H20skier70's Build Thread

[H20skier70]

Well first off, I have been a Toyota owner for the past 4 years. My obsession started before that with my Grandfather's pickup.

Then I was finally able to purchase one for myself. My 01 Tacoma DoubleCab 4x4 SR5. I got a heck of a deal on it. I paid $10k for it with 97k miles on it, i sold it at 140k for $12k. I loved this truck, it was just getting a little small for our family and pets.

So I have since upgraded to this Bad Boy. 03 limited V8 with 138K on the odometer for $10k out the door from a toyota dealer, even had them change the timing belt.

So far everything is stock right now with the exception of the 5000K HID low beams in the stock housings and 3000K HID fogs in the stock housings. I know some people have mixed feelings on this setup, but for now I will leave them that way until I can decide on a retro fit that I like. The next couple of months should be pretty interesting. I put in some orders over the last couple of days. I will try to get pictures through the process and keep this thread up to date. Here is a list of purchased items.

Bilstein 5100 Adjustable Front Struts
OME 60004 Rear Long Travel Shocks
OME 2885 Front Coils
OME 2895 Rear Coils
1" Toytec Body Lift
Stem Cushion and Washer Kit
Extended Rear Brake Lines
Differential Drop
Sway Bar Relocate
Spidertraxx Wheel Spacers
SPC Light Racing UCAs
20% Tint (should be interesting, doing it myself. I'll only be out $30 if it doesn't turn out)
Cobra CB 19DX w/ 5' Firestick
Treadwright Warden AT 285/70/17

We do some camping and semi-local trips for offroading. We are looking to get in to the Off-road lifestyle a bit more over the next few years. I know that this will be just the beginning of the mods for this truck. :dance:

 

[NuclearN8]

sounds like a good deal and thanks for sharing your story.
What setting do you plan on using on the 5100's with the 885's?....

I like the color too by the way, I've never seen a 4runner that khaki color. Maybe it's just the lighting or my laptop screen.. is it silver?

 

[H20skier70]

sounds like a good deal and thanks for sharing your story.
What setting do you plan on using on the 5100's with the 885's?....

I like the color too by the way, I've never seen a 4runner that khaki color. Maybe it's just the lighting or my laptop screen.. is it silver?

Probably the lowest or second lowest setting, depends on how much lift I get in the back. I still have to do some more research. I will post up what I end up going with. The color is called Dorado Gold (I think), I wish the color was a little more gold than khaki. I think it will look better when I black out the lettering/badges, wheels, and possibly headlights. I might repaint it in some years to come, not sure yet.

 

[H20skier70]

Still waiting on most of my parts. I'm getting antsy but I am not too upset since its going to be back in the single digits next week. Camburg UCAs and Treadwrights are about 1 month out, then the fun begins. My wife is going to be pissed she wont be able to park in the garage for a week or so. :moony: I got a couple things in the mail so far and bunch more should be showing up early this coming week.

I also bought a couple of switches from Air On Board (great alternative to OTRATTW) I got a "traction" switch to do the VSC, TRAC, & ABS Mod and I got a "Power" switch to do a remote mount CB mod. I have few more parts coming in the mail from www.wearecb.com for that mod as well. With a couple of connectors and an external speaker, I should be able to use the CB without the CB being mounted out in the open. I haven't decide if it is going in the glove box or the center console. Or somewhere else? I'm open to suggestions as long as they are within arms reach from the driver's seat. I am thinking of mounting the external speaker in the random compartment under the climate controls. I will probably do a seperate write up for that and then post a link to it in here when I am done with that.

 

[H20skier70]

Last night I did the Disable VSC, TRAC, and ABS mod, came together great. Wiring in the Switch was the worst part. Now I'm just waiting for some more snow so I can really test it out! I only took these pics since there is already a write up for this and most people know how to solder and heat shrink wires.

I also got a few packages in arty: It really needs to start to warm up some. We were at -15 degrees this morning, not including Wind Chill.

 

[H20skier70]

So I started last night with Tinting the windows.... This is not for me, I dont have the patience. So I will be paying someone to tint them for me. Hey, it was worth the shot! So I moved on to the CB install. I didn't get it fully finished but it is most of the way done. Here is what I have so far.

I purchased a few connectors and an external speaker a week or so ago and they came in the other day.

