DIY 4" Level

[hodge-xj]

Let me start off by saying I DO NOT CLAIM ANY INFO AS MY OWN ON THIS. I'm strictly sharing this as I found it interesting, and I've seen it discussed and debated, but never done. I'm over on an eco Diesel forum and one of the members put together his own 4" kit mimicking the readylift 4" kit for 4wds. I've been in contact with him and he is sharing info with me and I'm relaying it here. As I get more ill share, but here's the link to the thread thus far.

https://r.tapatalk.com/shareLink?ur...share_tid=62970&share_fid=103408&share_type=t

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[hodge-xj]

In the beginnings of the thread I assumed it was 2wd, so I paid no mind to the height. Once realizing it was 4wd, I had really piqued an interest in how. I didn't even know readylift had a 4" kit. I knew these trucks are capable of a lot of travel up front but wow, and he uses 4wd too. Longevity wise who knows, but its working for him so I give him props. It was a matter of time for someone to try it.

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[ram1500rsm]

We have a couple of people who will try a similar approach, one with Eibach 2.75" springs but with the 3.5" setting, the other i believe it was Bilstein 2.8 with a 2" top spacer. Anything is possible when you go slow, that's how we ran D35's on 33's, and some can run 35's if they try it with the same diff, doesn't mean is right , but i applaud the youngters for having the guevos .... sometimes if you don't try you won't know.. i'll let them play with it for a while. i have about 1.5" in my coilovers i could crank up, but i'm reserving some if i ever get a damn bumper with a winch plate that doesn't look like i'm towing cows to the stable, you know damn desert racers and how pesky stuffed their trucks look like hahahaha..

 

[hodge-xj]

We have a couple of people who will try a similar approach, one with Eibach 2.75" springs but with the 3.5" setting, the other i believe it was Bilstein 2.8 with a 2" top spacer. Anything is possible when you go slow, that's how we ran D35's on 33's, and some can run 35's if they try it with the same diff, doesn;t mean is right , but i applaud the youngters for having the guevos .... sometimes if you don't try you won't know.. i'll let them play with it for a while. i have about 1.5" in my coilovers i could crank up, but i'm reserving some if ever get a damn bumper with a winch plate that doesn't look like i'm towing cows to the stable, you know damn desert racers and how pesky stuffed their trucks look like hahahaha..

I figured I'd share, as this is confirmed with a frequent poster and he's following up with me so I can compile more data. That's what makes this forum useful. Otherwise it's just slot of people asking about 5100s and 35s with -44 offset [emoji6]

In all seriousness I agree, to each their own. He's happy with his, me with mine you with yours. Different stroke for different folks. But I've seen it discussed and nobody seems to have gone through with it so here we have it.

Btw if you find a bumper lmk, body armor is the only one I've found that's not a million dollars and looks alright. But unfortunately for me, my 6112s are maxed so I have no reserve height. This trail run Sunday will let me really see what I will and won't need. I happen to like the stuffed look, hence my stupid tire thread. [emoji16]

BTW I sure do miss the days of jeeps.
96 XJ (hence the screen name)
D30-4.56s/lockrite/35s
8.25-4.56s/lockrite/35s

I do miss the pucker factor waiting for a locked d30 to explode stuffed into a rock in 4lo....that being said it never did explode.

That purple xj is my buddy padens. He actually did a few ultimate adventures with that jeep with Peterson's mag. Spent many long nights working on that thing.

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[ram1500rsm]

This is what happens when you run chit up without the proper bumpstop, i broke my 5100's long time ago in the same spots because i knew better than anybody and wanted to go fast on 5100's with strut top spacers, not once but twice , strut spacers will cause this to 5100 or any other conventional adjustable strut lifted to their max perch, it's not difficult to visualize why, the strut spacer on top is pushing the entire assembly down 2", but you're not bumpstoping for that extra new lenght, what do you think it'll happen when the shock comes backup hard after hitting a hop going up ? all that force has to go somewhere and the bumpstop is not enough to stop it as it did before when you didn't have the spacer on top. nothing to do with putting the TC in 4lo, but what do i know... I paid too much money just to level the truck.
https://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/262785-broken-bilstein-5100-fronts.html

 

[hodge-xj]

This is what happens when you run chit up without the proper bumpstop, i broke my 5100's long time ago in the same spots because i knew better than anybody and wanted to go fast on 5100's with strut top spacers, not once but twice , in this dude case i think they broke because of something else, strut spacers will cause this to 5100 shafts or any other conventional adjustable strut lifted to their max perch, it;s not difficult to visualize why, the strut spacer on top is pushing the entire assembly down 2", but you're not bumpstoping for that extra new lenght, what do you think it'll happen when the shock comes backup hard after hitting a hop going up ? all that force has to go somewhere and the bumpstop is not enough to stop it as it did before when you didn't have the spacer on top. nothing to do with putting the TC in 4lo, but what do i know...
https://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/262785-broken-bilstein-5100-fronts.html

I know, I've seen this a few times. Them yota boys sure do best their chit. As do you left coasters! Buncha hooligans! I don't have anywhere to legally or safely get into 4hi so I've only ever seen this damage via the web.

