Dirtbike250x's Build Thread

[dirtbike250x]

I agree totally with you. With what little I've done to mine so far I can only imagine what it was like for you. Speaking of, have you any updates?

Not at the moment actually. A few maintenance related projects are coming like inner tie rods.

The next mod on the list is going to be a new set of coils either LC or the superflex from toytec. The extra weight the truck is acquiring from these mods, the 890s are not doing the job anymore. Something a little longer and stronger is what I'm looking for. School keeps the mods slow for now, but only a few more months until I graduate and get a real job.

 

[Dirtyfingers]

Sounds good, not sure if you've seen this yet, http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/102959-inner-tie-rod-removal-installation.html

Pretty good writeup. As far as coils go I went with the 891s not really knowing my rear bumper was going to be about 220lbs so I'm going to see about these 861s for the LC I keep hearing about. Might be some good about it. They are on the toytec site, you just have I search for it. I keyed in "861 coils" and they popped up. I heard great things from them people running with like 400lbs on them and they hold up fine.

 

[dirtbike250x]

Sounds good, not sure if you've seen this yet, http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/102959-inner-tie-rod-removal-installation.html

Pretty good writeup. As far as coils go I went with the 891s not really knowing my rear bumper was going to be about 220lbs so I'm going to see about these 861s for the LC I keep hearing about. Might be some good about it. They are on the toytec site, you just have I search for it. I keyed in "861 coils" and they popped up. I heard great things from them people running with like 400lbs on them and they hold up fine.

Thanks for the write up, seems like it will be a pretty straight forward job.

Those 861s sit pretty tall in our 4runners. But with a bumper that heavy, will probably settle them down some. I'm sure as my build progresses the weight will continue to increase, so I don't want to have to get a third set of coils. So I guess a little more searching on what I eventually plan to have back there will be my decision maker on what coils I go with.

 

[Dirtyfingers]

Thanks for the write up, seems like it will be a pretty straight forward job.

Those 861s sit pretty tall in our 4runners. But with a bumper that heavy, will probably settle them down some. I'm sure as my build progresses the weight will continue to increase, so I don't want to have to get a third set of coils. So I guess a little more searching on what I eventually plan to have back there will be my decision maker on what coils I go with.

Sounds like a plan man, can't wait to see what ends up happenening, by the way, idea with the wedge sub was ingenious.

 

[dirtbike250x]

So, not much has changed with the truck, I have a new inner tie rod to replace just waiting on a new boot to come in stock. Hoping that will tighten up the steering a little bit.

Over the weekend I had some free time from schooling and decided to enjoy the NJ Pinelands. Although the trails aren't the most exciting place to go, it's still an enjoyable time, playing on the obstacles that are found. Here are a few pictures...

 

[NateMob]

What part number and where did you order your new rear shocks? Cool pictures dude, what series PIAA lights do you have under the main bumper hoop? Those look like the size i need to fill the space in my bumper.

 

[dirtbike250x]

What part number and where did you order your new rear shocks? Cool pictures dude, what series PIAA lights do you have under the main bumper hoop? Those look like the size i need to fill the space in my bumper.

Hey, thanks. The rear shocks were purchased at the local dealer, and the part number was 48531-69417. That number gives you the shock and the required bushings, washers will have to be added.

The PIAA lights on the bumper are the 520 series so 6.25" diameter. However, I wouldn't recommend them, nothing but problems and to expensive to replace, go with an LED unit.

 

[dirtbike250x]

Tackled another project on the truck today, replaced the inner tie rod. It is a pretty simple project, with easy access, just ran into a few problems working with stubborn bolts that haven't been touched in 17yrs.

On reassembly coated the threads with some anti-seize to prevent any problems once I beat these up on the trail. I used an inner tie rod from Proforged off Summit. I obviously can't speak much of durability, but it felt well made.

Not many pictures, but if you have any questions or need part numbers just let me know.

Old and wore out


The jam-nut on the outer caused the most problems for the day, but eventually broke it free to get the alignment right, plus got a good picture out of it...


And all wrapped up in a new boot and clamps...

 

[dirtbike250x]

The weekends here in the Northeast are quickly going to get colder and colder, so I took advantage of this weekend and worked on the truck both days.

Today, I decided to tackle another DIY mod of making clearance for the OEM gas tank skid.

With the added flex of the OEM land cruiser coils the driveshaft comes in contact with the skid. In this picture you can see how far over the axle is pushed due to the length of the control links



I dropped the skid and started pounding. The only tools needed were a hammer and dolly to work the metal into a new shape.





I left the lip of the skid flared out a bit to avoid puncturing into the gas tank if for some reason it was to get hit under there on the side. With a quick test fit the skid fits much closer to the tank which should allow for the needed clearance. Shot a coat of paint on it, and it was ready to go. While I was under there I noticed that when the driveshaft hit the skid it sheared off one of the grease-able zerk fittings, so next weekend I'll tackle extracting that and popping in a new one. Install pictures of the skid will come soon.

This should last until I replace it for a real skid. :bluejump:

 

[dirtbike250x]

Just a quick post to show the new clearance with the "modified" gas tank skid. Going to work on extending my bump-stops and then I can test flex it to check clearances

 

[dirtbike250x]

New coils were shipped to me off an LX450 :hungry:

I'll post install pictures a little later, the job went into the evening a little later than I expected so the pictures are not all that great.



They replaced OME 890s, so here is a comparison to give you an idea of the difference...

 

[TheArkMaster]

^^^ Pics or it didn't happen :mod:

 

[dirtbike250x]

The OME 890 coils have been less than ideal for my needs ever since I built the drawers and added the sub (roughly 120lbs). I went a while trying to decide which coil option would be the best fit for me considering more weight is to come. Toytec makes the superflex which are a higher spring rate than the 890s, but after a few reviews, they did not look like the best option.

The next option was Land Cruiser front coils. However, their spring rate is less than the superflex, and several reports say they sag with a load, I believed the extra height will make up for that. After going back and forth between my options I decided to give the Land Cruiser coils a chance considering, if they do not meet my needs I would be able to resell with hopefully a minimal loss.

I gained a connection on the MUD forum to a seller with LX450 coils (8.75/8.25 color codes blue/yellow/white, green/yellow/white). They seemed to be a fair deal considering they had 144k on them, so I grabbed them. The Lexus coils are great because they are between the LC 8wraps and the 9s, yet the same spring rate. They would offer more height than I am after, but will sag with the weight to the pretty much level height I am shooting for.

To start here is how the 890s sat...



When I was running stock weight plus a few trail tools they were level with the front (exactly what I was shooting for), when I added the extra weight they sagged to .5 inch lower than the front (23.5" fender to hub). The back end bothered me very much and had me watching the weight in the truck to prevent any further sag resulting in running the shocks lower in the stroke going into the stiff part of the valving of the LC shocks.

The install went well with minimal problems. The main tip to install any LC/LX coil is do not even attempt the job unless you have a spring compressor. Otherwise you will be disconnecting control links to allow the axle to drop.

A few pictures of the install...





And the height right after lowering onto it's weight....





Yes the back end is jacked up right now and it looks a little funny to me. I am expecting them to settle a little bit, but the weight to come will also settle them (rear bumper :tongue: )

A picture to compare the 890s to the LX springs



The overall swap satisfied my needs, to provide some extra spring to compensate for the added weight. I went from my rear suspension going from OME parts to OEM parts :juggle: . I find it a pretty cool quality of the truck to run all OEM parts for the rear suspension (plus I now have the ride of a Lexus :high5: )

To make this decision took so many hours of research, mostly because I did not want to have to swap to a third set of coil. So if you run LC/LX coils in your truck and have posted some information about them, then thank you, you probably helped in making up my mind. If anyone has an questions about the install or anything else about my build just post it up and I'll get back to you. I will have hub to fender measurements once I drive on them some more along with driving impressions as I get to know the new handling. :thanks:

 

[dirtbike250x]

^^^ Pics or it didn't happen :mod:

Pics are up! Enjoy :clap2:

 

[TheArkMaster]

Pics are up! Enjoy :clap2:

Looks good man! What don't you like about the superflex?

 

[dirtbike250x]

Looks good man! What don't you like about the superflex?

It was more that they didn't meet my needs. The spring rate of the superflex is much higher I believe somewhere slightly above 200lbs/in which would be good for carrying weight, but the height they offered wasn't what I was after. From the pictures I seen with the weight I'll have (roughly 300lbs) it looked as though it would sit how my 890s sat with the +120lbs extra.

The LX coils had the extra height to offer to give some wiggle room to sag without going lower than the front. My main goal was to keep just slight rake even when fully loaded. Maybe my theory with the super-flex is off since I never ran them nor seen them in person, but the price of them steered me away from experimenting with them. Hope that helps.

 

[TheArkMaster]

Interesting. well, I just ordered the superflex so I guess we'll see! I'll keep those lexus coils in mind though!

 

[dirtbike250x]

Interesting. well, I just ordered the superflex so I guess we'll see! I'll keep those lexus coils in mind though!

Excellent well I'll keep an eye out for you build thread update when the coils go in. Hope they work for you. :thumb3:

 

[dirtbike250x]

As a small update for the LX coil install, I dropped in an additional 120lbs from the full size spare and hi lift.

The coils seem to hold all the additional weight just fine. With about 110lbs over stock weight from the drawers and sub I was sitting pretty level at 25" hub to fender. Today I mounted the tire to the sub box and the hi-lift to my custom bracket and it seems the coils only dropped 1/8". Although I have not driven with all the weight back there, I would assume the coils will settle a little.

But, so far the coils are doing what they need to, hold my extra weight better than the 890s could, while giving me the ability to carry even more as needed. Looking forward to getting an driving impression with the weight. :high5:

 

[dirtbike250x]

Driving on the coils for some time now, they have settled to what seems to be the ride height of another 1/4" down from the 25'' hub to fender. With all the weight in there the ride doesn't feel much different than the 890s to be honest.

There is additional body roll in the corners which could have to do with the spring rate or the higher CG but still manageable with only the rear swaybar hooked up. On larger, high speed bumps is where I do feel a more floaty feel which is nice. The LC shocks work excellent with these coils. I think I have found my final rear suspension setup.

On a somewhat related topic, I made some quick bumpstop extension to prevent the shocks from bottoming out before the bump stops can be effective. I have not installed them yet, so I do have a worry that I thought about after making them. The axle is positioned at an angle, like the pic below, so I am not sure if the axle will come in contact with the bumpstop location, or if offsetting the mounting back some will allow them to work better. So I'll get them mounted and see how they work...

Axle angle..



And some post-fab pics..