>BUILD THREAD< The4kbeast's 3rd-Gen 2000 T4R SR5 (Highlander Edition) 4x4 Build

[The4kbeast]

Mohave Road Trip with Southern California Off Roader Adventures Group

Took a trip down Mohave Road with ten trucks total. Can't share that many photos until I see which photos are used for the article being written. I took a 2014 4Runner Trail Premium with KDSS out. Sweet rig. There were a mix of 4Runners, Cruisers, and others... Was a blast.

Photo highlights:


Camp at dusk, Day 2:


Group shot:


2014 4Runner Trail Premium with the Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System:


T4R Trail in action:



Land Cruiser LC200 in action:


David's sick 2001 4Runner with Icon F/R with Donahue front bounce shocks and 890 rears:


Sean's 1997 4R with choice Eibach goodies:


Steve's mostly-stock 2008 FJC:


Sean trying not to get his picture taken:


That's it for this update... more when I know what won't be used.

 

[The4kbeast]

Light Racing UCA Troubles - Sally's broken arm

On our recent Old Mojave Road trip, Sally (David's wife named his rig) had some issues with her upper control arm. On cold mornings leading up to the trip, the bushings would squeak until they had a mile or so on them, then they would quiet down. We knew that wasn't right; mine never do that. We both have the second gen SPC Spec-ride bushings, too.



Something was up with the bushings, and on the trip the squeak turned into an annoying (and potentially dangerous) clunk noise caused by a little bit of play in the arm. David limped it back from Mojave and stopped by for help replacing the bushings. He has quite the setup; an awesome mid-travel setup:



David using one of his favorite tools:



After the center metal carriers were popped out of the bushings, we noticed something; these things were generating enough heat that they weren't rotating freely inside of the bushing. New replacement inner carrier on left, old on right.



Looking inside the bushing was next, because those aluminum pieces should be bright and shiny, not covered in urethane.



Ok, so the guy that installed his arms said he greased the bushing. But we aren't sure how much of what grease (25460-25470-25480-25490 Toyota Adjustable Upper Control Arms) was used. Compare old versus new:




For those of you that follow the thread, you'll know that I got to go to SEMA this year. I stopped by the SPC booth and was asking about reports I read on here about cracked welds. The short answer is they addressed it the design of the new bushing; but you have to use the supplied grease, which is similar to CV joint grease. I think the difference is that it is not only thick, but it doesn't dry out.

Pic of a 4Runner/Tacoma upper arm + ToyTec front setup woth jounce shock from their booth at SEMA:


Anyway, new bushings were pushed in and the arms reinstalled, and now there are no squeaks!

Oh, and while we were at it, Sally got a new chastity belt:



David picked it up from a group buy here on the site for about $250 shipped. He got the lighter duty 1/8" pan; it's plenty thick and only weighs 41 lbs (versus the stock 18 lb unit). My only gripe is that it only uses five bolts to support double the weight of the factory unit (factory skid uses nine bolts, if I remember correctly). I do need a skid, and it provides better access to the pan drain and oil filter for oil changes. Hmmm....

 

[The4kbeast]

Sometimes the biggest updates don't take a lot of room...

New goodies ordered:
-Front and Rear Wheel Spacers
-Full Suspension: Can you say 2.5 Radflo?

Working on taking pics of all of the stuff I'm going to sell. Also, get it ready for shipping to buyers.

STAY TUNED

 

[The4kbeast]

Picked up some spacers. The track is actually a bit wider in back, and with the increased ride height, I figured it'd aid stability to add just a tad more track width (plus lets face it, it looks sweet and finishes the look of trucks off:


Front: Aluminum-colored 1.5" All-Pro hub-centric spacer with optional high thread engagement lugs.
Rear: Blue anodized 1.25" Spider Trac spacers with regular lugs.


BEFORE:


AFTER:


Shot showing how far past flush they are (yes, those are 265's):

 

[JoshuaDudee]

Installed a KW-AV70BT 2-DIN AV RECEIVER from Amazon for about $370, also picked up the audio/video cable for Apple products. Used AMEX reward points, so it was free to me (sort of). Installed, but will need to do the whip mod (damn antenna motor).

For speakers, I picked up a complete second generation Scion tC speaker set from some one replacing their stock system for next to nothing (~$10). It included 6.5" and 5.25" woofers, as well as 1" tweeters. Scion sourced all the speakers from the Lexus LX -- perfect for a bare bones budget build. Guys on the Scion sites say you can put external amps (50 rms +, according to one guy) on these things before they start to fade. Also included some 6x9s, but they won't fit the third gen without moving some serious metal. Anyway... what a steal!

Also got some Dynamat on order for the doors and rear cargo area. Bought it in bulk so it would be cheaper... I actually bought two trunk mat kits because per sq ft it was cheaper. Probably only needed one kit, as I'm only planning on doing the doors and the rear cargo area. I think this stuff is thicker, and thus, heavier. Oh well, more on that when I actually unbox it and get to work.

How do you like that radio so far?
I need to replace mine cause the lights on it flicker on and off randomly...

 

[dreyday]

How do you like that radio so far?
I need to replace mine cause the lights on it flicker on and off randomly...

I'm looking to upgrade mine as well.

Idk if I want to go with a double DIN head unit or a single. Don't really care for navigation.

Just need a solid bluetooth audio experience with a wired mic to take phone calls.