[MStudt]

I was going to a write up on installing an aftermarket head unit, but there is already a good one on here that I used for mine. So, instead I'll give a write up on installing an aftermarket antenna.

The broken antenna, I removed the nut with a pair of snap ring pliers


Once the nut was off I'll pulled this out


Then remove the tire


Next, pull the inner fender away and look for the nut holding the antenna on, it's a 10mm nut
RL]

Next I pulled the antenna assembly out, disconnected it, and cut the wire going in to the head unit


From there I positioned the inner fender portion of of the antenna, and connected the adjustable to bracket


Then this


This is the opening where the stock antenna wire came out, I pulled the cut into the cab


After pulling into the cab I removed the grommet to slide over the new wire


I had to remove a couple trim panels in order to access the opening for wire



Then I pulled the antenna wire in the cab,and tucked it under the carpet, the orange is the old wire



After all of this, you just need to connect the new wire to your head unit. I removed the old antenna wire, just so I had no unused wires in the cab. Hopefully this help someone out. Also, I got this antenna from O'Reilly's for $13.99 (CK-US07R).

[MStudt]

Already people. I'm getting royally confused on lift options for my 4runner. I know I'm making it harder then it needs to be, but I only know jeep suspensions at this point, and I'm trying to learn as fast as I can about 4runner suspensions. I'm leaning towards getting the Bilstein 5100 adjustable's in the front and Bilstein 5125's in the rear, and that's about all I'm certain on. They're are so many different coils for the front and rear I don't know where to start. At this point there is no aftermarket bumper or winch on the front, and no extra weight in the rear. Although, I'll be building a sleeping platform with drawers in the next couple months and that will add some weight. What would be a good option for springs, and please just don't post the link to the lift facts. I've read that, and I'm only getting more confused, that's why I'm asking.
Thanks,
Mike

[NachoPitt]

I am pretty happy with my setup - Tundra Billies on the second clip with the TRD springs in front and LC black shocks and 7.5 wraps out back. Very stable running fireroads and handles well on the street. I have about 10k on the setup and love it.

[MojaveMadMan]

Originally Posted by MStudt

Already people. I'm getting royally confused on lift options for my 4runner. I know I'm making it harder then it needs to be, but I only know jeep suspensions at this point, and I'm trying to learn as fast as I can about 4runner suspensions. I'm leaning towards getting the Bilstein 5100 adjustable's in the front and Bilstein 5125's in the rear, and that's about all I'm certain on. They're are so many different coils for the front and rear I don't know where to start. At this point there is no aftermarket bumper or winch on the front, and no extra weight in the rear. Although, I'll be building a sleeping platform with drawers in the next couple months and that will add some weight. What would be a good option for springs, and please just don't post the link to the lift facts. I've read that, and I'm only getting more confused, that's why I'm asking.
Thanks,
Mike

My 2 cents: Run your stock coils in the front until you buy all the heavy stuff. After you install the 5100's once, you will see it's a rather quick and simple job, so no biggie doing it second time down the line. There is talk on running the tundra 5100's, I would read more on that, but I do know you will need a little stiffer valving down the line when you run more weight on the front.

For the rear, I don't have a ton of experience to speak of. But, after reading most of the build threads on here I have seen one common theme with the rear coils. Everyone goes with LC springs, then at some point they aren't happy and they go with the OME heavy springs to compensate for the added load and sag in the back... I know I am gunna save myself the trouble and just go with those out of the gate when it's time!

[MStudt]

Originally Posted by NachoPitt

I am pretty happy with my setup - Tundra Billies on the second clip with the TRD springs in front and LC black shocks and 7.5 wraps out back. Very stable running fireroads and handles well on the street. I have about 10k on the setup and love it.

I was looking into this, but finding these springs used has been a task to say the least. I've found them for $80 used, or $140 new each.

Originally Posted by MojaveMadMan

My 2 cents: Run your stock coils in the front until you buy all the heavy stuff. After you install the 5100's once, you will see it's a rather quick and simple job, so no biggie doing it second time down the line. There is talk on running the tundra 5100's, I would read more on that, but I do know you will need a little stiffer valving down the line when you run more weight on the front.

For the rear, I don't have a ton of experience to speak of. But, after reading most of the build threads on here I have seen one common theme with the rear coils. Everyone goes with LC springs, then at some point they aren't happy and they go with the OME heavy springs to compensate for the added load and sag in the back... I know I am gunna save myself the trouble and just go with those out of the gate when it's time!

My stock suspension is completely toast and needs new everything. I've been reading a ton, and seem to see the same thing as you. I'd really like to do it right the first time, but I also don't want to spend $1100 on the set-up. I'd be really nice if I could figure out how to mount some Ballistic Fab 2.5 air shocks. I have 4 of them that I never mounted to my jeep. I just think it's going to be a lot more work then I want to go through.

