08-17-2009, 03:13 AM
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#16
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Looks great Blair!
I am all about doing it right the first time as well. Especially when it comes to suspension.
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08-17-2009, 10:24 AM
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#17
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Elite Member
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Location: Eastern USA
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ARB rear locker in your future BlairB??
Nice build for sure.
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08-17-2009, 11:15 PM
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#18
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Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: San Ramon, Ca
Age: 36
Posts: 1,764
Real Name: Blair
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Senior Member
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Thai
ARB rear locker in your future BlairB??
Nice build for sure.
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Thank you, its coming along nicely I think.
And yes, an ARB locker is in the future, but I am not sure how near that future is. Right now I am trying to attack the mods in the order that I would find most useful. Also I look at the price on the mods and try to figure out if it is a wise investment. It is not to say an air locker is not extremely useful, definitely is, I just think for $1,000 I would get many more benefits and enjoyment out of a fridge and duel battery setup, for example, just because my current runs are definitely more high speed runs or expedition style trips where more often then not my locker would not be used.
There have been cases where I would have benefitted from a locker, but just not too many yet. I am still amazed by how well the ATRAC works, and when it fails... well that is why we have tow straps and winches
This is probably my current "to-do" list, it was earlier on in the thread and it is now probably in the order I am going forth
1. HAM Radio/APRS Tracker
2. Diff Drop Kit (to take away a little stress on the CV's)
3. Reinforced front diff backet (its a weak point on 4th gens/FJ's and if you wheel them hard for years they can break, which causes $2k+ in damage)
4. New Lower Control Arms in the Rear (its only a matter of time before I bend one of mine)
5. HDPE skid plates to place over the stock ones/maybe aluminum skids
6. Duel Battery and a Fridge
7. Replacing the roof lights with the larger Hella 700FF's (8.5" compared to the current 6")
8. Maybe a 1/2" body lift, so I stop rubbing the top of the fenders under full compression (1/2" body lift= Blair + HDPE cutting board + hole saw )
9. Internal Winch Mount in the Factory Front Bumper (design in the works....)
10. ARB Locker
11. Any other suggestions.....?
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Last edited by BlairB; 08-17-2009 at 11:18 PM.
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08-18-2009, 12:39 AM
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#19
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Location: California
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Impressive!!!
I'm curious how you modified the CB to increase wattage? Do tell.
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08-18-2009, 01:30 AM
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#20
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Aug 2008
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BlairB
Thank you, its coming along nicely I think.
And yes, an ARB locker is in the future, but I am not sure how near that future is. Right now I am trying to attack the mods in the order that I would find most useful. Also I look at the price on the mods and try to figure out if it is a wise investment. It is not to say an air locker is not extremely useful, definitely is, I just think for $1,000 I would get many more benefits and enjoyment out of a fridge and duel battery setup, for example, just because my current runs are definitely more high speed runs or expedition style trips where more often then not my locker would not be used.
There have been cases where I would have benefitted from a locker, but just not too many yet. I am still amazed by how well the ATRAC works, and when it fails... well that is why we have tow straps and winches
This is probably my current "to-do" list, it was earlier on in the thread and it is now probably in the order I am going forth
1. HAM Radio/APRS Tracker
2. Diff Drop Kit (to take away a little stress on the CV's)
3. Reinforced front diff backet (its a weak point on 4th gens/FJ's and if you wheel them hard for years they can break, which causes $2k+ in damage)
4. New Lower Control Arms in the Rear (its only a matter of time before I bend one of mine)
5. HDPE skid plates to place over the stock ones/maybe aluminum skids
6. Duel Battery and a Fridge
7. Replacing the roof lights with the larger Hella 700FF's (8.5" compared to the current 6")
8. Maybe a 1/2" body lift, so I stop rubbing the top of the fenders under full compression (1/2" body lift= Blair + HDPE cutting board + hole saw )
9. Internal Winch Mount in the Factory Front Bumper (design in the works....)
10. ARB Locker
11. Any other suggestions.....?
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I agree with you on the locker. I will get one, but the question is when will it actually be worth it for the runs we do? It doesn't keep my drinks cold
You can get a locker, then you can get up the obstacle so I can use you as an anchor to winch myself up.
Quote:
Originally Posted by r32
Impressive!!!
I'm curious how you modified the CB to increase wattage? Do tell.
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We paid someone to do it.
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08-18-2009, 01:45 AM
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#21
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: San Ramon, Ca
Age: 36
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Real Name: Blair
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: San Ramon, Ca
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Real Name: Blair
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Quote:
Originally Posted by r32
Impressive!!!
I'm curious how you modified the CB to increase wattage? Do tell.
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When I ordered my CB I had them do a "performance upgrade" or "performance tune up" or something like that. Basically it took it from the normal 3.9 watts to 6.5 watts, somewhere in that area.
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08-18-2009, 07:43 AM
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#22
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My view is this...it is better to have it and not need it, then to need it and not have it. Although winching and pulls are good, they are nonetheless time consuming and can be difficult in certain situations (no clear cut anchor points or at an angle). ATRAC (esp. the one in the 4runner) is not particularly useful at slow speed where the speed differential between the tires (on the same axle) is not much. This has one bad benefit...you gotta use speed to get up obstacles which will inevitably lead to damage to your vehicle (thus, you needing to upgrade your rear control arms for example). A rear locker allows for slow ascending (and descending) of obstacles, which will help you avoid much damage due to better planning and slower speed of impact to your underbody. Just something to keep in mind.
