Hey everyone!

Good news. I just got my 4runner back from Downey.
Items installed:
Front - coilover
Rear - shock and coil
Single piece Skid Plate

Stock Measurements: *
Front: 33"
Rear: 36"

Final Measurements: *
Front: 37.5"
Rear: 37.5"

* (All measurements are to the bottom of the fender)

Btw, these measurements are with the stock 265/70/16 tires. I'll be picking up my new MTR's (285/75/16) tomorrow and I'll redo the measurements for everyone.

Pictures will come over the weekend when I goto Hungry Valley with some of the members here for a group trail run. This way you can see the 4runner in action too (Plus I don't have a dig cam so it makes it very difficult to develop/scan the images)

Now some notes:
The rear are only lifted 1.5". They initially wanted to get 2 to 2.5" but it just didn't work out that way. It looks like they really liked the way it looks with the 1.5" so they might stick with it. I did a quick comparison with Billy (fourrunabilly) on his measurements and the front are the same but the rear is different. His rears are 40" while mine is 37.5". So the diff is about 2.5". The difference is that his sits nose down while mine is nose high (just about). They liked the way it came out so I think they're ognna stick w/ the 1.5"

Most likely, they'll get the rears to be 2" instead though but at the current time, it looks like 1.5" the mark.

They will also be selling their skid plates as well. This item will definitely be a must have for everyone as it's a single piece plate. Installation looks pretty simple except you gotta weld some screw points (stock ones suck). Since mine was a test model they did a simple job but I'm sure when they start selling the production model it'll be easier to install.

Now for the more important info:
Kits are already on sale and the production is in full swing. They are making some noticable changes to the design for easier installation but the finished product will have the same results. They are expecting to sell these items within the next two months.
Skids are also in the same boat as well. Expect those soon too!
Intake system should be ready too.

I'll keep ya guys updated. I"ll be talking to the owner next week on an update on how the truck is so I'll ask him more questions then! If you need more info and want me to ask him for ya, hit me up w/ some q's!

Lance

pix will come... I promise!!!

 

WOW, Lance im sure you are totally stoked!

i cant wait til Sunday to see that beast in action!

-Casey

 

 

Lance-

Awesome! Great news to hear. Your measurements are actually very interesting to me, as they are essentially exactly what the revtek kit gave me, before the rear spacer additions...sweet that you got 37.5 at the front...when you add the 285's, you will probably be right around 38.25 give or take a little...cause my 37.5" measurement is with the 33's...I am adding about 1 more inch to the front clear the 33's for good, as they are rubbing again after getting aligned...you should be fine...let me know. In my opinion, these companies just don't realize how much weight sits on the rearend...hence the 2.5" turning into 1.5"...just like my revtek. I bet with your coils and my spacers on top...it would be perfect, at least for me...and that is great to hear. I will definitely let you know how that comes out. I was looking at some pics of your rig a couple days ago for the first time, and I must say, that is one nice ride...the sliders look killer. Mine are in the mail and on the way...SE hood goes on tomorrow.

Here are my two main questions:

Who do I need to talk to to get those coils into the mail to me asap? Do you have a phone number??

And secondary, is the skid plate in full production mode??...I have been desperately searching for someone to fab me a plate...let me know on that one asap as well.

Thanks again for all your help and energy on this topic. It really has generated a lot of excitment for me...especially after seeing the pics of your rig with out the lift and new tires...it is going to look awesome! Hit me back with anything and everything, I would love to be able to call downey tomorrow and order the parts! I am also interested if you will have to remove your mudflaps and do a little trimming...keep us posted. Again, great great work...you are the man.

Keep up the good work and enjoy your wheeling this weekend.

Billy

 

Billy:

When Downey was testing the coilover for the front, they cranked it up as high as 38.5"!! They ended up settling down 1" because the front was way too high compared to the rear. This is a good thing because after the front steel bumper I"ll need that extra inch .

Unfortunately they only have 1 complete set right now. They're expecting full production within 2 months. You can call Downey and order a set but it'll be on backorder for awhile. Just expect to wait up to 2 months They're just backed up on coils right now. They're inventory is depleted after the end of the year and they're in production right now. Its just one of those things that just take time.... Kinda sux eh

The skid plate that they made is a one piece skid that covers everything that the stock 2 piece skid did. It's definitely thicker and definitely looks sweet! I'll be hitting Hungry Valley on sunday so I"ll take some great action shots w/ everyone's digital camera!!! hehe.... (since I don't have a dig cam... I just gotta use my friends that'll be there..)