What I'm really thinking about doing now is this. Running 5100's up front with Toytec/Eibach springs for 3" inches up front. In the rear running 5125's with OME 891's. I figure with the extra weight in front with the new bumper/winch, and the extra weight of the rear bumper. I'm hoping the heavier duty springs will give a good ride.

[the great him]

id go with tundra 5100s(same as the tacoma/4runner but with two more ajustment settings for finer tuning...) and the toytec eibach 3" lift coils up front. and the 5125s from toytec in the back -they come with the custom mounts to make installation easier. as for the rear coils, i am running LC 80 coils(8wraps) and i love them, but if i didnt have them id probably either go with an OME rear coil, 861(i think is the number id go with) but thats for a good 3-4" of lift in the back

[MStudt]

Originally Posted by the kid

id go with tundra 5100s(same as the tacoma/4runner but with two more ajustment settings for finer tuning...) and the toytec eibach 3" lift coils up front. and the 5125s from toytec in the back -they come with the custom mounts to make installation easier. as for the rear coils, i am running LC 80 coils(8wraps) and i love them, but if i didnt have them id probably either go with an OME rear coil, 861(i think is the number id go with) but thats for a good 3-4" of lift in the back

With the Tundra 5100's, I'd have 5 settings vs 3 settings with the 4runner ones correct? Is everything else the same, length, mounting, and so on? I remember reading about the 861's, those are for FJ80's? I've heard that they are a lot taller then the 891's, but of course I have no first hand experience with these. I'd be looking to keep it some what level to a slight rake.

I really appreciate all the help I'm getting. This forum is a lot kinder to the newb's then Pirate ever was!

[the great him]

Tundra and taco bilstiens are all the same on the outside, I think valving might be slightly different but I'm not sure, no one has ever complained about the tundra ones. And yes the only difference that I know of is the amount of settings. The top, middle and bottom settings are all the same, just the tundra adds two more settings in between the tacos. Yeah the 861s are a lift coil for the LC 80 so those would be way to tall for us.

[MStudt]

Originally Posted by the kid

Tundra and taco bilstiens are all the same on the outside, I think valving might be slightly different but I'm not sure, no one has ever complained about the tundra ones. And yes the only difference that I know of is the amount of settings. The top, middle and bottom settings are all the same, just the tundra adds two more settings in between the tacos. Yeah the 861s are a lift coil for the LC 80 so those would be way to tall for us.

Here's what I'm thinking about getting.
Bilstein 5100 HD front
Toytec/Eibach front coils
Bilstein 5125 rear
OME 891 rear coils
Diff drop kit
Extended rear brake line
Panhard drop
Shock bushing kits

Is there anything I'm missing from my list, or something else I should consider?

[NachoPitt]

I trolled a few of the tundra boards before I found a nearly new set of shocks and springs. I was able to buy the complete assembly and sell the shocks to offset the cost. Some guys run Moogs too.

I have heard good things about the Eibachs.

[gs300tt]

Originally Posted by MStudt

We live in the out skirts of Pacific. I've got more rock at this house then I know what to do with, and a lot of sandstone too!

You may want to check out Mo4wd - Index they have a mostly stock truck event on Sep 22 (not exactly sure on that date). The park is only an hour or so away from you.

Ben

[the great him]

Originally Posted by MStudt

Here's what I'm thinking about getting.
Bilstein 5100 HD front
Toytec/Eibach front coils
Bilstein 5125 rear
OME 891 rear coils
Diff drop kit
Extended rear brake line
Panhard drop
Shock bushing kits

Is there anything I'm missing from my list, or something else I should consider?

im not sure why you are getting the shock bushing kit, as the shocks should already come with their bushings... the diff drop is not a necessity, but useful (some will argue that).

[gs300tt]

Originally Posted by MStudt

Here's what I'm thinking about getting.
Bilstein 5100 HD front
Toytec/Eibach front coils
Bilstein 5125 rear
OME 891 rear coils
Diff drop kit
Extended rear brake line
Panhard drop
Shock bushing kits

Is there anything I'm missing from my list, or something else I should consider?

If you are going to be camping and putting a lot of weight in the rear I would shy away from the 891's. I know they say they are for more weight but with just my CBI rear and nothing in the cargo area they saged in two months on me.

[MStudt]

Originally Posted by gs300tt

If you are going to be camping and putting a lot of weight in the rear I would shy away from the 891's. I know they say they are for more weight but with just my CBI rear and nothing in the cargo area they saged in two months on me.

What would you suggest? I'll be adding a bumper, sleeping platform with storage, backpacking gear, kayaks, and bikes. I'll easily have and extra 200lbs at any given time.

[the great him]

LC 9 wraps.... they will give you 5-6" lift empty but with the load you will have you should sit about 3.5-4" in the back and still have a good ride and crazy flex


sorry i didnt realize you would have that kinda load, i guess i just missed that part of things my bad -see arent you glad you posted up here and others chimed in with their thoughts?