2Whlin

Was having trouble getting the front of a 2.5" Daystar lift on my 1996 4Runner and last night was finally able to get the ball joint off to allow space to place strut assym. When I got it all bolted up the spindle where the upper ball joint is located was hitting the coil on the strut assym.
That's not right!! Not sure what is wrong with this lift kit or my truck? Anyone ever run into this on a spacer type lift?? When you ad this spacer to the top of the strut it forces everything down and the upper a-arm is at such a tweaked downward angle it does not look right. It's like I need a longer spindle and upper a-arm to compensate.

nobb

Did you install both the top plate spacer as well as the coil spacer for the front lift?

2Whlin

This kit only came with a coil spacer for the front? Am I missing something here?
Kit included 4 spacers, 2 for front, 2 for rear and bolt extensions for front strut assymbly.

nobb

I just ordered this kit. From my understanding, the kit comes with 2 spacers in the rear and 4 in the front (2 pieces per side...a top plate spacer and a coil spring spacer).

That is weird though. Maybe try just installing the top plate or coil spring spacer in the front and not both. It seems that you are overextended the coil-over. Or perhaps you can compress the control arm slightly before installing the coil-over to clear the springs?

2Whlin

My kit did not come with a top plate. I only installed what came in the box. What year model 4Runner did you order for? I ran it by an off road shop and he said to loosen the lower a-arm bolts (cam adjusters) as the lower a-arms were all the way in. Said to adjust the cams so it moves the a-arm out. Makes since.
Will try that next or return this POS Daystar lift kit and go another route?
Can't believe I'm the only one who has experienced this with such a simple lift kit.

nobb

I ordered the KT09106BK, which is for the 3rd gen (I have a 1998). I guess what your shop told you makes sense. Loosen the lower A-arm and try to make everything fit. You'll have to do an alignment afterwards anyways.

I wouldn't return the kit, as you would encounter the same problem with any other front lift kit (whether it be a spacer or spring upgrade). It's a problem with your suspension geometry and not the spacer itself.

nobb

Also, you said your kit did not come with a top plate spacer? So the front lift was only with a coil spacer? aka...you took apart the coil-over with a spring compressor and put the spacer inside. But did not bolt any additional spacer to the top of the outside of the coil-over.

I believe to get the full 2.5" lift you need both the coil spacer as well as the top plate spacer.

2Whlin

I have the same kit as you and no, it did not come with a top place spacer. Are you saying yours came with two parts for the front, a top plate spacer and a coil spacer?

2Whlin

okay, just got off the phone with Daystar and their older kits came with the coil spring isolator spacer but they changed that design to what I have. Will try and install again this weekend and see about loosening the lower a-arm adjusters so I can move that arm all the way out. Daystar Tech said that is pretty common thing to do when installing spacer lifts, having to adjust the lower a-arm out.

nobb

Cool keep us updated. My kit hasn't come in yet so I can't comment on what parts were included.

2Whlin

I can tell you I struggled getting the upper ball joint apart. Tore the boot and now have to find a new boot or replace this ball joint. Trying to find the right press to take apart the right side so I don't ruin that ball joint.

nobb

Did you also get a differential drop kit for this lift by any chance?

2Whlin

no diff drop. I'll see how it goes for now then decide later if I think I need to drop the diff.

xombiekiller42

I just put this in my 98 taco. it came with 2 coil spacers and add a leaf in the rear. i didnt have this issue. the only problem was getting enough room to compress the spring and fit it back in. it was a major pain. i took some pictures of the process and will post them at a later date. the only major problem i had was removing the ball joint stripped out the threads and had to be replaced. this took all day because the ball joint press didnt fit and had to jerry rig it to work. the problem could be that the spring was compressed too much to one side and it bent but will take time to realign. this looks like a pain in the d**k

2Whlin

okay have the lift installed. Once I figure out how to upload pictures, I'll post.
Overall, pita, but only due to inexperience and stubborn bolts and things not lining up etc.
Now on the replacing the upper ball joint since I screwed up the boot!

toyota4x4907

Is other side still up on a jack stand? I replaced the UBJs on my 2000 Tundra two weeks ago (basically the same suspension) and once the first side was back together and the other was still on a stand, what you pictured happened. Once both were back together (wheel on ) with all the weight on the suspension, they were fine.

2Whlin

yea, it all leveled out once the tires were on and on the ground. Now I have bigger issues. See new thread about busted CV joint boots!!!

nobb

Yikes. I think you are supposed to adjust the boots after installing the lift?

2Whlin

okay, now back to the original problem!!!!! Had to reboot both inner axles as on first test drive the boots lost their grease, axles pulled out. Then had to get the frick'n ball joint replaced on left side that I ruined when I started this mess.
(See other thread on how to do ball joint)
But now BOTH spindels are into the coil springs as shown in picture above!!!!
I've adjusted the caster adjusters to both extremes with no luck!!!!
How is it they were fine before I did the axle boot replacement??
I drove it for the first test drive and the spindels were fine then.
Axles are all the way into the front differential.
I'm clueless!!!!

2Whlin

well there was only one thing left to do and that was run it off the cliff. Anyone looking for some parts for a 1996 Toyota 4Runner can find them....

okay, so alls not lost. I decided to adjust the tie rod ends as that was the only thing left I had not adjusted. I got the spindels a little farther away from the coil springs, hopefully enough to limp to the shop for an alignment? I'm hoping a profesional alignment will resolve my issues.