In the case of the guy/guys running this setup I'm sure they may never push their stuff hard enough to break, and I hope, for their safety they don't.

Food for thought, if the cvs are able to function at 4" of height above stock, and maintain the droop travel we know the spacers allow, imagine if we got thrifty and threw a mid travel coilover in there, say, a bit longer than yours with a complimentary UCA......just dreaming out loud here.....

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[ram1500rsm]

I know, I've seen this a few times. Them yota boys sure do best their chit. As do you left coasters! Buncha hooligans! I don't have anywhere to legally or safely get into 4hi so I've only ever seen this damage via the web.

In the case of the guy/guys running this setup I'm sure they may never push their stuff hard enough to break, and I hope, for their safety they don't.

Food for thought, if the cvs are able to function at 4" of height above stock, and maintain the droop travel we know the spacers allow, imagine if we got thrifty and threw a mid travel coilover in there, say, a bit longer than yours with a complimentary UCA......just dreaming out loud here.....

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That's why the eibach idea sounds better in paper at the 3.5 lift with aftermarket ucas. No top spacer BS. You'll have to cycle everything to make sure nothing binds in the arms, if that passes then the concern will be the cvs/tie rods and diff angle, everything works in slow motion or mall crawling, now get more speed in a dirt road with washes hoops and ruts an voila, you'll discover the weak points in the 1st trail session

 

[hodge-xj]

That's why the eibach idea sounds better in paper at the 3.5 lift with aftermarket ucas. No top spacer BS. You'll have to cycle everything to make sure nothing binds in the arms, if that passes then the concern will be the cvs/tie rods and diff angle, everything works in slow motion or mall crawling, now get more speed in a dirt road with washes hoops and ruts an voila, you'll discover the weak points in the 1st trail session

Not gonna dispute that. We've gone through these circles before, but I find it interesting more so that our cv angles operate this far out from stock. Longevity wise, who knows, but they obviously don't bind bad enough the OP hasn't mentioned anything. That's my main takeaway from this, there's quite a large range of useable travel in these front ends. My previous 2 vehicles that were ifs, had a very small amount outside oem range of motion, which limited lifting to say 2" or less. This is a huge difference, that's all.

Ps, since you have the Gucci kings, have you been able to really work them over?? I found a RR crossing on my cruise today on a rural back road where I was able to get "East Coast Air Time" and I'm really surprised how composed these 6112s are, for a "strut" they blow me away honestly. Ill for sure need new rear shocks if I keep pushing speeds where I can, 5100s are not even close to capable of keeping up.

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[ram1500rsm]

This were my Yota CV angles back then , zero issues but if somebody knows how to make a damn CV axel is those fackers from Toyota hahaha, look also at the poor tie rods. i'll give my Yotas hell and they'll take me back home every time, except of course when i started getting into Coilovers, speed and dirt, stock ucas work too sometimes until you start testing them out
CAM00610 by RAM RSM, on Flickr

CAM00611 by RAM RSM, on Flickr

 

[hodge-xj]

This were my Yota CV angles back then , zero issues but if somebody knows how to make a damn CV axel is those fackers from Toyota hahaha
CAM00610 by RAM RSM, on Flickr

I've seen some instagram videos that confirm that statement! Them boys like to bounce!!! I forgot just how small those lower stems are on 5100s, my god no wonder they snap

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[ram1500rsm]

First incursion into UCA's, this would be the equivalent of JBA's in the RAM and also my first CO's
CAM01360 by RAM RSM, on Flickr

This was just 2.5" maybe a little more cause i wanted more height
CAM01355 by RAM RSM, on Flickr

And first attempt to control bumpstops after damaging those silly 5100's, wish we could run something like these in this trucks, not at air can, but little more cushion if you don't want to spend a lot of money
CAM01847 by RAM RSM, on Flickr

 

[ram1500rsm]

Having good times and phucker factor with IFS is 10 times more intense
CAM02492 by RAM RSM, on Flickr

CAM02490 by RAM RSM, on Flickr

attachment1 by RAM RSM, on Flickr

_DSC3405_zps1369330b by RAM RSM, on Flickr

CAM02124 by RAM RSM, on Flickr

 

[hodge-xj]

First incursion into UCA's, this would be the equivalent of JBA's in the RAM and also my first CO's
CAM01360 by RAM RSM, on Flickr

This was just 2.5" maybe a little more cause i wanted more height
CAM01355 by RAM RSM, on Flickr

And first attempt to control bumpstops after damaging those silly 5100's, wish we could run something like these in this trucks, not at air can, but little more cushion if you don't want to spend a lot of money
CAM01847 by RAM RSM, on Flickr

Good ol SPCs. You had a nice little adventure setup, but by no means a go fast worthy suspension. Those yotas get jiggy quick hauling speed offroad without a pricey setup. My buddies all love their tacos, rightfully so, but for what I want they weren't enough. Not without a LT kit anyway.

