Body lift troubles and cautionary tales (1 Viewer)

[Madbodhi]

Putting a 1" body lift on my 2004. A few things I've come across that I did not encounter in any writeups that I've read. The hardware that came with my kit (Duiser) was standard grade 8 coarse thread. If you decide like me to source metric grade 10.9 fine thread then prepare yourself. They are both difficult to source and expensive.

If you have a group 31 then the upper radiator mount bolt will be in the way. I cut it down for now but will figure out a different mounting solution later.

If your heater t's are at all suspect, they will blow. I would go so far as to say that because the driver side hose is stretched that I would use only metal t's or a longer hose from the engine.
And finally. My current dilemma, the steering spacer. Wow, Toyota does not want those bolts coming lose. Hard to get in a position to put some muscle into it. Going to try and borrow an impact ratchet and pray that works otherwise I have no clue what to try next.

 

[Madbodhi]

Body lift is now complete so I thought I'd share some more pics. The kit.

 

[Madbodhi]

Pulling apart the interior. Was really nervous about this but it actually comes apart and more importantly goes back together very easily.

Putting the boy to work

 

[Madbodhi]

New and old lower radiator brackets

Reuse stock cushion

Ready to go

 

[Madbodhi]

Upper radiator bracket

In position, it also reuses the stock cushion.

 

[Madbodhi]

The hardest part for me was breaking the bolts loose on the rag joint. Was able to finally get in a position to apply force and got them off but I think I now have a permanent imprint of the door jamb on my ribs

The steering shaft joint on the engine side of the firewall that it was recommended on other threads to loosen to allow the intermediate shaft to slide in and out when putting in the steering shaft spacer. Yeah, I pulled out too far and the shaft came apart. DOH!!! Luckily I know a tall guy with long skinny arms that was able to hold it from the top while I worked from inside to get it back together.

 

[Madbodhi]

Before

After

Gap with ARB front after

 

[Madbodhi]

For the broken heater T mentioned earlier I wanted to try something new. Gates Powergrip clamps. Their like superduty heatshrink that is supposed to work really well and is used quite abit in heavy trucks. I have new hoses incoming so I figured what the hell.The 4Seasons steel T slipped into the hoses really easily so I thought, yeah there's no way this will work. The old hoses have deep indents from the old clamps. Fired up the heat gun and put them on. They work perfectly. When the new hoses come I will be using these.

 

[Madbodhi]

I should also note that while some said they had to grind the metal plate attached to the firewall that the steering shaft passes through, I did not. It's close but no rubbing. Also, some had to adjust their linkage because the transmission would not fully go into park and wouldn't release their keys. Again, no issue on my vehicle. Everything's functioning normally.

 

[pbreisch]

Thanks for the great write up!

 

[cmck]

Good thread, am planning a 1/2” lift in the spring.