FI460's slow 2005 V8 Build Thread

[FI460]

So I'm finally sitting down to type this after having the 4runner for a few months. Long story short I'd been on the lookout for a v6 and this v8 fell into my lap for a price I couldn't pass up.

Current status:
2005 SR5 4wd V8
220k miles
OME 2885- Bilstein 5100 fronts
OME 2895- Bilstein 5100 rears
Camburg UCA's
265/70-17 Goodyear Duratracs
Flowmaster Super 44
CBI Ditch light brackets with Amazon LED's



When I got it:


Ordered parts:
Flowmaster super 44
Kenwood DDX372
17" Limited wheels

To Do:
Black plasti-dip wheels
Diff drop
Sway bar?


It's going to be a my daily driver to college and a bit of a weekend warrior. I chose the 4runner so I could take it hunting. I figured a Forester wouldn't handle that a well.

Finally, this is my co-pilot. She ok's all purchases.

 

[FI460]

I emailed Wheeler's today about a lift. Josh there suggested a kit for me:

OME 2885 springs for the front.
OME 90021 struts
OME 2895 springs for the rear.
OME 60004 shocks for the rear.

I emailed him my questions but I'm considering just doing springs and shocks without changing the struts. I may just do the full package and do it right once.

 

[NuclearN8]

I emailed Wheeler's today about a lift. Josh there suggested a kit for me:

OME 2885 springs for the front.
OME 90021 struts
OME 2895 springs for the rear.
OME 60004 shocks for the rear.

I emailed him my questions but I'm considering just doing springs and shocks without changing the struts. I may just do the full package and do it right once.

I wouldn't suggest running OME coils on 200K old oem struts. the ride would be unbearable as you'd have no rebound damping at all.. the coil would overpower the aged oem strut. A brand new billstein 5100 barely makes the ride tolerable. the spring rate on the OME is much greater than OEM. the best match for the OME coil are the OME struts, they're designed to work together and so either get everything or nothing ome is my opinion. Again just my opinion.

 

[FI460]

Thanks for the reply Nate. I agree that the struts need to go. I've been going back and forth with Josh for a while. I've decided to go with bilsteins instead of OME shocks partially based on cost. I haven't ordered the lift stuff yet. I'm waiting a bit to burn these tires off as I think they'll look a little ridiculous with a lift.

I did get the kenwood and satellite in. I haven't finished the backup cam install as it's been either very hot or raining...



I really like the unit. I just wish there was a way to turn the display completely off instead of just dimming it.

I also got some cheap led backup lights on. They're so much nicer. I can finally see behind me.

 

[FI460]

Progress! This build is all about baby steps, haha. The lift is on. I didn't take many pictures of the process since my garage is so cramped. It took me way longer than it should have, but I got it done 95% by myself when I had time after school.

Balljoints man... why do they never want to come out? The passenger side balljoint took hours of beating before it dropped out. Of course the press I rented didn't have the the right die to press it out either.

My axle boots were shot too so I went ahead and did those as well.

So here it is:

OME Springs with Bilstein struts and shocks with Camburg BJ UCA's. It hasn't settled so I'll get some more pics when I get tires on there. I dont think I'm going to end up keeping these wheels. I'm going to go to something with a better offset.





I dont remember what we needed to grind, but this was all I had. Do you think the mount is OSHA approved?



And of course one of my best helper. She came out to model the difference in the springs for me.



I've got some lights to deal with. Any advice on those would be great. I have the center diff lock light on and the VSC Off light is on. I probably need to top my diff fluid off as a little leaked out when I changed the axles.

 

[pliance04]

lift parts

Im drawing a blank as to what wheelers is.

 

[dkyleb]

I guess you've never witnessed a bench grinder come unbalanced.

That could have ended pretty badly.

 

[FI460]

Im drawing a blank as to what wheelers is.

Wheelers Offroad is a 4x4 parts shop out of Grants Pass, Oregon. Good group of guys that have hooked a lot of people here up.

I guess you've never witnessed a bench grinder come unbalanced.

That could have ended pretty badly.

Oh I know it. It wasn't my idea and I wasn't standing in the garage for the action... He was just tidying up a bolt so it wasnt on for more than about 10 seconds though. I'm just getting set up in this garage and it turns out I dont have any files or a grinder here, so had to make due with what we had.

After it was done without loss of limb it was too good to not share though.

 

[cpark_12]

I think the only thing that would have made the bench grinder better would be to hold it down on the tires with ratchet straps! It could have been a permanent solution:laugh:

 

[pliance04]

Wheelers

Wheelers seems like a knowledgeable site, and all. Might have to visit or order a few things.

 

[FI460]

I think the only thing that would have made the bench grinder better would be to hold it down on the tires with ratchet straps! It could have been a permanent solution:laugh:

I dislike bench grinders so much I dont know if it will stay in the shop when I get my workbench built. It saved the day when we needed it this time though.

Wheelers seems like a knowledgeable site, and all. Might have to visit or order a few things.

Definitely do if you're getting suspension stuff. I worked with Josh and he was quick to answer all my questions. Pretty good prices too.


I've got a tie rod end to deal with this weekend, and then I'll see if I can find a deal on tires and wheels around here.

 

[FI460]

I finally jacked all four corners up and the drivers side axle is definitely binding...

It's a parts store axle and that side has has the higher spacer to try and correct for toyota lean. I ordered Wheelers diff drop kit so hopefully that solves it. If not I'll probably just remove the spacers.

 

[FI460]

Haven't put the diff drop in yet but the binding seems to be getting better. Maybe the lift has settled some making it happier? I got my skid plate painted before I put it back on.

 

[FI460]

And a gratuitous pic dump. I finally got a few ok pics of the lift and new tires.

I was cleaning dads chimney when I snapped this one: