Better Late Than Never Build Thread

[Speedy]

Almost a year to the day since I started this thread and the truck is basically finished. Everything's reassembled and it turned out awesome.

Flare install video with parts needed and all that in 3rd post.

 

[JoeT4R]

What a beautiful rig Speedy. I know that thing has been meticulously maintained and that's what makes it so much more sexy!!!

 

[Speedy]

Thanks man. Super happy how it all turned out and am just enjoying driving it now. LOVING the heated seats, I shoulda done that years ago.

In other news.....here's the replacement for my stolen car. Showed up Tuesday.

Dodge Demon 170. 1025 horsepower right off the showroom floor. After my Hellcat was stolen I got a surprise call that made this happen. I feel humbled and blessed to get it, now I just need to get over the PTSD of mine being stolen and enjoy it.

 

[partylikeit's1999]

Very Cool!

 

[Speedy]

A little update and aggravation. Back when I started going through the 4Runner to restore it, I had a rear axle seal leak on the driver side. I intended to do all that myself and tried to find a local machine shop, or other, that could do the press work for me to no avail. I ended up having Toyota just do both axle seals, wheel bearings, and rear brakes. I couldn't justify buying the press and SST that I'd use one time vs the price I could have Toyota do the job.

Well, the passenger side started leaking a little while later. They replaced it again. Now 6 mos later, it's leaked AGAIN. This time they're having a "more experienced" tech make the repair. Ummmm ok.

Anyway hopefully they get it right this time and highlights why I hate to have someone else work on my cars.

They gave me a 2023 4Runner SR5 as a loaner. I am NOT impressed at all. I'm surprised these even sell. Way under powered, worse gas mileage than my 2002, no better towing capacity, interior looks like it was designed by a 5 year old. Just an awful vehicle IMO.

Apologies to anyone that has one of these :behindsofa:

 

[GhostRing]

Funny, my seals where my justification for getting a press :laugh:

I did do the greased retaining ring flip-thing and they have held up for a few years,
but need to bear in mind the original orientation held for 20...

a GOOD WARNING to others to extend your breathers!

 

[Speedy]

Speaking of extended breathers.....

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[Speedy]

A little update and aggravation. Back when I started going through the 4Runner to restore it, I had a rear axle seal leak on the driver side. I intended to do all that myself and tried to find a local machine shop, or other, that could do the press work for me to no avail. I ended up having Toyota just do both axle seals, wheel bearings, and rear brakes. I couldn't justify buying the press and SST that I'd use one time vs the price I could have Toyota do the job.

Well, the passenger side started leaking a little while later. They replaced it again. Now 6 mos later, it's leaked AGAIN. This time they're having a "more experienced" tech make the repair. Ummmm ok.

Anyway hopefully they get it right this time and highlights why I hate to have someone else work on my cars.

Update, it seems the original tech used a torch to remove the retainer and abs ring from the axle. Some "slag" or metal spatter from cutting the rings off got on the axle, and when the new rings were pressed on the slag cut a grove under the retainer ring causing the leak. All new rings, axle seal, wheel bearing, etc installed.

I've checked through the abs sensor on the axle and so far no leak. Hopefully that's the end of it but I'll continue to monitor.

 

[Speedy]

Driving to Mom's Sunday going over bumps I heard a bang bang and felt a jar in the cab. Inspection showed one of my Energy Suspension front sway bar brackets that hold my Addco sway bar had broken in glorious fashion. No idea how, but it basically shattered on the front edge and bent down about 2 inches from the sway bar.

Quick stop at the auto parts place for two new Energy Suspension 1.25" sway bar brackets with bushings, and a stop at the hardware store for $20!! in grade 10.9 bolts, washers, and lock nuts and it's back to business. 4 bolts, 4 lock nuts, and 8 washsers....$20...w0w.

 

[JoeT4R]

Driving to Mom's Sunday going over bumps I heard a bang bang and felt a jar in the cab. Inspection showed one of my Energy Suspension front sway bar brackets that hold my Addco sway bar had broken in glorious fashion. No idea how, but it basically shattered on the front edge and bent down about 2 inches from the sway bar.

Quick stop at the auto parts place for two new Energy Suspension 1.25" sway bar brackets with bushings, and a stop at the hardware store for $20!! in grade 10.9 bolts, washers, and lock nuts and it's back to business. 4 bolts, 4 lock nuts, and 8 washsers....$20...w0w.

Pics or it didn't happen! Lol, just kidding. What a pain in the neck but fortunately it wasn't anything critical.

 

[Speedy]

Finally had a CV issue after almost 20 years lifted. May have happened anyway.

A quick field repair has lasted over 7 months and many thousand miles. I'm shocked.

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[Speedy]

After over a year and many thousands of miles the quick CV boot repair started to weep a bit, so I figured I'd install the TrakMotive xtended travel axles I've had sitting under the work bench.

I found this to be pretty easy actually.

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[AFT3R5H0CK]

Sweet build!!

 

[RMGulchin01]

Awesome thread. Will be checking out the YT channel. Did you have any of the front seat foam replaced when doing the Katzkins?

 

[Speedy]

Awesome thread. Will be checking out the YT channel. Did you have any of the front seat foam replaced when doing the Katzkins?

Thanks! Yes, I had an upholstery shop put the new leather in and they replaced foam where they felt it was needed.

 

[Speedy]

My TRAC and DRL mod switches were looking a bit tatty and I always wished they lit up so a little upgrade was in order. This kinda thing wasn't even available, at least that I knew of, when I put these in 20 years ago.