Black-N-Blue (build thread)

[BackOff]

Krazy snow storm Ryan, and a couple of his friends, finally forced me to run studded tires again.

-5 cool points.
+10 on-road snow safety.

I really like these Kenda Klevers for everything but packed snow on the roads...downright scary they are.

Picked up a set of 5th Gen SR5 wheels cheap and had a set of FREE Hankook I-Pike W11 265/70R/17 sitting in the shop. From the old GX470...moms ride.

One wheel was different than the rest.

 

[BackOff]

The driver side lean has been bugging me lately.
Made a 1/4" spacer out of UHMW plastic.
A $1 from the scrap bin over at Bend Plastics.

Also added a set of Rokmen Trail Series rear LCA/trailing arms (#RM43017), very beefy.
Looking at the ends, where the bushings ride are the same same as the OEM, i don't think there will be any binding or limiting factor over the OEM arms.
Has provisions for the brake mount.

 

[BackOff]

Man, it's a disease.:vader:

Elka 2.5" with Resi/Adjusters flavor.

Oh yeah!

 

[K-D-Runner]

Man, it's a disease.:vader:



Elka 2.5" with Resi/Adjusters flavor.



Oh yeah!

How's that Elka setup treating you thus far? I've heard good things from tundra and taco guys

Sent from my Pixel 3 XL using Tapatalk

 

[apohl17]

Just read through this build and I'm glad I did. Very cool to see how far the rig has come over the years!!! Mad props to ya [MENTION=89794]BackOff[/MENTION] for going through that Photobucket fiasco and re-uploading fresh pics for everyone to see. :rockon:

 

[BackOff]

How's that Elka setup treating you thus far? I've heard good things from tundra and taco guys

Sent from my Pixel 3 XL using Tapatalk

Just had it on for 1 week. Almost feels like i put the front swaybar back on, but i didn't. 700lbs front coils.
Ride is much flatter, less nose dive and throttle lifting. More stable in the corners, less body roll.

Ripped/cut out the Air-Lift bags.
They polished the inside of the rear coils to bare metal and will probably start rusting this winter.
The bags had been run without any air for 2 years, as a sort of an air bump.
They state 5lbs psi. I cut them open and they looked good no thin or warn spots.

Had mom and gramma in it last week, mom is driving a newer GX460, she even noticed a difference.

I get to drive that GX460 a couple times a year. Its what a 4runner wanted to be. After getting back in my 4runner it felt like it was really bouncy and body roll in the corners. Still i really like my 4runner and would have a hard time parting with the old girl.

I don't get crowded, as much with the armored 4runner, as the GX or the old Subi wagon. Maybe the lowest miles Subi Outback on the planet, think it had 22k miles last time i saw:dizzy:, its the same year as my T4R 2004.

I had a set of Moog FJ Cruiser coils on the front with those Rancho 9000, was good for awhile but just could not handle all the weight, had them set at full firm...at 9 setting.

Will try and get a little dirt time in this week.

 

[BackOff]

Been on a little suspension refresh lately.

Slapped a new set of rear upper trailing arms on the 4runner.
Mevotech Supreme, from RockAuto,
MVO CMS861142 and MVO CMS861143. $22.79 each!
Had the height control sensor bracket, cut off wheel on the grinder zipped the bracket right off.

Way more beef than the OEM, 3/4" bar and solid bushings.
Maybe not as much flex?
Will report back if/when they die.
That driver side was a pain in the butt, hard to get at the bolt over the gas tank.

 

[BackOff]

I have been having this metallic grinding in the rear brakes for the last 6 months.
Seemed to come and go at low speeds, 5mph, and slowly stopping it would sometimes grind.

I was thinking, great did the parking brake die?
Not looking forward to that... been putting it off.


Can't be the pads as i just did them at 66k... the OEM had more life to them at the time in 2015, probably could have gotten another 20k out of the stock set.

I did those drilled/slotted rotors and new pads...2015.

I started in on the rear brakes... the pads are toast, it was the low pad 'squealer' making noise, telling me i needed new pads.

These things lasted 18k in the rear! WTH
No seized calipers either.

 

[BackOff]

Maybe figured out my last rear brake pads burnt up in under 20k.
Front brake pads were binding top and bottom of pads.
Thinking i had no front brakes for the last 5 years.
:attention:

 

[BackOff]

Splash guard update.
ABS sheet added to the RCI skids.
Modded the full fender splash guard works good.
Cleaner engine bay.

Love the Elka's.
1/4" threads on the passenger side 7/8" threads on the driver side...for the toyota lean.

 

[Nwolan]

looks like a fun place to explore

 

[meltdowner]

Really nice, thanks for keeping this updated.

 

[BackOff]

Nothing super cool to report.

Flat tire just driving down the back SE side of Pine Mountain.
Granted these Elkas make me drive faster than i should.
Though i did get a similar flat back in the mid 1990's, middle of tread, in the old 1992 T4R...same mountain too...lol.

Kenda Klever M/T's made it 20k miles since 12/1/2016.
I like these tires alot, bought same set new and only $10 more a tire.
1/4" tread left, just over 1/2" when new...almost looks like a different tire.
285/75/16

 

[StephenVP]

How much does that front bumper weigh?

 

[BackOff]

How much does that front bumper weigh?

I think it is around 150lbs for the Shrockworks plus the winch.
It is an earlier version, dont know but the new ones seem a little bit slimmer?
Heavy duty could probably drive an Abrams tank over it and just scratch the powdercoat.

The rear Aluminess was about 70lbs.
Tires/wheels are 86lbs... one hanging off the rear too.