<a href="http://s1291.photobucket.com/user/H20skier70/media/DF4CGWW1/My%204Runner/4pinpanelmount_zpsf1857d0f.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1291.photobucket.com/albums/b541/H20skier70/DF4CGWW1/My%204Runner/4pinpanelmount_zpsf1857d0f.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 4pinpanelmount_zpsf1857d0f.jpg"/></a>
<a href="http://s1291.photobucket.com/user/H20skier70/media/DF4CGWW1/My%204Runner/4pinmicconnector_zps7383a427.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1291.photobucket.com/albums/b541/H20skier70/DF4CGWW1/My%204Runner/4pinmicconnector_zps7383a427.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 4pinmicconnector_zps7383a427.jpg"/></a>
<a href="http://s1291.photobucket.com/user/H20skier70/media/DF4CGWW1/My%204Runner/externalcbspeaker_zpsec21e487.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1291.photobucket.com/albums/b541/H20skier70/DF4CGWW1/My%204Runner/externalcbspeaker_zpsec21e487.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo externalcbspeaker_zpsec21e487.jpg"/></a>

Then I needed to figure out were to put this thing. Since this is my daily driver and I would only use the CB when I am off road, I didn't want it out in the open and in the way. I dont really use my center consol so I figured this was where I was going to put it. I used a 1" hole saw and drilled a hole in the bottom of the cubby. This is where I ran all my wiring in and out of, it was also helpful to make room for the larger and stiffer Antenna cable.

<a href="http://s1291.photobucket.com/user/H20skier70/media/DF4CGWW1/My%204Runner/20140223_134257_zpswufmbouf.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1291.photobucket.com/albums/b541/H20skier70/DF4CGWW1/My%204Runner/20140223_134257_zpswufmbouf.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 20140223_134257_zpswufmbouf.jpg"/></a>

Next was running the wire for the Mic to plug in to. So I took (4) 18 gauge wires and spun them together, this makes running the wires 100x easier and everything looks a bit more neat. (I did this with the VSC, TRAC, ABS mod wiring as well) To do this, I clamped the ends of all 4 of the wires in a vise and the other ends I taped off and chucked them up in a drill. Then I just ran the drill until they were all spun together tight. I used approx. 5' of each wire to start with, better to have too much then not enough. After stripping approx. 1/8" to 3/16" off the ends of the wires I soldered them to the panel mount connector (female connector). You dont want to strip too much off, they will short out against each other. Note: Write down which wires you soldered to which pins on this connector. The connectors should be marked 1 - 4.

<a href="http://s1291.photobucket.com/user/H20skier70/media/DF4CGWW1/My%204Runner/20140301_205835_zpszxxcmsd6.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1291.photobucket.com/albums/b541/H20skier70/DF4CGWW1/My%204Runner/20140301_205835_zpszxxcmsd6.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 20140301_205835_zpszxxcmsd6.jpg"/></a>

Now it was time to make a mounting hole. Once I figured out where I wanted to mount the connector, I grabbed a 5/8" drill and carefully drilled a hole. The Dia of the connector is .620" so 5/8" is just big enough to fit. If you go any larger you may run the risk of the connector pulling through. (this would be bad)

<a href="http://s1291.photobucket.com/user/H20skier70/media/DF4CGWW1/My%204Runner/20140301_210918_zpsikr8wueo.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1291.photobucket.com/albums/b541/H20skier70/DF4CGWW1/My%204Runner/20140301_210918_zpsikr8wueo.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 20140301_210918_zpsikr8wueo.jpg"/></a>

Next I had to pull the wires through the hole I made in the center consol. Learn from my mistake, you cant run the wires through the hole if the connectors are soldered to both the ends. Now it is time to solder on the Male connector.

<a href="http://s1291.photobucket.com/user/H20skier70/media/DF4CGWW1/My%204Runner/20140301_205843_zps6f7x8c1v.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1291.photobucket.com/albums/b541/H20skier70/DF4CGWW1/My%204Runner/20140301_205843_zps6f7x8c1v.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 20140301_205843_zps6f7x8c1v.jpg"/></a>

After I had everything all soldered together I wraped the entire length of wire with electrical tape. (not needed) Then I ran everything through the center consol and in to where I mounted the CB.

