Cmayer's '99 Build Log

[Cmayer]

So I've moved into 3rd gens and decided to start a log of my updates and eventual travels with it.

Went from some great years with this:


To seeing it go like this:


To fund projects for this: 1999 Limited 4x4 w/ locker. This was the exact truck that I wanted when I decided to upgrade and with some help from members here and some luck I finally got it. Purchased 10/09/13.


And that'll lead to more updates here :frog:

I spent the better part of three years fixing everything on the '89 and making it into a reliable family exploring machine. Then the truth finally pushed me into the '99: Two growing kids, two big dogs, and the woman and I needed a bit more elbow room in one truck.

I'll update this as I improve on the '99 and will share our adventures as well.

 

[Cmayer]

Updated

Step one was to figure out why the 4x4 wasn't working at all. After checking all of the hard things, I removed the driver side kick panel and found this:


Well, I didn't actually find the 4x4 computer. So with help from a member here I added this back in:


Easy as a single connection and I had working multi-mode with J-shift and my cruise control even came back to life!

 

[Cmayer]

No milkshake in my yard

The truck has 135k miles on it and at this point I'm not really sure of it's maintenance beyond timing belt / water pump last year and regular oil changes.

I'm a maintenance freak and have a tendency to panic about issues that seem to occur more often on forums. My wallet would be a lot thicker if I stayed off of these boards.

First thing that scared me right off the bat was the strawberry milkshake. With as much time as we spend in the desert bouncing around at speed, the factory tranny cooler inside the radiator scared me. I chose to bypass it and add a B&M 70264. It was a toss up between this and the Tru-Cool as they both have the LPD and seem to be good choices. I've used B&M products in classic cars and have had good luck, so they won the coin toss.

The goods:


I chose to unbolt the radiator and lean it back so that the B&M would only mount to the condenser rather than through the condenser and radiator. I do plan on replacing the radiator in the near future as a maintenance item and this eliminates me having to remount the B&M.


Used some of the goods ideas from this forum to make a grommet and protect the hoses:


Also sleeved the hoses with some larger hose. I did this anywhere they may chafe as well as in locations where the factory had placed extra material:


Mounted it vertically as close to in front of the fan as I could. Feed line to the bottom port and return line to the top per B&M's instructions:


Then did a temporary mount of the ScanGuage II to monitor temperatures:


When I upgrade the radio, add the CB, and possibly 2m radio then I'll find a more permanent and aesthetic location for the ScanGuage.

 

[Cmayer]

I have some upgrades on the way:

Icon front coilovers.
Light Racing UCA.
OME 890 rear coils.
bilstein 5160 rear shocks.
OEM Lower Ball Joints
OEM Outer Tie Rods.
OEM Used Skid Plate
265/75R16 General Grabber AT2

 

[Cmayer]

Got home tonight and found these waiting for me!



Can't wait to get some time and install the suspension. I should have OEM LBJs tomorrow or Wednesday as well.

Also have a Kenwood radio w/ bluetooth on the way later this week. Will be nice to listen to my internet stations again. I can't stand listening to regular radio anymore.

 

[shootmymime]

you should be banned for showing so much porn on this site! T4R porn that is!
:banana:

I also need to find some skid plates and add sliders!

there is a group buy going on now at tacoma world you should check out... http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/gr...a-3rd-gen-4runner-3-16-steel-skid-plates.html
[MENTION=65027]Cmayer[/MENTION]
so with your tranny cooler, did you have to buy anything else like more hose or clamps? any hang ups? this is what i will be doing next.

 

[Illestreker]

Did you get the 2.5" extended travel icons? Curious to hear some feedback and impressions on them... I plan on getting those or the extended travel SAW.

 

[Cmayer]

[MENTION=14772]shootmymime[/MENTION]

you should be banned for showing so much porn on this site! T4R porn that is!
:banana:

I can't wait to get some dirt on all those shiny parts!

there is a group buy going on now at tacoma world you should check out... 3 piece 1st gen Tacoma, 3rd gen 4runner 3/16" Steel Skid Plates - Tacoma World Forums

I saw the group buy and it is a good deal. However, he doesn't plan on shipping until after the first of the year and I can't wait that long. I should be picking up some factory plates tonight. Better protection is in the future, but not in the budget right now.

so with your tranny cooler, did you have to buy anything else like more hose or clamps? any hang ups? this is what i will be doing next.

I did buy an extra 4' of 3/8" diameter hose. I may have been able to get away with the supplied 4', but it's cheap enough that I didn't want to run short during the install.

It actually was pretty easy to get in there. Protecting the hoses was the most difficult part for me because where they areas where they may rub are tight quarters and my hands just don't fit.

