ToyTec Lift Install - Full Writeup and Pictures

[Jelopy]

FJ Guga previously said:

Good write out and nice pics. Sounds like a lot of work though

It was alot of work, but I enjoy doing stuff like this. If you are mechanically inclined at all, you and a buddy can put your own lift on. I rarely will pay someone to do things I can do myself. Just the satisfaction of saying "I did it" is worth doing it myself.

Any alignment issues after the lift install(s)?

The alignment seems fine to me. No difference the way it tracks from before the lift was installed. I will let everything settle for a few weeks, then take it in for an alignment however. Chewing through tires is not something I want to experience.

[Noisycow]

You forgot these important items!

1. An upgrade from a 15amp to a 20amp circuit breaker, for that air compressor, available at Ace Hardware for $5.25
That circuit breaker was pissing me off LOL.

2. A set up crowbars to get the spring compressor pieces out of the springs! If they are the SEARS ones!! - those
were sure a life saver though. Sidenote: Are these hydraulic spring compressors, under $100, a big time/grief saver?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2-Ton...spagenameZWDVW I know these aren't something a commercial shop would use - not 'industrial'
enough, but for us backyard types? - would save the need for the air compressor also? Don't know.

3. Gloves! Those automotive-duty gloves save your hands. There is nothing 'sissy' about gloves unless people just love having their hands carved up.

Otherwise ........ I learned A LOT from just watching. VERY happy to hear that they seemed to ride nice - they may 'settle' a little like other Toytechs I have read about. Normal.

[CO-Jeff]

Great Post Guys!

[bigbill25]

Noisycow previously said:

2. A set up crowbars to get the spring compressor pieces out of the springs! If they are the SEARS ones!! - those
were sure a life saver though. Sidenote: Are these hydraulic spring compressors, under $100, a big time/grief saver?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2-Ton...spagenameZWDVW I know these aren't something a commercial shop would use - not 'industrial'
enough, but for us backyard types? - would save the need for the air compressor also? Don't know.

Yeah, the srowbar-spreader saved us. Thanks!

How does that hydraulic compressor work? I can't figgure it out from the pics...

--Bill

[Jelopy]

Noisycow previously said:

You forgot these important items!

1. An upgrade from a 15amp to a 20amp circuit breaker, for that air compressor, available at Ace Hardware for $5.25
That circuit breaker was pissing me off LOL.

2. A set up crowbars to get the spring compressor pieces out of the springs! If they are the SEARS ones!! - those
were sure a life saver though. Sidenote: Are these hydraulic spring compressors, under $100, a big time/grief saver?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2-Ton...spagenameZWDVW I know these aren't something a commercial shop would use - not 'industrial'
enough, but for us backyard types? - would save the need for the air compressor also? Don't know.

3. Gloves! Those automotive-duty gloves save your hands. There is nothing 'sissy' about gloves unless people just love having their hands carved up.

Otherwise ........ I learned A LOT from just watching. VERY happy to hear that they seemed to ride nice - they may 'settle' a little like other Toytechs I have read about. Normal.

1)I should have killed my waterfall pump in the backyard. That, the refridge and the compressor were too much for the poor circuit breaker.

2)Good job coming up with the crowbar pry to get the Sears spring compressors off the front springs. I think 2 sets of the Harbor Freight compressors for 1 rig is the way to go. $14, use 'em, throw them away.

[bigbill25]

Jelopy previously said:

I think 2 sets of the Harbor Freight compressors for 1 rig is the way to go. $14, use 'em, throw them away.

I think putting a light coat of 30 WT oil on the thread would have helped too. The Sears ones were pre-oiled and moved a lot better. A nice $43 lube-job!

--Bill

[bigbill25]

Also of note:

After doing two, I think Jelopy and I could do it in 3 hours if everything was ready to go. And no, we are not doing yours

--Bill

[bigbill25]

Here's a gotcha: The flat side of the spring goes UP! The other side just has the round coil, and it goes down and fits in a small 'elbow' that at the bottom of the shocks (front) or on the axle (rear). Not that we screwed that up or anything

--Bill

[Jelopy]

...and we never once forgot to put the spacer on the coil before putting it in place.

[Noisycow]

bigbill25 previously said:

Yeah, the srowbar-spreader saved us. Thanks!

How does that hydraulic compressor work? I can't figure it out from the pics...

--Bill

That $90 hydraulic spring compressor is just a small 2-ton jack that is mounted in the back -- the two 'hooks' grab onto the spring at the top and then the base holds the bottom. There has to be mechanics here that have used them a lot. I'm sure a professional-duty one would be in the hundreds, but this one would make life easier doing the Toytech. With this compressor, I'd feel that I'd have a much better chance tackling something like this. The jack/compressor has a built-in foot pedal to pump up the jack.

If you guys put my lift in for free, I'll buy you one! Feeling generous today!!!

Here's a different kind of spring compressor - clamshell design - also under $70 - SnapOn makes one ... need to turn a ratchet or use an air tool though lol --