First 4runner and project 4x4. Will be a relatively slow build. Bare with me as I'm new to this. In March I sold my ’99 TRD Tacoma and purchased my ’98 Limited runner . I am going to use this as a build thread and also post pictures of outings.
Here she is how she sat when I brought her home. I bought it from an old family friend. This was his wife’s vehicle and they just bought a ’13 rav4. Has 174K and they just replaced the tranny, brakes, timing belt and a few other odds and ends. I bought it for basically what they just put into it.
How she currently sits as of 04/08/13:
That weekend I removed the running boards and painted the rims black. What a difference taking off the running boards made.
I bought some rocky road outfitters super sliders. I heard some mixed reviews about them. I had them in 2 weeks from the time I ordered and had no problems. I really like the design and finish on them. They don’t stick out much which I also like. I am not really a fan of how they’re mounted and may switch to a weld on. They have 2 kicks that mount to the frame and 7 bolts that go through the body. Here are some pictures that give a better idea.
A good image of how they’re held on. I’m a little concerned that if I slip and land on a rock this won’t hold up well from the force. Though they may distribute the weight better than I am envisioning. Like I said I may switch them out for something else.
I received the lift I ordered from Toytec on Thursday and over the weekend of the 23/24 I was able to get it installed myself. It was the first time that I had done a lift or any kind of suspension for that matter. I took my time and made sure it was done right and I really didn’t run into any problems like I thought I would.
Parts installed were:
Front Bilstein 5100 with 600 lb coils
Rear Bilstein 5125 and OME 890 coils
Getting the front out was easy. My struts came pre-assembled so I did not have to worry about using a spring compressor. Didn’t really want to go through the trouble.
Getting the lower bolt in place was difficult at first. I used a long pry bar to get some leverage and managed to get it in place relatively easy after that.
I totally forgot to take pictures while I was doing the back. The 890 coils were not too bad to put in. I used a floor jack to make the axle flex one side which made it relatively easy to put the coils in. Once one side was in I just did the same on the other. I was worried about the top nut on the shocks. I’ve heard they rust and are hard to get to. I didn’t have a problem. Since there wasn’t much room on the top I used a socket on the top nut and twisted the shock. Worked great for me.
Front end with the 3" lift vs my stock Tacoma.
Well it didn’t take more than a week for me to decide that I didn’t like the 265’s with the lift. I decided I wanted some new shoes. I decided on BFG KM2’s and wanted a 33” tire. I went with the 255/85/16. I also had to switch rims as the stock rims didn’t have the right backspacing. New rims are MB Razors. The stock rims caused the 255's to rubbed on the frame very bad.
New rims and tires:
I haven't had a chance to take her out yet. I'm hoping to this weekend.
Current list of Mods:
3” toytec lift (Bilstein 5100 w/600lb coils, OME890 w/ bilstein 5125)
Rocky Road Outfitters Super Sliders
255/85/16 BFG KM2
Future Mods:
Shrockworks Rear Bumper
Front plate bumper(Undecided on mfg) and wench.
CB
Armor underneath
Linear Mode
