Guidos GoldRunner build

[vonguido]

Also I ordered a set of new hub assemblies from one of the guys on the forums - jersey hubs - I was pointed in his direction.
I have a the noise coming from the front right so I figured if I'm replacing one might as well replace them both. So when those get in I'll get them put on and then hopefully move on to some more fun stuff


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[vonguido]

Wow didn’t realize it has been almost a year since I updated this thread....and sadly not much to update at this time.

Life, work, legal fees(step-sons custody battle) have pretty much handcuffed me from doing pretty much anything, Other than drive and oil changes.

The newest addition to the family was born on October 7th, 2017 - Luca Fiorenza - happy and healthy and all smiles.

I do have some updates to add for coming soon, but first an annoying story -
Some jack wagon in my work parking lot backed into the 4Runner which pushed me into what I can only assume was a box truck. They left a note that just said "sorry" :frusty: :frusty: Nothing crazy damage wise but enough to get a decent check from the auto insurance

So an ARB Front winch bumper has been ordered, as well as Bilstein 5100’s w/ OME coils - 886 front and 895’s for the rear.
Tires - I will be running stock tires for a little bit but need some input on tires, looks like 33” is the best for this type of lift? I want a tire that is good in wet conditions as it’s wet a lot in Columbus, Ohio.
I still have wheel hub assemblies I need to put on, I also ordered Powerstop z36 rotors/pads for the front since I will be there removing the old hubs might as well do the hubs and rotors/pads.

For the ARB bumper I see Slee off-road sells an LED fog light kit, anyone running it and their thoughts? Order the Afe pro dry filter, a bunch of gear oil and motor oil for some spring fluid changing.

To do list:
ARB Bumper install
ARB fog light kit or Slee off-road LED kit
Wheel hub assembly install
New rotors/pads
Afe pro dry filter
New battery
RCI sliders in the spring group buy
Electrical management system - tbd

- Sean



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[bombventure]

Wow didn’t realize it has been almost a year since I updated this thread....and sadly not much to update at this time.

Life, work, legal fees have pretty much handcuffed me from doing pretty much anything, Other than drive and oil changes.

The newest addition to the family was born on October 7th, 2017 - Luca Fiorenza - happy and healthy and all smiles.

I do have some updates to add for coming soon, but first an annoying story -
Some jack wagon in my work parking lot backed into the 4Runner which pushed me into what I can only assume was a box truck. Nothing crazy damage wise but enough to get a decent check from the auto insurance [emoji51]

So an ARB Front winch bumper has been ordered, as well as Bilstein 5100’s w/ OME coils - 886 front and 895’s for the rear.
Tires - I will be running stock tires for a little bit but need some input on tires, looks like 33” is the best for this type of lift? I want a tire that is good in wet conditions as it’s wet a lot in Columbus, Ohio.
I still have wheel hub assemblies I need to put on, I also ordered Powerstop z36 rotors/pads for the front since I will be there removing the old hubs might as well do the hubs and rotors/pads.

For the ARB bumper I see Slee off-road sells an LED fog light kit, anyone running it and their thoughts? Order the Afe pro dry filter, a bunch of gear oil and motor oil for some spring fluid changing.

To do list:
ARB Bumper install
ARB fog light kit or Slee off-road LED kit
Wheel hub assembly install
New rotors/pads
Afe pro dry filter
New battery
RCI sliders in the spring group buy
Electrical management system - tbd

- Sean



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Congrats on the newest addition! Adorable!

For tires, check out Toyo’s AT2. It’s what I am running and I love them. Tread life is great and where I live it rains most of the year so I can say with confidence they do great in wet conditions.

Falken Wildpeaks are another recommendation. Based on what I’ve read and info I’ve gathered from other users here, they’re one of those tires a lot of guys run and they all seem to really like them.

Sorry to hear about your 4R though man, but at least you are getting a new bumper out of it! [emoji1]

 

[vonguido]

Congrats on the newest addition! Adorable!

For tires, check out Toyo’s AT2. It’s what I am running and I love them. Tread life is great and where I live it rains most of the year so I can say with confidence they do great in wet conditions.

Falken Wildpeaks are another recommendation. Based on what I’ve read and info I’ve gathered from other users here, they’re one of those tires a lot of guys run and they all seem to really like them.

Sorry to hear about your 4R though man, but at least you are getting a new bumper out of it! [emoji1]

Thank you, Its crazy he's not that small anymore, he almost 7 months old now.
I have had my eye on the Falken's as a couple people in our local 4runner group have them, never thought about the Toyo's. I have to decide on a tire size, I do not want to do a body lift so I'm sure a body mount chop might be in my future at some point. I'm thinking 33's is where I'm going to go in terms of size.

