I recently upgraded from an '02 Sport Edition to an '07 Limited v8, and wanted to start a new thread to document maintenance/mods. I loved my 3rd gen, but I was getting to the point where I wanted something nicer with more power. And I wanted to get it before the v8 became too scarce or hard to find with low(ish) miles. But I didn't want to replace such a great vehicle unless I found exactly what I wanted (white or silver, sport or limited, 2wd, v8, less than 80K miles).
I found this one in Austin about 2 months ago. One-owner, dealer maintained, 78K miles for $20K out the door. This is a couple of days after I bought it (and my 3rd gen in the front)
First thing I had to do was lift it. I couldn't stand the rake (close to 3" in stock form) and I hate having the same vehicle as everyone else. I want to make it mine. I chose a combo of the FJ 4x4 springs, the Daystar 1.25" topout spacer in the front, Daystar 1.5" spacer for the rear and Bilstein 5100 shocks. I set the front on the lowest clip thinking I could go up if needed. But I saw a few pictures with this set up and thought I'd like it. I also replaced the stock wheels/tires with some Tundra split-spokes powdercoated graphite and 265/70/17 Cooper Discoverer AT3s that I had on the 3rd gen. Measurements are below (from the ground to the wheel well)
Before / After:
front driver - 32.25" / 36.875"
front passenger - 32.25" / 36.875"
rear driver - 35.125" / 38"
rear passenger - 35.25" / 38.125"
I finished everything at night so this is a pic from the next morning. With 4.5" of lift in the front, I was afraid I would need new UCAs, but the alignment came back with all numbers within spec, and there's no pull that I can notice.
And the truck is pretty dirty in this pic, but I like how the light let's you see tires a little better.
Next, I found some lightly used Wet Okole seat covers from another T4R member - black with white piping and the 5th gen logo on the front seats. I'm not sure why it has a gap on the sides, but for half price, I couldn't complain much.
Plans for the future include...
- replace the 4th gen badges with 3rd gen (I like the font better) and plastidip them all black
- switch driver and passenger seat covers
- LED interior bulbs
- Bora .75" wheel spacers
I found this one in Austin about 2 months ago. One-owner, dealer maintained, 78K miles for $20K out the door. This is a couple of days after I bought it (and my 3rd gen in the front)
First thing I had to do was lift it. I couldn't stand the rake (close to 3" in stock form) and I hate having the same vehicle as everyone else. I want to make it mine. I chose a combo of the FJ 4x4 springs, the Daystar 1.25" topout spacer in the front, Daystar 1.5" spacer for the rear and Bilstein 5100 shocks. I set the front on the lowest clip thinking I could go up if needed. But I saw a few pictures with this set up and thought I'd like it. I also replaced the stock wheels/tires with some Tundra split-spokes powdercoated graphite and 265/70/17 Cooper Discoverer AT3s that I had on the 3rd gen. Measurements are below (from the ground to the wheel well)
Before / After:
front driver - 32.25" / 36.875"
front passenger - 32.25" / 36.875"
rear driver - 35.125" / 38"
rear passenger - 35.25" / 38.125"
I finished everything at night so this is a pic from the next morning. With 4.5" of lift in the front, I was afraid I would need new UCAs, but the alignment came back with all numbers within spec, and there's no pull that I can notice.
And the truck is pretty dirty in this pic, but I like how the light let's you see tires a little better.
Next, I found some lightly used Wet Okole seat covers from another T4R member - black with white piping and the 5th gen logo on the front seats. I'm not sure why it has a gap on the sides, but for half price, I couldn't complain much.
Plans for the future include...
- replace the 4th gen badges with 3rd gen (I like the font better) and plastidip them all black
- switch driver and passenger seat covers
- LED interior bulbs
- Bora .75" wheel spacers
Attachments
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