<a href="http://s1291.photobucket.com/user/H20skier70/media/DF4CGWW1/My%204Runner/20140301_220937_zps1s3ebvzl.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1291.photobucket.com/albums/b541/H20skier70/DF4CGWW1/My%204Runner/20140301_220937_zps1s3ebvzl.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 20140301_220937_zps1s3ebvzl.jpg"/></a>
<a href="http://s1291.photobucket.com/user/H20skier70/media/DF4CGWW1/My%204Runner/20140301_211236_zpsrbtmkupo.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1291.photobucket.com/albums/b541/H20skier70/DF4CGWW1/My%204Runner/20140301_211236_zpsrbtmkupo.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 20140301_211236_zpsrbtmkupo.jpg"/></a>
<a href="http://s1291.photobucket.com/user/H20skier70/media/DF4CGWW1/My%204Runner/20140301_211243_zpsy1qnluok.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1291.photobucket.com/albums/b541/H20skier70/DF4CGWW1/My%204Runner/20140301_211243_zpsy1qnluok.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 20140301_211243_zpsy1qnluok.jpg"/></a>
<a href="http://s1291.photobucket.com/user/H20skier70/media/DF4CGWW1/My%204Runner/20140301_220846_zpspdzsz3gy.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1291.photobucket.com/albums/b541/H20skier70/DF4CGWW1/My%204Runner/20140301_220846_zpspdzsz3gy.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 20140301_220846_zpspdzsz3gy.jpg"/></a>

I ran the antenna cable through the floor and the side panels, up to the roof on the driverside, and all the way to the back hatch. Then ran in through an existing hole where there was a wire harness already ran. Out all long and down the side of the hatch.

I am going to have to do some more work on getting it sealed a little better.
<a href="http://s1291.photobucket.com/user/H20skier70/media/DF4CGWW1/My%204Runner/20140316_124105_zpslgmx1es1.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1291.photobucket.com/albums/b541/H20skier70/DF4CGWW1/My%204Runner/20140316_124105_zpslgmx1es1.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 20140316_124105_zpslgmx1es1.jpg"/></a>

<a href="http://s1291.photobucket.com/user/H20skier70/media/DF4CGWW1/My%204Runner/20140322_195702_zpsasylplc6.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1291.photobucket.com/albums/b541/H20skier70/DF4CGWW1/My%204Runner/20140322_195702_zpsasylplc6.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 20140322_195702_zpsasylplc6.jpg"/></a>

<a href="http://s1291.photobucket.com/user/H20skier70/media/DF4CGWW1/My%204Runner/20140322_195713_zpse3eutwrm.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1291.photobucket.com/albums/b541/H20skier70/DF4CGWW1/My%204Runner/20140322_195713_zpse3eutwrm.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 20140322_195713_zpse3eutwrm.jpg"/></a>

<a href="http://s1291.photobucket.com/user/H20skier70/media/DF4CGWW1/My%204Runner/20140322_195719_zpshw2pesly.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1291.photobucket.com/albums/b541/H20skier70/DF4CGWW1/My%204Runner/20140322_195719_zpshw2pesly.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 20140322_195719_zpshw2pesly.jpg"/></a>

<a href="http://s1291.photobucket.com/user/H20skier70/media/DF4CGWW1/My%204Runner/20140316_124040_zps7dczcmnf.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1291.photobucket.com/albums/b541/H20skier70/DF4CGWW1/My%204Runner/20140316_124040_zps7dczcmnf.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 20140316_124040_zps7dczcmnf.jpg"/></a>

Now I haven't ran my wiring for power yet, I didn't have my Volt meter at the shop so I will have to update this when I get that completed. I also didn't mount the External speaker yet either. I was a little hesitant to cut out a hole in the cubby until I was absolutely sure that is where I wanted to have it.

 

[gaterose]

Looks like you're putting together the ingredients for a great build! Welcome to the forum, keep us posted on progress. The CB mic relocation is pretty sweet.

 

[H20skier70]

Thanks!

 

[H20skier70]

Got another package today! Still waiting on my order from Toytec... Camburg UCAs are holding everything up. Im getting more and more anxious to get this all together!

285/70/17 Treadwright Warden AT on BFG All Terrain KO carcus! Looking Great!

