AZ4FNER's Build Thread

[AZ4FNER]

Reserved for trail pics

Harquahala Peak

Friends, here are a few photos from our journey up the tallest peak in Southern Arizona. Solo trip with my wife and daughter.

This trip was a last minute decision, late start as we didn't leave the house until after 1:00pm. I will later regret, as we didn't get home until after 9:00pm. Bright side was I did get to do my first night wheelin'.

Time for a lunch break, but we just got here?

Eating SUBWAY sandwiches with Cheetos in the shade and airing down the tires at the trail head…

Here we go!

The moon followed us on our way up the mountain.

Holy sheep, our 4Runner's ARE proven to be “RAM” tough! Run little doggies. Yaw, yaw!

We can still see you...

2 hours later… Aha, now were getting up there.

Hurray, we made it to the tippy top! CAP Radio tower and remains of Smithsonian Observatory closed since 1925. We signed in at the BLM registry box. Thanks BLM for keeping the road open.

It’s just so darn peaceful up here. Are we in heaven?

Thank you trusty Runner, I mean King of the Mountain!

 

[absalom]

I just want to toss it out there, if you are on a budget ... like me, you can build the SS kit from scratch for far less.

I am local to you, I have a fabricator that can build your adjustable trac bar for cheap too. Also, if you ever need help installing the lift (it's a pain the first time lol) just lemme know, got tons of tools.

Good luck man, and I'm jealous of your sliders!

 

[Rockdawg84]

Great start :driving: Love to see other AZ guys out there. And I love that your building and using the rig as you go. keep up the great work.

x2 on the ability to get basically a 1.2 on the cheep. It won't be new or exactly the same but you can source everything you need to lift the runner and have it work for a lot less. On the Other Hand Steve is super knowledgeable and you will have 100% new parts that will work great. So keep saving and your good to go. BTW don't pay anyone to install your lift. Totally not worth it. super easy to do yourself, seems intimidating but with help it will go smooth.

 

[shadow247]

Great start :driving: Love to see other AZ guys out there. And I love that your building and using the rig as you go. keep up the great work.

x2 on the ability to get basically a 1.2 on the cheep. It won't be new or exactly the same but you can source everything you need to lift the runner and have it work for a lot less. On the Other Hand Steve is super knowledgeable and you will have 100% new parts that will work great. So keep saving and your good to go. BTW don't pay anyone to install your lift. Totally not worth it. super easy to do yourself, seems intimidating but with help it will go smooth.

Yeah the lift install was pretty easy. I did it myself with the help of a few mechanics at work in about 8 hours. I wasted almost an hour driving to the parts store to get a new top plate for one of my front struts, and then another half hour running BACK to the parts store to rent the coil spring compressor. So I could have had the lift completed in about 6.5 hours. The hardest part was breaking down the TRD struts to install the 4runner top plates and extended studs for my top plate spacer. If you have access to a shop with a real lift, I highly recommend it. It made it so much easier to do. I can't imagine lifting one of these trucks on the ground using jack stands, but I'm sure it could be done.

I also parted out my kit and just added everything up.

LC 7 Wraps - 112 shipped from Cruiserparts.net
Toytec Diff Drop - 29.99
Top Plate Spacer 59.99
Toytec Adjustable Panhard - 199.99
TRD Struts - 160 from a wrecking yard (actually got them for free but that's what I would have paid)
Extended rear sway bar links - 50 from Oreilly

The only thing I am missing is the extended bump stops and brake lines, which I can get for another 75 or so.

 

[masphx]

Sliders look great Jeff! I will have to get some to keep up with you

Can't wait to see 'the Rolls' pictures. I might have a few for you to add in. That was a blast! Amazing how much the E-locker helped.

Mason

 

[Hepar]

Nice progress. Coming along great!

 

[AZ4FNER]

Saguaro lake - "the Rolls"

OK, sorry for being out of sequence. I posted my slider pics before my last two trail updates.

Anyways, masphx and I decided to hit "the Rolls" last minute. Don't know why I can't plan more in advance... I threw up a post on the site the night before, but didn't get any bites from the locals...oh well. Too bad t4r4life lives too far.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/111451-saguaro-lake-rolls-sat-march-24th.html

Sorry, no pic of the trail head...I'll get one next time. I'll definitely be back!

So, we started down the unmarked sandy trails...

And, hit a dead end...oops. Cool party spot though...

There is a vast trail network that you could explore for days. We could have gone down to the backside of Saguaro lake and explore the "coves" or head up north to the "rolls". We decided to save the lake for another time.

Here is a shot of the first real obstacle. Nothing crazy but fun for newbies like us...

Here's a shot of masphx...

Spotting masphx on another obstacle...

My wife's becoming an old pro at this, relaxed enough to kick her feet up...ha.

Which line do you like?

to be continued...

 

[AZ4FNER]

Saguaro lake - "the Rolls" continued...

Taking a break to stretch the legs and such:

Me and my girls.

Trails and surrounding views were really nice:

This was a great half day trip, but you could spend a full day. There is a lot left to be explored. Back to civilization...

Mason (masphx), you owe me some photos of my rig please...

 

[masphx]

How about a short video...

