Brian757's "Stormtrooper" Build Thread

[shadow247]

[MENTION=68576]Brian757[/MENTION] - get yourself some new front swaybar links while you're under there. Buy some 2nd gen rear links. They will level out your sway-bar and make it work better. I dropped my truck back down to 1" over stock and kept the longer links, and it works great, especially on the terrible curvy on-ramps we have around here. You can also run the 2nd gen links in the rear too.

 

[kevinpt]

Yes. I know of a few places in Chesapeake. Are you in Richmond though?

yes im in richmond but would do short road trips to find a good trail

 

[Brian757]

So I finally got my UBJ's in. HOLY CHRIST! That was a real PITA!
I ended up having to grind the stud of my old ball joint off and use an air compressed socket wrench to tighten the gear puller to push it off! Holy crap that was hell folks.
Well, 5 beers down and I'm back at it. Any questions, let me have 'em!

Here are some pictures to simmer on:

Here are the gear pullers. I angled the hub to face towards the front so I could put my body into the wrench. It was in there like swim wear.

Air compressed socket wrench going at it:

Putting the "Oh Shit" pin on the new ball joint:

New ball joint on BEFORE I had torqued it down. (I went to 105 Ft./Lbs)

Here is the Ball Joint Press I ended up using:

ANNDDDDD... ITSSS INNN!!:

 

[shadow247]

Awesome man! Did you do new tie rods too?

 

[downpour11]

:lol: Yeah dude they're a b!tch! My friend and I spend 4 hours on the drivers side before we got it out. Imagine just trying to reboot the damn thing. That reboot write-up posted earlier made it look easy haha! UBJ's can suck it. At least you go that press to work, I got mad and threw the damn thing across the driveway. All in all, you DID save $600 bucks so in the end, all the pain and frustration for the day is still worth it.

 

[Brian757]

[MENTION=80102]shadow247[/MENTION]: I went to AdvanceAuto and looked up 3rd gen and 2nd gen sway bar links. They are both either the current length of mine right now or shorter. Seeing as I can change out my sway bar links without needing my car jacked up or hub off, I will do it later. I inspected my tie rods and they seem structurally intact.
[MENTION=56044]downpour11[/MENTION]: Yeah dude, they were a complete pain in the a$$. Just rebooting would have felt stupid. I would have done so much work just to change the boot. And yes, anyone who assumes UBJ's are easy, be ready for an all day event. And heck yes, $600 bucks to me is...
NEW timing belt, serp, WP, thermostat, and tensioners!
Remember when I was asking whether I should do ball joints or timing belt? NOW I can do both! I feel good

 

[USCG_ET09]

LOVE LOVE LOVE your runner man!! I surprisingly don't run into a lot of other 02' Runners on here seems to be a lot more of the 96-00. Which brings me to a point i keep going onto threads about changing out the guage cluster lights with LEDs and the bulb numbers i keep getting are off. Would you happen to know exactly what bulbs you used to light the main guage cluster ( Speedometer, tach, and fuel and temp). KCCO

 

[Brian757]

LOVE LOVE LOVE your runner man!! I surprisingly don't run into a lot of other 02' Runners on here seems to be a lot more of the 96-00. Which brings me to a point i keep going onto threads about changing out the guage cluster lights with LEDs and the bulb numbers i keep getting are off. Would you happen to know exactly what bulbs you used to light the main guage cluster ( Speedometer, tach, and fuel and temp). KCCO

Thank you very much for the compliments.
I did my cluster a long time ago but I distinctly remember using
LED Lights, Bulbs & Accessories - SUPER BRIGHT LEDS for my bulbs and they were wedge bulbs.
I would have to see yours taken apart and show me the bulb and I will know exactly once I see them. I forget though. I know their not damn 194's like EVERYONE was telling me. Our clusters use 3 of one type and then 2 for the blinkers. That is it. Unless you want to change out all of the emergency/info light (CEL, ABS, etc.)
All I need to do is see the bulb and I will send you the link to LED Lights, Bulbs & Accessories - SUPER BRIGHT LEDS and the exact bulb.

yes im in richmond but would do short road trips to find a good trail

I know people in Pennsylvania and they have really nice trails. Trust me, I would rather go with you to Pennsylvania than go to Chesapeake. To be completely honest, these trails aren't worth your fuel.
Going up North or out West is our best bet. I just like mountains and mountain air. I would truly go with you if you had plans for the mountains. Shoot, I would even go to Roanoke!

 

[USCG_ET09]

Thanks man!! I know i just friggin ordered the 194s and was very displeased i had this shit all apart and they didn't fit! Even the Sylvania online car lighting master list says that its supposed to be 194's! At least the 74's worked for the ignition and shifter and glove box. Ive got it apart ill snap a pic and see if it jogs your memory! Thanks again man

 

[Brian757]

Thanks man!! I know i just friggin ordered the 194s and was very displeased i had this shit all apart and they didn't fit! Even the Sylvania online car lighting master list says that its supposed to be 194's! At least the 74's worked for the ignition and shifter and glove box. Ive got it apart ill snap a pic and see if it jogs your memory! Thanks again man

Haha, I did almost the same thing. I used them for the shifter, ignition, and glove box as well! Haha! Thats funny. Those 3 and the rear license plate light are the only 194's on our trucks...

 

[kevinpt]

Thank you very much for the compliments.
I did my cluster a long time ago but I distinctly remember using
LED Lights, Bulbs & Accessories - SUPER BRIGHT LEDS for my bulbs and they were wedge bulbs.
I would have to see yours taken apart and show me the bulb and I will know exactly once I see them. I forget though. I know their not damn 194's like EVERYONE was telling me. Our clusters use 3 of one type and then 2 for the blinkers. That is it. Unless you want to change out all of the emergency/info light (CEL, ABS, etc.)
All I need to do is see the bulb and I will send you the link to LED Lights, Bulbs & Accessories - SUPER BRIGHT LEDS and the exact bulb.



I know people in Pennsylvania and they have really nice trails. Trust me, I would rather go with you to Pennsylvania than go to Chesapeake. To be completely honest, these trails aren't worth your fuel.
Going up North or out West is our best bet. I just like mountains and mountain air. I would truly go with you if you had plans for the mountains. Shoot, I would even go to Roanoke!

i go up to Roanoke every winter so i will look into trails up there. i might even have family i could stay with if i went up that way

 

[Brian757]

Okay, so on behalf of [MENTION=80102]shadow247[/MENTION] - I ordered new OEM upper tie rod ends and installed them. I am also going to buy 2nd gen rear sway bar links.
Here's some photos, Enjoy!:

New upper tie rods installed. This was suggested by [MENTION=80102]shadow247[/MENTION] :

After the tires have been put back on. My passenger side is done. New upper tie rod ends, new sway bar links, new UBJ's, and new LBJ's. I feel utterly successful.

Now I am almost done with the drivers side. I have already installed the new upper tie rod end, sway bar link, UBJ, and about to finish LBJ. Get back to you guys when I'm done.


EDIT: i have finally finished and did Sea Foam to my truck after I got my truck aligned.

 

[Brian757]

I've decided that after i added Sea Foam to my dirtyy oil that I would also convert to Fully Synthetic oil.

 

[Brian757]

Here is my To-Do list:

Front Sway Bar links (Maybe just new bushings. I will probably change everything out)

Timing Belt, water pump, thermostat, belts, etc. (Essentials)

THEN! I can start buying cool stuff for the runner again

Fun To-Do list:

Horn Blasters horn. (I effin' hate traffic and drivers here)
HornBlasters Shocker Classic 228VX Train Horn Kit

Bilstein front coil system (coil-overs)
http://www.toyteclifts.com/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=58915&category_id=127&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=72

Savage Offroad under armor system (Skid, differential, transmission, and transfer case guards).
http://www.savageoffroad.biz/Skid-Plate-Kit-96-02-4Runner-Front-Engine-Differential-_p_71.html

...Havent thought this far.

