How to Install the Rough Country 3" Lift Kit with N3 Shocks on 2004 Toyota 4Runner (4th Gen 4Runner)

Come for the knowledge; stay for the humorous commentary. Rough Country Lift Kit: www.bushcraftr...
Johnson's DIY Garage: / johnsonsdiygarage
Table of Contents:
Intro 0:05
Begin Front Install
Lift Vehicle 1:33
Remove Front Wheels 3:21
Disconnect Steering Linkage 4:07
Disconnect Sway Bar 8:05
Disconnect ABS Bracket 9:52
Remove Nuts from Upper Strut Tower 11:20
Disconnect Upper Control Arm 12:35
Remove Strut Bolt from Lower Control Arm 17:30
Remove Strut Assembly 20:31
Install Strut Extension Bracket 21:51
Reinstall Strut Assembly 23:35
Reconnect Upper Control Arm, Steering Linkage, Sway Bar, ABS Bracket Explanation 25:12
Reinstall Wheels 26:30
Begin Rear Install
Remove Rear Wheels 27:02
Remove Rear Shocks 27: 42
Disconnect Sway Bar 30:00
Disconnect Brake Line Bracket 30:11
Remove Factory Coil Spring 30:48
Install Coil Spring Spacer 31:18
Reinstall Factory Coil Spring 31:47
Reconnect Brake Line Bracket and Sway Bar 34:11
Install Rough Country N3 Shocks 34:36
Reinstall Wheels 37:17
Outro 37:56
Purchase on Amazon: amzn.to/2oAicpL
My Amazon Storefront: www.amazon.com...

[@BushcraftRidge]

See her in action here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/opXOemp9bbJpfqs

[@BushcraftRidge]

:-)

[@julianvandersteen2303]

I’m considering buying this same lift for my 4runner. Just curious how much did you charge this customer? I want to do this myself but I also want to get an idea of how much I would pay a mechanic to do it. Thanks

[@cadenschier1543]

@@julianvandersteen2303 same here was wondering same thing

[@wt-frazier]

that’s so cool i’ve never seen a shop where you can rent out bays and do it yourself. such a great idea!

[@BushcraftRidge]

Dude, it was so cool. And the owner and his son helped us out when we needed it!

[@CanadianGearhead]

Looks great. Nice to see more 4th gen content on here!

[@BushcraftRidge]

Thanks, brother! Next step is 33" Firestone Destination MT2s.

[@kenni411]

should have left the castle nut on the tierod, could have hit it without damaging the threads. how long did the job take?

[@BushcraftRidge]

Someone else said the same. Next time we'll know. A long time. We had to cut the rear shocks off. Probably 6 or 7 hours.

[@collindorego9291]

I want to get the same lift, how is the ride quality compared to stock?? Nice 4runner

[@gabrieljohnson5456]

Clarksville native! I work for a contractor place just up the road from that place. I’m about to put the same lift on my 4Runner 05 v6 4wd

[@gabriele.thompson3566]

what has been your opinion on the performance after having the RC 3in on for over a year now? Really considering it for my 4th gen and wanted your take or if I should spend a little extra on bilstein 5100's or Eibach's. Thanks a lot!!

[@Big88Country]

If you do this, or have done this, do not forget to buy the front diff drop spacers and the sway bar drop spacers, other wise you will prematurely wear out your CV axles and cause binding in them. BTW, you can't go wrong with Bilsteins or Eibachi's shocks, save yourself a few bucks!

[@stetsonayotte3550]

these guys are funny to watch. if these guys can do it… anyone can 😂

[@AntonioClaudioMichael]

Is that true dual exhaust or a Splitter at the end for the dual tips?

[@JoeyAndVehicles]

I just want to thank you guys for this video. It helped me so much installing my 3 inch rough country lift 🫶

[@iphone3gsdivine]

This is why I learned to do my own work

[@BushcraftRidge]

Saves a lot of money!

[@AntonioClaudioMichael]

Suprised you guys didn't lose the lower control arm Camber Bolts to take the load off the bushings

[@drummer2788]

I just installed the same kit on my 05. Did you have any issues with the spacer bolt rubbing on the floor board underneath? Mine is and making a horrible squeaky noise

[@davitsharashidze5858]

Great video! Could you've installed factory rear shocks back? I wanna do 3" lift on 2004 sr5 but maybe without new shocks. Car looks awesome btw

[@tractormantp2113]

Looks good !! I’m thinking about getting a forerunner in the future and kicking around what lift to put on there doesn’t seem to be much different when you put in a 3 inch leveling kit or the 3 inch total suspension lift it’s basically doing the same thing it’s not a body lift so, I put a 3 inch lift on a Suzuki sidekick I had and I had 29 5 x 9 50 Michelin motors on it was a fun jeep for the woods ,And I had a 80s model four-wheel-drive Nissan I put another 3 inch kit on it had 12 x 33’s on it mudders

[@fernyv121]

I read somewhere that you have to replace the upper control arms when putting a 3” lift. I noticed you guys didn’t, have you had any problems with it ?

