EatonKyleH's Build Thread

[crazydubman]

Thanks for the heads up! I got that email too and its very tempting.

My main thing with Solo though is that their kits are 4 1/2 inches over per side which I think is pushing it a bit too far for my liking on the tight trails around here.

And their only kit that addresses the lower ball joint is their 18inch travel XLT kit. Which is awesome. But almost too awesome for my needs haha!

Only their XLT kit is 4 1/2" per side.

I believe their standard 14" LT kit is 3.5 like most other kits out there. The axle options for this one are just chromoly shafts which I think you said you have some tundra shafts that would work so their you go.
LT Series Tacoma 96-04 / 4Runner 96-02 Long-Travel Front Suspension*Kit - Solo Motorsports

Then it would be a spindle upgrade down the road if nothing else. At least then you would be able to get the better arms, and the increased travel you are looking for.

Just wanted to throw it out there for the tube upper arm LT kit might be all you need. and if you were looking used, I am not sure you would be able to find a used kit for less. The tube upper LT kit has me really thinking of biting the bullet and just taking the plunge with the cost. then I could get the 2.5 king remote resis with compression adjusters and internal bypasses like I wanted to but in 8" instead of 6". if nothing else, to just stock pile for now.

 

[EatonKyleH]

Only their XLT kit is 4 1/2" per side.

I believe their standard 14" LT kit is 3.5 like most other kits out there. The axle options for this one are just chromoly shafts which I think you said you have some tundra shafts that would work so their you go.
LT Series Tacoma 96-04 / 4Runner 96-02 Long-Travel Front Suspension*Kit - Solo Motorsports

Then it would be a spindle upgrade down the road if nothing else. At least then you would be able to get the better arms, and the increased travel you are looking for.

Just wanted to throw it out there for even the tube upper arm LT kit might be all you need. and if you were looking used, I am not sure you would be able to find a used kit for less. The tube upper LT kit has me really thinking of biting the bullet and just taking the plunge with the cost. then I could get the 2.5 king remote resis with compression adjusters and internal bypasses like I wanted to but in 8" instead of 6". if nothing else, to just stock pile for now.

Dude! thanks. I always thought all their kits for this truck were 4 1/2 over. But I just called them and they verified that their 14 inch travel kit it is only 3 1/2 over like everyone else so I could use the shafts I have. Also 14 inches is an inch more than the TC and Camburg kits and I don't care about boxed upper arms... just lower.

So I just bought one of them suckas!

Also those guys were super helpful on the phone. We talked about my truck and all the weight I have added to the front of it. I ordered the King 2.5 R/R with compression adjusters from them and they are getting them with #700 springs and custom valving for the weight no extra charge.

All said and done I spent about 500 bucks more than just a LT arm kit from TC costs...
BUT that is WITH the coilovers INCLUDED and decked out.

Schweeet.

 

[crazydubman]

Dude! thanks. I always thought all their kits for this truck were 4 1/2 over. But I just called them and they verified the their 14 inch travel kit it is only 3 1/2 over like everyone else so I could use the shafts I have. Also 14 inches is an inch more than the TC and Camburg kits and I don't care about boxed upper arms... just lower.

So I just bought one of them suckas!

That's awesome Kyle.

Let me know what you think of the quality as I'm very close to calling them to take advantage of the deal. Did they give you an ETA on ship date? Are they available and on the shelf?

One thing to note is that the travel is probably going to be the same as camburg an TC just because the same specs on arm length and uniball size. Once you get the limit straps in there (Limit about 1/2-1" of droop) you will be in the same range as all other kits. this keeps the upper uniball happy and you wont be over extending it at full droop. You will have to play with the strap placement but remember the straps have X amount of stretch factored in per 12". Solo should be able to help you with that number to account for when installing them.

 

[EatonKyleH]

That's awesome Kyle.

Let me know what you think of the quality as I'm very close to calling them to take advantage of the deal. Did they give you an ETA on ship date? Are they available and on the shelf?

Will do.

They stock them so I should have it soon.

It will take a little bit to get the coilovers built and in so I don't have a definite ETA right now but it should be shipping very soon.

 

[Mr.Rick]

I installed a brake controller where my CB used to be. I couldn't use the CB in that location anyway after the triple sticks and relocating the trans shifter. The cord was always tangled in the shifters and the trans shifter would hit the input where the handset connected. So it has been relocated.

First World problems here my friend... boohoooo my shifters for the super fly dual cases got in the way... :dammit:


Haha just kidding brotha love this rig!

 

[trailbikerider]

Just went through your entire build thread (good thing my boss isn't around to yell at me!), and your truck is giving me an awful lot of inspiration for mine. How did you like the old OME 881/890 setup? I'm thinking of doing the same setup, except using 5100s instead of OME shocks.