 

[vonguido]

I also order a ram mount so I can mount my phone or tablet while out on a trail. I am currently researching options for power - USB - that is close to the center dash(right side of the HVAC controls) so it can be plugged in and charging. I have seen others do something similar, my only concern would be bouncing around on the trail and the weight cracking the console.

 

[vonguido]

My new box bumper showed up yesterday, along with some other goodies. More pictures to follow.

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[vonguido]

5100’s and OME coils showed up today. Just need to find some time and some buddies to put it on.

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[vonguido]

I need to do a better job of staying on top of this build thread, life seems to always get in the way...but now some updates:

Finally I was able to pick up the ARB Winch bumper from the shop that ordered it in for me months ago. It surprisingly fit in the back of the 4Runner.

So now the bumper and suspension lift are sitting in the garage and have been waiting a few other goodies as well as time...time to install it all, which has been a precious commodity as of late.

Let’s talk wheel hub assemblies for a moment....I had originally ordered a pair from a member on the forum but after 3 months of no hubs I finally asked for a refund. I found another forum member - Marion Bumper2Bumper and after some questions and searching reviews I pulled the trigger.
Called up a buddy and he assisted in the removal and install of the new wheel hub assemblies.
Old vs new:

To say they were past time for replacement was an understatement.
While down there did some inspecting of the CV’s as well as the frame, which all appear to be in good condition but could use some cleaning/touch ups to combat the rust

After driving on the new assemblies for almost 1,000 miles I would definitely recommend them to fellow forum members.

We also installed the new rotors and pads. Thankfully we were able to get the pistons in both calipers to cooperate, although the passenger front was putting up a fight at first. 4Runner stops so much better now.

 

[vonguido]

Tires...

So I had been racking my brain looking at tire options - commonly used, good reviews, material composition, normal environmental factors and the ever important size debate...no not THAT debate lol.

I know I wanted to be around the 33-34” range, however given the current financial status the added work/cost to fit a 34” tire put it out of the question. So I settled on the 285/70/17 which is 0.3” shy of being 33”, so I’ll take it.

I narrowed down the selection to Falken Wildpeak, General X3, BFG AT and the Mickey Thompson ATZ P3.
I have run all of the brands on previous vehicles(the last being Mickey Thompson MTZ’s), minus the Falkens, and they all have decent reviews. The final decision came down to cost, I was able to secure a set of Mickey Thompson’s for a hell of a deal at Discount Tire...Customer ordered them and then came in to have them installed and before they even installed them the customer changed their mind. Well a buddy works there and sold them to me for a heavily discounted rate so I couldn’t pass them up.

Winch:
This leads me to the other goodie that I got a great deal on from a local shop.
I really wanted to get a Comeup Winch - reviews are great, customer service is great...all around great product. With that being said I had to think about the cost/benefit of this accessory.
In comes the Smittybilt X20 10Klb Winch.
Wireless remote, synthetic line, great reviews, and great customer service - with my interactions to date. It’s not a warn or comeup, however it will serve its purpose well.

Below is where the 4Runner stands as of today,

Recently Completed:
Full synthetic mobil one oil change
Power steering fluid swap to royal purple
Diff fluid change
Wheel hub assembly replacements
Front rotors/pads

To do list:
Bilstein 5100/OME coil install
ARB Winch bumper install
Smittybilt X20 winch install
Ram mount for phone/nav install
285/70/17 Mickey Thompson Baja ATZ P3
Trail edition rims or similar
Rear storage solutions




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[vonguido]

I finally got around to doing the HCF Mod and installed the AFE Pro Dry S Filter. Super simple took all of 10mins. Longest part was finding my knife lol.

Removed the rutech bypass and got the old filter out

Old vs New

Out with the restrictive HCF

Nice and new

I haven’t really noticed much of a difference, however haven’t had a chance to do a MPG comparison.

I also added my Overland Bound emblems, I have had them for awhile, however just found them lol. They were packed away from when we moved last summer....

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[vonguido]

Finally had a weekend off from all 3 of my jobs, so with the help of some friends and local 4Runners we set to work with my limited tools to get the suspension lift on....or so I thought.

So after making attempts with the tools/jacks and jack stands and some frozen bolts - after I sprayed them for well over a week. No dice(no air tools or portable impact). So I decided to start working on the install of the ARB bumper until my friend with power tools and more tools could come to assist with the suspension lift.

Painted some of the mount black, so with the 1/2” gap that is left after the bumper is on you don’t see “old man tan”.

