I love my Toyotas and picked my first Cruiser a couple of years ago before prices went bonkers. I've been searching and scrolling the forums and feel like I've learned a ton, but with more knowledge comes more questions. Thank you to all who have posted such in depth, useful and helpful info. I've already replaced all speakers, isolated various little issues and avoided serious headaches because of the generous sharing of experience and knowledge here, and I will offer my experience here as I build out my rig.
She is 2006 Cruiser with AHC and straight stock 100% dealer serviced. When I made the purchase there were 97k miles on the clock, now sitting at 158k, major items so far have been timing belt, CV axles, brakes and new headlight fixtures.
On order I have front (with winch) and rear bumper kits (with dual swing outs) from 4x4 Labs, I just received the 24 gal rear aux tank from Exit Off-Road and I'm just about settled on the the roof rack from Bowfin.
My question is what to do about my suspension. I'm a 90% highway driver, I do drive in the mountains of the northest during ski season, fire break roads, class 6 roads (aka not maintained or dirt), on beach driving in the summer and high speed washboards (that's what every highway in Maine or New Hampshire is to me anyway) is the extent of our adventures so far. I sometimes have to drive to work in the kind of weather that even snow plow trucks avoid so my desired build is to support the additional weight while keeping my AHC. The AHC is functioning as advertised but I suspect the globes are getting tired (9 ticks counted on the low to high test).
My current plan is as follows:
1) Replace the globes with OEM from Impex and flush system in the process
2) Crank and/or re-index torsion bars as required
3) Replace rear springs with ones better suited for the additional weight
4) Lift is not necessarily desired, but if this setup is workable I may employ a mild sensor lift
What I hope to accomplish:
Both of my stock bumpers have been smashed by knuckleheads in parking lots giving me the green light to upgrade to steel bumpers. I like welding projects and Luke's kit looks incredible. I give zero F's about MPG, but would like to venture further out than 20 gal of fuel will allow and I've always hated hauling gas cans so the aux tank filled that desire. Hardcore wheeling is not for me, I want my kids and wife to have fun, not s*** their pants. So basically a solid daily driver that can overland a couple times a year, go camping on the beach on the weekend and look good doing it.
All critiques and suggestions are welcome, while I generally know cars pretty well, this AHC is totally new to me. I really like driving it, but I'm clueless as to the pitfalls once I start outfitting my rig with all this extra weight.
Things I really need help with: before I talk to vendors who and what should I look at for rear springs and where can I source Tech Stream that runs on Mac?
Thanks in advance
She is 2006 Cruiser with AHC and straight stock 100% dealer serviced. When I made the purchase there were 97k miles on the clock, now sitting at 158k, major items so far have been timing belt, CV axles, brakes and new headlight fixtures.
On order I have front (with winch) and rear bumper kits (with dual swing outs) from 4x4 Labs, I just received the 24 gal rear aux tank from Exit Off-Road and I'm just about settled on the the roof rack from Bowfin.
My question is what to do about my suspension. I'm a 90% highway driver, I do drive in the mountains of the northest during ski season, fire break roads, class 6 roads (aka not maintained or dirt), on beach driving in the summer and high speed washboards (that's what every highway in Maine or New Hampshire is to me anyway) is the extent of our adventures so far. I sometimes have to drive to work in the kind of weather that even snow plow trucks avoid so my desired build is to support the additional weight while keeping my AHC. The AHC is functioning as advertised but I suspect the globes are getting tired (9 ticks counted on the low to high test).
My current plan is as follows:
1) Replace the globes with OEM from Impex and flush system in the process
2) Crank and/or re-index torsion bars as required
3) Replace rear springs with ones better suited for the additional weight
4) Lift is not necessarily desired, but if this setup is workable I may employ a mild sensor lift
What I hope to accomplish:
Both of my stock bumpers have been smashed by knuckleheads in parking lots giving me the green light to upgrade to steel bumpers. I like welding projects and Luke's kit looks incredible. I give zero F's about MPG, but would like to venture further out than 20 gal of fuel will allow and I've always hated hauling gas cans so the aux tank filled that desire. Hardcore wheeling is not for me, I want my kids and wife to have fun, not s*** their pants. So basically a solid daily driver that can overland a couple times a year, go camping on the beach on the weekend and look good doing it.
All critiques and suggestions are welcome, while I generally know cars pretty well, this AHC is totally new to me. I really like driving it, but I'm clueless as to the pitfalls once I start outfitting my rig with all this extra weight.
Things I really need help with: before I talk to vendors who and what should I look at for rear springs and where can I source Tech Stream that runs on Mac?
Thanks in advance
