Absalom's Build Thread #2 - Revenge of the Oil Burners

[yosh2000]

sweet thread and project. I lived in Arvada for several year and am now just south in the apllewood area. CO is a great place to live. I am even more excited to have a 3rd gen diesel swap right around the corner from me, I will definitely want to swing by and check this thing out!!

Have you figured out emissions and licensing after the swap? You will be in Jefferson county, which has smog rules. Not sure how they apply here?

 

[absalom]

Definitely subbed to watch the progress on this one. My 3.4 is starting to get old and tired. I've told myself that I'll either sell this down the road and get an 80 or 100 Series, or I'll do an engine swap of some sort. Would love a diesel and I too have experience with TDI's and like them a lot.

Awesome, glad to have another TDI'er present. I've fallen head over steel-toed boots for this motor in the past few years and can't wait to get started on stage 2 of this project!

If you need a car trailer to haul away the carcass (pun intended) let me know as I have access to a dual axle hauler given a little notice.

Dude ... I most definitely could use help disposing of the body when I get to that point. I will certainly take you up on that offer and be sure to provide plenty of beer and/or hardcore drugs.

It was those damn awful cars that brought you back too huh? I still have the S4, sold the A4. I have similar plans to you (besides the small matter of an engine swap) in an purpose built overland/camping/trails type vehicle.

How goes the shopping list? There are a few quite hard to find items there.

I can't wait to see your build thread, should be one for the ages. S4 is quite the car. Are you enjoying having the 4runner as your secondary vehicle?

sweet thread and project. I lived in Arvada for several year and am now just south in the apllewood area. CO is a great place to live. I am even more excited to have a 3rd gen diesel swap right around the corner from me, I will definitely want to swing by and check this thing out!!

Have you figured out emissions and licensing after the swap? You will be in Jefferson county, which has smog rules. Not sure how they apply here?

The smog issue is certainly something worth considering. I'm hoping that having the swap completed, registered in AZ, and then moved to CO will alleviate any issues.

 

[absalom]

I got fed up driving around with warped rotors so I moved the Tundra swap ahead on the timeline. Ultra easy swap with the exception of bleeding these damn ABS brakes. As of 4/13, I have normal engagement in the pedal's throw but still very spongy feel. I've bedded the brakes as per the tutorial twice, pressure bled, gravity bled, and bled with a partner. They get a little better each time, but I still certainly have air in the lines. All in all, I've fairly underwhelmed by the swap. I imagine my opinion will change one they're fully bled.

We took the back way to Crown King from Phoenix on my birthday as something of a shakedown run. Truck did admirably, though I'm adding extended bumpstops and rear locker to the 'must-have' list. Fully stuffed, I was greeted with plenty of rubbing in the rear (giggity).


231mm Tundra Brakes Installed

Found a Long Road to Bed Brakes

The End Result - Note Bluing and Greying

For Reference - 1/2" Body Lift Installed

Checking for Rattles


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Full Flex in Rear

Need Bumpstops Badly

Planning a wedding, several closings, and getting shopping list together. Then my schedule frees up and is ready for stage 2, can't wait!

 

[Unner]

When you did your TBU did you put a pair of pliers on the brake line to try and keep air out? This is one thing that worries me about when I do my TBU is making sure I get all the air out of the system since we both have the ABS with all the valves and what not. If you get air up in them then you pretty much need to take it to Toyota so they can hook up their machine and open the valves and bleed the entire system.

 

[MyHigh]

opcorn:

Okay I'm ready! Let the swap begin!!!

Really though, this is going to be awesome!

 

[MasonT4R]

I got fed up driving around with warped rotors so I moved the Tundra swap ahead on the timeline. Ultra easy swap with the exception of bleeding these damn ABS brakes. As of 4/13, I have normal engagement in the pedal's throw but still very spongy feel. I've bedded the brakes as per the tutorial twice, pressure bled, gravity bled, and bled with a partner. They get a little better each time, but I still certainly have air in the lines. All in all, I've fairly underwhelmed by the swap. I imagine my opinion will change one they're fully bled.

This is the one thing I hardly ever see anyone talk about when discussing the Tundra brake upgrade. After doing mine I've seen it mentioned from time to time but always as a post discussion, never a pre-swap discussion. I bled mine multiple times and the pedal still isn't like it was before. It still locks up hard and braking is never an issue but the pedal is more spongy and has more travel.