I had to call it quits for the night. The next morning my buddy with all the tools came by and made quick work of the frozen bolts.

Out with the old XREAS shock/spring

In with the new OME 886 coils and 5100s

Now looking back at this I wish I would have paid to have the shocks/coils/top hats put together ahead of time. It would have saved the struggle of getting them in, we tried the no spring compressor method but due to the stiffness of the 886 coils and not having the vehicle up high enough - it was high as we could get with the jack and stands we had - we couldn’t jack the LCA up with the shock/coil/top hat. So we had to rent spring compressor kit and go that route. NEVER AGAIN - dangerous and not a fan.
On to the rears:

The upper shock bolts were frozen, so out came the dremel and grinder.

So since I had the XREAS system there were brackets in the rear top shock mount - I’m assuming for the XREAS lines.

Didn’t realize it at first so went to put the bushing/washers on and of course they didn’t fit. So got some help from the Facebook 4th gen group. All you have to do is pry it out and then you’re good.
All better

Finished up around 3am. One thing I have realized in this process is that I’m too old for this without a lift lol.
The next evening I finished out getting the ARB bumper on.

The next morning I drove it cautiously to the 4x4 shop to have the alignment done and the Mickey Thompson 285/70/17 put on.

I expected to rub on the UCA’s a bit due to the back spacing on the OEM wheels and I certainly am with the 285/70/17. I will be picking up a set of 2016 trail rims this Friday, they have a 15mm back spacing compared to the 30 that my rims are. So that will take care of the rubbing.

Before....

After....

Love it so far.

 

[vonguido]

current to do list

Since the lift, tires, bumper have been installed I still have a list of things that need done/wrapped up.

*engine oil change
*diff oil change
*cutting old front bumper cover to make the ARB bumper install cleaner around the front grill
*install winch into bumper
*run wiring for winch
*ram mount in dash install
*re-torque of suspension bolts 4-600 miles after lift install

Things to still purchase:
*new battery
*newer trail rims - get rid of rubbing
*UCA's - my alignment is not great and I don't want to complete kill the new tires
*build rear drawer system

Aside from all that, its just going to be enjoying/driving it. If funds come up sooner than later I would like to get out to Expo west or east...also a roof rack/awning
Anyone have any ideas on maintenance or cheaper mods that I could?

 

[vonguido]

Found a fantastic deal on a set of factory trail rims that came off a 2016. Shout out to Discount Tire for getting it all setup....apparently road force testing is standard now for all balancing. Not gonna complain.

After:

In my opinion these are the best replacement rims for the 4th gen money can buy.


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[LOSTR4]

Looking good! Dirt was never so happy to be on a vehicle of this color!

 

[Toyojay]

clean T4R! Looking to throw some trail wheels on mine too

 

[meltdowner]

I have to admit, I'm not a fan of front bumpers that cover the headlights at all. I really like how you did your suspension and tires, though.

I just bought a 2006 v8 sport and have the 5100s on there as well. I am still not entirely happy with body roll.

Have you considered changing the exhaust?

Also, make sure you grease the hell out of your zerks. It REALLY improves the driving feel. Read the manual about the grease type.

If you have a grease gun, it'll cost you like 20$ to get the proper grease and it's so, so worth it.

 

[vonguido]

Looking good! Dirt was never so happy to be on a vehicle of this color!

"Old Man Tan" for the win!

 

[vonguido]

I have to admit, I'm not a fan of front bumpers that cover the headlights at all. I really like how you did your suspension and tires, though.

I just bought a 2006 v8 sport and have the 5100s on there as well. I am still not entirely happy with body roll.

Have you considered changing the exhaust?

Also, make sure you grease the hell out of your zerks. It REALLY improves the driving feel. Read the manual about the grease type.

If you have a grease gun, it'll cost you like 20$ to get the proper grease and it's so, so worth it.

Understand, to each their own on the bumper, I love the classic look of the ARB on the 4Runner.
The exhaust not really, if it goes then I'll go the DT headers and then finish at the exhaust then.
Zerks are greased...however I'm running no sway bars at the moment until I can get new bushings and extensions for the lift.

 

[horndogst4r]

Awesome build thread. Did the TE wheels help with the UCA clearance? Are you running wheel spacers? Any rubbing in the wheel well?

 

[vonguido]

Awesome build thread. Did the TE wheels help with the UCA clearance? Are you running wheel spacers? Any rubbing in the wheel well?

Thank you. Yes the TE wheels solved all the issues with rubbing the UCA's. I do not rub the wheel well. I'm not a fan of spacers so not running those. The TE wheels offset and this size tire are perfect in my opinion.