 

[EatonKyleH]

First World problems here my friend... boohoooo my shifters for the super fly dual cases got in the way... :dammit:


Haha just kidding brotha love this rig!

Thanks Rick!
Solving first world problems is my specialty. Optimizing beer access in the fridge while still keeping my otter pops frozen is the next challenge I'm working through.

Just went through your entire build thread (good thing my boss isn't around to yell at me!), and your truck is giving me an awful lot of inspiration for mine. How did you like the old OME 881/890 setup? I'm thinking of doing the same setup, except using 5100s instead of OME shocks.

Thanks glad to hear it.
I liked the OME setup. The 890s though really didn't like it after adding my rear bumper, cargo area and stuff. The front always did fine but if you plan on adding stuff to the rear I'd probably go with 891s.

 

[trailbikerider]

Thanks glad to hear it.
I liked the OME setup. The 890s though really didn't like it after adding my rear bumper, cargo area and stuff. The front always did fine but if you plan on adding stuff to the rear I'd probably go with 891s.

Sweet, glad to hear! I don't think I'll be adding any crazy weight. The truck is more of a DD and light offroading rig.

 

[owyheerat]

Sorry, I'm really late to this party....

Wow, how have I overlooked this build for so long. I just read through the whole thing...very nice 4runner...very inspirational. I love how you've built this rig and how you use it. I'm jeolous of all trails you have nearby.

"If I where to do this all over again with another 5-speed manual trans truck the dual cases would have been my first major mod. Biggest impact by far."

^^^ this is very good to hear. I have been contemplating this mod for about a year, and reading this just pushed me over the edge. This will be my next mod.

Thanks for all the great posts and information. These are the kind of builds that make this forum so valuble.

Happy Holidays

Durwin

 

[EatonKyleH]

Wow, how have I overlooked this build for so long. I just read through the whole thing...very nice 4runner...very inspirational. I love how you've built this rig and how you use it. I'm jeolous of all trails you have nearby.

"If I where to do this all over again with another 5-speed manual trans truck the dual cases would have been my first major mod. Biggest impact by far."

^^^ this is very good to hear. I have been contemplating this mod for about a year, and reading this just pushed me over the edge. This will be my next mod.

Thanks for all the great posts and information. These are the kind of builds that make this forum so valuble.

Happy Holidays

Durwin

Thanks Durwin, I appreciate it!

You definitely won't regret getting dual cases with your rig. It really brings the manual transmission wheeling experience to a better place. I thought I had crawling a manual transmission figured out pretty well before and practiced the clutch/throttle/parking brake dance often. I still use the same techniques wheeling it now but being able to essentially double the low range (or more if you go with 4.7 gears in the crawl box) makes everything so much more controlled. No more burning clutch smell, way better choice of gearing for steep descents, controlled tire placement climbing (not dropping back off, and so on). Safer too because of it all.

If it was an automatic or I wasn't doing difficult trails often it would be much much lower on my list of wants.

Thanks for stopping in. Your bumper by Bandit looks sweet by the way!

 

[jak3_t]

Wicked build bro

Sent from my SM-G920W8 using Tapatalk

 

[owyheerat]

New dual case ordered...

Thanks Durwin, I appreciate it!

You definitely won't regret getting dual cases with your rig. It really brings the manual transmission wheeling experience to a better place. I thought I had crawling a manual transmission figured out pretty well before and practiced the clutch/throttle/parking brake dance often. I still use the same techniques wheeling it now but being able to essentially double the low range (or more if you go with 4.7 gears in the crawl box) makes everything so much more controlled. No more burning clutch smell, way better choice of gearing for steep descents, controlled tire placement climbing (not dropping back off, and so on). Safer too because of it all.

If it was an automatic or I wasn't doing difficult trails often it would be much much lower on my list of wants.

Thanks for stopping in. Your bumper by Bandit looks sweet by the way!

...I took advantage of Low Range Offroad sale and bought a new clutch kit (still running original 217k, and it is working fine, but now is easy time to replace), and new Inchworm complete dual case with 2.28 gears.:biggrin1: I'm excited to get this installed. One of the many things I gleaned from your build was the use of Front Range Offroad T-case crossmember. So I ordered one on sale. It already arrived (wow fast customer service), and I am VERY IMPRESSED with it. Very heavy duty. What a great product.

So this leads to another question: Are you happy with your RAD Designs triple sticks? If you had to do it again would you do the same thing? Are they worth the $ ? Is the install tough? I'm not a professional mechanic (like you), but consider myself a little above average mechanical aptitude. I have built or installed everything on this 4runner, and do all my own vehicle maintenance, except rear wheel bearing removal and install.