[@BushcraftRidge]

It's been over a year, and I haven't noticed any issues.

[@nickdyke2192]

Did you have squeaking from the nut on top of spacer in the back? Mine is metal on metal and squeaking

[@johnmang8996]

Need Alignment for all wheel or front only

[@frank4211]

Have the same rig and lift... works great

[@BushcraftRidge]

Nice! Has been great so far!

[@bryank7133]

LOL, don't struggle getting the tie rod end loose. Put the castle nut on upside down, thread it back on until the end of the bolt is flush with the nut, then whack on it as hard as you like.

[@BushcraftRidge]

😂 😂 😂 Now you tell me!

[@TN_HondaDad]

This is why, at least with me, I will take mine to a shop and pay a professional to do it. I just don't have the knowledge of the suspension to be tweaking it and the overall frustration of getting things off. Good work though, nice to have a knowledgeable friend to help out! I might have missed it but what size tires are those? I like your lift size but don't want my 265/65/17 tires to look too small until I get larger tires. Looked at RC's site too, not too expensive too! :-} The front still looks a tad low but could be the camera angle.

[@BushcraftRidge]

I think that's what size mine are. Don't remember off the top of my head, but they don't look too small at all to me with the lift.

[@MichelleHaufler]

I wanted to have my sons done. It’s an 04 limited 4Runner but the shop is telling me it will be $600 extra if they have to torch that bolt. Does that sound right?!

[@BushcraftRidge]

That sounds expensive to me. Can you shop around and see what other shops in the area charge?

[@casuallyextremeoutdoors9644]

Thats hilarious I had just watched this before I did my giveaway announcement and I remembered correctly. The Yota looks great man!

[@casuallyextremeoutdoors9644]

Ps i managed to find your instagram. Check it and msg me back on there.

[@BushcraftRidge]

Thanks, brother!

[@BushcraftRidge]

My partner is supposed to be managing Instagram. I'll check with him.

[@casuallyextremeoutdoors9644]

@@BushcraftRidge or you can find my e-mail in my 'about' section. Instagram is just easier to message back and forth.

[@BushcraftRidge]

I logged in and messaged you.

[@oswaldopacheco9582]

Hi, I have a 2008 4runner and I bought a 2.5-inch OME suspension, I want my 4runner to be level front and back since it comes a little lower in the front part of the factory, which I should buy to make it level, I hope you can help me, thanks you!

[@BushcraftRidge]

I'm pretty sure this kit leveled it out. It's a 3 in lift for the front, but only 2.5 in lift for the back. Not sure though.

[@KirkHermary]

Great video! It's got a mean stance now 💪🏻

[@BushcraftRidge]

Makes it up the Ridge now. That's what we were going for. And she looks good doing it. ;-)

[@Braves-vk5xg]

Does this raise the rear at all?

[@arric14]

Any alignment issues, by not adding upper control arms? I have the same kit just haven't installed it. Undecided on getting upper control arm

[@BushcraftRidge]

I got it aligned at Firestone Complete Auto Care after the install and have not had any issues. I also paid for their lifetime alignment, so free alignments if there are any issues in the future. ;-)

[@joecerda630]

Informative, entertaining and funny as hell...🤣😂

[@BushcraftRidge]

Thanks, brother! Glad you enjoyed it.

[@perrydraco1897]

You are not suppose to whack the tie rod in with the hammer. It could damage it. You are suppose to hit the knuckle right above. I have done many of them and it will pop right out.

[@BushcraftRidge]

Thanks for the tip!

[@pjc4425]

I think you should of added 0.5 shim to top of spacer on driver side strut. Doing so would of prevented that ugly driver side lean present

[@BushcraftRidge]

Thanks for the tip! I haven't noticed that lean in real life. I'll have to take a look at it again.

[@Allimacxo]

I love Johnson’s DIY Garage!

[@BushcraftRidge]

OMG! They were so awesome!

[@fredflintstone1547]

she's beautiful. you even have room for a tiny bit bigger tire if you wanted to. thanks for the vid

[@BushcraftRidge]

Thank you, sir! That's the next step. Trying to decide between the Firestone Destination XT or MT. I'm also digging the new Bridgestone Dueler AT Revo 3.

