[t-man]

Been putting this off for quite some time now, but didn't feel like it was was worth starting since I hadn't been able to do much yet. I bought my Runner October of 2013. It's an 2005 Sport Edition, V8 and had X-REAS. The previous owner installed a Gibson Cat-Back and a K&N air filter as well as taking extraordinarily good care of it. Had more miles than I particularly wanted, but as the dealership I used to sell cars for owed me a huge favor, I bought it at cost.

[t-man]

Within a month I realized that the shocks were about dead, started looking around and found that the tubes on the X-REAS were leaking. Seems rocks and such have taken their toll and made little pin holes in the lines, thus leaking everything out and rendering them useless. Winter was rough for me this year, but with lots of research I decided to get Bilstein 5100's and lift as much as I can. I also bought the Daystar 1.5" rear spacer to go with the set. I also found out that my blown shocks ruined a CV axle, and a wheel bearing. So, with tax returns I bought 4 Bilstein 5100's, the Daystar spacer, a wheel bearing assembly from these guys, LOWEST PRICE complete front wheel bearing assemblies ANYWHERE!!! and a CV from RockAuto. For $45 I don't care if I blow some axles in the future!









I also was in need of some tools, and I have to say that I am loving the Kobalt brand.

[t-man]

Unfortunately for me I don't have a garage or anything, and my mom's boyfriend said I could use his pole barn. Again, middle of February, Northern Michigan, -10 out that day, no heat.... I could only pull one end of the truck inside at once too. Anyways, I didn't get any good pics, was just wanting to get it over with. I tried the whole "easy install, no spring compressor" thing...No go for me. Ended up tracking down a spring compressor and finally got everything in and ready to go. I did snap a pic a few days later at my buddies house. My shocks were so blown I actually gained over 3" of lift front and rear. I know I typically wouldn't have achieved that, but I was saggin like a California cruiser! I also removed the sway bar's completely so I could get better flex. Almost put them back on the first day, but I got used to them within a day or two and although I do get some body lean, I have taken corners as fast as I used to with no issue's whatsoever.

[t-man]

I had to test things a bit, so I took my Fiance' for a quick test drive. She has very minimal experience, and wasn't pleased by my flex test. lol She made me stop long before the rear tire would come off the ground, but was fun anyways. I found this huge hill to climb, and was very surprised we did it without spinning or anything! I didn't think about getting a pic at the bottom of the hill looking up, but you can see how high up we are by looking at the horizon.

[t-man]

I have been rocking this for the last few months, loving the great ride of the Billy's! They are so much better than what I had it's unbelievable! So, of course I want to go bigger, make this thing badass, as much as my budget will allow. I've been reading tons of threads and making plans, but first I have to deal with that stupid exhaust manifold crack issue these have. It absolutely drives me nuts to hear that exhaust tick! Of course no headers made for the V8, and I hate the idea of spending all that money on stock replacements, so I called around and found a high performance shop here that will build me a set of stainless steel headers and a custom y-pipe without the cats for 2k. Not cheap, but will be great when done! I plan on that soon, waiting to finish this house I am painting for the rest of the money.
With this, I also am planning to shove a 2.5" body lift under it, PowerStop slotted and drilled brakes, 1.5" wheel spacers and squeeze in some 35" Mud Terrains. Yes, I do know I will have to trim, yes I know most of you are scared of body lifts, and although I would rather buy the rims I will have to run the wheel spacers until the fall at least before I can recover from the headers price.
Anyways, I had my first real off-road outing Memorial weekend. I went to some local friends and had a little muddin party. Unfortunately the day before I got there some guys running 52" tires tore it up pretty bad, so I was only able to run through one spot and up a creek around the backside of some hills. I didn't get any pics of the creek like a dummy, but the tire ruts were deep enough that my running boards were sliding along the edge about 6" below the ground level... My buddy was driving his Ford Bronco with 35's in front of me and having a hard time at it. I didn't even spin a tire! Laughed all the way up the hill. I will upload some video's in the next day or two, as soon as I figure out how, but for now here's a pic of the aftermath.





Lastly, today in anticipation of going big I took the front mud flaps off and trimmed the rears.

[NOVA46]

Glad to finally see your thread! Stay on the bilsteins for a while: "It's not the size that counts, it's how you use it"

[Mytoy4]

Looks great! ... now take the running boards off

[t-man]

Originally Posted by NOVA46

Glad to finally see your thread! Stay on the bilsteins for a while: "It's not the size that counts, it's how you use it"

Whenever I decide to upgrade them, this will be a dedicated trail rig running either long travel kit via Total Chaos, or SAS.

[t-man]

Originally Posted by Mytoy4

Looks great! ... now take the running boards off

I wish, but my girl and my kids can't get in without them. I plan on getting rock sliders ASAP though, so will lose them then.

[Mytoy4]

Originally Posted by t-man

I wish, but my girl and my kids can't get in without them. I plan on getting rock sliders ASAP though, so will lose them then.

Exactly! My kids had a heck of a time getting in too without the running boards. I added the rock sliders this past winter and they're perfect.

[t-man]

Just remembered, really need to plasti-dip my rims and roof rack. Driving my nuts being silver.

[preacher35]

Originally Posted by t-man

Been putting this off for quite some time now, but didn't feel like it was was worth starting since I hadn't been able to do much yet. I bought my Runner October of 2014.

So, you are a real-life time traveler. Say, I don't suppose you give me a stock quote, could you?

[H20skier70]

Looking good!

[t-man]

Originally Posted by preacher35

So, you are a real-life time traveler. Say, I don't suppose you give me a stock quote, could you?

Ha! I had to look 4, yes 4! times to catch what you meant. Fixed it though!

[t-man]

Here's the tires I plan on getting.
https://www.treadwright.com/individu...-35-13R17.00-E