Lifted... Now control arm questions

[97FR_brad]

Hello,

Long time reader to 4runner.org. The website helped sell me on the 4runner. Bought my 1997 4Runner 4x4 Limited with 89K miles, no E Lock:ybrick: about 3 years ago. Now its mod time.:naughty:

Just had the SS1.2 lift kit installed by a local shop in LA. (I love the way it looks and fits, I'm 6'4 and can now stand up straight under the tail gate without hitting my head.) Now the shop wants to replace the sway arm bushings, sway bar links, lower ball joint, and upper ball joint/ bushings before alignment. That sounds like a lot of money just listing it. I would rather buy the parts myself and do what I can, then let the shop do anything else.

I understand about replacing all the listed parts to help out with the lift/alignment. And after looking under the truck it seems like that most of the parts need to be replaced soon.

I have attached a couple of photos to help out. I am more of a visual person. The last picture is of a leaky upper ball joint.


General background about level of mechanical ability.

I am a novice at auto repairs, but enjoy wrenching on what I can. I seem to follow directions relatively well. And am limited to what I am can do at the apartment I'm living in. No liquids leaking/spilling on drive-way.

So here are the questions?

1. Lower ball joint removal. I see the 4 nuts, castle nut, and nuts attached to steering rod. Are those the only nuts to remove, before being able to take out the LBJ? From the photo there are some nuts I can't figure out how to get out, are they there for alignment? Besides those different fittings/nuts this seems like an easy bolt off/on job. Is it really though?

2. Sway bar bushing/link replacement. From the photo I have taken this also seems like a bolt off/on job. Any unseen hurdles from your guys past experience?

3. Upper control arms. I have read this is a pain to replace. So I will get the shop to do this one. But if I have to pay for install of upper ball joint and bushing. I would rather just get an aftermarket UCA. I know in the future I'll be interested in bigger wheels.

Thinking about one of these:
Camburg Uniball Upper Control Arms
Camburg Ball Joint Control Arms
Light Racing Upper Control Arms

They all seem good, but a little 4runner.org opinion would help make my decision.

I'll also have the shop replace the steering bushings since there are some pieces that came with the kit that I have know idea of where they go.:wtf:

I tried to search and read all I could before posting this.
Looking forward to the help.

Thanks,
Brad

 

[Buetang.]

Not here to give advice as I'm fairly new to this community and 4Runners a like, but I recently just bought a lift (Toytec OME) for my 02'... From all the reading I did and advice I was given around here, I was pretty dead set on installing a front differential drop @ the same time my lift went in. Is that also something you're considering?

 

[cj80cruiser]

X2 on the diff drop if you haven't did it already....something you could probably do yourself.

Most definitely do the swaybar bushings yourself....very easy and cheap.

As far as Lower ball joint and upper control arm, I'd enlist the help of a local toyota offroad group. That way you have help and can learn what to do so next time you know exactly what's involved.

 

[techno]

Here are some pages from the FSM to help you out

UCA
http://www.ncttora.com/fsm/1996/SIL...oypdf/02rmsour/2002/024runne/sa/fusa/remo.pdf

LCA
http://www.ncttora.com/fsm/1996/SIL...oypdf/02rmsour/2002/024runne/sa/flsa/remo.pdf

And for everything else, search through these links. This is an entire FSM for the 2002 model, but most of it is still relevant for all 3rd gen years.
http://www.ncttora.com/fsm/1996/SIL/fsm/repair.html

 

[brian2sun]

1. Lower ball joint removal. I see the 4 nuts, castle nut, and nuts attached to steering rod. Are those the only nuts to remove, before being able to take out the LBJ?

Yes, that's everything for the LBJs.

From the photo there are some nuts I can't figure out how to get out, are they there for alignment? Besides those different fittings/nuts this seems like an easy bolt off/on job. Is it really though?

Never messed with those, you shouldn't have to either.

2. Sway bar bushing/link replacement. From the photo I have taken this also seems like a bolt off/on job. Any unseen hurdles from your guys past experience?

Easy peezy. DIY.

3. Upper control arms. I have read this is a pain to replace. So I will get the shop to do this one. But if I have to pay for install of upper ball joint and bushing. I would rather just get an aftermarket UCA. I know in the future I'll be interested in bigger wheels.

Thinking about one of these:
Camburg Uniball Upper Control Arms
Camburg Ball Joint Control Arms
Light Racing Upper Control Arms

They all seem good, but a little 4runner.org opinion would help make my decision.

I don't have any 1st hand experience with these, I'm still running my stock upper and lower control arms. But, control arm kits are very pricey and you will save a lot of money if you just do your UBJs and keep running your stock control arms. The aftermarket arms are cool, but if you're not running fast in the desert on a regular basis, they aren't necessary. Lots of people run 35s with stock arms and you're not going to run a larger tire than that without major mods to the fenders/body.

I'll also have the shop replace the steering bushings since there are some pieces that came with the kit that I have know idea of where they go.:wtf:

There are a few write-ups on here if you want to try to DIY. Mine weren't that bad to do.

^^^^

 

[Rockdawg84]

Not here to give advice as I'm fairly new to this community and 4Runners a like, but I recently just bought a lift (Toytec OME) for my 02'... From all the reading I did and advice I was given around here, I was pretty dead set on installing a front differential drop @ the same time my lift went in. Is that also something you're considering?

The SS1.2 comes with a diff drop so his shop should have already installed it. As for upper control arms I would go with the SS shaved UCA you don't get the extra droop that a uniball UCA gives but then again you don't have to run limiting straps to save your cv's. It really depends on how you will use your truck. If your not looking to bomb across the desert every weekend then the shaved are a great way to go and they will save you some money. Good luck

 

[97FR_brad]

Buetang: Thanks for the suggestion. Fortunately, the SS1.2 lift kit comes with the front diff drop.

cj80cruiser: Sounds like the swaybar bushing are easy to replace. Think I will try that one myself. I live in Los Angeles and will look around the net for some local 4runner groups. Thank you.

techno: Wow, that's a lot of information. Thank you very much. This will come in handy!

brian2sun: I'm starting to have second thoughts on those control arms. You and Rockdawg84 have me thinking about calling Steve at Sonoran Steel and just getting the shaved UCA's. That would help save some money and be ready for larger tires in the future. And as far as the LBJ, I'll be ordering parts on Friday and make a decision about installing after seeing the new parts. Thanks.

Rockdawg84: You are correct with the diff. drop. My truck is a daily driver in sunny L.A. And I am wanting to do more traveling and off-roading around the southwest. So not really into racing across the desert all the time, maybe more like meandering across the desert.

Thanks for the information everyone.

 

[Rockdawg84]

Brad,

post up some pics of the pieces that came in the SS kit that you don't know what they go to. Im sure that we can help. Post up some more pics of the lifted runner looks great.:guitar3:

 

[97FR_brad]

Rockdawg84:

All the SS1.2 parts are on
It is some of the parts that came with the steering bushings kit that I need to find out were they go. I will take a pic and post within a few days. I'll also research the manual Techno linked to.

Some more pictures of the 4runner will be taken after the rest of the bushings and ball joints get freshened up.

Glad you like the look. I'm super happy with the new improvements. Can't wait to travel up to Ojai and Pine Mountain. I'll take some fire road pics then.

Thanks,
Brad