Critique my build list for axle upgrades

[VSPro9]

I'd love some sort of exterior bolt replacement kit. I've snapped several off. So far I just go to Ace and buy the grade 8 zinc coated bolts as needed

for the body mounts? i hadnt even thought about that, probably way cheaper.

 

[RivMan]

Absolutely swap out the rear wheel bearings while you're in there. I have the special press fixture if you need to borrow one.

Eimkeith PCK should go on while the rear axle is out.

10-24 5th Gen 4Runner

eimkeith.com

Stainless extended rear brake lines while it's apart.

I'd also pick up some front spindle gussets if you think you may beat on them.

4Runner/FJ/GX Spindle Gusset

JD Fabrications now offers a two piece spindle gusset kit for the 4R/FJ/GX platform. The stock spindles are prone to failure once you combined larger tires and off-road abuse. The two piece gusset kit we have is laser cut out of 1/8” plate and bent for a perfect fit. Once the main gusset is...

jdfabrication.com

If you really want to go big, take a look at the JD fab kit for the LCA mounts.

4th Gen 4Runner Lower Arm Pivots

INSTALL INSTRUCTIONS YEAR-2003-2009 MODEL-Toyota 4Runner WIDER PER SIDE- 0" TIRE SIZE RECOMMENDED- 31"-35" WHEEL TRAVEL- Dependent on suspension kit TIRES PUSHED FORWARD- 0.25" to 1" PARTS INCLUDED- Left and right lower arm pivots, front cross bar, skid plate with diff sump, cross bar tab...

jdfabrication.com

I also replaced the Rear Driveshaft on my 06 4R. HUGE difference in the way the truck felt, no more clunk coming to a stop or taking off. If your truck does that, I highly recommend tossing that in. It was only ~$300 from Toyota.

-Rob

 

[M3GX]

for the body mounts? i hadnt even thought about that, probably way cheaper.

I haven't done body mounts yet but I don't see why you couldn't match up a bolt and washer from Ace

 

[Rednexus]

I get hardware all the time from my local farm and home store. They sell it by the pound - metric and SAE/standard. So, my GX has lots of 13 and 15 mm headed-bolts on it, instead of 12 mm and 14 mm .

 

[VSPro9]

Absolutely swap out the rear wheel bearings while you're in there. I have the special press fixture if you need to borrow one.

Eimkeith PCK should go on while the rear axle is out.

10-24 5th Gen 4Runner

eimkeith.com

Stainless extended rear brake lines while it's apart.

I'd also pick up some front spindle gussets if you think you may beat on them.

4Runner/FJ/GX Spindle Gusset

JD Fabrications now offers a two piece spindle gusset kit for the 4R/FJ/GX platform. The stock spindles are prone to failure once you combined larger tires and off-road abuse. The two piece gusset kit we have is laser cut out of 1/8” plate and bent for a perfect fit. Once the main gusset is...

jdfabrication.com

If you really want to go big, take a look at the JD fab kit for the LCA mounts.

4th Gen 4Runner Lower Arm Pivots

INSTALL INSTRUCTIONS YEAR-2003-2009 MODEL-Toyota 4Runner WIDER PER SIDE- 0" TIRE SIZE RECOMMENDED- 31"-35" WHEEL TRAVEL- Dependent on suspension kit TIRES PUSHED FORWARD- 0.25" to 1" PARTS INCLUDED- Left and right lower arm pivots, front cross bar, skid plate with diff sump, cross bar tab...

jdfabrication.com

I also replaced the Rear Driveshaft on my 06 4R. HUGE difference in the way the truck felt, no more clunk coming to a stop or taking off. If your truck does that, I highly recommend tossing that in. It was only ~$300 from Toyota.

-Rob

ill get some ordered up, im having mountain goat offroad in ida do the internal axle work. the price and timing to have expedition vehicle outfitters do it was prohibitive. i have extended brake lines and newer gx460 driveshafts. ive gotten the "going fast" out of my system for the most part, for low speed rock work do you think the spindles are worth it?

 

[RivMan]

ill get some ordered up, im having mountain goat offroad in ida do the internal axle work. the price and timing to have expedition vehicle outfitters do it was prohibitive. i have extended brake lines and newer gx460 driveshafts. ive gotten the "going fast" out of my system for the most part, for low speed rock work do you think the spindles are worth it?

I bent one of my spindles on a random rock cruising across Black Bear pass a couple years ago. They are pretty weak from the factory. I'm not sure what needs to be done to use a stock swaybar with the gussets though.

-Rob

 

[VSPro9]

I bent one of my spindles on a random rock cruising across Black Bear pass a couple years ago. They are pretty weak from the factory. I'm not sure what needs to be done to use a stock swaybar with the gussets though.

-Rob

oh my front sway hasnt been on since the week i got it, thats not an issue lol. my truck is a lot heavier than stock, good call on the spindle gussets.

 

[M3GX]

I bent one of my spindles on a random rock cruising across Black Bear pass a couple years ago.

Ugh, I'm supposed to do black bear pass in July. You think a 1" eibach coilover lift with 32" tires will make it? Else I'll take the coilover converted JK w/37's

 

[evolute]

Ugh, I'm supposed to do black bear pass in July. You think a 1" eibach coilover lift with 32" tires will make it? Else I'll take the coilover converted JK w/37's

Yep. For sure. I did it with a Dobinsons 2” lift and 32s.

 

[Rednexus]

I did a lot of trails in the San Juans stock height on 32s in 2021, and then more of them in 33s in 2024. Black Bear was closed in late 2024 due to a mudslide. The only place I could not have gone with my original setup were to the base of the wall on Poughkeepsie Gulch and some side trails we did coming west off Engineer Pass. You will, however, definitely drag at that height, so I would suggest some good skids. And, it's possible you'll gouge or rip off the rear bumper due to the kind of crummy stock departure angle.

FYI, wheeling is much easier and comfier on 33s.

 

[VSPro9]

Elocker going into the 8.2

 

[VSPro9]

Ok axle is finally done, and now onto installing everything on the truck. budget is holding up well, but the teardown on the front end i expect to find parts (im assuming LCA bushings) that need replacing.