Give Downey a call tomorrow and tell em that you talked to me and want to order some parts I'm sure they'll be able to put you on their back order list for parts.

I"m picking up my wheels/tires tomorrow morning before dropping into work (it won't be installed until that night but I'll give ya guys an update on what I find!).

Mudflaps and fenders are all coming off (I'm certain - well the mudflaps but the fenders are pending).

Lance

PS:
pix on sunday!! sunday! I say sunday! Those of ya that's going to Hungry VAlley, please bring your dig cam so you can help me take some pix for everyone

 

Lance-

38.5 in the front before the 285's!!! that is unreal. what do they want for their complete kit...i may just order it up and add the revtek spacers to the rear.

If you could give me any sort of contact info - phone #, email, etc. asap, that would be awesome, as I will just call tomorrow and buy the one entire kit they have.

Thanks a ton.

Billy

 

YOU ARE ONE LUCKY MOFO!

How's the ride after the lift. When I lifted my Ranger it totaly changed the feel for the better. I could bash the front end and never bottom out. Made it feel like a "truck". Don't get the same feeling with the new rig. That was the reason I was avoiding just a spacer lift.

Give it a good testing the weekend and thanks for the information. I'll call today to let them know people are anxious!

 

Just picked up the tires about an hour ago... Told work that I"ll be late because I had to get new tires .... hehe (they're thinking like... huh? 03 new tires? what the >!?!)

Well, I did have them test fit and it definitely rubbed ALOT!. I already knew that the mud guards will go but I didn't think I would have to trim alot of the bumper. Since it rubbed, I knew that it'll tear my bumper off... I decided not to mount them until tonight where I can trim the front bumper alot.

I'll be taking the inner fender well plastic crap off and see how much of the front bumper will have to go.

On a good note, when the tire was on, the truck looked like a monster!!! woo hoo!!!

If you're interested in some suspension kits by Downey, Give them a call @ (562) 949-9494.

Talk to any of the sales staff and they'll be able to help you.

Can't wait until I get home at 7pm to work on the truck!!!!


:::::EDIT:::::
One thing that I forget to mention is this. When the front tire is at full droop, the upper A-Arm hits the coilover. Nothing we can really do about this one aside from the rubbing on the coils. I hope that ATS or Total Chaos can make some new Upper A-Arms for us and will take this into consideration.

 

Lance-

Wow, if i am understanding you correctly, you are to have to trim part of your bumper??? I hade to do a little inner fender trimming of the plastic and yanked the flaps, but clear the bumper with plenty of room...maybe your offset is a lot different than mine, as the 33's are nicely tucked into the fender. Anyway, I can't wait to see some pics...I called downey this morning and they said that the kit wont be available for about 3 weeks...but with you at 37.5 in the rear with the new coils, plus the addition of my 2.5" spacer, that should put me back to 40", exactly where I am and want to remain. I am then gonna custom fab 5/8" spacers to add to the front to bring it up to 38.5, which should be perfect. Way to go...keep us posted.

 

Billy:

Finally got my 285's on! I ended up removing the entire inner fender liner. Also I had to take about a 1"x2" Triangle at the bottom of the bumper at the end. Aside from that everything else is fine.

The tires are awesome and I've yet to get the final measurement after the tires but I'm suspecting I'm getting about 38.5" or so in the front and rear. I'll take some measurements in the morning.

Jason (Demello Offroad) emailed me with the confirmation on the bumper design and it looks like I'll be sending my truck into another shop for aweek! wish me luck!

Lance

 

You guys are making me crazy. I was not able to get started on the XReas lift because my buddy has been busy building equipment for a farmer. We're set for Monday though!

Lance: What brand did you go with? I've ordered Nitto Terra Grapplers that are 32.68 dia (285-75-16) from discount tire with free ground shipping at $135 each.

I am also looking the same way as Billy as far as the rear height hoping to get 39-40 with the 285's.

