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Questions after lift install

Discussion in '4th Gen 4Runners (2003-2009)' started by importman, Mar 26, 2022.

  1. Mar 26, 2022 at 6:22 PM
    #1
    importman

    importman [OP] The mountains are calling and I must go...

    Joined:
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    Danny
    Carolinas
    Vehicle:
    05 Silver SR5 V6 4X4
    Blacked out, Ironman 3" Nitro Gas Suspension lift, JBA High Caster upper control arms, Differential drop and sway bar relocate, Upgraded to Sport Front Cardone Calipers with Brembo Rotors and Akebono Pads, Added Spoiler, Sony XAV-AX100 with Apple Carplay, USB Jack, Backup Camera, Black TRD Pro Wheels with General Grabber ATX 265/70/17, Rear differential vent extension, Auto Dimming Mirror with Compass and Homelink, Map Light Mod, Tekonsha 90160 Trailer Brake Controller, Recoil SL1708 Sub, Sealight LED Headlamps, K&N drop in air filter, Weathertech floor mats, Homemade rear storage compartment with built in pull out table.
    Hey Guys, I just installed my new Ironman 3/2 lift kit and JBA upper control arms. Everything went great and there's no problems but I have a couple of questions. Does anyone with a 3" lift know offhand what their measurement is at the front end from wheel center to bottom of fender? Mine went from 22" to 25 then settled in at about 24". But, I was not going from stock. I had the Daystar 2.5/1.5 spacer lift on there prior to switching to the Ironman. From the looks of it I think I got more than 3" above stock. I'd like to compare that with what others have gotten. Which leads me to my 2nd question. With all that in mind, do I need to do a diff drop or sway bar relocate, and/or do anything with brake lines, especially on the rear? Before this lift, (with the Daystar) my axles were running almost completely horizontal from diff to wheel. Now they have a moderate slant to them. Nothing drastic but I worry about the angle when they're extended. Just wanted advice from people who are more knowledgeable about this. Thanks in advance.
     
  2. Mar 26, 2022 at 9:06 PM
    #2
    kmeeg

    kmeeg LionRunner

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    Here's my measurements;
    Screenshot_20220326-220023_YouTube.jpg

    In my books diff drop kit is a must. Sway bar relocator is also important and from my experience the they were included in the kit (at least in my case).
    If the suspension have good amount of flex you need brake line extension as well. I did it with my ELKA lift.

    https://youtu.be/WCyzwYRZqwc

    Edit - Just realized the question is for 2005 4runner. Sorry my measurements would be useless.
     
  3. Mar 27, 2022 at 4:15 AM
    #3
    importman

    importman [OP] The mountains are calling and I must go...

    Joined:
    Sep 21, 2020
    Member:
    #16870
    Messages:
    252
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Danny
    Carolinas
    Vehicle:
    05 Silver SR5 V6 4X4
    Blacked out, Ironman 3" Nitro Gas Suspension lift, JBA High Caster upper control arms, Differential drop and sway bar relocate, Upgraded to Sport Front Cardone Calipers with Brembo Rotors and Akebono Pads, Added Spoiler, Sony XAV-AX100 with Apple Carplay, USB Jack, Backup Camera, Black TRD Pro Wheels with General Grabber ATX 265/70/17, Rear differential vent extension, Auto Dimming Mirror with Compass and Homelink, Map Light Mod, Tekonsha 90160 Trailer Brake Controller, Recoil SL1708 Sub, Sealight LED Headlamps, K&N drop in air filter, Weathertech floor mats, Homemade rear storage compartment with built in pull out table.
    Thank you for taking the time to reply anyway!
     
  4. Mar 28, 2022 at 5:26 AM
    #4
    slixx1320

    slixx1320 New Member

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    390
    Here are my measurements (before and after) on my 04 Sports Edition, measured from center of hub to bottom of fender. I measured it about a week after the install. I'm sure it has settle some since my last measurement from 2 years ago. I need to remeasure again. The rears have dobinsons 3" lift springs and the truck is also outfitted with a 1" BL. As far as a diff drop, if your vehicle axles are not binding nor is it tearing cv boots, I wouldn't even bother putting one on. Add diff drop and/or washers as needed.

    Before
    Front Driver = 18.5"
    Front Pass = 18"
    Rear Driver = 20.75"
    Rear Pass = 21.5"

    After
    Front Driver = 24.25"
    Front Pass = 24.25"
    Rear Driver = 26.25"
    Rear Pass = 26"
     
  5. Mar 28, 2022 at 5:52 AM
    #5
    iamincrediboy

    iamincrediboy New Member

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    South FL
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    2005 V8 4Runner Limited - Silver
    Ive posted about diff drops before, personally think there are negligible positives when other things are accounted for and adjusted, but potentially significant issues that can arise:
    "Keep a weather eye on your front diff after that diff drop. I know the idea is to keep your CV geometry closer to stock after lifting but there are enough stories of new vibrations popping up and reports of oil not being distributed right in the front diff to think it isnt worth it, not to mention few skid plates are made for install over diff drops. Just food for thought" https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/remove-the-differential-drop-on-your-05-tacoma.118545/
     
  6. Apr 7, 2022 at 6:06 AM
    #6
    importman

    importman [OP] The mountains are calling and I must go...

    Joined:
    Sep 21, 2020
    Member:
    #16870
    Messages:
    252
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Danny
    Carolinas
    Vehicle:
    05 Silver SR5 V6 4X4
    Blacked out, Ironman 3" Nitro Gas Suspension lift, JBA High Caster upper control arms, Differential drop and sway bar relocate, Upgraded to Sport Front Cardone Calipers with Brembo Rotors and Akebono Pads, Added Spoiler, Sony XAV-AX100 with Apple Carplay, USB Jack, Backup Camera, Black TRD Pro Wheels with General Grabber ATX 265/70/17, Rear differential vent extension, Auto Dimming Mirror with Compass and Homelink, Map Light Mod, Tekonsha 90160 Trailer Brake Controller, Recoil SL1708 Sub, Sealight LED Headlamps, K&N drop in air filter, Weathertech floor mats, Homemade rear storage compartment with built in pull out table.
    Update. After driving a little while I discovered I have a vibration coming from one or both cv axles only in 4wd while accelerating above 45 mph. Before installing the lift I was incorrectly advised by someone at Ironman that the 15mm trim packers that came with the kit needed to be installed to give me the 3 inches in the front. This was wrong. The lift is designed to give 3 inches without the trim packers. So instead of having 3 inches I have about 4.2 inches. So I went ahead and did the diff drop and it helped with the vibration but didn't completely eliminate it. So now I've got to tear it back down and take out the trim packers. But instead of totally going without them I ordered the 5 mm ones. So I'll be dropping it about .8 inches and should end up with about 3.4 inches of lift. I'm afraid that without them I would have about the same rake as it had with no lift. Hopefully, this will clear up the vibration and all will be ok. I don't really think the vibration as it is now is really hurting anything but it bugs me so I'm trying to get rid of it. Let me know if anyone sees any problem with my plan. And I want to thank all who replied to my original question.
     

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