EatonKyleH's Build Thread

[EatonKyleH]

Well this thing is about to have a growth spurt!

So a long time friend of mine recently bought a stock 3rd gen and I took him out to the mountains a bit where he quickly fell in love with it and started asking about mods.

Anywhoo.... I just wound up selling him my entire lift, my roof rack, AND my tires. It worked out great because he was more than willing to pay me for parts and installing everything. After factoring in payment for my labor I will not have lost any money on the lift or tires I had.

He has no additional weight and wanted a mild lift. Mine was barely higher than stock height after the addition of armor, bumpers, winch, drawers, fridge, etc etc... its gotten fat. And I wanted bigger tires.

SO I NEED SOME HELP/OPINIONS:

Here is the lift and tire combination I've come up with that suits my budget, heavy weight requirements, flex, and hopefully will be able to dial in the look I want as well.

Please chime in and let me know if there is anything I should look into that might seem to suit me better or if this set up may be problematic (unsure of the rear)

Tires:

Size: 285/75R16 mayyyybbeee 315/75R16

Probably another set of Goodyear Duratracs (I've been happy with their on/off road, winter, and low road noise performance) Open to other suggestions that would be good in the noted areas.


The Front:

1. Toytec Coilover kit mounted on Bilstein 5100s
ToyTec coilover kit with Bilstein 5100 shocks

2. Light Racing UCAs (adjusted to approx 4 degrees of positive caster)
Light Racing Adjustable Upper Control Arms Toyota 4-Runner 1996-2002

already have diff drop

The Rear:

1. OME 861 FZJ 80 springs
OME coil springs

2. Bilstein 5100 rear shocks for 4th gen/FJ
Bilstein 5100 Rear shocks for FJ/4Runner

3. Panhard drop:
Panhard Drop Kit (96-02 4RUN)

4. Extended Brake line
Extended Rear Brake Line


From what I understand those shocks should be a direct fit and work well with the 861 coils in the back. Again feel free to chime in, recommend something else or just say hello! I need to start ordering to get her back on her feet but don't want to regret any of these choices.

thanks!

 

[TBuzz]

Nice build Kyle, someday I plan to meet up with the larger group of CO reps on the board. I have close to that setup except slightly older coils and with tokico blacks, so maybe not that close after all. I think it handles and stuffs well. It stuffs a little less now that I've cranked up the coils to account for front bumper and winch. The rear 861's are tall but still brand new. I can't get great stuff a
yet because they max out my shocks. I have extended the bumpstop to account for this but that is limiting my stuff. I believe I need to make some limit straps for the rear to control droop and maximize stuff age. I have tried the adjustable SS PHB in the stock location and it resulted in my driveshaft rubbing my gas tank. It doesn't do that on everyones's rig though evidently. I went back to the drop bracket and stock bar. I will be changing out the front but currently can't decide the route to take. The UCA's are great, provide clearance and I have a caster of 4.

With that setup up on this last weekends trip I installed some homemade rear sway bar relocates that work/look just like the SS ones. I also reinstalled the front sway bar for the road trip. It was so much more enjoyable to drive that I will be doing it every time until I get disconnects. Simply remove front endlink while airing down and the same for reinstall worked fine for me.

 

[EatonKyleH]

Thanks man! You've got a crazy nice build going on and some incredible wheeling shots I've seen around. It's been years since I've been to Durango and I'm hoping to make it down that way around August this year. If you ever head up north I'd love to get together and I'll be in touch when I head South.

Good to know your experiences with the 861s and Tokico shocks. I might try those shocks first since they are pretty affordable and I've been noticing a few other guys with the 861s are using them. Not sure what advantages/disadvantages other shocks would have with the 861 coil.

 

[heyoceanfloor]

Hey, so I'm Kyle's friend that bought the new-to-me 4runner (stock) and now his lift, tires, and roof rack. I also just picked up some budbuilt skid/belly plates last night. Becoming non-stock pretty quick! With help, of course... My skill-set and tool-set don't really match the hobby very well haha.

Right now it's a 150k SR5 5spd w/ elocker. Still haven't snapped a picture of it even. The only thing I've done so far is paint the stock rims black, which was fun. Looking forward to all the additional stuff and getting to explore CO a bit more.

Anyway, nice to meet everybody, I'll probably start a build thread or something one of these days.

Andrew

 

[TCMach]

With as much as you drive I would stick with duratracs. Anything meatier isn't gonna be as nice on your commute while still killing it offroad. Lift looks like a good setup. If I redid my front lift I would do a SAW or Camburg coilover though. They'll cost more but worth it in the end if you go extended travel.

 

[EatonKyleH]

Hey, so I'm Kyle's friend that bought the new-to-me 4runner (stock) and now his lift, tires, and roof rack. I also just picked up some budbuilt skid/belly plates last night. Becoming non-stock pretty quick! With help, of course... My skill-set and tool-set don't really match the hobby very well haha.

