Kingofthehill's Build and Maintenance log, Project "Faux Pro"

[kingofthehill]

I have been a member of quite a few automotive forums over the years but I have never started a build thread of my own. I finally feel like I have modded a vehicle enough to start one. I always have liked clean builds that are not completely over the top. The first vehicle I ever started modding was an 1986 Toyota pickup. I didn't do a lot to it. I replaced the carpet, installed a custom stereo, Installed bucket seats, and did a HID Projector retrofit (something I never want to attempt again, even though I loved those headlights.)

I sold that truck for a 1985 toyota celica. I didn't mod this vehicle bacause the previous owner ragged on it so hard I was constantly replacing parts to keep it running.

I then parked it and got a Prius. I had to start driving 140 miles a day and gas was over $3.00s. I did mod my prius a little. I installed body side moldings, huskyliner floor liners, weathertech cargo liner, LED light bulbs, JDM window visors, Euro mudflaps, Sharkfin antenna, and clazzio seat covers.

Once I graduated college and got a job I wanted to get something fun that I could tow with on occasion. So I transferred my prius to my dad (he wanted to keep miles off his Tundra) and I found a pristine 2005 4runner at a local Toyota dealer that was owned by an older couple. I paid more than I should have for it but I am happy and I told the dealer what I was going to pay. They wanted a lot more than it was worth.

To start the overall goal with this project is to build my 4runner as a TRD PRO. I have wanted a TRD PRO since I first saw one. But I am a broke recent college grad and can't afford a $50,000 vehicle. So I decided why not build an older vehicle and make it look and feel similar to the PRO models. My goal is to upgrade it to be equivalent or better. I started by making a rough outline of what is improved on the current PRO models over my 2005 4th gen 4runner.

• Aluminum Skid Plate
• TRD Pro Badging
• Hood Scoop
• Bilstein Suspension
• LED Taillights
• Projector Headlights
• All Terrain Tires
• TRD Alloy Wheels
• Heritage Grille
• Touch screen radio
• Red Front Coils
• Rear spoiler
• TRD Shift knob
• Leather seat covers with red stitching​

After making a rough guide I started by planning my build. I split it into 3 stages to make it seem less overwhelming. I have already finished stage 1 of my build and have started stage 2.

Stage 1 (Appearance) COMPLETE:

• WeatherTech Floor Liners
• TRD Pro Badges on rear Pillars

○ Debadge SR5 emblems​

• Replace Grill with Black Grill
• Install Touchscreen Radio
• 4runner Snowflake Wheels

○ Full Size matching spare wheel​

• TRD Key Fob AJT Designs

○ Spare Fob​

• Replace Toyota Emblems

○ TOYOTA 75442-16530
○ 4RUNNER 75431-35020
○ Front Emblem​

​

Stage 2 (Performance: Suspension, Engine, and Lighting):

• Install Lift kit

○ Wheeler T1/T12 Springs
○ Bilstein 5100 Shocks
○ KYB Strut Mounts​

• AFE Pro Dry S Air Filter
• 2006 LED tail light conversion

○ 81551-35320 (Right housing)
○ 81561-35280 (Left housing)
○ OEM LED tail light Install w/ pics - Toyota 4Runner Forum - Largest 4Runner Forum​

• 2006 Projector headlight conversion

○ HID or LED Headlight Bulbs
○ LED Foglight or Yellow Halogen bulbs
○ LED High beams​

• All TerrainTires
• RCI Aluminum skid plate and Filler Plate
• Exhaust SS: Gibson or Magnaflow
• Raptor Lights Mod

○ 3X - Optronics LED Trailer Clearance or Side Marker Light - Submersible - 6 Diodes - Amber Lens - 12V Optronics Trailer Lights MCL66AB​

Stage 3 (Final Details: Optional):

• Camburg UCAs or Rancho
• C4 Fab Winch Bumper with Low Bar

○ Warn Winch
○ OME 886 Springs​

• Black with red stitching seat covers (Clazzio or Katskin)

○ TRD Pro stitching on head rest​

• Sport hood w/ Hood scoop
• Rear Hatch w/ Factory Spoiler
• Paint Toyota Cement
• Satoshi Grill Mod
​

Stage 3 is the final details, this is also stuff that I consider optional. I would like to do them but it wont bother me if I can't get them finished. In stage 2 I went with 5th gen snowflake wheels because I think they look a lot better than the stock ones and I wasn't able to track down TRD PRO wheels for a decent price. I also think the wheels I got look better than the PRO wheels do on 4th gen 4runners.

