Inv4drZm's Build Thread

Got to reading your post a bit closer and realized you are running spacers in the rear. If you truly want the perfect handling beast, you already have the hot setup with the front. Now just add some nice rear coils and you will be set. Your rig will feel much better and perform a ton better in all conditions.

Not running any spacers, just stock springs and 2.5" remote resis for that sleeper look LOL. Planned on getting MT medium or HD coils when new tires are in. I also planned on lowering the front coilover as much as possible as soon as my spanner wrench comes in. Would I need an alignment then if it was close to stock height?
 
If it were me, I would go for a 2" rear coil to match your fronts. You will thank me later. For rear coils, Toytec has a alot of coil spring rates to choose from. For my customers, I ask them what they will be using their rigs for and what kind of weight they will have in the rig when they do go out. So most folks have at least one or two, and sometimes three passengers, a full tank of fuel, a cooler or two, maybe some lawn chairs and maybe an eazy-up deal plus whatever whatnots you may need for you trip. That my friend is a bunch of weight. The factory coils will suck to high heaven with all this cargo and therefore give you a very un happy ride. In fact you will be hitting the rear bumpstops on every little bump all the while your Icons are begging for more.
I would definitely upgrade the coil spring rate in the rear to help make at least some sort of compliant ride with all that weight. I went with the OME 896 and really like it. When fully loaded as such the 2" OME spring provides just enough for a comfortable yet stable ride. I wouldnt go any lighter than these unless its just going to be you and a very light load. The factory coils front or rear are just not up to par when it comes to off roading. Do yourself a solid and upgrade the rear coil spring height and weight rating. You will thank me in the morning. Good luck.
No matter what, you should always have at lest the toe checked after ever raising or lowering since the toe setting on our little beasts are very sensitive to changes. I went from the next to highest setting on my front Bilsteins to the highest setting and had to re set the toe. I didnt like the way it drove, so I lowered it back down and yes, had to re set the toe again. You have everything you need except the rear coils to make this thing light up...If you have the extended rear Icons, you might want to check with Metaltech as they have an extended length coil that might work better with your extended rear Icons. You are almost there my man, dont short change yourself now. Good luck!
 
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Things are finally looking up! To impatient to wait for a spanner wrench, I tried using an old drill bit to spin the adjustment collar and the bit shattered. I then stuck 2 inches of the shattered half inside the collar, and extended it with the stock toyota bottle jack extension. Then a 2ft section of galvanized fence pipe was slid around this to finally budge the passenger side free. Long story made short, I adjusted them all the way up until a couple threads were showing on the top. That passenger side was really wedged! I even sprayed it a bunch with lubricants and jacked it until the tire came off the ground. But the end result is this:



The running boards show its just a hair taller in the front. But it handles a lot better than it did and CV angles are much improved. Can't wait to get back to driving it tomorrow!

As soon as I can afford to, larger tires and rear lift coils are going in!:happy:
 
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I removed the front sway bar today. Noticeable increase in body roll if I'm actually testing it, but with my 700lb coils, some stiffer CDC settings, and some Wheeler's Superbumps in my future, It shouldn't be bad. My brother put those bumpstops on his FJ, and it handles like its on rails! Even with its 5,400lb weight.

Daylight pics and a bad flexing pic for y'all:



 
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Congrats on the sway bar removal. I took both mine off some time ago and never looked back. On and off road, I feel my rig drives so much better. Enjoy.
 
You know your rear coils are too soft when you gun it going 40 and your front end jumps up over an inch at the same time you can feel your alignment going even further out of spec and start wandering all over the road... It was actually fun.
(Did I almost do a wheelie?)

Time to put in my brothers stock FJ coils in the rear as a band-aid.
 
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FJ Rear coils are in. Took me 25 min.

Stock vs FJ:



Sleeper Level Kit Installed:




I also had the chance to peek at the shock shafts when they were extended. Didn't see any "scorch marks."

Still working on my grill today, will post pictures when it looks more presentable.
 
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Still a work in progress, but at least now its starting to resemble something.
I ordered some 1/4" hole and some slotted grille mesh to see what I like the most.
Might end up painting the lower half color-matched white.

 
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I recently started a new thread about clear wrapping my entire vehicle in XPEL Ultimate, and what sparked this was my brother's FJ. Its only been on 5 trail runs to Tuttle Creek ORV and Kansas Rocks, and it has free pinstripes everywhere. I decided I should see how much I can buff out this weekend instead of doing homework...

It always looks the worst right after:



After soapy wash:





I buffed the left half:



Door ding before:



Door ding after:



After:







Its overcast today, but I could only make out two scratches; on the driver's side. I know there are a bunch of little ones everywhere because they reflected off of the work light I had, but I'm telling you, I couldn't see hardly any imperfections at all outside!

Products Used:
  • Clay Bar
  • Chemical Guys V36 and Meguiar's 105
  • Chemical Guys V38- stuff is awesome
  • Meguiar's Sealant 2.0- still beading up water on my 4Runner 4 months later
 
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Replaced the spark plugs yesterday per the 120k maintenance guide. I read my service paperwork and didn't see that the plugs have been changed. I pulled out what I'm pretty sure are the original NGK Iridium IFR6A11 and put in 8 Denso Iridium SK20R11 which I've seen recommended on the forum by Toyota for the 1UZ-FE. (Long-life OEM replacements)

Old plugs:



Long story made short, my engine wasn't running smooth afterward. During idle it would putter and you could feel the engine shake. I pulled all the plugs and rechecked everything and noticed one spark plug was cracked on two sides!



Either it was damaged beforehand, or I over-tightened it or something, but its been running much better now that I've replaced it. Lesson learned.

Just another day in my 4Runner adventure.:love:
And I'm pretty set on going with 35s.:boink:
 
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My bro had his spare off today, so I "borrowed" it.

33s with the leveled coilovers:





The plan is to buy his chunked-out Duratracs on the cheaps as soon as he upgrades in the next few weeks, and use them as a placeholder until I'm ready for 35's; after adjustable links, front bumper and fiberglass fenders.

The suspense is killing me.:help:

Today I also bought Metaltech HD rear coils, TC spindle gussets, Wheeler's superbumps and diff drop... Debating if I should weld the gussets myself or take them to a shop.
 
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Made a new exhaust video today since I sound-deadened and removed the rear resonator. My Dad told me that's not the way a 4Runner is supposed to sound. I'm okay with that.:D

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/VJ63sfRksCA" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>
I need to fix that squeaky seat cushion... Add that to the list.
 
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Wanted to try waxing the T4R today. Used Chemical Guys white light finish and Meguiar's carnauba wax and tried to get decent pictures. I think it looks better than the sealant I had earlier, but we'll see how long it lasts.









I have so many parts sitting around for the rest of my lift, just waiting for the Duratracs!
 
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Wanting to do another report in 5k miles see if anything changes.

Should have my 33" Duratracs on Friday.
 
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Bad news: the duratracs rub on the spindle by the sway bar mounts and can't be mounted on the stock wheels. WTF! The shop is putting the stock tires back on.

Good news: I'll just have to wait on the SCS wheels I already ordered this morning!
 
Got five of these bad boys in!!! 17" SCS SR8 matte dark bronze. All were "blemished" units but I can't tell. Free lug nuts and stickers too!:thumb3:


 
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