The other option, I am considering is keeping stock t-case shift lever and adding shift case lever to dual case, that would come up in 2nd cup holder. I don't really want to loose the cup holder, but I also don't want to spend more $, if not worth it.

thanks again for all the inspiration.

Durwin

 

[EatonKyleH]

Wicked build bro

Sent from my SM-G920W8 using Tapatalk

Thanks man, I appreciate it!

...I took advantage of Low Range Offroad sale and bought a new clutch kit (still running original 217k, and it is working fine, but now is easy time to replace), and new Inchworm complete dual case with 2.28 gears.:biggrin1: I'm excited to get this installed. One of the many things I gleaned from your build was the use of Front Range Offroad T-case crossmember. So I ordered one on sale. It already arrived (wow fast customer service), and I am VERY IMPRESSED with it. Very heavy duty. What a great product.

So this leads to another question: Are you happy with your RAD Designs triple sticks? If you had to do it again would you do the same thing? Are they worth the $ ? Is the install tough? I'm not a professional mechanic (like you), but consider myself a little above average mechanical aptitude. I have built or installed everything on this 4runner, and do all my own vehicle maintenance, except rear wheel bearing removal and install.

The other option, I am considering is keeping stock t-case shift lever and adding shift case lever to dual case, that would come up in 2nd cup holder. I don't really want to loose the cup holder, but I also don't want to spend more $, if not worth it.

thanks again for all the inspiration.

Durwin

Dang! That will be a sweet setup.
Ya the Front Range cross member is sweet. They are a local company to me, great to deal with, and really innovative.
You'll likely have to modify it slightly to fit the 4Runner. The width and bolt pattern are the same as the Tacoma it was designed for so its not a big deal just need trimmed on the passenger side to fit the tunnel of the 4runner.

I love the RADesigns triple sticks! Rory is great to deal with and the product works and offers a lot of adjustment in the stick forward/rearward positioning.

I wasn't willing to loose a cup holder at all. I'd definitely do the triple sticks again.

Only negative is it is a lot of work to fit all those shifters in there so that they don't hit the transmission gear shifter in all of its positions. I wound up running a short shifter for the trans and still had to cut and reposition the trans stick. Then I had to cut the crawl box (middle) stick and make it straight. It came out great but it was kind of a pain and you will most likely need to buy a short shifter also... but if you don't have one yet it is awesome in its own right. Make a big difference in shifting throw and feel.

 

[owyheerat]

Thanks man, I appreciate it!



Dang! That will be a sweet setup.
Ya the Front Range cross member is sweet. They are a local company to me, great to deal with, and really innovative.
You'll likely have to modify it slightly to fit the 4Runner. The width and bolt pattern are the same as the Tacoma it was designed for so its not a big deal just need trimmed on the passenger side to fit the tunnel of the 4runner.

I love the RADesigns triple sticks! Rory is great to deal with and the product works and offers a lot of adjustment in the stick forward/rearward positioning.

I wasn't willing to loose a cup holder at all. I'd definitely do the triple sticks again.

Only negative is it is a lot of work to fit all those shifters in there so that they don't hit the transmission gear shifter in all of its positions. I wound up running a short shifter for the trans and still had to cut and reposition the trans stick. Then I had to cut the crawl box (middle) stick and make it straight. It came out great but it was kind of a pain and you will most likely need to buy a short shifter also... but if you don't have one yet it is awesome in its own right. Make a big difference in shifting throw and feel.

Kyle,
Thanks. Won't it be just like yours?

I did order a URD short throw shifter as well. I don't know if I'm up to cutting and welding the shift levers. I'm sure I could, just don't know if I want to go through the extra work.

Anything I should be aware of or take care of during install?

Durwin

 

[EatonKyleH]

Kyle,
Thanks. Won't it be just like yours?

I did order a URD short throw shifter as well. I don't know if I'm up to cutting and welding the shift levers. I'm sure I could, just don't know if I want to go through the extra work.

Anything I should be aware of or take care of during install?

Durwin

Yup. It'll be the same thing. Just some different brands and you won't have to build the crawl box itself.
I guess I just meant I think mine is pretty sweet and yours will be too! lol.

I used this link quite a bit for the install. Not sure if you've seen it. It answered some questions I had during the install though.

Marlin Crawler "Taco Box" into 3.4L Tacoma - RockSolidToys Toyota Solid Axle Swap & 4X4 Forum Facebook

It's an auto trans but the install is pretty much the same. It covers the install itself better than most threads I had seen at the time.

I didn't have to drill out the plates from Trail Gear like they had to do with their Marlin in that link. Not sure about Inchworm.

Really though getting a assembled crawl box like you got will be pretty easy to install. Just get your transfer case out and put them together on the bench and you can function check it all sitting there before you put together.

