Help installing lift on a 4runner (2 Viewers)

[Azn toyo]

Hey everyone.
I've been a lurker of these forums for a while. I have a 97 4Runner and just purchased a lift kit. I was wondering if anyone would be willing to help me with the install in exchange for pizza, beer, and an extra set of hands the next time you have a project on your build.

The lift consist of springs, shocks, diff drop, bump stops, relocation brackets and a SS brake line that I will probably hold off on until I install tundra calipers.


I live in Durham and have a decent set of tools but would be willing to go to someones house if you are better equipped.


Thanks
Chris

 

[GLTHFJ60]

Hello Chris! Welcome!!

Sounds like you are looking for a HAMOM. We were just talking last night at the monthly meeting that we need to have a HAMOM again soon.

What is your timeframe for having the lift installed?

 

[Azn toyo]

Sorry. I hate to ask. What does HAMOM stand for? I'm assuming it's like a meet but to wrench on our builds.

No real timeframe. Depends when I get some time.

 

[Rice]

Sorry. I hate to ask. What does HAMOM stand for? I'm assuming it's like a meet but to wrench on our builds.

No real timeframe. Depends when I get some time.

You nailed it. Advertising the amount of beer you will have on hand is proportional to the number of "helpers" that show up.

Welcome!

 

[JohnVee]

Help A Member Out Meeting

 

[weejub]

I would be glad to attend a HAMOM and help!

 

[Azn toyo]

Thanks for the info. I'd gladly buy a couple cases of beer and pizza for HAMOM. How long does a job like this take? Would a Saturday or Sunday work best?

I just thought of something. I have a roof basket. I know I can get in the garage now to work on the lift, but I'm not sure I'll be able to get out. Anyone have a better equipped place that wouldn't mind hosting?

 

[jfz80]

Hi Chris. And welcome.

What type of lift did you get?
OME struts or coil overs up front is pretty easy. Did you get all new spring packs for the back vs AAL or blocks.

*edit* doh 97 may be coils in the rear. Even easier

I did my donahoe/deaver combo on the tacoma solo in a day. Not too bad but I did not deal with the diff drop.


Someone may have some drive/garage space but maybe weigh your desire to be in a garage vs the difficulty of removing the basket. Of course weather is a strong factor

Make sure you hit all the fasteners with some penetrating oils for a week or two previous to surgery.

 

[weejub]

I have "helped/done" a prior 2002's front coils and rear springs with a LOT of help from FlatlandTRD on these boards. I am about to replace my rear springs again on the new truck, so I will have a little more experience there

The toughest part of your update, to me, would be bleeding the brake lines after we install the extended ones. My wife no longer allows me to mess with brakes after my attempts on the FJ62 that didn't work out so well LOL -- was a faulty load sensing proportioning valve, not me, I swear!

Not sure how tall of a lift you are getting, but you will NEED the extensions pretty bad if 2.5" or taller.

I'll come prepared with knowledge of my tinkering this weekend, but I am no expert, but looking forward to helping!

 

[RedHeadedStepChild]

I did my OME set-up, replaced the Rear Upper control arms, put in Sonoran Steel Rear Lower control arms and adjustable pan hard bar, new sway bar bushings and Wab Fab sway bar quick disconnects in a weekend's time. My truck spent a decade in Vermont before coming down here to this salt free land of sunshine, so that includes a fair amount of time with cut-off wheels, drill bits, and EZ outs.

For clarity, that weekend's worth of time was the whole damn weekend, from 7ish in the morning to 11ish at night Sat and Sunday, but if your rig is reasonably rust free, a day would do fine.

x2 on the penetrating oil.

 

[GLTHFJ60]

HAMOMs are typically a one-day thing. We can do a lift on a 4Runner in a day I'd think, but like @jfz80 mentioned, we need to know what lift you have.

 

[Rice]

HAMOMs are typically a one-day thing. We can do a lift on a 4Runner in a day I'd think, but like @jfz80 mentioned, we need to know what lift you have.

Agree. Additionally if there is concern regarding time try getting the "pre" install items scratched off the list before the event. Parts laid out, some dis-assembly already done, coffee pot on.

 

[Azn toyo]

Thanks for the replies guys. I Have a Sonoran Steel 1.2 kit. A good thing is that the front coils/shocks are already assembled.

I figured a day would be sufficient as long as nothing goes terribly wrong. I can take the rack off if needed. I think the lift is around 2.5" in the front and 3.5" in the rear. The car has always been in NC so rust shouldn't be a issue. Here is the parts list.