I really wish we could get another bump stop for our front ends slung in there. But alas, shaft bumps are all we get. I squished mine good today and it wasn't terrible, so long as we don't make it s habit we'll be ok

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[ram1500rsm]

I wish i had more photos of my Taco and 4 runner on Icon stage 7 to show you how a mid travel setup rules in toyota world without making the jump to long travel hehehe, too bad i was never ever to experience that before having kids, ... money doesnt last very much now days lol

 

[hodge-xj]

Having good times and phucker factor with IFS is 10 times more intense
CAM02492 by RAM RSM, on Flickr

CAM02490 by RAM RSM, on Flickr

attachment1 by RAM RSM, on Flickr

_DSC3405_zps1369330b by RAM RSM, on Flickr

Something about those FJs man, I still want one! 3 wiper blades ftw!!

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[ram1500rsm]

Then went from Toyota camp to Jeep camp, there are things that IFS and Toyota can't do well

CAM03066 by RAM RSM, on Flickr

As you can see not a lot of lift, i've never be friend of hi lift applications.
[20160514_104232 by RAM RSM, on Flickr

20160709_134906 by RAM RSM, on Flickr

Bonus for those who fear pin stripes, but love a big truck doing offroad
20160709_123406 by RAM RSM, on Flickr

20160709_123426 by RAM RSM, on Flickr

Or how about a super RAM
20160723_082711 by RAM RSM, on Flickr

20160820_111202 by RAM RSM, on Flickr

but dear lord i'm miss my JK so much
20160514_121014 by RAM RSM, on Flickr

20160828_143051 by RAM RSM, on Flickr

20170203_130843 by RAM RSM, on Flickr

20170513_120630 by RAM RSM, on Flickr

 

[ram1500rsm]

That was a quick memory lane, i had a lot more crap with all the setups i've had but most of my pics were lost when i didn't want to pay for them , flickr did the same chit but i don't want to loose a good 6-7 years worth of pics again so i'm paying yearly to keep them

Anyways, i got carried away when i saw your pics , ******** it. back to the topic of top spacers with Billies at 2.8

 

[hodge-xj]

That was a quick memory lane, i had a lot more crap with all the setups i've had but most of my pics were lost when i didn't want to pay for them , flickr did the same chit but i don't want to loose a good 6-7 years worth of pics again so i'm paying yearly to keep them

Anyways, i got carried away when i saw your pics , ******** it. back to the topic of top spacers with Billies at 2.8

Hijack away, it's my thread, the info that pertains to it is in the beginning. We can fill in answers of people pop in. Lol. You had some nice builds. I too lost all my pics.

I've been doin adventure/overland/expedition **** for years, before it got trendy. Had a 2001 xterra with minimal lift on 33s, than my jeep you saw pics of, than I built my Cummins into a few renditions and it ended up leveled on 37s with thuren stuff. That changed my look on everything. Now my 1500, well in trying to blend it all, low lift, but tires, able to go pretty fast, expedition/road trips and conquer the pavement and work.

I really wish we had areas like you do out west. My trip Sunday is a ton of planning, than a 2hr ride to get to the park. There's no quick trips out here.

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[ram1500rsm]

I’ve had Toyotas, Nissan, Range Rover, Jeeps and Chevy products, almost all of them on 5100’s, ALL rode hard with them at highest perch, My Silverado still has the last set I’ll ever buy. All replaced by OME suspension later on when I wasn’t running coilovers. OME doesn’t make anything for Silverados or RAM so that’s why my first set of shocks for the RAM was Rancho, next will be the Silverado with Rancho QL, RAM got Kings and my WJ still has RC shocks lol. Bought it used fairly cheap with a 4” long travel RC lift kit, flex well and the bushings are good but the shocks do suck, d30 front and d35 rear with the chitty clips, running 33’s fully open and praying it holds lol, it’s a beater that maybe my daughter will inherit.

 

[hodge-xj]

Just a few more updates I recieved from the guy on the other forum running this as well as his fender measurements on 315s. Tho the angles aren't terrible, surprisingly, it's something to be mindful of and keep and eye on the boots on the cvs and steering up front. Might experience a bit of bumpsteer as well, but it's hard to say.

If you're looking for an aesthetic lift kit, this obviously works, just realize it's a compromise and won't withstand abuse like either a drop bracket lift or a level plus a body lift. I can't knock what I haven't run, and the guy in chatting with obviously uses it, but just be vigilant with maintenance. Different stroke for different folks.

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