<Build Thread> Kenai, AK '99 SR5

Did some minor work to prep for some major upgrades the past several days. I'll post pics after the major upgrades in a few days.

I got several switches wired up (Air Compressor from the front and my Front Locker Solenoid). ARB manifold and solenoid is mounted under the hood ready to go.

While in the dash I mounted a phone holder:
Phone Mount

Magnets

There's several threads on these already so pics aren't really needed at this point. But I love it so far. Still working out the magnets and such, but that's minor. Love the placement of the phone and the magnets really keep it in place. Just be careful putting the phone up against it because it can get jerked out of your hand.

And put in a small Alpine Amp that fits nicely behind the dash:
Alpine Amp
It's totally plug and play so pics aren't worth it, but it definitely sounds much better.

The neatest thing was the installation of my ABS Shocks!! My whole front end is getting worked on, but I had some time so I got these put on before hand. They ride AMAZING!!! I hit a short cross country trail here in town to test them and drove through parking lots looking for speed bumps. Again, amazing feel. Can't wait till the rest of the front end is done. Wish I was doing it myself, but I just don't have the time right now.:sobbing::sobbing:
 

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Looking good! I still haven’t installed my coil overs yet. How difficult was it to find a spot to mount the resi’s? Did you use the supplied bracket?
 
[MENTION=28808]psraff[/MENTION] Do you know how much lift you have over stock, with the new ADS coilovers? Did you adjust them at all before or after installing them?
 
Looking good! I still haven’t installed my coil overs yet. How difficult was it to find a spot to mount the resi’s? Did you use the supplied bracket?

There's only one way to mount them really. I couldn't find pics anywhere so I texted SQR-Fab and they sent me a couple. I'll post pics of mine, but there's two holes already in the frame and you just raddle gun the supplied hardware in them to hold the bracket in place. It was supper easy. Only concern I have is I have an 1 1/4" BL. Without it, I "Think" the top of the bracket would rub the wheel well.

[MENTION=28808]psraff[/MENTION] Do you know how much lift you have over stock, with the new ADS coilovers? Did you adjust them at all before or after installing them?

I took some measurements before and after (but I should've wrote them down). I was thinking to myself, "Oh, I can remember this!" Yeah, right. I'm a bit lower in the front then I was before with my 881s, but I was going to let them ride a bit before adjusting them. Though I'm thinking of doing it this morning because the truck was in the shop longer then was expected, and now my alignment may not get done will Monday!!! Really sucks! I'll get measurements again and post all of this and pics.

Side note, You happen to know what and where the truck gets told that it's in 4WD? My light doesn't come on now, where it did before so I'm assuming they missed an electrical connection somewhere when they were swapping my front end. I'm going to call them this morning and ask as well.
 
Side note, You happen to know what and where the truck gets told that it's in 4WD? My light doesn't come on now, where it did before so I'm assuming they missed an electrical connection somewhere when they were swapping my front end. I'm going to call them this morning and ask as well.
The ADD indicator switch on the front diff turns on the 4WD light on the dash - and that plug is easy to miss. Its on the top driver's side of the diff. In this picture, it should be on the little grey 'H' looking clip:

iP4yGcZ.jpg


If you go in from where the drive flange on the diff is, you should find an unplugged connector hanging down from the harness below the exhaust.

-Charlie
 
The ADD indicator switch on the front diff turns on the 4WD light on the dash - and that plug is easy to miss. Its on the top driver's side of the diff. In this picture, it should be on the little grey 'H' looking clip:

iP4yGcZ.jpg


If you go in from where the drive flange on the diff is, you should find an unplugged connector hanging down from the harness below the exhaust.

-Charlie

Thank you!! Fixed. After I talked to them, he remembered it took it back off to hook up the front drive line. He didn't want to slip and break it.
 
First off, the 4WD light works again (see below msg). Thanks!

Second, fast rough measurement is 40 1/4" from ground to fender. I'll get wheel cap to fender later. My rear is at 41" is the rake is fine where it's at for now. Those measurements are the ADS installed as they are set. I haven't moved them.

Pics shows how the bracket is mounted for the resi. Very quick and simple.

MOOG Cambolts seem to be a bit too long (not sure if they all are or the ones with the grease zerks. They were cut shorter to not rub the boot.

Right now my breaks feel soft. The rears were adjusted and bleed, but the feel is different. Tech said he worked about a pint of fluid out with no more air (on the rears). Fronts were never disconnected. I'll have to review this a bit.

Toyota sent me one wrong Tie-Rod so I had to reuse the old one (which is still good), but still irritating. Also was missing one CV bushing so I have a Car Quest one in there. Only option I had.

Drives great even without an alignment. Hope to get it in this afternoon, but it doesn't look good. I'm sure it will be Monday Morning.... :cry::cry:

We just had a snow storm yesterday and I briefly took it out to a deep spot and tested the locker. Man, what a good feeling! Just the sense of that extra security changes everything!! I truly believe these 4Runners should come fully locked from the factory like some of the Land Cruisers did.

Now back to my air system. I have one small leak (which I knew about and know where it's at (my quick connect going through the box to "T" fitting)) to fix and add some fans and grills to the box to keep it cool.
 

