Builds FastLane1000 Black GX Build Thread

[fastlane1000]

I wanted to update my thread with an alignment update. I had one alignment done right after the lift install. Drove around for a few weeks and just took it back after I had some rubbing on the body mount.

I just picked up the GX from the alignment shop. I'm using Firestone since they have the lifetime alignment option. I have attached the report. I tried it out full lock in reverse which is where I had rubbing before on the body mount. I now have a good half inch of clearance, maybe more. The funny thing is I'm now rubbing the sway bar slightly at full lock going forward. It is slight and I'm not worried about it but perhaps the ideal caster with JBA arms is somewhere in the low 4s. A slight toe adjustment might fix it as well since I am toed in a hair now. I got it up on the highway and everything feels solid. The only negative if any I feel is slightly heavier steering. I don't think most would notice a difference. I like it personally. When I installed the JBA arms with my 3" lift (more like 4" in reality) I also had new bushings installed in the LCAs. When I reinstalled the LCA I had the adjustment cams zeroed out. They are marked and have match marks on the mounts. This gave me 3.5* caster on one side and 3.6* on the other. I checked the adjustments after my first alignment and they had not been touched. They only set the toe the first time around. Now, as you can see, the Caster is at 4.7* on the left side and 4.6* on the other. Any more and the camber was gonna go positive. Which we don't want. My testing is on flat ground mind you so under compression may be a different story but given the clearance I have now I should be good.

 

[fastlane1000]

I also did a little trimming on the front fenders. I had already done the fender liner mod to push it forward. Now it was time to cut the bumper itself. I took my measurements, taped everything off, and scored it multiple times with an Xacto knife until I could fold the plastic a little and get it to tear the rest of the way. Once the plastic folds a little you can stick your blade in there and cut it the rest of the way through. I taped the forward side of the cut with gorilla tape to protect the bumper from the blade slipping in the wrong direction. The tape also gave me a little edge to run the blade against.

 

[paulyboy928]

Nice!! That's good and clean.

 

[fastlane1000]

I installed an Auxiliary Input over the weekend. I went with the Grom Audio adapter since it was relatively cheap at $70. UPDATE, I had issues with the GROM aux input and had to end it back and order the VAIS aux input. All is well now. Plus I am not sure yet which route I want to go (if any) with the radio. It works well and sound quality is great. I also got a Scosche magnetic phone mount and stuck it under the tape player.

 

[fastlane1000]

Well The Grom Aux input is being returned. It had an intermittent connection problem. I tried multiple aux cords, multiple audio devices, etc. I double checked all my connections. I really didn't want to take apart my dash so many times but I had to remove the aux input and send it back. I may look into the VAIS stuff down the road or convert to non nav. I replaced my foglight bulbs with some LEDs but they weren't very bright. I tried the Calais bulbs first but sent them back. I ordered the Beamtech. They are better. I did dremel the base of the bulbs so the LEDs are shining to the sides instead of up and down. I removed the bulb blockers or whatever you call them. This was super easy. 250* in the oven for 12 minutes. removed the one screw holding them in and put them back in for 10 minutes to seal them back up. WKOR sliders are on the FedEx truck today! Woohoo!!!

 

[Tak555]

nice! really good progress

 

[fastlane1000]

So my White-Knuckle Off Road Sliders arrived yesterday and I could not be more impressed! The whole process start to finish was great so I wanted to do a little write up and hopefully help some folks in the future and thank a great company. I did a lot of research to decide which brand to go with. I looked at pictures, reviews, etc. on here and on GXOR.

I wanted a bolt-on option without nutserts or drilling the frame. I like the tapered rectangular sliders of the WKOR, square legs, DOM tubing, subtle kick out, and U-bolt mount around the frame. John and Natalie at WKOR were both very helpful answering questions through e-mail and Instagram messaging. From ordering to arrival took 7 weeks. 1 of these weeks was the Christmas and New Year holiday. 2 weeks were powder coating and one week was shipping from California. They were on time, never over promised and undelivered. The couple times I checked in on progress they were friendly and gave me updates.

