cpark_12 Build Thread: 2003 SE V8 4X4

[Nyc-Runner]

I had some spare time today finally, so I installed my snorkel. I've had it for about a week now. The last time I went wheeling, we hit some water crossings that were deep enough to scare me, so I ordered one as soon as I got back home. It's made for an 80 series Land Cruiser. I've seen some people mount it on a 4runner, so I figured I'd give it a shot.

Getting everything lined up.

Final product

It actually fits quite nice! I did have to trim a little of my cladding...maybe 1/4" or so. Other than that, and drilling into my fenders, it was easy!

Nice that looks really good! I was trying to stick it out for Safari to come out with one but i don't think that's going to happen,,,, at least not for a while, plus i'm sure it will be pricey! I really like the one made for the 1st gen Taco but it's around $450 hwell: So this is a great alternative. My other buddy used the one for the prado Safari ss135hf (i think) but had good success with it. I really like this one though i think the fit and finish looks much better. Is there a specific company you ordered it from? I see they have one on amazon for around $70.

 

[cpark_12]

Nice that looks really good! I was trying to stick it out for Safari to come out with one but i don't think that's going to happen,,,, at least not for a while, plus i'm sure it will be pricey! I really like the one made for the 1st gen Taco but it's around $450 hwell: So this is a great alternative. My other buddy used the one for the prado Safari ss135hf (i think) but had good success with it. I really like this one though i think the fit and finish looks much better. Is there a specific company you ordered it from? I see they have one on amazon for around $70.

Thanks!

I got the $70 one from eBay. I'm pretty sure it's the same company that seeks the one on Amazon. It's well made for the price in my opinion. The way I placed it, where the air exits the snorkel lines up perfectly with where the airbox comes out, so connecting it was easy! I may cut some of the top down some, so it doesn't sit so high, but other than that, I'm completely satisfied with it!

 

[Nyc-Runner]

Thanks!

I got the $70 one from eBay. I'm pretty sure it's the same company that seeks the one on Amazon. It's well made for the price in my opinion. The way I placed it, where the air exits the snorkel lines up perfectly with where the airbox comes out, so connecting it was easy! I may cut some of the top down some, so it doesn't sit so high, but other than that, I'm completely satisfied with it!

Awesome man thanks! I think i saw that one on eBay to, looks like the same pics. The only negative thing anybody had to say about the one on Amazon was about the Template being poorly made and to make sure you double and triple check before making your final hole. How was the template on yours?

 

[cpark_12]

Awesome man thanks! I think i saw that one on eBay to, looks like the same pics. The only negative thing anybody had to say about the one on Amazon was about the Template being poorly made and to make sure you double and triple check before making your final hole. How was the template on yours?

The template was almost perfect. The 2 bolt holes closest to the door were off about 1/8", everything else was good, but I laid the template on the snorkel and made the holes match before I went drilling my fender!

 

[Nyc-Runner]

The template was almost perfect. The 2 bolt holes closest to the door were off about 1/8", everything else was good, but I laid the template on the snorkel and made the holes match before I went drilling my fender!

That's good to know, that's what every one else was recommending to do with it also. I can only imagine that moment when you drill into the fender with that (there's no turning back now feeling haha) I'll probably end up going with this one. It's good when we each do mods on our trucks that we each don't have (if that makes sense) because our trucks are similar so it really makes the decision making that much easier haha :thumb3:

Oh by the way i picked up a welder on black Friday!! Going upstate this weekend to start learning. Going to start working on my Bantam trailer starting with either patching part of the floor or cutting it out completely and just doing a whole new sheet. Then on to making a lid,extending the tongue and i'm sure they'll be more add on after that, but it should be a great project to learn on! But i'm already think of a million things to try to build or fab on my truck haha I'm already day dreaming about building a rear bumper lol i'm sure i'm going to get a reality check this weekend...

 

[cpark_12]

Haha! Sweet! I love having a welder. I haven't done any big stuff with it on my truck, just little things. What welder did you go with?

 

[Nyc-Runner]

Yeah i'm sure it's going to come in handy! I ended up picking up the Hobart handler 140 mig. It was between that one and the one you have but i ended up getting a killer deal on the last one they had on display at Tractor supply on black Friday. I don't have 220 in the garage so i think this one will work pretty good for what i'll be doing and has very good reviews.

 

[cpark_12]

Finally had some time today, so I installed my Metal Tech LT kit! I went with the HD springs and the Icon 2.0 shocks. Everything was pretty straight forward as far as the install goes. It took two of us about 1.5 hours from start to finish. Most of our time was spent on the brake lines...stupid Toyota rust!