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Thanks for the info and pics! I’m hoping to get around 2.5” or lift with the new coil overs. Sounds like you got a little less than that?
 
Dang! You've been busy! I want to see some pics of the overall rig with all the changes. Does it feel much different with the bigger tires?
 
Thanks for the info and pics! I’m hoping to get around 2.5” or lift with the new coil overs. Sounds like you got a little less than that?
No problem!
I'll get that measurement today from hub to fender. I need to keep it in my notes to keep track of it anyway.

Dang! You've been busy! I want to see some pics of the overall rig with all the changes. Does it feel much different with the bigger tires?

So do I! LOL Not having it aligned is killing me! Fresh snow, sun is out and I'm dying for a road trip! It's getting aligned tomorrow morning (Monday) and unfortunately, I have to fly back to work Tues Morning.

I do have a "Cut" that does between two roads about a mile from my house. I was thinking of taking it over there and getting pics today. I had someone coming over to buy an extra bed that I don't need at 0930, but they just let me know it won't be till around 1130. :moon::moon: I hate when I have a schedule and it doesn't get followed....
 
Thanks for the info and pics! I’m hoping to get around 2.5” or lift with the new coil overs. Sounds like you got a little less than that?

Just measured, and I came up with 24" from center of Hub to Wheelwell (no flares). If I remember right, Stock is 20" to 21". Correct??

Just for the fun of it, I measured from Hub to the Floor (16 1/4") and subtracted that from the 40 1/4" and you get 24" again.

FYI: My tires are 33 7/8" while at 28 psi (Kind of surprising...).
 
NICE! That's more like it. That thing has morphed into quite the beast. Great pics. Have you trimmed / tubbed enough to fit the new tires? Or will you not really know till it's aligned? :tea:
 
NICE! That's more like it. That thing has morphed into quite the beast. Great pics. Have you trimmed / tubbed enough to fit the new tires? Or will you not really know till it's aligned? :tea:

No trimming yet. The most I've done was fold over the pinch weld. I wanted to wait till after the front end work (and you're right) the alignment. I go back to work in a day so it's not going to happen this time around.

I also have to start buying the kit and tools for the timing belt \ water pump job. I'll do my valve covers at the same time.

After that will be tubbing and buying and installing the pan hard bar drop - then putting the stock bar back in (after clean up and new bushings).

By then, I would be comfortable enough welding to modify the front bumper to match the BL.

The rear bumper will get sold and I'll buy the double swing out from Savage. Thinking of dumping the Gerry Cans, and going with the Rotopax setup at that time. Expensive, but I like how they're not hanging so far off from the body like the Gerry Cans.

Somewhere I have to work on my storage box (add fans, fix air leak) & build the extensions so I can sleep on it.

Did I mention I'm also putting infloor heat in my house and taking out the baseboards? Just ripped out the carpet in my room and had new hard flooring put in. Figured it would be a good time to prep the walls for a new paint scheme. So several coats of white to go over the dark red before I pick out new colors.

Let's just say, I spent WAY TOO MUCH MONEY THE PAST SEVERAL WEEKS!!! LOL

The lights and bumper look great together. Thanks for sharing these pics.

Glad people's liking it. Can't wait to fix the bumper!

Dope pics! Really like your take on the Satoshi Grill, is the front bumper custom?

SRQ-Fab does the grill. The bumpers are CBI.
 
The rear bumper will get sold and I'll buy the double swing out from Savage. Thinking of dumping the Gerry Cans, and going with the Rotopax setup at that time. Expensive, but I like how they're not hanging so far off from the body like the Gerry Cans.


The rotopax mounting plate that Savage makes is bomber of you decide to go that route. I have a 4 gallon gas, 2 gallon gas, and two gallons of water hanging off of it. It's still way further in then my tire.

Between the mounts, extensions, and containers I'm easily 500 bucks invested in Rotopax stuff. If I had to do it over again I wouldn't change anything. It's a great system that works very well.

Those ADS shocks are really making me want a shock upgrade all the way around BTW. lol
 
Cool! Man.. You have dropped quite a bit of coin recently. LOL. I am interested to see where you sit once you get an alignment. Those SPC UCAs give you quite a lot of room to work with. In fact, I only folded over pinch welds and did some minor plastic trimming of well cover and have plenty of clearance now for 285s. So I am watching to see what all you end up having to do to clear those 35's.

I have the same TB, WP, VC, and radiator maintenance for my 50 meter targets right now. I am looking at the OEM Denso and all aluminum Champion radiator options. From what I can tell, it sounds like the Densos aren't made in Japan, but Taiwan. The Champion is made in China for sure. But I want to knock out some maintenance soon.

I think you'd really like the Savage rear bumper. It seems to be the Swiss Army Knife of rear bumpers.
 
Great day to get a few pics....

25884303047_b60658b9d4_c.jpg

I know you mentioned getting out of AK in the next 3 years or so... I'll bet you're going to miss seeing sights like that once you're gone. That's a cool shot.

That front end should be feeling pretty fresh after all that work. I cannot unsee the fact that your shop left all the factory stickers with the part numbers on your new LCAs, showing under the superbumps. That would drive me nuts.

I just caught up on the build through early last year and you have done some top notch wiring on your rig. It makes me want to go through and re-do all of mine to consolidate and organize things.
 

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