. I was concerned about ending up with too stiff a ride. I went FJ springs front & rear, kept stock shocks & struts.

For me, the ride with the springs is much better. Actually feels like a truck now. Parts $50 from a guy on FJ Forums, a couple of tools rented from Autozone and a long afternoon in the garage with a friend- no brainer.

sorry for the confusion, i was directing the question to you. thanks for the answer. your answer was exactly what i was looking for.

-euy

 

[jibberjabber]

I don't know if it would even equate across the web but I was thinking about taking a spin around the block, and maybe a freeway on ramp with my video camera to try and capture the sound. I know I like to get as many perspectives on similar work that I can before making a change and if it works maybe it would help the next guy make a decision.

Could you please make a vid of the ride along? As you said in the end it would really help me out in making a decision.

 

[T4RJon_SR5]

Could you please make a vid of the ride along? As you said in the end it would really help me out in making a decision.

I could use that as well, but I'm thinking about stopping by a muff shop for an estimate today.

 

[T4RJon_SR5]

If anyone has a model number of a good 18" Magnaflow Muffler to use with the 4.7 V8, I would appreciate it. I'm getting lost in the measurements.

 

[RPC]

Sorry guys, been a while since I've been on. I'll try to do it this weekend.

 

[THEROK]

So I'm finally getting around to posting pics of my most recent mods. No, no SAS in here or anything, but what a difference FJ springs, Spidertrax and Daystar 1.25" front leveling spacers can make! I'm no Ansel Adams, but take a look:

I've read it several times and completely agree- this is how the 4th Gen should've come stock.


I also had my favorite muffler shop reroute the exhaust tip from straight out the rear to tucked just behind the passenger rear mudflap:

I noticed maybe a 10% increase in drone without the resonator at 70 on the freeway, but man, around town that Magnaflow really sounds nice now. The main reason I relocated the exhaust exit was in trying to get rid of that smell I got every now & then- haven't even gotten a hint of it since moving the tip!

looks pretty tame to me?

 

[Maz]

I like the first shot and I have been to Ansel Adams house along the California coast.

Where is the house....and is it a museum now?