Itskohler's Not-A-Build Thread

[itskohler]

Pictures Of The Fun Stuff​

Purchased in late February for $3,500 from a local seller. Picture below from the ad on Marketplace. Wasn't the first person in line by a long shot, but the first person with cash in hand.

Shot of the first day I had it in my driveway, realizing a childhood dream of owning one of these. The excitement was real!

Obviously, the internet said the 4Runner looks better without the steps, and the internet can never be wrong right?

Immediately took it out after that with the pups, since "I only bought it to haul the dogs".

Since then its been all maintenance and other wrenchings. We did find time to do some camping! She's going to kill me if she see this...

Got my 4runner back from the body shop after an accident, then immediately deployed for work so progress has been slow. Was able to get a custom license plate though and took the better half paddleboarding as soon as I got home!

Deploying the awning for the first time.

 

[itskohler]

Maintenance, Mods, Accessories​

Below is a snapshot of the maintenance that's been done to date. The plan is to update this post with a screenshot instead of typing it all out. I've had a request to make the spreadsheet available for someone else to use. If you'd like one let me know! I can send one over.

Of note, ordered the wrong damn LBJs from Camelback, and they wont accept the return to get the right ones. Those will be on order soon.

One of my other, more expensive hobbies is biking. I settled on the 1Up super duty rack, in black, double carrier. If you're in the market just do yourself a favor and get this. It's pricey, but it looks so damn good and is stout! When I purchased the rack I got the hitch lock and 2 wheel locks for peace of mind.

5th gen springs with KYBs installed. Raised the rear up a good bit, the front about an inch or so.

ATW/3 tires in 265/75r16 installed today, 08FEB21.

Got my MXT275 wired up. Used an Add-A-Fuse on the Wiper fuse. The only blank slot I had didn't get any power at all. Found a ground via a bolt holding a bracket on the left kick panel, no idea how good of a ground it is but it works for now. Using a 4A fuse on the radio just incase.

Ignore the mess.

Sherpa Antero installed!

 

[itskohler]

Questions, Comments, Concerns​

- I noticed a groan coming from the front end on our 3 hour trip to the Ozarks. It only occurs when the truck has been driving for a while, and happens when pulling away from a dead stop. The dealership couldn't replicate it, and I'm at a total loss trying to figure it out since it's intermittent. Has anyone experienced anything similar? Happens in forward and reverse.

- After doing the valve cover gaskets it will start weak after warm. Doesn't have any trouble starting, but doesn't sound strong like it does from cold. Thinking it may be the IAC or worn out vacuum lines.

 

[Mayniac]

[MENTION=523841]itskohler[/MENTION]

Nice build. I am also thinking of swapping the coils on all four corners with the ones from a 5th Gen 4Runner. Was it a straight swap to install the springs? or did you have to perform any modifications? I will be using these with Bilstein 5100s.

Thanks

 

[AlblineStar808]

[MENTION=523841]itskohler[/MENTION]

Nice build. I am also thinking of swapping the coils on all four corners with the ones from a 5th Gen 4Runner. Was it a straight swap to install the springs? or did you have to perform any modifications? I will be using these with Bilstein 5100s.

Thanks

would love to know as well.....

 

[itskohler]

would love to know as well.....

[MENTION=523841]itskohler[/MENTION]

Nice build. I am also thinking of swapping the coils on all four corners with the ones from a 5th Gen 4Runner. Was it a straight swap to install the springs? or did you have to perform any modifications? I will be using these with Bilstein 5100s.

Thanks

Yes it was a straight swap. Front is the most straight forward, rear actually took much less time though oddly enough.

Here's what it looks like today. Just had some 265/75r16 tires put on.

 

[tripped38]

Maybe a dumb question. But did you use KYB's on the front as well? This looks perfect! I don't need a monster truck, but a little more belly clearance would be great!

Thanks

 

[itskohler]

Maybe a dumb question. But did you use KYB's on the front as well? This looks perfect! I don't need a monster truck, but a little more belly clearance would be great!

Thanks

I did, yes. I can go outside and measure the hub center to fender if you'd like.

 

[tripped38]

If you could when you get a free moment that would be great! I am in no rush for that number. I need to thaw my truck out before I can take some initial numbers. Its a frozen heavy pig right now

 

[itskohler]

If you could when you get a free moment that would be great! I am in no rush for that number. I need to thaw my truck out before I can take some initial numbers. Its a frozen heavy pig right now

Sure thing. 21.5 on both fronts, 22 in the rear.