I cut the old lines off the metal lines from the tranny, so that was pretty easy. The original clamps were a pain, but large straight nose pliers took care of them. Finally, I used ATF on a q-tip to lube up the new hoses and they slid right over the metal lines; I know some people had issues with that, but mine were easy.

 

[Cmayer]

Did you get the 2.5" extended travel icons? Curious to hear some feedback and impressions on them... I plan on getting those or the extended travel SAW.

They are the extended 2.5s. They'll be getting a lot of use in the near future. Desert season is here and our first trips are coming up quick.

I had a tough time choosing between Icon, Radflo, King, Fox, and SAW. I've ran both Radflo and Fox on different trucks and was very happy with them.

What really swayed me was talking to the Icon guys at Tierra Del Sol last year. They had a brand new 4runner showing off all of their product and they were real big supporters of the 4runners, so I decided to give them my business this time.

It'll be interesting to see how the Bilstein 5160's do paired with the OME 890s. I hope they somewhat keep up with the front. If not, I'll upgrade to the Icon rears when I have some more $$$ for this project.

Same thing with the Light Racing UCSs. They were the right price for now, but if I have issues with them, then I'll go Icon or Total Chaos down the line.

My budget for now is to get a decent setup going with the money that I made selling the 1st gen.

 

[shootmymime]

I had a tough time choosing between Icon, Radflo, King, Fox, and SAW. I've ran both Radflo and Fox on different trucks and was very happy with them.

im running kings 2.5 with 600 lbs springs

 

[Cmayer]

Well, a month after purchase and I'm pretty happy with the truck. Just in time for desert season too!

I need to take pictures and update this thread!

New this weekend:
Icon 2.5 extended travels are in.
Light Racing UCA are in.
Toyota OEM LBJs in.
OME 890 Rear coils in.
Bilstein 5160 rear shocks in.
General Grabber AT2's LT265/75R16 on.
Alignment done.
Kenwood KDC-X597 in

I can't state what a difference this has made to the truck. Stock it was good. Loaded up with goodies it's great.

As much as I enjoy the new suspension and tires, the biggest difference is the radio. Having bluetooth and streaming radio through my phone has made my commute much, much better. I absolutely hate current radio programming in my area and I spend 2-3 hours commuting a day.

 

[Cmayer]

Tire Pressure

So, the shop that installed the tires was concerned about getting a good ride out of the 10 ply tires and I completely agree with them.

These tires are tough, but heavy and way overkill for the 4runner, but I wanted this size for now and LT-E was all they had.

I threw a quick chart together and think I'll be going with 35psi for now. I'll chalk line the tires once I get some wear and also play around with psi for that right feeling.

Based on the stock tire running 30psi the factory recommends a max load of 2,328 per tire. That same per tire rating would be at 55psi in the LT tire. I don't think I need that much load per tire, so I'm going to start low and work up.

My family of four plus two dogs and our regular gear(junk) probably puts the truck at 5,289 pounds. 4,300 for the truck + 989 or so for bodies and gear. That's 1,322 per tire, so the 35psi should be right, 1,494 per tire.

SL265/70R16
psi.... max load.... % max
44.... 2469......... 100%
42.... 3260......... 95%
40.... 3105......... 91%
38.... 2949......... 86%
36.... 2794......... 82%
34.... 2639......... 77%
32.... 2484......... 73%
30.... 2328......... 68%
28.... 2173......... 64%
26.... 2018......... 59%
24.... 1863......... 55%
22.... 1708......... 50%
20.... 1552......... 45%
18.... 1397......... 41%
16.... 1242......... 36%

LT265/75R16
psi.... max load.... % max
80.....3415......... 100%
75.... 3202......... 94%
70.... 2988......... 88%
65.... 2775......... 81%
60.... 2561......... 75%
55.... 2348......... 69%
50.... 2134......... 63%
45.... 1921......... 56%
40.... 1708......... 50%
35.... 1494......... 44%
30.... 1281......... 38%
25.... 1067......... 31%
20.... 854........... 25%
15.... 640........... 19%
10.... 427........... 13%

Anyhow, this assumes my logic is correct which it rarely is.

 

[Cmayer]

Just pulled into Ocotillo Wells for Tierra Del Sol. Ready to give the suspension a work out!

 

[JWaldz]

Post some pics afterwards... We haven't seen it after all it's goodies. Happy Trails!

 

[Cmayer]

 

[Dirtyfingers]

Looks good man. Hope to see you on the trail!

 

[infamousRNR]

5160's

[MENTION=65027]Cmayer[/MENTION]

any chance i could get a part number and the website you ordered your 5160's from??

thanks!