<a href="http://s1291.photobucket.com/user/H20skier70/media/DF4CGWW1/My%204Runner/20140307_165655_zpsb4b76mqa.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1291.photobucket.com/albums/b541/H20skier70/DF4CGWW1/My%204Runner/20140307_165655_zpsb4b76mqa.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 20140307_165655_zpsb4b76mqa.jpg"/></a>

<a href="http://s1291.photobucket.com/user/H20skier70/media/DF4CGWW1/My%204Runner/20140307_164401_zpsjheor6gp.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1291.photobucket.com/albums/b541/H20skier70/DF4CGWW1/My%204Runner/20140307_164401_zpsjheor6gp.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 20140307_164401_zpsjheor6gp.jpg"/></a>

<a href="http://s1291.photobucket.com/user/H20skier70/media/DF4CGWW1/My%204Runner/20140316_125437_zpsxgcxx88b.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1291.photobucket.com/albums/b541/H20skier70/DF4CGWW1/My%204Runner/20140316_125437_zpsxgcxx88b.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 20140316_125437_zpsxgcxx88b.jpg"/></a>



<a href="http://s1291.photobucket.com/user/H20skier70/media/DF4CGWW1/My%204Runner/20140307_164351_zpsardu2qph.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1291.photobucket.com/albums/b541/H20skier70/DF4CGWW1/My%204Runner/20140307_164351_zpsardu2qph.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 20140307_164351_zpsardu2qph.jpg"/></a>

<a href="http://s1291.photobucket.com/user/H20skier70/media/DF4CGWW1/My%204Runner/20140307_164342_zpskedviijx.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1291.photobucket.com/albums/b541/H20skier70/DF4CGWW1/My%204Runner/20140307_164342_zpskedviijx.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 20140307_164342_zpskedviijx.jpg"/></a>

<a href="http://s1291.photobucket.com/user/H20skier70/media/DF4CGWW1/My%204Runner/20140307_160944_zpsbktw31nb.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1291.photobucket.com/albums/b541/H20skier70/DF4CGWW1/My%204Runner/20140307_160944_zpsbktw31nb.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 20140307_160944_zpsbktw31nb.jpg"/></a>

 

[H20skier70]

Replaced the front driver and passenger differential seals last night. They were slowly leaking and needed to be replaced. Pretty sure that I am due for a new driver side CV, the dealer I bought my truck from replaced the passenger side one. So Thats going to have to happen soon. While doing the replacement last night I ran in to a different kind of carnage... Tool Carnage! :crybaby: I was not happy.

<a href="http://s1291.photobucket.com/user/H20skier70/media/DF4CGWW1/My%204Runner/20140314_195708_zpswiwgeoqh.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1291.photobucket.com/albums/b541/H20skier70/DF4CGWW1/My%204Runner/20140314_195708_zpswiwgeoqh.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 20140314_195708_zpswiwgeoqh.jpg"/></a>

 

[H20skier70]

Talked to Toytec yesterday about my order. They said that they are still waiting on Camburg to make the Ball joint UCAs I wanted. So they offered me the SPC Light Racing Adjustable UCAs at no additional charge instead. Which actually ended up working out because I was thinking that I would have rather gotten those anyways. So if everything ships out Monday, like I was told, then I should have everything in house by the end of the week. Hopefully everything gets put together next weekend. I'm really looking forward to it, this past month and a half of waiting has gone by very slow. Then it will be ready to test out before our trip to Silver Lake Sand Dunes on the first weekend in May!

I will say that Toytec has done a great job as far as keeping me up to date and working to "make things right". Camburg on the other hand, more than likely, wont be getting any of my business in the future. :flipoff: Not sure they really care too much, but oh well.

 

[t-man]

Very nice, looking forward to seeing more from a fellow Michigander. opcorn:

 

[H20skier70]

Very nice, looking forward to seeing more from a fellow Michigander. opcorn:

Thanks, not too many of us around these parts! lol

 

[H20skier70]

Got the rest of my parts in yesterday; So I got it up on stands and started ripping things out. I struggled with getting the stock ball joints out. After a bunch of swearing, beating it with a BFH, cutting the top off with a reciprocating saw, exploding a small gear puller; I finally got it off with the largest gear puller I had. Good thing I didn't have my face over top of that thing, I thought it put a hole in my fender. The second one I learned from my mistakes and got out fairly quickly with out any destruction to ball joint or anything else for that matter. I quit at 12:30 the first night (late for me) just shy of being done with the front. The next day I finished both the front and rear, I broke a bolt that hold the rear sway bar to the axle housing. I tried to use an easy-out to get the bolt out and ended up breaking the easy-out of in the bolt. So I tack welded the bracket on either side of bracket. I haven't gotten the body lift installed yet, I need to get a buddy that has some time to spare. once that is done I found a guy to mount and balance my tires and do an alignment for $94 total, Freaking cheap! So hopefully I'll have time to get in to that guy this week and finish everything.

