Body Lift Removal

[slink89]

I'm new here to the board, and will fill out my profile momentarily. However, I have a quick question. I recently bought a pristine 1989 4runner. The previous owner installed a 2" body lift to fit larger tires. I have always hated body lifts, so I don't have much experience with them. I would like to remove the lift.

Do I need new bolts or mounts? What is the best way to remove the body? Jacks? I'm used to working on smaller vehicles, and the 4runner body seems so BIG!

Any help or tips for removing the lift are greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Rob

[2ndGenToyotaFan]

You will need new hardware (the ones in there will be about 2 inches too long), and maybe new bushings... Best way is to remove all the bolts from once side (I think 5 per, on the 4Runner) and jack the body up with the help of some blocks.... remove lift blocks, lower body, install new hardware, go do other side.

Welcome to Mud <- Mud salute! Now, get some pics up! We want pics! We want pics! We want......

[WarDamnEagle]

Jerod is exactly right, do one side at a time. Loosen everything on both sides (don't forget the two in the very front) and then jack up one side an inch or so. You can then push the bolts up and slide the bushings out.

I don't know where you can get new OEM hardware, maybe from the dealer? LC Engineering sells urethane bushing kits for the gen1 4Runners and I bought my new OEM height bushings from them. I would recommend them and they aren't that expensive. I think it's about $100 for new bushings for the entire 4Runner which includes body bushings, torque rod, sway bars, etc. or you can just buy the body bushings for quite a bit less. I don't think they sell the hardware but you could check with them. Here's a link to the body bushings ($61.95). The page with the entire master kits is a few pages earlier.

Part Listing - LC Engineering, Inc. (GUEST-Contact) -

In theory, you could buy the body bushing kit and then remove the old bushings and hardware and modify the hardware to work. The kit comes with the washers and metal inserts (metal bushings that go inside the urethane bushings) so I think you would only have to cut the bolts to length.

The "nuts", which are large and flat (some with retaining wings) sit recessed in the 4Runner body. I would install one of the new bushings with the old bolt and see how much needs to be trimmed off. It might not be as much as you think and you can get away with a bit of extra length because they are recessed into the body anyway.

[ToyotaNick]

pme thimg that i know for sure is that the fan shroud has most likely been dropped two inches via two or four brackets. make sure you remove the brackets and put it back at stock height the rest i think is ok. but don't take my word on that. o and if its a standard most people heat up and bend the shifter so that it will clear the body because it is now 2 inches farther up the shaft. so when you drop it back down you can bend the shifter back so that it maybe be easier to shift or just more comfortable.

[slink89]

Thanks for the responses. I'll need to tackle this project soon. Oh, and I'll get pics up as soon as possible. Thanks again for the help.

[Hilux]

Would this happen to be the 2door 4runner?






Don't get any ideas about retiring, and don't get to giddy. But take it easy on the UNinstall.....and where are you?

[slink89]

Yes, it is the 2 door. I'm in Colorado, and I do plan on this taking awhile.

[Hilux]

Originally Posted by slink89

Yes, it is the 2 door. I'm in Colorado, and I do plan on this taking awhile.

I don't know the going rate for a used body lift but let me know when your ready to get rid of it. I'm in Nashville TN and yes it'll probably take a while for me to get the coin for it


Trade ya MileMarker hubs and the adapters for the b/l?

[slink89]

Originally Posted by Hilux

I don't know the going rate for a used body lift but let me know when your ready to get rid of it. I'm in Nashville TN and yes it'll probably take a while for me to get the coin for it


Trade ya MileMarker hubs and the adapters for the b/l?

Not sure when I'll get this off. Let's see, I'm moving, have never done this before, and don't really have the time... BUT, I WILL let you know when it's off, it just won't be anytime soon. Not sure about trades. We'll discuss this when I know I can get the body off.

Another question: what's the best way/place to actually lift the body?

Thanks,
Rob

[beatdown83fj60]

I tell you what, I live in CO and sometime in the next six months I will be swapping a 5speed into my truck and would probably be willing to swap my hardware with your bodylift. My truck is nice and clean so the bolts shouldn't be a problem to get out or install. I'll keep you in mind and let you know when I get close and see if you've gotten rid of it yet. I also have a decent space we could do it.

[Hilux]

Originally Posted by slink89

Another question: what's the best way/place to actually lift the body?

Thanks,
Rob

I cant really answer that for you w/o knowing just how resourceful you are. If I wanted to bad enough one (get 2) hydraulic jack, some cribbing, possibly some cinder blocks and a weekend...and I'd be style'n


Some people cant do it w/o a lift. But then again, if you "know someone", you just cut your time by at least half.

[slink89]

Originally Posted by beatdown83fj60

I tell you what, I live in CO and sometime in the next six months I will be swapping a 5speed into my truck and would probably be willing to swap my hardware with your bodylift. My truck is nice and clean so the bolts shouldn't be a problem to get out or install. I'll keep you in mind and let you know when I get close and see if you've gotten rid of it yet. I also have a decent space we could do it.

That sounds good. I'll probably be waiting that long anyway to do it! Might save both of us a little bit of trouble/money. Keep me in mind when you do it...