What surprises lurk

N

nodakker

New member
Here's my story...wanted just a small increase in stance, so, going to put 99 talls all around on my 2000. Ive watched a few youtube videos, read through dozens of forum excerpts on here and I think Im ready to go... but Im sure there will be evil lurking under there that will jump up and bite me before it's over.

With only basic mechanical experience and knowledge, Im wondering, after it's all said and done, will there be "wish i would've known this or thought of this first" kind of things. I have a feeling there will be.

So my post is this and Im just trying to be proactive on this one and think ahead...

For anyone who has upgraded to a minor lift such as this
What did you wish you knew then (before you started this project) that you know now?
 
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nodakker said:
Here's my story...wanted just a small increase in stance, so, going to put 99 talls all around on my 2000. Ive watched a few youtube videos, read through dozens of forum excerpts on here and I think Im ready to go... but Im sure there will be evil lurking under there that will jump up and bite me before it's over.

With only basic mechanical experience and knowledge, Im wondering, after it's all said and done, will there be "wish i would've known this or thought of this first" kind of things. I have a feeling there will be.

So my post is this and Im just trying to be proactive on this one and think ahead...

For anyone who has upgraded to a minor lift such as this
What did you wish you knew then (before you started this project) that you know now?
Click to expand...

1. Go big or go home. You will eventually want to go bigger. Everyone does. A 2.5-3" lift is perfect imho. It will allow you to go up a few tire sizes and just makes the truck sit at the perfect height. Think hard if you really only want 1" (you wont hardly notice 1" at all) or if you want to go slightly higher. Save yourself the time and effort of doing it twice.

2. Have plenty of beer, a punching bag, condoms and a hooker on call for when you get to the top nut of the rear shocks. Your gunna need every bit of help and distraction to keep yourself sane.:frusty: I ended up spending more time fighting those stupid things than I did on the entire rest of my lift.

3. Make sure you get the correct spring on the correct side. The taller coils go on the drivers side to offset the extra weight of the driver and gas tank.

4. You dont need to disconnect anything on the rear other than the sway bar endlinks and the shocks. The axle will drop far enough to "slip" in the springs without disconnecting the pan hard bar or anything else.

5. While your under there working, you might as well take care of the diff breather mod at the same time. Its an extra 10 minutes of work and your axle seals will thank you in the future.

If I think of anything else, ill let you know.
 
IMO, putting a lift on is going to be the same amount of work no matter what. If you install a 2" or 3" lift, it's going to be close to the same amount of work. There's really nothing to it. I had problems installing mine, got on here, posted questions, and the next day I had it installed on my own.
 
MStudt said:
IMO, putting a lift on is going to be the same amount of work no matter what. If you install a 2" or 3" lift, it's going to be close to the same amount of work. There's really nothing to it. I had problems installing mine, got on here, posted questions, and the next day I had it installed on my own.
Click to expand...

I agree that it is the same amount of work for a 1" lift or a 3" lift unless he does the 1" first, then decided he wants to go to a 3" lift. Then its twice the work cuz he has to do it twice. :bluejump:
 
djskorch said:
I agree that it is the same amount of work for a 1" lift or a 3" lift unless he does the 1" first, then decided he wants to go to a 3" lift. Then its twice the work cuz he has to do it twice. :bluejump:
Click to expand...

:doh: Very true!

Go with 3" lift from the start. If you're like any other guy, you'll get tired of the 1" lift, and soon you'll be tired of the 3" too!
 
I'll echo what everyone else said. Go 2.5 or 3" lift.

Just go ahead and replace the rear shocks while it's all apart. Stick a sawzall on the underside of the upper shock mount and just chop that stupid thing out. Much easier than fighting that probably seized, hard to get to and possibly rusted bolt and depending on the mileage they probably need it anyway.

Oh...and don't look at the 3rd gens on 35's thread lol. It already got me this time around.
 
In terms of doing the hands on work it would be very helpful to have a friend to help and a guide such as the FSM or install instructions and be sure you have the necessary tools on hand including a torque wrench. A good nights rest and a get-er-done attitude with a good dose of patience will also come in handy. When finally done you will love it and love that you did it.

And I agree with the others here, get a 3" kit from a SS or Toytec and do something remarkable.
 
nodakker said:
thanks for the insights..much appreciated and some good ideas..
Click to expand...

yeah be like me, only want to go with a 2.5, then got coil overs, lifted to 3" then added a 1.5" body lift a year later.

you will want to go bigger. If a BL is in your future let me know! ill hook you up with one. (i make them)
 
Whichever route you take it'll look good, I mean it is a toyota after all!

I do agree that you'll end up wanting to go higher eventually if you're like most of us here.

I went with a daystar puck style kit and this summer i'll be switching that out for real coils and shocks in the rear on account of the saggy butt issue.

also post up some pictures and I hope I get to see your 4runner somewhere around ND!
 
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