[@xavierchavez594]

I installed mine today and I realized that after installing the spacer, the shock was 180 degrees in the other direction. Is this a problem

[@BushcraftRidge]

LOL! Probably? I don't know.

[@1badEK]

How does the ride handling compare using a spacer lift kit instead of a spring and strut kit?

[@BushcraftRidge]

Not sure. Seems to handle fine, though. I have thought about putting spacers in just to get a little wider wheel base.

[@1badEK]

Bushcraft Ridge Sorry, I was talking about the ride quality on a spacer lift kit vs a full coil over setup. The spacer lift kit just goes on top of the top hat of the struts right?

[@BushcraftRidge]

@@1badEK Gotcha! Sorry about that. I was thinking about wheel spacers. You are correct. This kit does use the strut spacer in the front. But full shock replacement in the rear.

[@stevencarter7999]

How's the lift holding up.

[@BushcraftRidge]

She's still running!

[@sierrafoxtrotgolf3638]

You're hammering on the wrong part of the knuckle!

[@anikalopez7761]

Could you actually feel the difference in the height wise hoping in?

[@BushcraftRidge]

It's not a huge difference, but I could definitely tell. I'm 5.9". It really offered the clearance I needed to handle offroad on my property.

[@Allimacxo]

Awesome video!!!!!

[@BushcraftRidge]

Thank you! It was my first how-to video on the 4Runner, so I was a little nervous. :-)

[@fritty9927]

Just ten minutes in!! 😂 hilarious. Remind me to never use “your” butter!!

[@BushcraftRidge]

We try! 🤣🤣🤣

[@justinbush7610]

Looks good I don't think your rear brake lines where to happy but no harm no fowl I learned my lesson the hard way about taking off all brackets when I did my front struts it did not go together like butter and I never pulled the line for the abs(that probably would have taken 10 min) between cranking on my upper control arms and my hub I killed 1 of my wheel sensors still not sure wich so a word to the wise if it's getting to that point we've all been there walk a way for a few min and take the time to think about how you can do it differently with the right tools it's not a bad job just take your time and think it through get creative if you have to I know I do stupid stuff when I'm hot-headed and not paying attention like putting a ball joint in upside-down and beating it into a hole it dint fit - not a good day so if you're going to do it stay calm and pay attention and it may even go together like butter

[@BushcraftRidge]

Great tips, Justin! Thanks for the feedback. You are so right. I wish you could have seen us having to cut the rear shocks off with a torch. The nut land on the tire on the ground and burned a hole straight through the sidewall. Why can't working on old vehicles ever be easy? LOL!

[@justinbush7610]

@@BushcraftRidge not going 2 lye that made me crack up only because that is something that would happen to me but that does suck there's nothing worse than thinking you're almost done with a job and having something else break and have to spend more $

[@BushcraftRidge]

@@justinbush7610 Right!? In my latest video, I put a Victory 4x4 roof rack on her. And I sliced my thumb open on the very last bolt. Never fails! LOL!

[@justinbush7610]

@@BushcraftRidge nice mod- oh u didn't know your not doing it right if there's no bloodshed or soar knuckles I always keeps electrical tape napkins and super glue in my truck Its never let me down yet

[@BushcraftRidge]

@@justinbush7610 LOL! Indeed!

[@John-cq1hr]

What were your tire sizes in the video?

[@BushcraftRidge]

I can't remember.

[@sr5bro126]

For anyone doing this to any car in the future, you can pick up a tool for $15 that is designed to take those tie rod ends out. Takes you 2 seconds, literally

[@LarryRichelli]

Funny, That spacer does not look like three inches?

[@BushcraftRidge]

That's what she said.

[@oyandoo6962]

Do u think u could fit 35s on it ?

[@BushcraftRidge]

That would be a tight fit. Might need to do some cutting on the plastics to keep them from rubbing.

[@alohaking9786]

is this 3” front and back?

[@BushcraftRidge]

I think so. Check the link in the description.

[@harrispyron1291]

What size and kind of tires are thise

[@BushcraftRidge]

Not the ones I want. :-( They are Toyo Open Country ATs. The size is stock--I believe 265/75R17. I want the 33" Firestone Destination MT2s. Those tires are awesome!