 

[3bears]

thanks for posting those numbers, thats where I would want mine to sit, thats about a 2 inch lift, I did a 3 inch on previous 4runner, and now not sure I need that much. plan on doing new springs/shocks this spring. See you ran KYB's. Did you get 3rd gen specific KYb's or did you have to bump them up to 5th gen also ? How is the ride ? Are the 5th gen 4runner springs progressive ? WOnder if they will take the weight of an ARB up front and not sag too much ?


thanks

 

[itskohler]

thanks for posting those numbers, thats where I would want mine to sit, thats about a 2 inch lift, I did a 3 inch on previous 4runner, and now not sure I need that much. plan on doing new springs/shocks this spring. See you ran KYB's. Did you get 3rd gen specific KYb's or did you have to bump them up to 5th gen also ? How is the ride ? Are the 5th gen 4runner springs progressive ? WOnder if they will take the weight of an ARB up front and not sag too much ?


thanks

I believe I got the KYB 3rd gen specific springs. Ride seems fine to me. This is my first "lifted" vehicle, all of ky other vehicles have been lowered or kept stock. I have no idea if they're progressive. There's a thread somewhere on here that goes over the 5th gen springs and they might have found that out, just don't remember. I'd think it might sag a little. What does that bummer weigh?

 

[3bears]

I believe I got the KYB 3rd gen specific springs. Ride seems fine to me. This is my first "lifted" vehicle, all of ky other vehicles have been lowered or kept stock. I have no idea if they're progressive. There's a thread somewhere on here that goes over the 5th gen springs and they might have found that out, just don't remember. I'd think it might sag a little. What does that bummer weigh?

kind of me too on suspension mods, if it was a truck it got stonger spings and I did not think about "lift" My last 4runner I did lift, My other rigs of the past....bmw, volvo....lower was better


as far as what the "bummer" weighs...that and winch about +160 after removing stock, or so I was told

 

[itskohler]

kind of me too on suspension mods, if it was a truck it got stonger spings and I did not think about "lift" My last 4runner I did lift, My other rigs of the past....bmw, volvo....lower was better


as far as what the "bummer" weighs...that and winch about +160 after removing stock, or so I was told

Didn't even notice my typo haha. I'll see if I can get you some news with that kind of weight on the nose soon. This ice storm has me locked indoors for a few days.

 

[itskohler]

Got into an accident a few weeks ago. Another car failed to yield at a stop sign and clipped his front bumper with my front bumper. Impact wasn't sever, but hard enough to shift the battery forward and snap the grounding wire.

Doesn't look bad, however the shop quoted my 2200 to fix. And that's just the body work, brackets, bumper, etc. The front tire is toe'd in, steering wheel has a good bit of play, and tire rubs now when turning in any direction. Was found not at fault earlier today and dropping it back off at the shop on Monday.

 

[JerkyDrewster]

Glad no one was hurt in the accident! Hopefully the suspension/steering won't be too much of a pain to fix.

Are you thinking of going aftermarket with the bumper now? Did you get a chance to look at the mounting points to see if they were bent at all?

 

[itskohler]

Glad no one was hurt in the accident! Hopefully the suspension/steering won't be too much of a pain to fix.

Are you thinking of going aftermarket with the bumper now? Did you get a chance to look at the mounting points to see if they were bent at all?

I dont have a need for an aftermarket bumper, just going oem. We'll see how bad the damage to the suspension components and steering gear are when they tear it down.

 

[itskohler]

Got my Sherpa Antero rack in today. Total wait time was under their estimated time so I'm considering myself lucky. Kinda anticlimactic putting it on a vehicle I can't even drive right now, but I really like it! While it's in the shop I'll be on the hunt for used Pelican cases to put on the roof to hold camping equipment and a small bit of recovery gear.

 

[itskohler]

Got my 4runner back from the body shop after an accident, then immediately deployed for work so progress has been slow. Was able to get a custom license plate though and took the better half paddleboarding as soon as I got home!

 

[itskohler]

Have been mostly just driving and enjoying the FurRnr over the past few months. Had to pay a dealership to do the rear axle seals and had them go ahead and just do the rear brakes as well. They also diagnosed a loud scratching noise in the engine bay that popped up after a 3k mile road trip. They discovered it was the alternator "caused from the belt being over tightened". I reminded them that they were the ones who replaced the belts after I snapped the AC tensioner bolt. They supposedly kicked it up the chain to see if there's anything Toyota would cover, but I'm doubtful I'll hear anything back in my favor.

I was able to mount up my awning and take it out this past weekend. Water was very low, so I gave the wife a heart attack and drove onto the lakebed just to take some pictures