P1010552 - YouTube

 

[AZ4FNER]

Thanks Mason, good times. Let's do it again.

 

[Soy]

I gotta say man, you've built your truck exactly the same way I want mine. I'm just in a different sequence since I had to do suspension first. The old stuff was dangerously broken.

Kudos on the build and great wheeling trips! If you ever make it over to SoCal I'd love to hit a trail or two with you!

 

[AZ4FNER]

I gotta say man, you've built your truck exactly the same way I want mine. I'm just in a different sequence since I had to do suspension first. The old stuff was dangerously broken.

Kudos on the build and great wheeling trips! If you ever make it over to SoCal I'd love to hit a trail or two with you!

Thanks Soy. Looking forward to your feedback on the Sonoran lift. Definitely let me know if you guys get a SoCal group trail ride organized. I can be there in a jiffy...ha.

 

[Soy]

Feedback so far:

It's AWESOME! Yes, I went a little pricey, but it was very necessary. The old front shocks were not only blown, but the lower mounts were dangerously worn. The bushings were damn near gone.

It's hard to give an unbiased comparison when the previous suspension was so bad, but she rides like a brand new truck now. On road she's smooth on the freeway and streets with minimal body roll or nose dive. Not too stiff, but definitely not a Cadillac anymore.

Off road the minor bumps are well absorbed, and the bigger stuff is handled with ease. I wouldn't hesitate to take this truck anywhere anymore, and that's a feeling you can't put a price tag on. The confidence of knowing that everything is brand new and properly put together is priceless.

 

[AZ4FNER]

The old front shocks were not only blown, but the lower mounts were dangerously worn. The bushings were damn near gone.

Good call Soy, that is no joke. Glad you took care of that right away. Safety is paramount.

The shocks on mine are KYB's, so they are not the stockers. But, I have no idea when they were replaced. I had no vehicle history when I bought mine, took a gamble. They function properly, but I don't know if the ride quality is good or bad.

I am so curious how the ride quality will be effected when I do finally change up my suspension.

For some reason, you have me reconsidering the 7.2 system instead of the 1.2A. I don't know, I'll have to talk to Steve again...

 

[Soy]

I hear ya - I had no history either. Based on what I pulled off, I'd say the history is "Never" on the fronts. Definitely had aftermarket shocks on the rear, but stock springs. From what I can tell, my truck was set up to tow some heavy loads. It came with a 7-pin trailer connector and had super stiff rear shocks mounted (which were worn out).

Why the debate between 7.2 and 1.2A? From what I can tell, the only difference is between OME rear components and LC/Toyota components. The rest is identical?

 

[AZ4FNER]

Why the debate between 7.2 and 1.2A? From what I can tell, the only difference is between OME rear components and LC/Toyota components. The rest is identical?

Basically, I have read that the LC Coils are a softer ride than the OMEs. And, the LC Coils also have slightly higher lift with rake.

I think the 7.2's lift height would look better with my current wheel size 265/75/16. I'm worried that if I pick the 1.2A I will want to buy new tires 285/75/16. That would be dumb considering I have less than 4K on my current tires, which I love.

Or, the downside on the 7.2 is I may want the extra lift of the 1.2A if I do go to 33's in the future (285/75/16).

After some further discussion here:
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/108449-sonoran-steel-lift-owners-1-2-1-2a.html

I'm leaning back toward the 1.2A...

 

[Soy]

Heh, I'll buy your tires. I'm leaning towards Duratracs myself when it comes time.

 

[AZ4FNER]

Heh, I'll buy your tires. I'm leaning towards Duratracs myself when it comes time.

Ha, they are not for sale but I'll let you know... Highly recommend the Duratracs!

 

[AZ4FNER]

Saved for updates I am behind on...

 

[AZ4FNER]

Links to my last forum updates...

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/126573-lifted-my-gen3-added-gen4.html
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-g...ow-did-i-do-2003-black-sports-edition-v8.html

Guess I need to sit down and update this thing. Been having too much fun to post pics and chit chat...

Couple updated photos from camping trip with JackAZ...

Will have to get some better pics, but I have some trail damage to report...

Passenger rear quarter:

Anyone with similar damage? Open to suggestions on how to fix!

Still haven't decided if I'm going to fix it completely, or pop out the dent and live with scratches.

Also, trying to decide if I should go flareless/bumperless and do Line-X. Didn't plan on enjoying rock crawling so much. Now I want 35's and a front locker!!!

Wish I had better footage of my truck in action, but I think you will get the idea. I made the above dent just minutes before this video was taken. My truck is in the background, (behind the FJ), making my way through... This is the first obstacle just to enter into "Elvis Trail" in Florence Junction, AZ.



Here is another video from our caravan, a 1st Gen on the same obstacle. I took the path that the white Tacoma is taking around the other side of the rocks. My Duratracs (air down to 20psi) got loose on the sandy rocks and rear quarter of truck kissed the rocks... Dag nabbit!!!



BTW, that's me in the brown shirt/green shorts spotting the Tacoma on his pass rear quarter. Ran back down to make sure he avoided my mistake. Once he was in the clear, and ran back up to go see my damage.