 

[kingofthehill]

Complete List of Mods (updated: 07/15/2019):

• ScanGauge II
• Prodigy P3 Brake Controller
• WeatherTech Floor Liners
• TRD Pro Badges
• Black Grill
• Sony XAV-AX100 Carplay Touchscreen Radio
• 5th Gen 4runner Snowflake Wheels
• TRD Key Fob by AJT Designs
• Wheeler T1/T12 Springs
• Bilstein 5100 Shocks
• AFE Pro Dry S Air Filter
• 2006 LED tail light conversion
• X2Power 24F Battery
• Beamtech LED Low and High Beam Headlight
• Yellow Halogen Foglight bulbs
• WeatherTech Bug and Stone Deflector
• Energy Suspension Front sway bar bushings
• Toyota TRD Shift Knob PTR51-00110
• Energy Suspension Rear sway bar bushings
• K&N Cabin Air Filter VF2002
• RCI Engine Skid Plate and filler plate
• Front Window Tint
• 5th Gen Positive battery terminal cover
• 1/4" spacers
• Goodyear Wrangler Duratrac 255-75R17
• Diff Breather Mod

States I have visited with my 4runner:
<a href="https://m.maploco.com/visited-states/mine.php?states=AR-CO-MO-NM-OK-TX"><img src="https://map1.maploco.com/visited-states/ml/AR-CO-MO-NM-OK-TX.png" border=0><br>Create Your Own Visited States Map</a>

 

[mjotrainbrain]

Looks good so far, I like your plans with this rig! Going to take it offroad at all?

 

[kingofthehill]

Looks good so far, I like your plans with this rig! Going to take it offroad at all?

Probably not going to do a lot of offroading with it. Maybe one day but for now it is my daily driver. I forgot to mention in my original post I have a 1976 FJ40, that my Grandpa built, I I use to go offroading. One of the reasons I wanted some towing capacity was to haul my FJ to the trails. There is not a lot of good places to offroad here in Texas so I need to trailer it at least 80 miles to the closest park.

 

[kingofthehill]

I have been having issues with my front end making squeaking noises at slow speeds when turning, hitting a bump, or braking ever since I installed my lift kit. I decided to change out my front sway bar bushings to see if that might help. I installed energy suspension bushings. It was about a 20 minute job. Hardest part was dropping front skid plate. lol. So far it sounds like my front squeaking is mostly gone. I will know for sure after a few days of driving it. I also got a sway bar kit for the rear I have yet to install.

Edit:
It has clearly not solved my squeaking suspension problem. It is a little quieter but still clearly there. does anyone have any suggestions as to what can cause my squeking suspension. Sounds like it is only coming from the front end.

 

[kingofthehill]

I think i figured out my suspension noises. If anyone wants a look my issues are detailed here. I endend up putting it on ramps in the front and jack stands in the rear so that I could torque the LCA bolts while keeping the weight on the suspension.

I installed a bolt lock on my hitch this week. It is pretty sweet. I now have a lock on my hitch that is keyed to my 4runner keys.

 

[kingofthehill]

Uoa - 2018-07-17

I just got my UOA back. This is from a couple oil changes ago. I forgot to send it in. I am currently at about 4,500 miles on my current oil and I am going for 10,000 miles. Ill send in a sample of this to to make sure 10,000 is not too much.

 

[kingofthehill]

Not a whole lot to do this weekend. Its has been 108°F here. I did install an LED light into my third brake light. I also polished the lens with meguiar's Plastx. It looks a whole lot better and made it easier to see the LED light.

 

[tv4184]

Nice build man. You're doing exactly the kind of build I'm doing with my 4th gen. Should meet up if I'm ever up north. Our opposite colors would be like Spy vs. Spy haha.

 

[kingofthehill]

Nice build man. You're doing exactly the kind of build I'm doing with my 4th gen. Should meet up if I'm ever up north. Our opposite colors would be like Spy vs. Spy haha.

Thanks. I saw your build a while back. I thought it was cool that you were already modding your while driving it home.

