Vehicle Update - '99 4Runner - Trail Runner

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I got it, finally. The keeper was on WAY too tight. I put 300 azz pounds on it and wedged the wrench on the inner tie rod end in the A Arm.

Crisis over LOL.

Thanks!

Edit: Add:


Big weekend of working on stuff and moving parts and stuff around!
  • Got the rear springs swapped out.
  • Rice sold me an real nice older parts washer that is now in the garage! (thank you)
  • After inspiration from Rice's various parts storage areas, I decided to use our giant kiddy playhouse as a storage area for stuff in the garage and so wife/daughter and I moved tons of stuff out to it!
  • Got the front end almost done - need to do the LBJ on the right side still, but the front lift adjustment is done and the left side is all done.
  • Pre-packed camping equipment for Halloween trip.
 
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Some pics from the weekend:

Truck with a little extra lift on it:

20151012_182415.webp


New to me parts washer in the garage from Rice:

20151012_081416.webp


Newly re-purposed two-story play house - that makes a decent Toyota parts storage area:

20151012_081316.webp
 
hey @weejub Very nice rig. I'm very jealous. Maybe one day i'll get there. Someone suggested some extended sway bar end links. The guy i bought my lift from had some, but i didn't get them. If you are interested, let me know and i can see if he still has them. I think they were MStudt's.
 
Thanks Azn. Maybe we can discuss at your HAMOM.
 
Azn toyo said:
hey @weejub Very nice rig. I'm very jealous. Maybe one day i'll get there. Someone suggested some extended sway bar end links. The guy i bought my lift from had some, but i didn't get them. If you are interested, let me know and i can see if he still has them. I think they were MStudt's.
Click to expand...

These are what I bought.
upload_2015-10-13_10-7-26.webp

Pretty happy with them. You could probably make them cheaper if you wanted to source all the hardware separately - I didn't want to, just wanted it done.
I bought these from WabFab. My experience was decent - apparently not everyone has had the same experience so buyer beware.

Disconnecting the front gives you a lot more articulation up front - though it can be tough on your CVs. Whether you ever disconnect or not, longer links will allow you to put your sway bar back into the appropriate position.
 
Thanks guys! I need some extended links - will get those soon. Going to leave off the rear sway bar - - feels fine on highway to me.

I got the right side LBJ and Tie Rod End done yesterday. Also did the 1" differential drop as I raised the coil-overs 2 turns which looks like 1/4" on the coil, but about 1" on the truck itself due to preload, etc. I think I am about 2" lifted now.

All ready for alignment. I think its too negative on the caster - driving the death wobble and rubbing at the rear of the front fender well. My old 2002 never rubbed - both trucks have/had the wheel well fender vasectomy done already, so pretty sure the issue is caster. Also camber is off now with additional lift.

Something weird - - rear air locker compressor starting working "out of the blue" again yesterday. No idea what is going on there, but it doesn't inspire confidence when it works when it wants to :\


To do before Halloween trip to Brevard, Hurricane Creek, Hot Springs:
  • Need to pull off belly plate mount and paint it - it is already rusty after only a couple weeks :)
  • Alignment
  • Still thinking about 1/2" body lift - - I just can't figure out how to get the body up, right now - - few places to do it on the truck ;[ Thinking about just taking it in to be done by my local mechanics who are awesome.


Anyone run the marble-like things in their tires for balance??
 
Got in the new pressure switch for the ARB. If anyone needs to buy these in the future, they are like $39 from ARB, or you can find them on Amazon for <$9.

The key issue is most pressure switches that are <100 psi seem like they are 1/8" NPT vs the ARB's 1/4".

I bought a 1/8" to 1/4" adapter and it all seems to be working OK now.

20151221_150701[1].webp
 
Jamie, the 4Runner looks mean on the LC wheels. Any plans to paint or powdercoat them? They would look sick painted silver to match the lower cladding....of course I'm partial to that clean look ;)

Curious...where did you get the 3/4" wheel spacers and have they worked out well?
 
Steelman said:
Jamie, the 4Runner looks mean on the LC wheels. Any plans to paint or powdercoat them? They would look sick painted silver to match the lower cladding....of course I'm partial to that clean look ;)

Curious...where did you get the 3/4" wheel spacers and have they worked out well?
Click to expand...

When we go back with a different tire, we will probably media blast them again and have them clear-coated or painted. They actually match the trim, for the most part, but they are matte vs shiny, so they show up looking more different in pictures. I will consider painting as the colors are so close. I can probably call Maaco for the color used?

The reason for keeping them simply blasted with no coating was so when they got scratched, you really couldn't tell any difference. This rig is a little prettier than I was anticipating driving, and I am too cheap to pull the tires off and redo the wheels. :)

Wheel Adapters came from this place: Wheel Adapters, Wheel Spacers, Hub Centric Rings | Motorsport Tech

Merry Christmas!
 
little_joe said:
I ran them years ago, Centramatic cermic bb's I think. They were ok. I have a couple pounds of them if you want to trade for a 6-pack I'd be happy to swap.
Click to expand...

Joe - We have since got lead tape to make them pretty balanced. At this point, I think we will stick with, as-is. All said, a six pack for those beads is a good deal :) - would definitely take them off your hands on the chance I use them on the next round of mount/balance - I think we are headed that direction with new tires, but hopefully that is a ways off. Thanks!
 
weejub said:
When we go back with a different tire, we will probably media blast them again and have them clear-coated or painted. They actually match the trim, for the most part, but they are matte vs shiny, so they show up looking more different in pictures. I will consider painting as the colors are so close. I can probably call Maaco for the color used?

The reason for keeping them simply blasted with no coating was so when they got scratched, you really couldn't tell any difference. This rig is a little prettier than I was anticipating driving, and I am too cheap to pull the tires off and redo the wheels. :)

Wheel Adapters came from this place: Wheel Adapters, Wheel Spacers, Hub Centric Rings | Motorsport Tech

Merry Christmas!
Click to expand...

I'm just messing with you. They look good. I've been accused of having rigs that are too "pretty".

Thanks for the tip on the spacers.

Merry Christmas to you as well!
 
On the wheels - - if not painted or clear coated, the aluminum absorbs crap. The idea was that I would simply hand-sand them. We will see how that goes. If it goes good, I will not paint them. If it goes badly, then I will do as stated above and at least get them clear coated.
 
Wife and I had serious negotiations tonight over our tax money and savings . . here is the outcome - some good news and some bad news:

  • Welder discussed in TTT will be a "you save for that on your own" - So "OUT" for now
  • Dual Battery system is IN (been saving and buying pieces over the last few months, so not far off)
  • Engle MT45 is IN (with sliding rack)
  • Baja Rack is IN
  • Solar panel with controller is OUT for this year

That will be the updates probably for the next year on the truck for better or worse.
 
Sorry I mean "IN" as in the PLAN for the $$ LOL - - I still have to BUY the stuff :)
 
If you are cheap like me, you will search for the best price for months. Let me know what you find so I don't have to do it :)
 
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