A_S_R's Build Thread

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

I purchased my 2003 V8 Limited in August 2009 with 120k miles (at 200k as of January 2016). It was factory equipped with all options (heated leather, nav, rear air suspension, etc). Mods are targeted towards daily driving and some off road on the weekends during hunting season.

Suspension/Wheels/Tires

• Icon Stage 2 lift with tubular UCA's
• MetalTech RAS conversion kit
• 18" Limited wheels
• 265/70/18 Nitto Terra Grappler G2's
• Spidertrax 1.25" wheel spacers
• 4Crawler 1/2" body lift
• Poly swaybar bushing upgrade
• Extended rear swaybar links

Audio/Electronics/Lighting

• Kenwood DDX672 head unit
• JL Audio 8W1V2 sub in stock location
• JL Audio J2 250.1 amp
• Infinity Reference 6032cf door speakers front/rear
• 30" LED light bar behind lower grille
• 6" LED reverse lights
• OEM FJ fog light switches
• Valentine V1 Radar

Other

• Weathertech floor liners
• Clazzio seat covers
• 20% tint on front windows to match the rear
• AFE Pro-Dry air filter
• Resonator delete - tip angled to the side

The day I picked it up:

Prior lift setup - approx 2.25" lift on 255/75/17's

Prior lift setup - approx 4" lift on 285/70/17's

Prior lift setup - approx 4" lift on 275/65/18's


Current setup with Icon Stage 2



Icon rear with end links


Front/rear LED's installed:

JL sub swap

Clazzio's installed. Pics were right after install, wrinkles worked out after the pics were taken.

 

[krupnation]

Awesome rig A_S_R, and thank you for all the excellent knowledge/advice on the FJC/5100 swap. Can't wait to see what you do next!

 

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

Glad to help! Sad to say it's probably going to be a different suspension setup. I'm definitely moving the 5100's up to the top notch, should net around 3" lift and will adjust the rear to get the desired stance.

Also, I meant to include this in the original post, but my last 4x4 (had a 97 2wd 4runner and a Mustang between them) was a 90 GMC with 6" lift and 35's, it's my inspiration for the 4runner. Won't be as extreme, but definitely what I'm going towards.

 

[krupnation]

Glad to help! Sad to say it's probably going to be a different suspension setup. I'm definitely moving the 5100's up to the top notch, should net around 3" lift and will adjust the rear to get the desired stance.

I hear you man. I love my setup but i already want to go bigger! I'm waiting to get new tires then I'm going to the top notch on my 5100's and going to put bigger coils in the rear to lift it (undecided on what brand). My wife and I just bought a house so cash is low but probably next year after our tax return. Stoked to see your next setup. We have very similar tastes.

 

[Gatafly]

You put on 37k miles in less than 2 months??:wow:

 

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

You put on 37k miles in less than 2 months??:wow:

Nope just a typo, should have been 2009.

 

[gaterose]

I think you put the wrong year for purchase Ark, I know you had it before August of '11.

I was wondering if you'd ever post up a build thread, it's looking nice. Thanks for the help in the past!

That GMC reminds me of my buddy's '89 reg cab step side with 6" Trailmaster and the same tires.. true duel Flowmaster 1 chambers... That truck was a HOSS, especially when it had 35" Hawgs.

 

[8086bruce]

Looks great A_S_R!!!:thanks: for the great thread can't wait to follow along with the build!

 

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

Figured it was time for a build thread, just never took time to make one. I loved the GMC but hated 6 to 8 mpg in my daily driver so I had to move on.

Although I kept telling myself that I'd wait, I just purchased a set of OME coils for the front. I'm shooting for 3" maybe slightly more lift in the front. Not sure when I'll get them installed, hopefully soon. Thanks guys!

 

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

I got the OMEs installed on Saturday, absolutely love them. I loved the xreas/fj coil combo, but felt the 5100/fj coil combo was lacking. It was great in a straight line but suffered pretty badly with nose dive and body roll. I really didn't realize how bad it was until I got the OMEs put on. Current setup feels way better than stock. It stays super flat in turns, no dive when braking, and drives even smoother than before. I still have to get an alignment, but even with out that the ride is much improved.

I'm waiting on it to settle so I can get measurements, will post pics up then as well. It looks like I got right at 3 inches, time will tell though. I'm unsure what's next, probably going to leave things alone for a while. Thinking about adding lights to the bumper and getting something to correct the speedometer. Anything else just depends on funds.

 

[darkie3495]

Congrats on the new suspension. I guess it's time to change the sig. :bigok:

 

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

Congrats on the new suspension. I guess it's time to change the sig. :bigok:

Yep time to update it (again)! Hopefully this is the last time I change up the suspension. I finally took some measurements, looks like I got 3" on the passenger side but about 2.5" on the drivers side. I'm about to order the 1/4" Toytec spacer to level out the drivers side lean.

 

[utobiaus]

Nice ride

 

[Eastcoastrunner]

so you got OME front springs only? no diff shocks or rear components?

 

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

My current setup is Bilstein 5100's/OME 885's on the front, stock rear. I ditched XREAS and ended up with the OEM non-xreas 4runner shocks on the rear. I tried several sets of rear shocks, including Bilsteins, and had horrible ride quality. The OEM shocks are the only thing I could find that would ride decent. I have the OEM rear air suspension and therefore don't have coils in the rear. I've adjusted the rear air bags to raise it enough to level out. Adding air to the bags made the rear more firm, it's pretty well matched front/rear. I have plans of ditching the OEM rear air system and using Bilsteins and Toytec Superflex rear coils, but that'll be down the road. I love the auto leveling feature, really don't want to lose that.

 

[Casper421]

Glad to see you installed those 885's. Cant wait to see the pics!

 

[8086bruce]

Glad to see you installed those 885's. Cant wait to see the pics!

Ditto^^^!!!

 

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

Here's a couple quick cell phone pics, better ones to follow.

 

[CrimsonCountry]

Here's a couple quick cell phone pics, better ones to follow.

That looks great Ark! Glad to here the 885s gave you the lift you wanted.

I know you mentioned the Toytec Superflex coils for the rear but I would also consider the SAW 1.5" (really 2") coils as well. They are only 12% stiffer than stock and gave me right at 2". The only reason I am higher than that in the back is that I added the DS 1.5" rear spacer to the drivers side coil to correct the lean (raised drivers side ~1" and passenger ~.5"...now both are within 1/4").

EDIT: There was actually a new set for sell over in the Classifieds a few days ago. HERE

 

[deedst4r]

Did you get only the coils? and used the 5100's?