 

[JWaldz]

Good work! I'm doing the Timing Belt maintenance soon as well. Looking forward to getting it out of the way but not looking forward to doing it lol. I need to add SeaFoaming to my list of things to do. Have you already replaced Inner Tie Rods?

 

[shadow247]

Here is my To-Do list:

Front Sway Bar links (Maybe just new bushings. I will probably change everything out)

Timing Belt, water pump, thermostat, belts, etc. (Essentials)

THEN! I can start buying cool stuff for the runner again

Fun To-Do list:

Horn Blasters horn. (I effin' hate traffic and drivers here)
HornBlasters Shocker Classic 228VX Train Horn Kit

Bilstein front coil system (coil-overs)
**SALE** Front adjustable coil over kit for Bilstein 5100's - Toytec Lifts: Toyota Lift Kits: FJ Cruiser Lift Kits, Tacoma Lift Kits, Tundra Lift Kits, 4 Runner Lift Kits, Sequoia Lift Kits, Toyota Truck Lift Kits

Savage Offroad under armor system (Skid, differential, transmission, and transfer case guards).
Skid Plate Kit, 96-02 4Runner, Front Engine & Differential

...Havent thought this far.

When are you planning to do the Timing Belt? I definitely want to give you a hand with that one! I need to replace my Timing Belt tensioner and would like to see/help someone do it before I go tackling mine in the driveway. My biggest fear is not being able to get the crank pulley off, everything else seems pretty straightforward.

That horn looks ridiculous! I think I'm going to get the new Wolo Big-Bad Max - it's only 69.99 and cranks out 123db - that should get their attention!
http://www.wolo-mfg.com/air.htm

 

[Brian757]

When are you planning to do the Timing Belt? I definitely want to give you a hand with that one! I need to replace my Timing Belt tensioner and would like to see/help someone do it before I go tackling mine in the driveway. My biggest fear is not being able to get the crank pulley off, everything else seems pretty straightforward.

That horn looks ridiculous! I think I'm going to get the new Wolo Big-Bad Max - it's only 69.99 and cranks out 123db - that should get their attention!
WOLO MFG. CORP. AIR HORNS, AIR HORN ACCESSORIES & AIR COMPRRESORS

I am going to be purchasing all of my parts within this week's business days. The 3" body lift really pays off when tackling engine work. I am given an additonal 3" of work area between body/frame and engine. My alternator is an easy location now. Not that Toyota parts are hard to get to anyways.

I will let you know though man. We do need to find one of these projects to get together. We keep shootin' the shit. Haha.

Good work! I'm doing the Timing Belt maintenance soon as well. Looking forward to getting it out of the way but not looking forward to doing it lol. I need to add SeaFoaming to my list of things to do. Have you already replaced Inner Tie Rods?

The inner tie rods mustve been replaced near the same time as my lower ball joints. They didnt look bad at all.
The outer tie rods I changed. Sea foaming is really effective. I felt the power and response gain immediately. I will provide a video "how-to" for the right way to do it tonight on my build thread. I will link ur name.

 

[shadow247]

I am going to be purchasing all of my parts within this week's business days. The 3" body lift really pays off when tackling engine work. I am given an additonal 3" of work area between body/frame and engine. My alternator is an easy location now. Not that Toyota parts are hard to get to anyways.

I will let you know though man. We do need to find one of these projects to get together. We keep shootin' the shit. Haha.

Yeah man I am down for the weekend. I can cruise down on my bike since you seem to have all the tools in your garage.

 

[Brian757]

Yeah man I am down for the weekend. I can cruise down on my bike since you seem to have all the tools in your garage.

Haha. Show off. That never even clicked with me! You ride a bike. I wanted to get my motorcycle license and need a riding buddy for my permit. Wanna? We can do wheelies down I-64 @ 120mph!

 

[Brian757]

Woo hoo! 100th reply on this thread!!

...Wow, that was a waste of the 100th post.
Honestly though, these build threads are the best maintenance records possible. It would be cool to show your future buyer your build thread.

I know I would be impressed if I were buying a vehicle and saw something as detailed as our build threads!