I don't regret the decision because the Tundra brakes are way way way better for longevity and mountain braking (granted you should be downshifting but there is still more braking than I see around here on flat ground). When I bought my 4Runner it was 3 months out of a new brake job (rotors and pads). Within 6 months I began to feel some brake pedal vibration. I'm now like 2 years into my Tundra swap and they are holding up fantastic.

The spongy feel is usually attributed to the larger calibers taking more fluid but I'm not for sure. I'm headed to CO this summer for vacation and I plan to change the brake pads before I do and have a professional bleed the brakes to see if it doesn't help but I'm not too optimistic. Still love the post-swap results.

 

[C-RAIG]

My pedal felt spongy and seemed to have a lot of travel before I did the swap. I've read that you can adjust the pedal travel but I haven't looked into it. I'm pretty used to it now. I can't wait to see this thing in Colorado.

 

[absalom]

This is the one thing I hardly ever see anyone talk about when discussing the Tundra brake upgrade. After doing mine I've seen it mentioned from time to time but always as a post discussion, never a pre-swap discussion. I bled mine multiple times and the pedal still isn't like it was before. It still locks up hard and braking is never an issue but the pedal is more spongy and has more travel.

I don't regret the decision because the Tundra brakes are way way way better for longevity and mountain braking (granted you should be downshifting but there is still more braking than I see around here on flat ground). When I bought my 4Runner it was 3 months out of a new brake job (rotors and pads). Within 6 months I began to feel some brake pedal vibration. I'm now like 2 years into my Tundra swap and they are holding up fantastic.

The spongy feel is usually attributed to the larger calibers taking more fluid but I'm not for sure. I'm headed to CO this summer for vacation and I plan to change the brake pads before I do and have a professional bleed the brakes to see if it doesn't help but I'm not too optimistic. Still love the post-swap results.

I've heard such conflicting information on this. I've read that the volume consumed by the 231's is in fact the same as the stock calipers. I've read that it's actually more. I've heard that spongy feel can only be caused by air in the lines, whereas caliper volume can be responsible for later engagement.

My engagement point is actually close to factory, but the feel is still somewhat spongy. Although, I bled it AGAIN yesterday and feel has gotten better. I'll try the whole 40 pumps and then 20 pumps method and report back. I love brakes that engage high in the pedal's travel and that have a VERY firm feel. Hopefully I can get mine to feel this way. How do yours feel now?

My pedal felt spongy and seemed to have a lot of travel before I did the swap. I've read that you can adjust the pedal travel but I haven't looked into it. I'm pretty used to it now. I can't wait to see this thing in Colorado.

You and me both, the mountains are calling my name! Adjust pedal travel; interesting!

When you did your TBU did you put a pair of pliers on the brake line to try and keep air out? This is one thing that worries me about when I do my TBU is making sure I get all the air out of the system since we both have the ABS with all the valves and what not. If you get air up in them then you pretty much need to take it to Toyota so they can hook up their machine and open the valves and bleed the entire system.

I did in fact use padded vice grips to block flow, how knows if some bubbles snuck past the pliers tho. Sigh, I have a feeling you're right and I'll have to bend over a log and have the dealership bleed my brakes. Though, I can buy the handheld tester for $300 on Aliexpress ...

opcorn:

Okay I'm ready! Let the swap begin!!!

Really though, this is going to be awesome!

You and me both, I can't wait! Just got a few real life obligations to handle and then it's swap time. I didn't want to start the swap until the truck drove great, hence the order.

 

[Unner]

Keep us updated on the bleeding and brake pedal feeling. I don't know how much it would be for the dealership to bleed them. It may only be like $100, I think that's what my local dealership charges for a power steering flush.

I would think that the dealership bleed wouldn't be necessary though, because a small shop that would change a seized caliper on a 4Runner wouldn't have the tools for that either, only the tools to bleed brakes regularly.

 

[C-RAIG]

Keep us updated on the bleeding and brake pedal feeling. I don't know how much it would be for the dealership to bleed them. It may only be like $100, I think that's what my local dealership charges for a power steering flush.

I would think that the dealership bleed wouldn't be necessary though, because a small shop that would change a seized caliper on a 4Runner wouldn't have the tools for that either, only the tools to bleed brakes regularly.

It should be around a hundred, We charged 150 at Porsche but that fluid is expensive.

 

[aeroneer1]

When I got my TBU all done my pedal was definitely spongey, so I bled them a second time, and it firmed up. Also I put a good thick (2-3" thick) paper back book under the pedal as my GF pushed for me.

Did you also make absolutely sure you flushed the entire system? You can turkey baster the fluid out of the reservoir, and run a couple bottles through to make sure it's completely flushed, but it takes a while.