Lots of pictures below. I did the whole installation during the State of the Union Address. The driver's side has the fuel tank and brake lines to deal with. The passenger side was easy easy. Overall, I was able to knock this out pretty quick and easy by myself with jack stands. They balanced perfect on the stands. I could raise them up into place while laying on my back under the sliders. The jack stands just clicked and locked at the right height. All these folks do is sliders and they do it well. The way everything was packaged was amazing. Instructions were clear and detailed. They were specific to the GX even though the same sliders fit the 4th gen 4Runner. I needed a 12mm socket and ratchet for the E-brake line brackets and 3/4" for the slider mounts.

The welds, plate thickness, gusseting, square, rectangular, and round tubing was all top notch quality. I had Trail Gear sliders on a previous rig ('05 Tahoe Z71) that a shop welded on for me. The whole experience was so much easier being able to install myself this time. The WKOR sliders are in a different league. I can have them welded later if I want but I don't see any reason to. They are rock solid. I'd hang this GX off a cliff by these sliders. If there was anything critical I could say I would but honestly there just wasn't. I usually nit pick a part or a company one way or another but this was a great experience. You can option these with diamond plate step pads as well if you like. You can build and order to spec at this link if you are curious about pricing and options. Toyota 4Runner 4th Generation 2003-2009 / Lexus GX470 Rock Sliders - White Knuckle Off Road Products

 

[fastlane1000]

And more pics

 

[fastlane1000]

more...

 

[fastlane1000]

and a few more.

 

[fastlane1000]

pics

 

[fastlane1000]

One last pic

 

[Nic]

Sliders look great

 

[dcg141]

Yea I like them too. I am not real keen on welding or drilling into the frame. Nice clean look and you can get them bare metal. I am thinking about getting them and painting to match the body.

 

[fastlane1000]

Yea I like them too. I am not real keen on welding or drilling into the frame. Nice clean look and you can get them bare metal. I am thinking about getting them and painting to match the body.

I have also noticed they are tucked up much closer to the body than some others out there as well. I think it makes for a clean look.

 

[fastlane1000]

I finally got around to swapping out the rear end links. After the lift the rear end links need to be about an inch longer. '90-'95 4-runner rear links fit perfect and only cost a fraction of other options. These look to be slightly beefier than stock. They were $16 a piece compared to more expensive options.

 

[fastlane1000]

Rear Differential Breather extension installed last night. It is pretty straightforward. I used these from Amazon. Toyota 90930-03136 PLUG, BREATHER Genuine Toyota (90404-51319) Union. I installed with 6 foot of 1/4" fuel line. The high pressure fuel injection line was probably overkill. It isn't cheap. In hindsight, I would use something cheaper and a slightly larger diameter like 5/16. I did have to heat up and use some lube to slide the hoses over the fittings. I did end up cutting off about a foot.

 

[HomersCanyonero]

Why do the end links need to be longer? What’s the benefit of longer end link? I just don’t know what’s the improvement.

I finally got around to swapping out the rear end links. After the lift the rear end links need to be about an inch longer. '90-'95 4-runner rear links fit perfect and only cost a fraction of other options. These look to be slightly beefier than stock. They were $16 a piece compared to more expensive options.

View attachment 1908880

 

[fastlane1000]

Why do the end links need to be longer? What’s the benefit of longer end link? I just don’t know what’s the improvement.

From my research it just allows the sway bar to be in it's designed location. The ends of the sway bar should be parallel to the ground. This allows the sway bar to work correctly. It also allows for more flex. without the longer end links your flex may be limited in the rear after a lift. I can't really tell a difference on the road but It should help off road. Which is where I will be Sunday. Hope this helps!

 

[HomersCanyonero]

More flex is good