Hey guys, after lurking for a while I figured it was time to start a build thread so I can share/document what I've been up to.
While I'm pretty new to the 4WD scene, I'm no stranger to builds. Here's my other project.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/S3...C=w947-h631-no
Anyways, sold my previous 2WD 3rd Gen in June and picked up this one to build.
2001 SR5 4WD. 205k miles. Previous owner put on "Mud Claw" tires and pulled out the carpet. It was basically a hunting truck.
Running boards had to go and rear bumper was pretty badly damaged so off they came!
Picked up some Stealth Custom Series F5, 16x8
Took it on it's first camping trip. Rear end sagged with gear loaded.
The Mud Claw tires from the PO were horrible. Super loud and wouldn't balance so it was time for a change. Knowing my eventual goals I decided to go all out and went for 315/75/16 BFG K02s
After a lot of cutting/hammering they fit and took it out for a test run on some local trails.
To create some more clearance I then added a 1" body lift.
Put together a quick base of a rear bumper. Still gonna go back and add side protection and a swing out tire carrier.
Hit some more trails. This is the top of Bell Mountain in the N GA Mountains.
Stock suspension showing it's limits.
Put together an on-board air setup. Viair 450 mounted under the hood (no picture) and 5 gallon tank in the cargo area. Works great!
Took another camping trip, this time to the Blue Ridge Parkway area. This is at Ivestor Gap ~6000ft elevation. Stock rear springs struggling again.
Wife helping air up after some trails.
For comparison
Another trip to the mountains
Picked up a smittybilt winch for cheap so put together a base off of the front frame rails. Like the rear I'm gonna go back and finish eventually. Also, added some JDM hilux corners which you can see here.
Continued next post....