Billy: Take a look at your front lower strut/spring mount. You may find it easier to lift the extra 1" or so from there by raising the connection point 1/2 - 3/4 of an inch. just a thought! Let me know what you think! I plan on using that approach when I put on Jason's bumper.

What is your offsets? I have my eyes on some Mickey Thompson Classic Locks that are 16x8 with an offset of 0 mm and a backspacing of 4.0". You guys think I should go with a wider wheel or stay with the 8"?

Can't wait for pics!

Doug M.

 

Lance-

Wow, again that is crazy...having to remove the entire inner fender and even chop the bumper a little...but like you said, a new bumper is on the way and should look very sweet! You know we are all waiting on the pics.

Doug-

If you could explain to me a little better about relocating the mount, that would be great...I am assuming i just need to have a little custom bracket made for each side?? That would be a much easier fix...I am not at all looking forward to pulling the whole setup out again to say the least.

I don not know my offsets, but 95% of my inner fender is completely intact, just cut the caps on the bottom and up into the plastic a little. I am wondering if maybe the downey coilover vs. the revtek spacer would make any difference in this regard??? I plan on retaining the revtek it in the front and adding the revtek spacers to the downey coils in the rear...downey told me this would work no prob. If you could give me a little direction on how to raise the connection point that would be awesome.

Here are my wheel and tire specs, in case you wanna do a little research to find what you need:

Konig Tremors 17x8.5
Pro Comp 33x12.5 M/T's

Good luck guys, great to hear all the positive news.

By the way, I just put on my SE hood today, and have instantly fallen in love with it...it actually leaves plenty of room to make it funtional with the blower installed...pics soon.

Back to the shop for a while...

 

Fourunnabilly - what's your offset?
Thanks!

 

Doug:

My wheel/tire setup went something like this:
285/75/16 on Goodyear MT/R's (blackout ofcourse)
American Racing AR-23 (16x8, 0 offset, 4.5 BS)

With the AR-23's it just barely cleared by brake calipers...

Billy:

Well I figured, It was easier to just take the entire inner fender off as I didn't want some on and some off. Just took a knife and chopped away At the sametime I took a small corner of the bumper at the bottom as it rubbed abit so I had to trim that part. That's all.

Everyone:

Sorry but the pictures will be delayed abit as I noticed I had a torn front CV Boot. Toyota does not have any in stock in the socal region so they special ordered the part, which arrives on Tuedsay. I'll have pix then.... And ofcourse I can't goto the Hungry Valley trip *&@^#$*&#^@$*#

 

Lance-

That is still crazy for me to understand that you are rubbing that bad, but again, a sweet sweet bumper is on the way! Can't wait to see that as well. I am actually not going to lift the front any higher, as the 33's are clearin no prob now, just gonna swap in the downey rear coil plus the revtek space once they become available to the rest of us!

I'll have a ton of pics up tomorrow afternoon...hood scoop, grill, ram air, custom paint, skid plate re-location. Peace for now, glad your ride is rollin!

Billy

 

I'm with Doug, you guys are killing me with your lift success. I can't wait until one of us beats the XREAS curse. I'm pulling for you Doug.

 

cant wait to see those pics.....MMmmmmmm pics

 

Lance / Doug-

I found strut relocation brackets for an eyelet mount that are adjustable from 1-3" of lift...I'm gonna get them ordered soon, and then if the revtek spacer / downey coils add a little too much to the rear, I can just bring the front up...still trying to maintain a good amount of interstate driveability, but a little more lift can't ever hurt... Lance, I am assuming you will get pics up soon...bet she is looking sweet.

Everyone else - sorry that the only pic i got up was the one about the scoop...real busy weekend, but should have a bunch up early next week with the sliders, etc. This is Lance's thread, and respectfully, I won't post them here.

So Lance!!??! We need some pics!

Billy

 

 

Billy:

Sorry I ended up bailing on the Hungry Valley trip After I installed the tires on friday night I noticed that I had a torn CV boot on the outer side!!!

The cv boot was not torn due to the lift either... (just incase you guys are wondering).

Anyway I called the toyota parts dept to locate the part and they couldn't find one in my region so they had to special order the part. This part arrives on tuesday so I ended up bailing on the trip completely

Good news is that I have another trip out on sunday for a photo shoot for Downey. So I'll be able to take some action shots then!

Lance