Toyota 96 4Runner Lift

[Kris K]

The time has finally come to lift my 4runner.

From searching the web I believe I have decided on the 2.5” lift from OME. I don’t want to go to crazy since this will be my wife’s DD, and only my weekend camping/expedition rig.

The problem I’m having is I don’t have the tools or really the know how on lifting a truck with coils. So I’m thinking about getting the kit, and having a shop install it for me. I have already talked to Les Shwab since I was in there to have my car’s tires rotated, and figured I’d ask. They said they won’t install it unless I buy if from them (they gave me a quote) I’m thinking a shop like Big O, Shwab or any other shops like this would be about the same. What other shops can I contact on the cost to install the lift for me??

 

[str8axleguy]

I know ALL PRO on 1900 West in Ogden will install lifts not purchased from them. They told me they have no problem installing lifts bought somewhere else.

 

[Taco4life]

pm sent

 

[Kris K]

pm sent

Got it thanks, I'll keep you in mind.

 

[cruiseroutfit]

Install it yourself. The only hard part of the install is assembling the struts and coils, it not hard, just requires the right tools. You can buy pre-setup coils/strut assemblies (adds a few bucks to the cost) or take off your coil/strut assemblies and take them to a shop with a strut compressor and spend $50-75 at most doing so.

 

[Corban_White]

I believe something along these lines can be "rented" (zero end cost) from autozone?

 

[cruiseroutfit]

I believe something along these lines can be "rented" (zero end cost) from autozone?

Won't work on the front coils, the wraps are too tight and by the time you get them compressed the fingers of the compressor won't come out. You could use those on the rear axle, but its not needed as there is enough flex with the shocks removed to install the coils.

 

[Kiel]

I can press those for you Kris, if you don't mind coming to slc and giving me a little time

 

[Kris K]

Install it yourself. The only hard part of the install is assembling the struts and coils, it not hard, just requires the right tools. You can buy pre-setup coils/strut assemblies (adds a few bucks to the cost) or take off your coil/strut assemblies and take them to a shop with a strut compressor and spend $50-75 at most doing so.

Talked to a couple places they won't touch the coil/struts inless I buy the kit from them, and have them install it. I'm planning on getting the kit from you, just need to get everything figured out first. How much more does it cost to buy pre-setup coil/struts??

What are the right tools??

 

[Corban_White]

Won't work on the front coils, the wraps are too tight and by the time you get them compressed the fingers of the compressor won't come out. You could use those on the rear axle, but its not needed as there is enough flex with the shocks removed to install the coils.

Maybe this is a dumb question, but why do you need to remove the fingers of the compressor while the coils are compressed?

 

[cruiseroutfit]

Maybe this is a dumb question, but why do you need to remove the fingers of the compressor while the coils are compressed?

Because on a strut assembly you are pre-compressing the coil before you install it on the vehicle and limiting its free height with the strut shaft, so even at static ride height they will not be able to be removed.

 

[Corban_White]

Because on a strut assembly you are pre-compressing the coil before you install it on the vehicle and limiting its free height with the strut shaft, so even at static ride height they will not be able to be removed.

Gotcha. So in other words, if you were to try and remove the old springs from the strut there wouldn't be room in the coil to insert the finger?

 

[cruiseroutfit]

Gotcha. So in other words, if you were to try and remove the old springs from the strut there wouldn't be room in the coil to insert the finger?

Nope, but that easy, you just undo the strut bolt (carefully) and let it expand. They only compress an inch or two onto the strut.

 

[Kris K]

Does someone have a write up of this lift being installed??? I found where someone was putting a OME lift on a 2001 4runner. Is a 96 that much diffrent??

 

[Kris K]

Ok I think I have the idea on how this is done. FRONT: Lift support truck then take tires off. Take bolt out at the bottom of shock then take the three nuts off on the top ,and the shock and spring just come right out??? Then take it along with my new shock, and spring to a shop and have them assemble it for me. Then just put them back the way I got them out??? Rear: Lift support truck take tires off. Take shocks off lower axle, and the springs I guess fall right out. Put the new springs in then lift axle, and install shocks and then put tires back on and i'm done???

 

[cruiseroutfit]

Does someone have a write up of this lift being installed??? I found where someone was putting a OME lift on a 2001 4runner. Is a 96 that much diffrent??

96-02' is idential, front is the same as a 96-04' Tacoma too. In all reality the procedure is no different than the 03' & newer 4Runners or Tacomas too.

 

[cruiseroutfit]

Ok I think I have the idea on how this is done. FRONT: Lift support truck then take tires off. Take bolt out at the bottom of shock then take the three nuts off on the top ,and the shock and spring just come right out??? Then take it along with my new shock, and spring to a shop and have them assemble it for me. Then just put them back the way I got them out??? Rear: Lift support truck take tires off. Take shocks off lower axle, and the springs I guess fall right out. Put the new springs in then lift axle, and install shocks and then put tires back on and i'm done???

Yup, you've got it down. Its often easier to remove the sway bar and tie rod on the front as well, but that's just a couple more bolts, nothing major.

 

[Paul R]

Other than figuring out the coil compressing it is a super easy install. You can definately do it yourself if you have someone with a press help you...

 

[Kris K]

Well I guess I'll give this a try.

So do I need the diff drop kit???

I'm looking at doing the same coils as Sami, 882's in the front 890's in the rear.

 

[cruiseroutfit]

Well I guess I'll give this a try.

So do I need the diff drop kit???

I'm looking at doing the same coils as Sami, 882's in the front 890's in the rear.

I've run the OME 882's on both my Tacomas and I've got plenty of customers running them on rigs with no issues. You will likely have accelerated CV boot wear, but nothing out of line. Say a stock CV boot would normally be good for 100k, your lifted one might last say 75k? Make sense?