First let me say thanks to all of you for the great info i have gotten from yotatech over the last year or so - seems someone always knows the answer, if you look.

After replacing the factory rear springs on my 2000 sr5 4Runner and not really being satisfyed, I finally went with an OME 2.5-inch with comfort shocks in the front (OME881/OME890 with N91SC/N86 fr/rr). Went about a month with the stock wheels and tires, then this weekend mounted fresh 285/75r16 BFG All Terrains on LC-80 rims.

I must say, I am very pleased with the ride and feel, and had minimal fit issues, just having to trim the front plastic flares a bit; it may require more under full stuff, as I have not had a chance to test it out. I will likely not be pushing it anytime soon, as i seem to be having some CV issues....now, of course, some pics; i know seeing what different setups looked like really helped me getting started.

Before, with new Toyota rear springs:


Now with OME installed, including a 1 inch diff drop and rear pahard drop bracket:


And with new shoes:


However, Crawling around underneath yesterday, i found this:

(that is just a red arrow, and the word 'spatter' trying to show how it had been leaking)

The 4Runner has 136k miles, both sides are leaking in the same place, but were not when i installed the lift, INCLUDING 1-inch diff drop spacers. I inspected the boots at the time, and would describe them as dry, but not flakey. Maybe it was time for some new booties anyway. Argh. And I was planning on saving up the cash for an e-locker, too.

Any suggestions or experience you guys have would be greatly appreciated. thanks again.

 

This seems to be a pretty common problem with this lift. I have the same problem (same lift as you + Toytec top plate). From my readings most people have solved the problem just with simply replacing the old boot clamps with new hose clamps. I plan on doing that this weekend. Good luck with whatever you choose to do, but for $5 I'd probably try the hose clamp thing first.

edit: Great looking truck by the way! I am still running stock tires on TRD Tacoma wheels but I'd like to get some LX450 wheels when I get my 285's next year.

 

The hose clamp will work, however be prepared to switch the CVs out whenever your hose clamp cuts the boot after a while. I used to hose clamp as well, but after about 15K miles it had cut the boot all the way through on the drivers side.

I'm pretty sure a better option is to get the proper clamps, not sure where to buy them though.

Oh and Looks good!

 

The only way I know to get the actual Toyota clamps is to buy the boot replacement kit from Toyota. The kit runs ~$25 and comes with both inner and outer boots, clamps and grease.

 

All you have to do is tighten the clamp thats on there right now. You'll see a little hump on the clamp, if you take some pliers (Theres a special name for these Im talking about..) and squeeze that hump, it should tighten the clamp, and stop your leaking.

I've done the generic hose clamp thing, it cut through quick, don't do it. If you really want to go and change out all the boots and clamps (messy job), go to Toyota and get the boot kits.

But, I think you should try to just tighten what you got first, and I'm sure it will be fine!

Edit, heres what i use to tighten those types of clamps: (don't cut it though!!)

 

anything over 2 inches lift is too much for the stock cv...leak or no leak

get ready for them to suddenly bust. just a warning...
they may not, but time after time it's been seen that 2 inches lift, they last long, go past 2 inches they wear out very fast

 

True true.

They'll eventually burst.

Once the new ones are on, they should last a while though.

 

Much thanks for all the replies and suggestions.
Think I may start with the 'tighten what you got' approach (thanks, SC4Runner) and keep an eye on 'em for a while - want to at least go get her dirty! Guess I will also look into replacement, as time goes on. ah well.
trd_4runnin11, hope you find some LX450 wheels. Found my 80 series rims locally, a guy that works at my bank mounted some 17" Sequoia rims on his Land Cruiser, and still had the old ones lying around. Good luck! And thanks again, guys.

 

I recommend saving for a CV rebuild kit. They'll eventually fail. It's a messy job but not very difficult. And for $25 the kit is a great deal, check out everything you get.

 

Very interesting! I have the Tundra lift with the 3/8" top out and nothing has happened so far due to the lift. But, the innermost portion of my CVs blew up some time ago. Nasty green goo all over my front diff. That rebuild kit looks like the ticket since I think the actual half-shafts are fine otherwise.

 

You can buy the clamps alone at carquest or your favorite parts store (CarQuest for sure though).

 

I used plastic tie wrap when I had that leaking problem on both side of cv boot after I lifted. Plastic tie wrap still holding well four months now. The only problem I have now the boot tear on driver side because of the 3.25 lift.

 

Wow, looking at the pic of those new boots (thanks, prospectator), mine definitely do not look that good.

SnowRunner, about that zip-tie fix -- did you just cinch them over the top of the metal straps, or maybe just to the outside of them? man, MacGyver would be proud!

Also, instead of fixing the leak, i took advantage of the weekend weather and painted the LC rims. Paint turned out pretty good, however, i think more prep time would have yielded better results. Still, they look good from 25 feet...

 

jasharp, I cut it off the metal wrap with sc4Runner tool that he posted and use plastic tie wrap. Do not use hose clamp like others recommend. It will give you vibration because of uneven weight of big screw.