Also always make sure key is on (electronics mode) when bleeding. Seems trivial, but I was confused for a while until I figured this out!

 

[Dephcon]

Also always make sure key is on (electronics mode) when bleeding. Seems trivial, but I was confused for a while until I figured this out!

I have never heard of this before, nor done it. What is the reason for it, something to do with the ABS?

 

[absalom]

So doing some intense preliminary research for the swap. My concern right now is the 5 connections running from the ECM to the VSC ECU. I'm trying to figure out how to emulate these communications with the TDI's ECU.

See below SS of the VSC wiring diagram. Connections of concern circled in red.

It should be around a hundred, We charged 150 at Porsche but that fluid is expensive.

That's about $99 more than I was ever hoping to spend on a brake bleed, lol. Every time I pay someone else to fix something for me, my penis shrivels up just a little more.

When I got my TBU all done my pedal was definitely spongey, so I bled them a second time, and it firmed up. Also I put a good thick (2-3" thick) paper back book under the pedal as my GF pushed for me.

Did you also make absolutely sure you flushed the entire system? You can turkey baster the fluid out of the reservoir, and run a couple bottles through to make sure it's completely flushed, but it takes a while.

Also always make sure key is on (electronics mode) when bleeding. Seems trivial, but I was confused for a while until I figured this out!

Great tip about having the key on. I've flushed a 32oz bottle of fresh DOT 3 through the system twice.

I have never heard of this before, nor done it. What is the reason for it, something to do with the ABS?

The ABS lines are sealed from the system when not being used IIRC. You apparently need to energize the ABS controller to allow it's fluid (and air) to mix with the rest of the system.

 

[aeroneer1]

The ABS lines are sealed from the system when not being used IIRC. You apparently need to energize the ABS controller to allow it's fluid (and air) to mix with the rest of the system.

Yep. You can bleed the front brakes without key on, but when you go to do rear they will bleed, then the fluid will stop coming. Turn the key on and will flow freely to the rear again. Also if you turn the key on, you can here the reservoir pumping and adjusting it's level.

 

[gamefreakgc]

I like how your build thread turned in to a Tundra brake troubleshooting thread lol!

 

[MillerPKA]

Thought I'd stop by your build and see how things were going. Looking forward to see the end result man!

 

[absalom]

I like how your build thread turned in to a Tundra brake troubleshooting thread lol!

Lol, I know right? We've all seen a 4runner do the basic stuff, 100 times. So, if my thread can offer more than just the same lift n' tires, I'll feel good.

Besides, once the swap starts, nobody will give 2 shits about a TBU lol.

Thought I'd stop by your build and see how things were going. Looking forward to see the end result man!

Slow but steady. Got a full plate right now, just the way I like it. Thanks for checking in buddy. What's next for your big, black, sexy ... 4runner?

 

[absalom]

4/20 - From Phoenix to ghost town of Tip Top:

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We did an amazing ride (drive? session?) from Phoenix to Tip Top today. It's an old abandoned mining town situated halfway between PHX and Prescott. The Bradshaw mountains offer some absolutely amazing scenery and equally amazing wheeling. River crossings, hill scrambles, berms, etc ... plenty of exciting obstacles along the way. I used to run an ATV tour group out in these mountains so it's always a pleasure going back in my own personal vehicle. Also, we stopped at some 800 year old native american ruins, as well as some abandoned mines. Spooky stuff ... well in person it was I suppose.

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Bradshaw Mountains

Truck did great of course. Got a torn CV boot from the lift .. hardly surprising. What's the go-to CV boot these days? Can't wait to get that god-dang' diesel in there! The 5VZ is reliable but oh, so boring!


View from top of ruins. Amazing views.

 

[nc-grayson]

love the build so far. looking forward to the swap.......my soul wants me to be in scottsdale to help with the swap.

 

[absalom]

36 hours, no sleep. Body aching and I'm exhausted. What a positively insane weekend 4x4'ing in Mexico. I'll keep the details sparse as I type up the whole post, but this is a story for our grandchildren. Stay tuned!

love the build so far. looking forward to the swap.......my soul wants me to be in scottsdale to help with the swap.

I'll just assume you're here in spirit helping with the conversion!

Wooohoo! Glad to see you back in a third gen! I'll be interested to see how your diesel swap goes. Ive got a couple years before I go down the road to more power but a diesel swap has always been high on my list of options.

Boy am I glad to be back! I'll be sure to keep you posted only if you promise to tell me which swap you end up with.