BTW, your BFG M/Ts are dying to show you what it can do with proper equal traction at the rear!
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08-20-2009, 08:41 PM
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#23
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What did you paint your center caps with?
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08-20-2009, 10:48 PM
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#24
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Mar 2008
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Age: 36
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Real Name: Blair
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2008
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Quote:
Originally Posted by (hr15
What did you paint your center caps with?
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I used Dupli-Color black primer then Rustoleum Satin Black paint for the final coats.
Here is a DIY thread I did a little bit back dealing with painting your wheels:
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showth...t=black+wheels
Let me know if you have any other questions.
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08-30-2009, 02:02 PM
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#25
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that looks awesome Blair, Ive got to ask you, do you think you can give a somewhat in depth review of all the suspension setups you've been through and how they compare to stock, daily duties, off road capabilities?
Id love to have a runner like yours but feel like the fox and bilstein combo would be a little to hardcore on the daily side? I love the feel of the stock suspension but would appreciate more lift and maybe a tad bit more stiffness when it comes to trail running etc.
Also since you have atrac, does it work on all 4 wheels? Im accustomed to the FJ cruiser and when the rear locker is engaged atrac is only for the front two wheels, since you dont have a rear locker does it work on all four??
Thanks for any info man, your 4runner has been my favorite ever since I registered and my hard drive is full of pics of your 4runner! hahaha
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08-30-2009, 02:24 PM
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#26
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Elite Member
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Carbon Blue
Also since you have atrac, does it work on all 4 wheels? Im accustomed to the FJ cruiser and when the rear locker is engaged atrac is only for the front two wheels, since you dont have a rear locker does it work on all four??
Thanks for any info man, your 4runner has been my favorite ever since I registered and my hard drive is full of pics of your 4runner! hahah
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We have an official stalker on the forum!!
Yes, 4runner's ATRAC works on all 4 wheels. However, 4runner's ATRAC is less aggressive than the FJ's A-TRAC option. FJ's A-TRAC is for off-road use only (4-LO only) and is more aggressive at clamping down on a slipping tire.
You may also want to look at the 2009 4runner Trail Edition, which is equipped similarly to the FJ in terms of off-road tools (rear locker, A-TRAC, 16" rims).
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08-30-2009, 06:34 PM
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#27
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Junior Member
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Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Thai
We have an official stalker on the forum!!
Yes, 4runner's ATRAC works on all 4 wheels. However, 4runner's ATRAC is less aggressive than the FJ's A-TRAC option. FJ's A-TRAC is for off-road use only (4-LO only) and is more aggressive at clamping down on a slipping tire.
You may also want to look at the 2009 4runner Trail Edition, which is equipped similarly to the FJ in terms of off-road tools (rear locker, A-TRAC, 16" rims).
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haha, hey there Thai, Ive been "stalking" your very informational posts as well! Since you mention that the FJ's atrac option is only for "off road use only" are you implying that the atrac on the 4runner could be used on road along with 4hi? what would the benefit be if the car already has trac/vsc? Do you mean the FJ's atrac clamps harder on the spinning wheel to send power faster to the gripping wheel? How did you come to the conclusion that the atrac on the FJ is more aggressive than that of the 4runner?
Also I have read tons on FJ's/4runner Trail editions, and I still cant make up my mind, the FJ has a MT6 but the 4R has everything that the fj should have had in the first place. thanks
Last edited by Carbon Blue; 08-30-2009 at 06:50 PM.
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08-30-2009, 06:41 PM
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#28
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Aug 2008
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Carbon Blue
that looks awesome Blair, Ive got to ask you, do you think you can give a somewhat in depth review of all the suspension setups you've been through and how they compare to stock, daily duties, off road capabilities?
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Blair is in Mojave right now.
Stock suspension - squishy
Stock suspension with spacers- stock-like ride but messy off-road. They are susceptible to bottom out, etc.
Spacers with FJ springs- Better control, added height/stiffness. They are firmer than stock.
Foxes- Stiffest of them all, but they are firm, not busy like spacers (overworking every single bump in the road). Then you obviously get all of the added benefits of a coilover with a remote resi. Resistance to fading, adjustable height, able to compensate for weight such as a bumper, etc.
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08-30-2009, 07:27 PM
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#29
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Elite Member
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Quote:
Originally Posted by HB 4X4
Resistance to fading.
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Honest question to you and Blair...have you guys had problems with shock fading?? Most monotubes would be fade-resistant unless you really do Baja type racing all day long continuously. Even when i had twin-tube shocks in my 4runner, i never did experience much of fading, even when i off-roaded for most of the day. I think that shock fading has more to do with the old old shocks that were hydraulic-based.
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08-30-2009, 07:30 PM
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#30
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Quote:
Originally Posted by HB 4X4
Blair is in Mojave right now.
Stock suspension - squishy
Stock suspension with spacers- stock-like ride but messy off-road. They are susceptible to bottom out, etc.
Spacers with FJ springs- Better control, added height/stiffness. They are firmer than stock.
Foxes- Stiffest of them all, but they are firm, not busy like spacers (overworking every single bump in the road). Then you obviously get all of the added benefits of a coilover with a remote resi. Resistance to fading, adjustable height, able to compensate for weight such as a bumper, etc.
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thanks man, did the v8 4runners ever come with atrac or a rear locker? Or is it only the 09 TE that comes with both??
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