Right now it's a 150k SR5 5spd w/ elocker. Still haven't snapped a picture of it even. The only thing I've done so far is paint the stock rims black, which was fun. Looking forward to all the additional stuff and getting to explore CO a bit more.

Anyway, nice to meet everybody, I'll probably start a build thread or something one of these days.

Andrew

Glad you joined brotha! Dannngg yours will be set up nicely quick. People here are honestly some of the nicest and most helpful I've encountered on online forums I think you'll dig it.

With as much as you drive I would stick with duratracs. Anything meatier isn't gonna be as nice on your commute while still killing it offroad. Lift looks like a good setup. If I redid my front lift I would do a SAW or Camburg coilover though. They'll cost more but worth it in the end if you go extended travel.

Ya my thoughts exactly on the tires. I've been thinking about coughing up the extra cash for some crazy coilovers up front probably should so I will have less chance of wishing I had later. Any opinions of the SAWs vs. the Camburgs or any others around the 1,000-1200 dollar mark?

 

[Illestreker]

SAW and Camburgs are the exactly same coilover... kinda like chevy/gmc. They are cheaper than icons and about the same as the radflows designed for 3rd gens.

I've read up on all these different brands and would probably go with the icons simply because they use digressive valving compared to all others who use progressive. Also because you can get the ivd coating which is good for protecting them from corrosion in colder weather states.

About digressive vs progressive vavling... Quated from a thread on Tacoma world from SDHQ OFFROAD:

Also, to touch on the Digressive vs. Progressive, both have their strong points. For a Mid-Travel, Daily driven application which is 95% of Icon users, the digressive valving is much better. It's more on road friendly, with the ability to go beat on it as well. It's a stiffer valve in the fist portion of travel, then softer through the mid, and then stiffer at the end to act as a bump zone.
With Fox/King, ect. The progressive valving is gonna be more full Long travel application. Which is why the TT's and Class 1's use them cause they have 17+" of travel. They are blowing through those first few inches so fast and so often that it's not need if that makes sense.

That being said, Icon has made shocks for LT with different valving. Every Icon shock comes with different valving as opposed to the OEM Fox/King replacements that come with base valves. In the scheme of things, Icon is still a new company compared to the other big 3 shock brands. Icon just decided to gear more towards the Daily driven, street/weekend warrior application.

 

[TCMach]

SAW and Camburgs are the exactly same coilover... kinda like chevy/gmc. They are cheaper than icons and about the same as the radflows designed for 3rd gens.

Huh, I always wondered why they looked so similar. The only thing with Icon that makes me not want them is the recent going ons with customers. This is taken from [MENTION=30949]SIKHILUXSURF[/MENTION] 's build and I've seen some similar stuff over at tacomaworld. Personal preference but I'd stay away

So I have had the last straw with Icon and their products. I have been dicked around by these clowns long enough. What was supported to be a straight forward build similar to Masson74's setup has be come nothing but a nightmare. 3 tries and still can't build the shocks right. Missing parts. And lack of comprehension as well as lies and fake promises. Hell they built the setup once before why couldn't they do the same thing again? Answers like its a custom order we don't supply the brackets to hold the external resi just don't fly with me. And I asked for a straight fitting off of the resi with a swivel and you build me one with a 90 degree fitting? Come on the god damn hose is gonna hit the tire. Then you ask me what is wrong and I tell you in and email with confirmation back from you that you understand what I want and still you don't do what I ask and you confirmed on? Wow. Not only that every time I send them back I'm out of the shocks again for a week or more at a time. That is way longer than the 2 week build time I was promised. We are now into these shocks almost 2 months. I'm sick of the bullshit promises and wait times I told them I wanted my money back since they couldn't get my shit right. Their answer was its a custom build we can't. I asked why I'm Missing resi brackets. Icon's answer? Drum roll please... It's a custom build we don't supply them. What a slap to the face. Even my rep over at metal tech was shocked at the answer.

 

[the great him]

Huh, I always wondered why they looked so similar. The only thing with Icon that makes me not want them is the recent going ons with customers. This is taken from [MENTION=30949]SIKHILUXSURF[/MENTION] 's build and I've seen some similar stuff over at tacomaworld. Personal preference but I'd stay away

i was looking to go with icon when i got back from this deployment as seeing how they ride and some peoples comments on them and having rode in a ford raptor recently that had Icon stuff, yeah it was very nice. but hafter hearing about sikhiluxsurf and his dealings with them and a few tacoma owners locally no way will i spend $4+k on suspension just to get pushed around like a "has been"... thats a lot of coin and for me ill just go with lightracing and use their adjustable UCA im not building a race rig here, just something that is durable and capable.