[@harrispyron1291]

Thx I have the Same 4Runner

[@BushcraftRidge]

@@harrispyron1291 Nice! I just got this one a couple months ago, and I love it,

[@oh_thatz_mauricio]

@@BushcraftRidge you think you will get rubbing with 33s? How are the 265 75 17s doin for you

[@BushcraftRidge]

@@oh_thatz_mauricio Might have to do a little cutting on the plastics. I plan to replace the bumper with a high clearance one later this year. These Toyow can't do anything in the mud. Even with the slightest bit of rain, I can't get up the Ridge.

[@funkmasterfreddy2363]

Butter 👍🏼

[@BushcraftRidge]

You know it!

[@bassingbasics6621]

Really need to sand the headlights 😂

[@BushcraftRidge]

Bro, they are still just as bad. LOL!

[@dirtbikechopper2012]

I see we shop at the same store for bungee cords.

[@BushcraftRidge]

I wouldn't buy them anywhere else... LOL!

[@dagabriel9416]

Better method is to drop lower control are too remove strut. No pry bar needed. But jack stand to push back into place.

[@BushcraftRidge]

Thanks for the tip!

[@trevorwyllie6527]

“like butter”count (300) “couple of taps”count (10,000) “comes right off” count(1,000,000,000)….. Think we could’ve chilled out on the sarcasm lol!

[@peytoncollins9552]

I was struggling listening to the dad humor 💀

[@rolandroland1485]

Where r you located ??

[@BushcraftRidge]

This DIY shop is in Clarksville, TN. We are just two dudes who rented the shop for the day.

[@disfordetail7671]

Why did you remove the tie rod that was unnecessary

[@BushcraftRidge]

Thanks for watching and taking time to leave feedback! The instructions that came with the lift kit said to disconnect the tie rod. And I don't think we would've had enough room or clearance to remove and then reinstall the strut assembly if we hadn't disconnected the tie rod.

[@BushcraftRidge]

Look at 23:35. You can see we definitely needed it out of the way.

[@disfordetail7671]

It would have been cheaper and actually easier to drop the sway bar so you don’t throw your alignment off.

[@BushcraftRidge]

@@disfordetail7671 We had to drop the sway bar too.

[@haybay9009]

How much $$$ does a job like this cost ?

[@BushcraftRidge]

I'm not sure. My buddy and I did this ourselves at one of those garages where you can rent by the hour. A mechanic might charge a few hundred bucks. Supposed to take 3 or 4 hours (took us 6 - 7 hours), so that times their hourly rate.

[@Harborman253]

I had to mute it.

[@BushcraftRidge]

Me too, brother!

[@themikesohm]

Most annoying commentary I have ever sat through...

[@Kamaka-i3y]

Impact drill 😂😂😂

[@on-site4094]

That’s that sweet v8 too bad Toyota gave up on them on the 4 runner if you still want a v8 you have to move over to the Lexus gx

[@BushcraftRidge]

I love the V8 in this thing!

[@antoniotangarisabatino1206]

dude ! What is the tire size !

[@BushcraftRidge]

265/70R17

[@antoniotangarisabatino1206]

Got a second question sorry, what about the front shocks ? Stock shocks ? They aren’t holding the weight, Im I right

[@BushcraftRidge]

@@antoniotangarisabatino1206 Front are stock. Only the back ones got changed out. In the front, it's just a spacer that goes between the strut assembly and the frame.

[@antoniotangarisabatino1206]

Bushcraft Ridge yes I know, I just wanna know how it feels driving with the stock shocks

[@BushcraftRidge]

@@antoniotangarisabatino1206 Feels fine to me. I may replace them in the future but definitely not necessary at this point. I'm not doing heavy rock crawling or anything like that though, just some light off-roading.

[@BushcraftRidge]

Pulling down a tree here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bX2aimmwgJJgjLM

[@BushcraftRidge]

:-)

[@perspicator5779]

Way too much disassembly! Just drop lower ball joint, upper stab link brake line to knuckle and remove strut.

[@cristhianmorales3123]

Que MECANICO más malo.

[@BushcraftRidge]

Thanks!

[@hunterman505]

The guy working on this 4Runner don’t know shit at all.. lol so sad

[@BushcraftRidge]

LOL!

[@danrocks12]

Your sarcasm is so annoying

[@mireyajasmincartayasilva6958]

hello what is the best tire size for 3 inches? thanks

[@BushcraftRidge]

That's a good question. These are about as big as I can go with the 3in lift. If you use a wheel spacer you can go bigger.

[@cadenschier1543]

@@BushcraftRidge i just got a 2.5 inch lift on mine and 1 1/2 inch spacers, could I fit 33 inch tires or just 32s?

[@BushcraftRidge]

With spacers, I think so. Definitely in the back.