Car Fix DIY Videos

1) A 4Runner weighs about 4,300 pounds. You should NOT attempt suspension modifications without the requisite mechanical experience, mechanical aptitude, safety aptitude, and tools including TWO hydraulic jacks and overrated jack stands. This video is intended to do what other videos did for me prior to the installation: give an overview of the process to help me know what I’m getting into. this video is *NOT* an instructional video for those without the necessary aptitudes and capabilities to venture into what can be a VERY dangerous situation. Even individuals WITH significant mechanical experience and aptitudes are ALWAYS at risk of serious injury or death when working underneath heavy vehicles. Extreme caution and overkill safety measures must always be employed.

2) As mentioned numerous times in this video I recorded this on the fly as I did this install which was the first major mechanical project I had done in a LONG time. Therefore I was anxious about the unknown and very rusty in my skillset. My skills were honed and refined DURING this install and I intentionally left in my mistakes and learning moments to show the reality of working through a project for the first time rather than making it look like I just banged it out. This style of video is not for everyone and if you don’t like it then move on. I wanted to post something different that those who like to do major research (like myself) prior to attempting something themselves can view to soak up every detail possible. If you are one of THOSE people and STILL didn’t like it I will give you a full refund no questions asked. D’oh!!

3) Although I used the Daystar front kit this video is applicable to all the generic billet aluminum spacers as well. All you have to do is bolt those spacers to the top of the strut and use blue Loctite. If you can get the strut OUT of the vehicle you certainly can figure that part out!!

4) As mentioned in the video, the second side of the front only took a little over an hour start to finish!! That’s of course because all of the learning (well most!) occurred on the first side. Additionally, the rear is much simpler but equally dangerous so safety measures are always required. I think the rear took me about an hour and a half even the first time.

5) I jacked up the entire rear (both sides) at the same time because of videos I watched and thought that was necessary. WRONG!!!! The next installs I did, as the video mentions, I was able to do ONE side at a time which is MUCH safer because you can keep one jack on the frame holding the vehicle and then use BOTH jack stands for safety as I did on the front. The fact that I didn’t realize this my first time in this video is a testament to how rusty my skills have become over the years since I was doing this sort of stuff all the time.

6) When I mentioned that I never put the weight of a vehicle on the jackstands that’s not entirely true. I keep most of the way on the Jack and then the stands are used for safety but I usually let the vehicle touch the jackstands slightly. Overkill is the ONLY policy for safety!!

7) the Daystar 2.5” kit actually results in about 3.35” of lift and I’ve seen some reviews that said the same thing. The vehicle still ends up looking just right when coupled with the one and a half inch spacers in the rear but since the 4Runner Suspension geometry is not well-suited for lift kits this is really pushing it to the limit. As stated in the video you are definitely going to want to install the SPC adjustable upper control arms at the same time as the lift kit to save time and then only have to get it aligned once!! If you do not use the SPC control arms unless you only drive on the street your upper control arm ball joints will contact the coil spring and rip the rubber boots. Even WITH the SPC Control arms this is a potential problem but lessened. Basically, the front suspensions on these vehicles are not designed to be compatible with lift kits which is why 2.5” is pretty much the maximum available. Even the ultra expensive kits that cost thousands don’t fare much better because the spindle orientation to the coil spring still must be maintained and even with totally redesigned aftermarket control arms the same problems persist which is why most people just use the inexpensive spacer kits.

8) When I was talking about taking a little weight off the jack stands by putting the jack under the spare tire what I really meant was that I was removing the SAG of the vehicle that occurs since the jack stands are placed up by where the control arms connect to the frame and therefore the entire rear of the vehicle is hanging out there with lots of leverage to sag. It was a shitty idea and I’m really aghast that I did it but I had to explain it in the video because the jack was there showing in the video and anyone watching would be wondering WTF??? Live and learn. Doing one side of the rear at a time is the way to go.