 

[TCMach]

after hearing about sikhiluxsurf and his dealings with them and a few tacoma owners locally no way will i spend $4+k on suspension just to get pushed around like a "has been"... thats a lot of coin and for me ill just go with lightracing and use their adjustable UCA im not building a race rig here, just something that is durable and capable.

exactly. Its not worth it haha. I just put light racings on a couple months ago. Awesome product. You'll be happy

 

[Illestreker]

Huh, I always wondered why they looked so similar. The only thing with Icon that makes me not want them is the recent going ons with customers. This is taken from [MENTION=30949]SIKHILUXSURF[/MENTION] 's build and I've seen some similar stuff over at tacomaworld. Personal preference but I'd stay away

Yeah its unfortunate that he had that experience but for me personally, his negative experience would have no impact on what shock id choose to go with. Not to say hes lying or leaving out any info, but you never can really know the whole story or if there is a chance for over exaggeration etc. His situation about bad customer service has nothing to do with product quality or design but what seems to be lack of quality communication, probably from both sides. Besides, even if they turn out to having horrible customer service, than 75k miles later when your ready for a rebuild send them do a different performance shop... no big deal IMO.

 

[Illestreker]

No issue with product or service by buying just the icon coilover from your vendor of choice and the LR UCA. Don't over complicate this whole "bad customer service" thing. Comparing shock to shock across the board for what it is... id personally choose icon's

 

[NateMob]

I like my Icons, and the Digressive Valving is great. I have had zero issues in dealing with getting replacement parts from Icon for mine, nor did i have any issues when i had them originally rebuilt by Icon. It was quick and painless.

After owning the LR arms and the Icon Tubulars i run now, they arent close to being in the same league regarding quality. Look around in the 5th gen forum and on TW, you will find plenty of trash talking revolving around LR/SPC and their constantly changing bushing design. If you are feeling ambitious, search around for all the LR arms that have snapped. Capable yes, Durable? Mine weren't, thats why i had them replaced under warranty with their newest version and sold them at a discount. They may work in some applications as expected but they did not stand up the the constant suspension cycling that i put them through almost every weekend.

 

[the great him]

No issue with product or service by buying just the icon coilover from your vendor of choice and the LR UCA. Don't over complicate this whole "bad customer service" thing. Comparing shock to shock across the board for what it is... id personally choose icon's

he bought them through a very very reputable off road shop specializing in toyotas, -they also happen to be a vendor/sponsor here on T4R -metal tech. its not like he bought them black market. Icon is just dicking him around

 

[EatonKyleH]

After owning the LR arms and the Icon Tubulars i run now, they arent close to being in the same league regarding quality.

Nate,
What's your caster sitting at with the Icon UCAs? The say they "correct alignment geometry on lifted applications" but I have been curious what that equates to on paper after a lift height such as you are running up front.

thanks for the input everyone! Honestly not sure if I'm comfortable dropping the bills for high end coilovers and UCAs at this time but I'm am surely considering it because I'd rather not continue to sell and replace.

 

[TCMach]

Yeah its unfortunate that he had that experience but for me personally, his negative experience would have no impact on what shock id choose to go with. Not to say hes lying or leaving out any info, but you never can really know the whole story or if there is a chance for over exaggeration etc.

It's not an isolated occurance. Both me and kid mentioned that. Pick whatever coilover you want, you'll probably have no issues with it 9/10 but I hear more about icon than I do anybody else. Just sharing an experience.

 

[Fishwerks]

I don't care what you buy, I'm just stoked you are getting some bigger meats.

 

[SIKHILUXSURF]

for people that dont have any experience with icons personally i dot see those people having a valid coment towards the icon issue. the rest that have dealt with icon know what is going on. im not gonna use a product from a company that for one has poor customer service and is not willing to stand behind the products they produce or sell. two the quality they they once had has recently gone down hill due to cutting corners to push product out.

Illestreker im sure you know nothing about that. i have had a good firend of mine have his coils rust with in a few weeks of ownership. Also other icon product owners complain of there springs not even coated al lthe way in the black finish and have them rust. also Seals that go bad prematurley with just street driving. we have even seen posts of piston shafts snapping during off roading. you can do what you want. ill be taking my hard earned money to spend elseware that im not treated like a number or a Dollar sign.

 

[SIKHILUXSURF]

In the scheme of things, Icon is still a new company compared to the other big 3 shock brands. .[/I][/I]

They are far from new. they were Donahoe Racing before the name change.

 

[EatonKyleH]

I don't care what you buy, I'm just stoked you are getting some bigger meats.

Lol thanks me too! I found out my shop joined the Toytec dealer network about a week ago so I had quite a bit of fun with that today and got everything on its way to the shop.

Really I got pretty much what I had laid out on here already. 5100 coilover system and LR uca's in the front and OME 861s with extended 5100s in the rear and some 285/75R16 Duratracs.

I'm stoked on it and think it'll do what I need without breaking the bank.