How difficult would it be to install a 0.75" spacer just on the rear coils of a 5th gen 4runner?

Is this easy or hard? Does one need a spring compressor? The coils in there are after market and lifted 2". Can this be done by myself or do I need help from on other person?

 

You might be able to do it without a spring compressor. Jack up one side, and get a good solid jack stand or even better some big wood blocks under the frame in front of the wheel. This has to be secure because you are going to apply force to the axle and you don't want the vehicle to shift and fall.

Remove the wheel. There are 2 ways to go - either use an 8' 2x4 and lever down on the axle so that you can slip the spring out. OR you can slip a small bottle jack in and CAREFULLY spread the axle from the frame. Either way make sure you don't put pressure on the brake hoses etc.

As a side note, you can probably rent spring compressors for free from advance, AutoZone, or O'Reilly. This would make the whole operation safer and easier

 

Easy job to drop the axle and replace or changes the spring setup.

This brings the question: If this is about labor costs only, changing or replacing the springs is the same cost. Why not just put a taller spring set in there rather than a spacer? Prices range from $100 to $300 and you could get exactly what you like.

Don't know if you tow or really load down the truck for camping, but while you're in there installing a set of helper air bags is an easy job and adds about an hour of work. Does not require more skills than are already needed to change springs.

Jason

 

My question is, if you already have 2" lift springs in the rear, how much lift do you have in the front? I guess I'm wondering why you need 3/4" more lift in the rear...

 

I have heavy springs in now that I'm more than happy with. It's just that it's "too level" imo I'd like a slight rake when fully loaded with gear. It's really close though definatrly

 

I typed it wrong I'm looking for like 0.25" just like a leveling lift spacer to provide a slight rake. It's 2.5" on front. But when I go on outings I carry heavy stuff in the back is why. Tools, recovery gear, fluids, spare parts, and sometimes a cradle winch. I just hate riding low in the rear.

 

I would consider air bags. If you are loading up that much stuff, but only on outings, then they would be the perfect solution.

 

Agreed. Installed bags on my wife’s for heavy loads. Already had a 1” rake after lift, but if the load makes the vehicle less than level (front higher than rear), you can just air the bags up. I think they’re supposed to help with up to 1000 extra pounds.

 

All you need to do on rear is disconnect trailing arms, shocks and or panhard rod and jack until they fall out don't you? They aren't like front struts now are they? They are under weight of vehicle. They may have changed everything now. But I don’t think that

 

It's still the same but I wouldn't disconnect the trailing arms. You just need to disconnect the shocks at the lower mount and swaybar at the end links. You can the place a jack under each side of the axle and jack it up to get enough room on the opposite side. Remove spring. Add spacer and reinstall. Super easy to do.

Plenty of videos on YouTube to show you how to do this.

 

That's what I was thinking. I wasn't sure about arms on this one.

 

Just make sure you remove rear shocks, sway bar links and the sensors/line brackets. I've put a bottle jack in to push down on the rear axle to get plenty of room.

Its pretty straightforward.

 

Good call about the sensors and brackets. Been a while since I did it. Forgot about those.