So hear are some pics, for your viewing pleasure.

<a href="http://s1291.photobucket.com/user/H20skier70/media/DF4CGWW1/My%204Runner/20140328_133415_zpsoqmdwbpp.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1291.photobucket.com/albums/b541/H20skier70/DF4CGWW1/My%204Runner/20140328_133415_zpsoqmdwbpp.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 20140328_133415_zpsoqmdwbpp.jpg"/></a>

<a href="http://s1291.photobucket.com/user/H20skier70/media/DF4CGWW1/My%204Runner/20140328_214355_zpsgbksuq49.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1291.photobucket.com/albums/b541/H20skier70/DF4CGWW1/My%204Runner/20140328_214355_zpsgbksuq49.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 20140328_214355_zpsgbksuq49.jpg"/></a>

<a href="http://s1291.photobucket.com/user/H20skier70/media/DF4CGWW1/My%204Runner/20140329_092655_zpsaceawdmz.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1291.photobucket.com/albums/b541/H20skier70/DF4CGWW1/My%204Runner/20140329_092655_zpsaceawdmz.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 20140329_092655_zpsaceawdmz.jpg"/></a>

<a href="http://s1291.photobucket.com/user/H20skier70/media/DF4CGWW1/My%204Runner/20140329_092707_zpshkh6zsbh.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1291.photobucket.com/albums/b541/H20skier70/DF4CGWW1/My%204Runner/20140329_092707_zpshkh6zsbh.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 20140329_092707_zpshkh6zsbh.jpg"/></a>

<a href="http://s1291.photobucket.com/user/H20skier70/media/DF4CGWW1/My%204Runner/20140329_092751_zpsboe8og31.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1291.photobucket.com/albums/b541/H20skier70/DF4CGWW1/My%204Runner/20140329_092751_zpsboe8og31.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 20140329_092751_zpsboe8og31.jpg"/></a>

<a href="http://s1291.photobucket.com/user/H20skier70/media/DF4CGWW1/My%204Runner/20140329_092805_zpsnogx3rck.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1291.photobucket.com/albums/b541/H20skier70/DF4CGWW1/My%204Runner/20140329_092805_zpsnogx3rck.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 20140329_092805_zpsnogx3rck.jpg"/></a>

<a href="http://s1291.photobucket.com/user/H20skier70/media/DF4CGWW1/My%204Runner/20140329_192517_zps1ud1de6a.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1291.photobucket.com/albums/b541/H20skier70/DF4CGWW1/My%204Runner/20140329_192517_zps1ud1de6a.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 20140329_192517_zps1ud1de6a.jpg"/></a>

I need a serious alignment!!! I'm trying to correct the toe in before I drive it to get the alignment. I'm worried about the tires pulling off the rims.

<a href="http://s1291.photobucket.com/user/H20skier70/media/DF4CGWW1/My%204Runner/20140329_192531_zpszaotykf6.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1291.photobucket.com/albums/b541/H20skier70/DF4CGWW1/My%204Runner/20140329_192531_zpszaotykf6.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 20140329_192531_zpszaotykf6.jpg"/></a>

<a href="http://s1291.photobucket.com/user/H20skier70/media/DF4CGWW1/My%204Runner/20140329_192554_zpsaezkvy2g.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1291.photobucket.com/albums/b541/H20skier70/DF4CGWW1/My%204Runner/20140329_192554_zpsaezkvy2g.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 20140329_192554_zpsaezkvy2g.jpg"/></a>

<a href="http://s1291.photobucket.com/user/H20skier70/media/DF4CGWW1/My%204Runner/20140329_192629_zps9zjn9if6.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1291.photobucket.com/albums/b541/H20skier70/DF4CGWW1/My%204Runner/20140329_192629_zps9zjn9if6.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 20140329_192629_zps9zjn9if6.jpg"/></a>

This is the best pic I have so far. This is just the suspension lift and no new tires. I will get more good pics when we take our trip up to the dunes in a month, once I have everything finished and installed.