I had Superflex rear springs with a daystar spacer on to of the driver spring. After installing the MT kit, I sit about 1/4" higher than before. The good thing about the new kit is they have a specific spring for the driver's side to compensate for the Toyota lean. I haven't really got to test the flex it yet, I think I'm going to disconnect my rear sway bar tomorrow and see what it can do!

MT vs Superflex

Obligatory after install flex shot

I'll get some more pics tomorrow

 

[Nyc-Runner]

Nice! I didn't know that the rear were springs different to compensate for the drivers side lean? Has it always been like that? LOL I hope I installed mine properly..
Your gonna love that kit off road, your going to have to work to get those rear wheels off the ground now!

 

[cpark_12]

Nice! I didn't know that the rear were springs different to compensate for the drivers side lean? Has it always been like that? LOL I hope I installed mine properly..
Your gonna love that kit off road, your going to have to work to get those rear wheels off the ground now!

I didn't know it when I ordered the kit, but I noticed a "D" after the part# on just one of the springs when I opened everything up, so I called MT and that's what I was told.

I'm assuming it's a newer thing because I haven't seen it in any of the other threads I've read through either...and I've read through a lot of them!

 

[Nyc-Runner]

I didn't know it when I ordered the kit, but I noticed a "D" after the part# on just one of the springs when I opened everything up, so I called MT and that's what I was told.

I'm assuming it's a newer thing because I haven't seen it in any of the other threads I've read through either...and I've read through a lot of them!

Hmm interesting,,That's good to know though, I'm going to give them a call and ask or maybe try to go out tomorrow and see if i can see the numbers on my springs. With my luck i'll but swapping them around lol

 

[cpark_12]

Got the rear sway bar off today and went and stretched her legs to see what she could do now. I'm definitely impressed with the amount of flex!

I think she could go a bit more. It's definitely a good bit more than I had with the Superflex coils! Needless to say, I'm happy with the purchase[emoji1]

This is all she had with the Superflex coils...

 

[cpark_12]

I saw an opportunity, so I took it...

I still haven't gotten it offroad since the LT kit, so poser shots are going to have to do. I'm pretty sure this is all she's got right now. The driver's spring is running the gas tank itself and the lower link is binding. I wonder how much more I could go if I had offset lower links??

This is at my parent's house after church today. I don't know if this should be a testament to MetalTech, or the steps my dad built?!

 

[t-man]

I wonder if you had adjustable lowers and moved your rear axle back a little bit you'd get more droop.? Looking great man!

 

[cpark_12]

I wonder if you had adjustable lowers and moved your rear axle back a little bit you'd get more droop.? Looking great man!

Thanks! That is true...it would help keep the spring off the tank and it would let it go further down without binding!

 

[t-man]

Thanks! That is true...it would help keep the spring off the tank and it would let it go further down without binding!

That's what I was thinking. Your limiting factor is the upper ultimately. I'd be interested to see someone make one bent with a thicker bar to compensate.

 

[4RunninMD]

Nice build man :thumb: Gave me some good ideas. Like the black mirrors and grill. Kinda wondering what it would look like with all the cladding painted black as well.

 

[cpark_12]

Nice build man :thumb: Gave me some good ideas. Like the black mirrors and grill. Kinda wondering what it would look like with all the cladding painted black as well.

I've thought about painting the cladding black many times, but I'm wondering if it'll be too much of a difference and stand out too much!

 

[Nyc-Runner]

The offset lower links definitely help, but you'll be fine running with out them for the time being. I ran mine with the stock lower links for a while with out issue, like you said it just binds at full droop, i still don't have the uppers but i don't think they have any affect on the travel you get their just stronger. I don't think i ever hit on the gas tank the with the springs? The only place i still rub is on the inner gas tank from the drive shaft when i'm fully flexed out, which i need to trim but plan on getting the RCI gas tank skid so i've been lazy to trim the stock one haha

 

[cpark_12]

The offset lower links definitely help, but you'll be fine running with out them for the time being. I ran mine with the stock lower links for a while with out issue, like you said it just binds at full droop, i still don't have the uppers but i don't think they have any affect on the travel you get their just stronger. I don't think i ever hit on the gas tank the with the springs? The only place i still rub is on the inner gas tank from the drive shaft when i'm fully flexed out, which i need to trim but plan on getting the RCI gas tank skid so i've been lazy to trim the stock one haha

Yea...I don't remember reading about anyone else rubbing the tank with the springs either, but like [MENTION=101553]t-man[/MENTION] said, adjustable lower links should fix that. You can see the axle is definitely moved forward on that side at full flex, so maybe lengthening the lower links will move it back enough to alleviate those springs rubbing.