The Install

I was in the process of doing a writing up of the install of my OME's regular shocks/springs but thought why rewrite what has already been written. 

I was all prepared to have Central 4Wheel Drive do the install on the 26th of April. I had every reason to have them do the install since I have absolutely no experience in doing this.  But it was driving me crazy that they have been sitting in my garage since the 9th of April.

I had read a couple of write ups, in particularly Adam F, Steve Schaefer's, and the Toyota SUV Suspension Lift Collaboration page in Outdoorwire.com.  I also read up in a couple of service manuals.  I thought this couldn't be that hard of an install.  Time consuming of course.  Especially for a first timer.  Also I knew I could count on the assistance from the members of  Outdoorwire.com.  But I kept talking myself out of it.  

The weekend of April 13th a buddy (Kirk)  stopped by to show me his 64 Mustang that he has been working on.  He also wanted to check out my OME's.  Before his current career he was mechanic for years.  As we got to talking about the install we thought, hell neither one of us had any plans for the day lets get to it.  With Kirks experience,  I jumped at the chance.

All in all this was a great install.  A few cut fingers and bruised hand but it was all worth it. 

Thanks Kirk for your assistance.  You knows I'm a hands on type of person.  Thanks for letting me take the lead on the install and showing me how to make it easier.  

Here are a few things I would like to let the newbies (like myself) be aware of.  

I jotted down a few things I think should help someone who is doing this install for the first time

I could not elaborate more by saying.........research...research...research.  If not for the write ups and reading up on suspensions, I could have never done this install.  

Familiarize yourself with the stuff you are going to install.  We found out that the bushings, caps, and the nut were the wrong size for the rear shocks.  We didn't know this till it was time to install them.  We ended up installing only the springs till I got the correct mounting kit sent to me a week later.  

If you are installing OME's, my rear coils came driver/passenger side specific.  After the initial install I found that the passenger side of my 4Runner was slightly higher than the drivers side.  When the correct bushings and caps came in and I was ready to install them I checked the rear coils and found that the white tabs that were taped to the coils read DS (drivers side) and PS (passenger side).  After swapping them out, my 4Runner now stands level.  

The install will  definitely go a lot smoother with help from a buddy, dad, son, sis, or wife.  Even if they are just passing you the 14mm wrench that's sitting across the garage. 

 Compressing the spring was the hardest thing to do.  The more you compress the coil harder it was to turn the wrench.  I was sweating my ass off  trying to get the coil compressed enough to remove the shock.  Kirk noticed my air compressor and advised that the job would go a lot faster if we had a impact wrench.  I didn't hesitate to drop everything and make a trip to Home Depot (5minutes away).  

Bottom line.  This thing has to be one of the most important tool in your shop.  We were able to get both front springs/shocks installed and mounted in less than an hour.  If you have one...use it.  If you don't...buy one.   If you can't afford one...make it one of your mods.  You always find money for mods.  If you don't know how to save money for your mods...go here..UUC. 

Good luck

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