<a href="http://s1291.photobucket.com/user/H20skier70/media/DF4CGWW1/My%204Runner/20140330_161128_zpsojjuyo8e.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1291.photobucket.com/albums/b541/H20skier70/DF4CGWW1/My%204Runner/20140330_161128_zpsojjuyo8e.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 20140330_161128_zpsojjuyo8e.jpg"/></a>

 

[H20skier70]

Well, this has been the project from hell. I'm sure that others have had worse times, but man if it could go wrong it definitely did. I still don't have the body lift installed, my main focus is getting the tie-rods adjusted to take the toe out of the wheels. I got the passenger one loose but the driver's side is giving me fits. The stupid lock-nut wont break loose even after PB Blasting it several times as well as letting it soak overnight. I hopefully will get a buddy over here to help with the body lift, if not I may be enlisting the help of my wife! If I get everything done this weekend I can get the tires installed this week. Then I will only have any necessary trimming left to do.

If anyone has any insight as to what might work better to get the tie-rod adjusted, I would greatly appreciate it!

 

[t-man]

Well, this has been the project from hell. I'm sure that others have had worse times, but man if it could go wrong it definitely did. I still don't have the body lift installed, my main focus is getting the tie-rods adjusted to take the toe out of the wheels. I got the passenger one loose but the driver's side is giving me fits. The stupid lock-nut wont break loose even after PB Blasting it several times as well as letting it soak overnight. I hopefully will get a buddy over here to help with the body lift, if not I may be enlisting the help of my wife! If I get everything done this weekend I can get the tires installed this week. Then I will only have any necessary trimming left to do.

If anyone has any insight as to what might work better to get the tie-rod adjusted, I would greatly appreciate it!

Did you try heating that sucker up?? I had to do that with several bolts on my truck when I put my Billy's in. I haven't looked to see the tie rods, don't know if they are to close to rubber or something. Worth a try though. Worst case, use water to cool the parts quickly, or it just doesn't work.

 

[H20skier70]

Did you try heating that sucker up?? I had to do that with several bolts on my truck when I put my Billy's in. I haven't looked to see the tie rods, don't know if they are to close to rubber or something. Worth a try though. Worst case, use water to cool the parts quickly, or it just doesn't work.

That was my next thought. I think it shouldn't melt anything, problem is I lent my torch to my dad. I think he is out of town for the weekend too. I'll probably just go buy another one though. Thanks for the idea though, if anything it reaffirms that it is a plausible solution.

 

[eddiebx]

<a href="http://s1291.photobucket.com/user/H20skier70/media/DF4CGWW1/My%204Runner/20140329_092707_zpshkh6zsbh.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1291.photobucket.com/albums/b541/H20skier70/DF4CGWW1/My%204Runner/20140329_092707_zpshkh6zsbh.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 20140329_092707_zpshkh6zsbh.jpg"/></a>

The ball joint is installed backwards...you need to face flat side (with the SPC) outwards away from the engine. Compare it to the pictures in the instruction sheet and it will all make sense, lol.

Basically I would put it in the "D" position which is +2 degree caster and start from there. Also make sure to put the camber adjustment at roughly center of the slot. This makes things easier for the alignment tech if both sides start off equal

 

[H20skier70]

The ball joint is installed backwards...you need to face flat side (with the SPC) outwards away from the engine. Compare it to the pictures in the instruction sheet and it will all make sense, lol.

Basically I would put it in the "D" position which is +2 degree caster and start from there. Also make sure to put the camber adjustment at roughly center of the slot. This makes things easier for the alignment tech if both sides start off equal

wow, talk about looking stupid. I swear I'm not an idiot but I have no explanation for this. I read the instructions over and over, I even sat there wondering why in the hell they would design the ball joint to have their logo on the inside where no one could see it. well it completely make sense now, I apparently cant read. :doh: I certainly have had smarter moments lol.

Thanks for the smack in the back of the head!!!

 

[eddiebx]

wow, talk about looking stupid. I swear I'm not an idiot but I have no explanation for this. I read the instructions over and over, I even sat there wondering why in the hell they would design the ball joint to have their logo on the inside where no one could see it. well it completely make sense now, I apparently cant read. :doh: I certainly have had smarter moments lol.

Thanks for the smack in the back of the head!!!

LOL, don't be so hard on yourself, those LR instructions sure left me scratching my head too. The important thing is you figured this out before the alignment. No harm, no foul