I can't think of any real "wish I'd seen this coming" moments right now. If you have any particular questions when you're working away PM me and I can send you my number.

 

[jkeith.w]

Cross member is in! It came out great. A little more work than anticipated.... but ain't it always.

I used a Front Range Off-Road Tacoma t-case cross member.

Mounting to every bolt along the case. this leaves a big advantage for how high you can tuck everything up in there and cover it with the skid plates because the cross member does not go below the t-case.


One thing I've learned is that a body lift (larger the easier) would have made this whole process way wayyyy easier... I've really wanted to refrain from using one since I started this build and that stubbornness resulted in a lot of extra work... but in the end I'm happy as can be. If you are considering triple sticks or using this cross member a body lift of an inch or more would save you a lot of work.

would it give you room to cheat the tank up a bit as well? it's be nice to get rid of some low-hanging fruit between the wheels...

 

[owyheerat]

Thanks

Yup. It'll be the same thing. Just some different brands and you won't have to build the crawl box itself.
I guess I just meant I think mine is pretty sweet and yours will be too! lol.

I used this link quite a bit for the install. Not sure if you've seen it. It answered some questions I had during the install though.

Marlin Crawler "Taco Box" into 3.4L Tacoma - RockSolidToys Toyota Solid Axle Swap & 4X4 Forum Facebook

It's an auto trans but the install is pretty much the same. It covers the install itself better than most threads I had seen at the time.

I didn't have to drill out the plates from Trail Gear like they had to do with their Marlin in that link. Not sure about Inchworm.

Really though getting a assembled crawl box like you got will be pretty easy to install. Just get your transfer case out and put them together on the bench and you can function check it all sitting there before you put together.

I can't think of any real "wish I'd seen this coming" moments right now. If you have any particular questions when you're working away PM me and I can send you my number.

I never replied to the Bandit Runner bumper comment. That was a lot of work and a lot of fun. Pretty cool, now everytime I open the double swing outs, I'm reminded...I built this. I had a lot of help from my son, which was really cool.

That was informative. I think I might have came across that early on during my research, but had since forgot about, so thanks for the link. I'm sure I will refer to during install.

I'm still a little confused on triple sticks. Do they give you any added function over the other option I am considering?

Also, I stole your idea for fresh water. That is the best / simplest design I have seen. I'm currently working on my rear storage, and am curious where you got your latches / handles for your drawers?

Durwin

 

[EatonKyleH]

would it give you room to cheat the tank up a bit as well? it's be nice to get rid of some low-hanging fruit between the wheels...

I would think so. Don't really know for sure though. I don't have a body lift on mine.

I never replied to the Bandit Runner bumper comment. That was a lot of work and a lot of fun. Pretty cool, now everytime I open the double swing outs, I'm reminded...I built this. I had a lot of help from my son, which was really cool.

That was informative. I think I might have came across that early on during my research, but had since forgot about, so thanks for the link. I'm sure I will refer to during install.

I'm still a little confused on triple sticks. Do they give you any added function over the other option I am considering?

Also, I stole your idea for fresh water. That is the best / simplest design I have seen. I'm currently working on my rear storage, and am curious where you got your latches / handles for your drawers?

Durwin

That's awesome. Building something yourself adds so much emotional value; especially being a family project. That's really cool. I like the dual swing outs. I don't know that I've seen that on many 3rd gen bumpers.

Nah. If you don't care about the stick being in the cup holder I'd probably just keep the single J pattern shift on the rear case. I don't think I'd even twin stick it. You'll still have 2 wheel drive low range. You will just put the crawl box in low and leave the stock case in normal 2 high. A twin stick would make the throw of each stick straight back and forth instead of a J-pattern but I don't see that being very useful if you've already cut out the cup holder. Being a straight back and forth throw is needed when trying to fit them all in the stock location. But since you don't care about that you could just leave the stock shifters on both cases. Save some money and install hassle.

I use 2 wheel drive low range A LOT more than I thought I would. Backing trailers, tight camp spot turns, etc. It is a really nice bonus to all of this.
But like I said you'll get that without twin or triple sticks.

Glad you found the water unit. It works great! The faucet is really adjustable and the max flow is very similar to a home sink.

I used these latches/got them here.

Allegis Corporation

 

[EatonKyleH]

King and Solo are done.... now the brown suited men are coming.



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[jkeith.w]

Ya the Front Range cross member is sweet. They are a local company to me, great to deal with, and really innovative.
You'll likely have to modify it slightly to fit the 4Runner. The width and bolt pattern are the same as the Tacoma it was designed for so its not a big deal just need trimmed on the passenger side to fit the tunnel of the 4runner.

Am I understanding correctly that the factory transmission mount can be eliminated with this mount?