 

[kingofthehill]

I installed OME rear trim packer on the drivers side spring to help compensate for the drivers side lean. After installing the rear is sitting level. The front passengers side is sitting 1/4" higher than the drivers side front. That is with a full tank of gas.

https://wheelersoffroad.com/i-25490059-rear-trim-packer-for-2003-4runner-2007-fj-cruiser-150pr10.html

I also installed a TRD shift knob. It looks so much better than the stock one did.

 

[rickashay]

I also installed a TRD shift knob. It looks so much better than the stock one did.

Truck is coming along nicely! What TRD shift knob is that? Have a P/N? Thx

 

[kingofthehill]

Truck is coming along nicely! What TRD shift knob is that? Have a P/N? Thx

Thanks! Here it is I bought it from a toyota dealer on ebay: TRD Shift Knob PTR51-00110.

 

[kingofthehill]

Over the weekend I did a couple of things. I changed the fluid in my front and rear diffs and my transfer case. I used 75w-90 Amsoil severe gear. I also installed my Energy suspension rear sway bar bushing kit. Lastly I installed BEAMTECH 9005 LED high beams. I haven't driven with them at night yet, Ill add some pictures when I get a chance.

Probably going to need new tires in the next 6-8 months. I am looking at getting BFG KO2 265-70R17 or 275-70R17s. Not sure yet. The latter is only half an inch taller. Has anyone tried that size with Wheelers T1/T12 lift kit before? Does it fit or will I need to do a lot of trimming?

 

[kingofthehill]

Haven't posted much lately. over the last month I have gone on a few road trips. I have put about 3,000-3,500 miles on it. First drove up to Colorado to help my grandma out with some projects around her house that she wants to sell eventually.

My brother and I stopped to let the dogs run at Canadian River OHV. Hit a trail on the way out and got an excellent view at the top of the hill.

Two weeks later I went up to Northwest Arkansas with my parents to help them scout it out. They want to buy a house up there and retire soon. They also want me to consider a move up there.On the way up there we made a spur of the moment stop to check out Devil's Den State park. It was a really cool place.

This afternoon I found a short trail that lead to the lake so that I could let my dog take a swim. Found a nice secluded and well shaded area to park.

I will be doing a 10,000 mile oil change soon. Planning on ordering RCI skid plates and installing them when I change the oil. BTW does anyone know if you can change the oil filter on the V8 with RCI skids without dropping the skid plates?

 

[ian.b.pond]

Hey Man, nice looking build. I'm looking at putting together a lift on my 08' v8 sr5 and the wheelers t1/t12 were one option I was looking at. About how much lift did they give you front and back? Are the fronts on the lowest clip setting? cheers.

 

[kingofthehill]

Hey Man, nice looking build. I'm looking at putting together a lift on my 08' v8 sr5 and the wheelers t1/t12 were one option I was looking at. About how much lift did they give you front and back? Are the fronts on the lowest clip setting? cheers.

I actually completely forgot to get my before measurements so I have no idea how much actual lift I got. I do have the front springs at the lowest setting. Hope this helps.

 

[ian.b.pond]

I actually completely forgot to get my before measurements so I have no idea how much actual lift I got. I do have the front springs at the lowest setting. Hope this helps.

Ah no worries. Have you been happy with the performance of them so far? Spring rates and such? Thanks.

 

[kingofthehill]

Ah no worries. Have you been happy with the performance of them so far? Spring rates and such? Thanks.

I like them a lot. I really like the rears. They are a lot stiffer than the stock ones which make it tow better. The fronts I wish had about 3/8" more lift to better match the rears. Right now the rake is very noticeable but with just a little more lift up front I think it would have a good stance without having a negative rake while driving. I think the 0.85" position on the shocks might be a little to much in the front, Im not sure because I haven't tried it. I think in the future I might add 1/4" spacers to the front.

It drives a lot smoother than it did with the stock suspension. As far as settling I think it has only dropped about an 1/8" if even that. I expected them to settle a little more.

 

[ian.b.pond]

I like them a lot. I really like the rears. They are a lot stiffer than the stock ones which make it tow better. The fronts I wish had about 3/8" more lift to better match the rears. Right now the rake is very noticeable but with just a little more lift up front I think it would have a good stance without having a negative rake while driving. I think the 0.85" position on the shocks might be a little to much in the front, Im not sure because I haven't tried it. I think in the future I might add 1/4" spacers to the front.

It drives a lot smoother than it did with the stock suspension. As far as settling I think it has only dropped about an 1/8" if even that. I expected them to settle a little more.

Awesome, thanks for the info!