Front:

(1)-Toyota Progressive TRD Front Coil: Driver/Left Side
(1)-Toyota Progressive TRD Front Coil: Passenger/Right Side
(2)-Toyota Stover Nuts
(2)-Toyota Upper Shock Bushings
(2)-Sonoran Steel Fabrication L.L.C. Custom Polyurethane Top Plate Retainers
(2)-Bilstein 5100 Series Height Adjustable Zinc Plated Heavy Duty Front Shocks
(2)-Sonoran Steel Fabrication L.L.C. Front Differential Drop Spacers
(4)-Toyota Bushings
(2)-Toyota M10 Stover Nuts
(4)-Toyota Upper Bushing Cups, extremely important!

Rear:
(2)-Toyota 80 Series Land Cruiser Coils
(2)-Genuine Toyota Tokico Black Rear Shocks & Supporting Hardware (Long Travel)
(1)-Sonoran Steel Fabrication L.L.C. Adjustable Trac/PanHard Bar
(2)-Sonoran Steel Fabrication L.L.C. Extended Bump Stop Adapters with
(2)-Daystar "Competition Style" Bump Stops
(2)-Sonoran Steel Fabrication L.L.C. Rear Sway Bar Adjustment Brackets
(1)-Sonoran Steel Fabrication L.L.C. Braided Stainless Steel Extended Brake Line
(1)-Sonoran Steel Fabrication L.L.C. Parking/Emergency Brake Bracke

 

[Cirbo]

spray everything with liquid wrench a few days before, then the day before again....

 

[weejub]

Thanks for the replies guys. I Have a Sonoran Steel 1.2 kit. A good thing is that the front coils/shocks are already assembled.

I figured a day would be sufficient as long as nothing goes terribly wrong. I can take the rack off if needed. I think the lift is around 2.5" in the front and 3.5" in the rear. The car has always been in NC so rust shouldn't be a issue. Here is the parts list.

Front:

(1)-Toyota Progressive TRD Front Coil: Driver/Left Side
(1)-Toyota Progressive TRD Front Coil: Passenger/Right Side
(2)-Toyota Stover Nuts
(2)-Toyota Upper Shock Bushings
(2)-Sonoran Steel Fabrication L.L.C. Custom Polyurethane Top Plate Retainers
(2)-Bilstein 5100 Series Height Adjustable Zinc Plated Heavy Duty Front Shocks
(2)-Sonoran Steel Fabrication L.L.C. Front Differential Drop Spacers
(4)-Toyota Bushings
(2)-Toyota M10 Stover Nuts
(4)-Toyota Upper Bushing Cups, extremely important!

Rear:
(2)-Toyota 80 Series Land Cruiser Coils
(2)-Genuine Toyota Tokico Black Rear Shocks & Supporting Hardware (Long Travel)
(1)-Sonoran Steel Fabrication L.L.C. Adjustable Trac/PanHard Bar
(2)-Sonoran Steel Fabrication L.L.C. Extended Bump Stop Adapters with
(2)-Daystar "Competition Style" Bump Stops
(2)-Sonoran Steel Fabrication L.L.C. Rear Sway Bar Adjustment Brackets
(1)-Sonoran Steel Fabrication L.L.C. Braided Stainless Steel Extended Brake Line
(1)-Sonoran Steel Fabrication L.L.C. Parking/Emergency Brake Bracke

Nice kit! You'll need the ext brake lines on the back

 

[Azn toyo]

I was thinking about waiting until I had enough funds to get tundra calipers and bleed all at once. Is that a super bad idea?

 

[RedHeadedStepChild]

If you won't wheel between now and then you could be ok since you'll never reach full droop on the street, but bleeding is easy. I'd put the longer lines on now, and just bleed again when you do the tundra brakes.
The SS is a nice lift. I think you'll like it.
If you get the larger Tundra calipers (I forget the casting designation), it will change the feel at your pedal. When I did mine I was a bit unsure as you'll need more throw to get the same braking. After living with it for a year or so, I like the upgrade. I think you get better modulation which is nice when using the left foot up Dicky Bell and such.

 

[Rice]

Interesting... I got no difference in the pedal when I did tundra brakes.

I agree with the brake lines .... No biggie to bleed a second time.

 

[Azn toyo]

@Rice @RedHeadedStepChild did you install the 199mm or 231mm tundra brakes?

 

[weejub]

The PO on my truck put on the 199MM. They seem fine to me, but it was 2.5 years between my other 3rd Gen, so I can't really say I can tell the difference.

I will let the experts comment on feel, etc, but I an tell you this on fit:

The 199mm will require a 1/4"+ spacer for most 16" 6 lug toyota wheels to include the 5 spoke forged alum LC wheels.

I am pretty sure the 231mm will require a 17"+ wheel, or you will need to play with the spacers/wheel combo.

Decent video on the lift install - gotta fast forward through the first part a bit: