Dous's Build Thread Version 2.0
- Thread starter Dous
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Dous
New member
We are ready for you!
The 255's are awesome so far, it feels slower than the when I had the 285's though...and these KM2's are LOUD!!
Can't wait to get them off road
Looks so good! Get ready to start replacing cv axles
We will see! I haven't broken one yet and I feel that I have very well pushed this truck to it's limits. Knock on wood! But I do carry two trail spares and the necessary tools.
Oh....hello! You guys would kill me if I told you the price on got on this bad boy.
Dous
New member
I am slowly accumulating more shots of the wheels
Today was also the first day I took this set of tires off road...I must say I am impressed. In the loose sand I found they definitely didn't float like the 285's. They immediately started digging, but still provided tons of traction. In the mud they were awesome. Didn't get on any rocks or anything which is my normal terrain though.
Today was also the first day I took this set of tires off road...I must say I am impressed. In the loose sand I found they definitely didn't float like the 285's. They immediately started digging, but still provided tons of traction. In the mud they were awesome. Didn't get on any rocks or anything which is my normal terrain though.
Dous
New member
A minor update
Got the ARB installed with much help from Singtoe! Man that install is a bare...
Also ordered all my parts for a complete steering restoration, I am getting rid of my Tacoma B/J' and OTR's and going back to 4runner stuff at the same time
I ordered:
Senkei OTR's
Senkei LBJ's
Toyota OEM P/S Rack with ITR's
My total for the whole rebuild is going to be close to $900, my pump is still good so it is staying. I also picked up a pressure line at LKQ today, because mine is all Mickey Moused after it blew up wheeling. I will also add a filter in the return line to protect the rack in the event of a pump failure, considering it does have some age on it.
Got the ARB installed with much help from Singtoe! Man that install is a bare...
Also ordered all my parts for a complete steering restoration, I am getting rid of my Tacoma B/J' and OTR's and going back to 4runner stuff at the same time
I ordered:
Senkei OTR's
Senkei LBJ's
Toyota OEM P/S Rack with ITR's
My total for the whole rebuild is going to be close to $900, my pump is still good so it is staying. I also picked up a pressure line at LKQ today, because mine is all Mickey Moused after it blew up wheeling. I will also add a filter in the return line to protect the rack in the event of a pump failure, considering it does have some age on it.
Dous
New member
Welcome to the club! Try not to brake too many cv's, it's easy to do if you're not careful
I still have not broken one, but that was when I was open in the front. We will see what happens now! I should be headed down to Gulches ORV park this weekend if the rain holds off
rickashay
New member
Wow Dous! you stepped up for some good ol' fashioned steering maintenance! I was looking at OEM steering racks last year but they are PRICEY.... as you well know.
I will put in my $.02 regarding your Sakai 555 LBJ's though:
I did the same thing last summer. Inner and outer TRE's and LBJ's. All of the parts were "555". My driver's LBJ began leaking grease out of the boot after about a month (not punctured but the boot failed and would not seat itself anymore). I took it in for warranty and was issued a replacement. Before installing the replacement (brand new still in box) I was moving the LBJ stud around and noticed something funny.... it was like the ball joint itself inside of the boot was binding - metal on metal scraping, everytime I pivoted the ball joint stud. I pumped some grease in (had the zerk fittings), and the issue still pertained. Now I was worried. pulled my still "good" passenger LBJ and it had the same issue.
I decided that if they were binding in NEW condition, the metal-on-metal contact would cause the joints to wear prematurely and eventually lead to another notorious LBJ failure. I returned the 555 LBJ's and ordered Toyota OEM ones. Immediately moved the ball joint stud and it felt smooth and lubricated right out of the box.
Now I was recently reading a thread on Expo where they were saying that the 555 and OEM parts were built in the same factory or location. Others in that thread had experienced the exact metal-on-metal symptoms as myself. Despite them being the same "cast" and maybe even produced in the same place, it is apparent that the OEM ones vs. 555 do show different signs of quality or at least quality control. Maybe I just got unlucky but I thought I would share my experience solely hoping you do not have the same issue.
My 555 TRE's are still holding up great FWIW.
I will put in my $.02 regarding your Sakai 555 LBJ's though:
I did the same thing last summer. Inner and outer TRE's and LBJ's. All of the parts were "555". My driver's LBJ began leaking grease out of the boot after about a month (not punctured but the boot failed and would not seat itself anymore). I took it in for warranty and was issued a replacement. Before installing the replacement (brand new still in box) I was moving the LBJ stud around and noticed something funny.... it was like the ball joint itself inside of the boot was binding - metal on metal scraping, everytime I pivoted the ball joint stud. I pumped some grease in (had the zerk fittings), and the issue still pertained. Now I was worried. pulled my still "good" passenger LBJ and it had the same issue.
I decided that if they were binding in NEW condition, the metal-on-metal contact would cause the joints to wear prematurely and eventually lead to another notorious LBJ failure. I returned the 555 LBJ's and ordered Toyota OEM ones. Immediately moved the ball joint stud and it felt smooth and lubricated right out of the box.
Now I was recently reading a thread on Expo where they were saying that the 555 and OEM parts were built in the same factory or location. Others in that thread had experienced the exact metal-on-metal symptoms as myself. Despite them being the same "cast" and maybe even produced in the same place, it is apparent that the OEM ones vs. 555 do show different signs of quality or at least quality control. Maybe I just got unlucky but I thought I would share my experience solely hoping you do not have the same issue.
My 555 TRE's are still holding up great FWIW.
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Dous
New member
Thanks for the info....as far as I know from multiple sources Sankei was the OEM supplier for the ball joints and tie rods.
But the design may have been altered maybe, or the quality lowered? The stock ones did not the have great fitting port. I will check them out to make sure they seem alright.
The other thing is, I replace the LBJ's every year on the dot, I know it might seem crazy, but after having a failure I get super worried about it, and it is less than $200 bucks. I will pay that for peace of mind. Next time I will just go OEM, I paid OEM prices for these at any rate
But the design may have been altered maybe, or the quality lowered? The stock ones did not the have great fitting port. I will check them out to make sure they seem alright.
The other thing is, I replace the LBJ's every year on the dot, I know it might seem crazy, but after having a failure I get super worried about it, and it is less than $200 bucks. I will pay that for peace of mind. Next time I will just go OEM, I paid OEM prices for these at any rate
rickashay
New member
I think your smart to do the LBJ's every year! Especially when you wheel lots like yourself.
Sorry not trying to take a dump on your thread by any means.... just sharing my experience. At least you can check for yourself now before they get installed.
EDIT: hahah look at our avatar pics side-by-side (er' up and down?). Our trucks are like brothers.
Dous
New member
No need to apologize, I like to know if there is a possible issue with such an integral part of the front suspension!
Yea haha, they do look super similar! Once I get the CBI it will be uncanny
4Running Daily
New member
This thread deserves to be dumped on!
More pictures of those darn 255's!!!!
JK, but pictures would be nice.
Dous
New member
This thread deserves to be dumped on!
More pictures of those darn 255's!!!!
JK, but pictures would be nice.
Haha, I may actually get some pictures from wheeling this weekend, I am bring a designated photographer
LittleCaesar
New member
Dous,
How much just for the rack alone?
If there was a LBJ changing contest, I'd have my money on you, hands down. Do you change the bolts as well?
If the pump is still acting up, try putting a Magnefine in-line at the return line. I helped a friend put one on his older Montero the other week. No more noise.
How much just for the rack alone?
If there was a LBJ changing contest, I'd have my money on you, hands down. Do you change the bolts as well?
If the pump is still acting up, try putting a Magnefine in-line at the return line. I helped a friend put one on his older Montero the other week. No more noise.
Dous
New member
I paid $580 for the rack, local dealer wanted $750-ish
LOL, yea I may win that contest. As for the bolts...kind of embarrassing but I change them ALL the time. Anytime I tear the front end down and remove the bolts they get replaced.
My ball joint failure was not actually the ball joint failing but more of the bolts shearing from repeated torquing. SO, I don't play around anymore...besides the bolts are cheap and my local dealer stocks them, I pay like 9 bucks for them all or something
Good idea on the filter, I will have to do that
