Poll: Who installed your lift???

Hello everyone,
After searching for threads, I couldn't find one that incorporated a poll. I have always wondered this and figured now was the time to ask. After getting quoted $600 in labor for an OME lift at my local Toyota dealer, I would like to know who installed yours, or did you do it by yourself. I'd be willing to be that most guys on here installed it themselves or with a TW buddy. I have a somewhat small assortment of mechanics specific tools, and even smaller knowledge on the subject... Let me hear ya! Tell me if I should add responses.

 

I always do my own maintenance if I can and that includes lifts,have a few good friends who lime to help out and have a good time.much more rewarding to do it yourself IMHO

 

It's pretty easy. Plenty of youtube videos discussing the topic. Hardest/scariest part was compressing the spring and assembling the front coilovers. I would recommend you buy the front coilovers pre-assembled.

 

did mine all by myself just had one person help because i couldn't get the rear lower shock mounts in for the life of me. its a good learning experience but you will need an alignment when you are done. are coils already on the shocks?

 

I had my front lift-Rancho QuikLift-installed by a local shop because I didn't have access to a place to diy. The rest of my mods I've done myself-now that I have access to a killer shop and tools, and a good friend who's got a ton of experience working on vehicles. Ya do what ya gotta do......

 

I installed it myself.

It was a little daunting at first, but easily doable in a day. I highly recommend you have things such as coils and shocks pre assembled to make it much easier and safer for you.

Good luck!

 

I have not bought the kit yet, want to go for the 2 inch, however just trying to justify if I need it now lol. But when the labor cost was over half the price of the lift itself, I hesitated for sure.

 

@Texoma did mine and its been pretty awesome. He has worked on many of our trucks here in the Central Texas area

 

its pretty easy. couldn't imagine living somewhere where rust isn't an issue, that would be the dream.

 

if you ever want bigger tires or go off road the clearance wont hurt. Like everyone said get pre assembled coils and do it yourself or with a buddy

 

Don't forget to extend those rear brake lines while you're working on stuff.

 

I found that the front brake lines don't need to be extended because the droop is the same as stock. Only time you would need extended front brake lines is if you go long travel. Rear brake lines however you should get +2-3" depending on what you do. Some kits come with a plastic spacer like the Bilstein 5160 but honestly its better just to get extended lines for the rear. If you have the money do the front too to match color. There's an ongoing group buy for brake lines. I would also recommend you do the ECGS clamshell bushing too if your lifting the front. Greatly reduces any vibrations that may come from the front diff.

 

I'm not going to lie, I had a shop that's reputable for 4x4's. Mine was a complete suspension upgrade with new leaf springs, UCA's, brake lines, etc... descion was made after realizing that i could never get my schedule coordinated with friends and I personally didn't have all the needed tools. It cost more than some beer and pizzas but it got done and I know it got done right.

 

Do it yourself, its easy and you will learn alot about your truck.

 

I didn't do enough research and didn't get my coils pre-assembled so I had someone install it for me as I was told (and from my research) I'd need a wall mounted spring compressor to do it safely. $600 is a pretty good deal assuming you're having them install Dakars as well. I paid more than that but at least I have the piece of mind that it was done correctly. If I could do it over I'd get them pre-assembled and do it myself.

 

I'd like to know this as well.
I have little mechanical knowledge, few tools, and fewer friends

 

@tacobell007 Did mine.

 

I've done all my own lifts and helped some fellow TW members install their lifts at my work on weekends.

 

I bought my lift (5100s all around), tires, and new rims all together. I took them to a local guy that a friend told me about. He charged me 500 cash to mount and balance tires, install lift, and alignment. The alignment turned out to not be good so I went to Toyota and got another alignment which was 89 I believe.

 

Anyone know good shops in Western NC??

G.