Mstudt's SR5 Build & Adventure Thread
- Thread starter MStudt
- Start date
Millerad1651
New member
Why are you mounting spacers? Didn't you get enough clearance with the aftermarket wheels? I'm guessing you just got the two for the front?
MStudt
official vendor
I got wheels with 4.25" of backspacing. I still need to get an alignment and I can't even fit my finger between the UCA and the tire. I plan on picking up some 1.25" in the next month or so. At that point I'll move the 1.5" to the rear and put the 1.25" on the front.
MStudt
official vendor
Skid Plate
Spent some time this afternoon mocking up my own skid plate. I really like the Savage Off-Road skids, but really don't want to pay that kind of money. Take a few measurements and test fit. Did a little trim and fit it again. Fits like a glove!
I plan an doing some more trimming to drop a little weight.
Spent some time this afternoon mocking up my own skid plate. I really like the Savage Off-Road skids, but really don't want to pay that kind of money. Take a few measurements and test fit. Did a little trim and fit it again. Fits like a glove!
I plan an doing some more trimming to drop a little weight.
MStudt
official vendor
What a waste. Ended up not even needing these stupid wheel spacers (SOLD). Oh well!
Had a much needed alignment tonight, wheel spacers removed, and new battery put in. This weekend I'll be getting the sleeping platform finished, hopefully building some sway bar links, and chasing down an annoying clanking sounds coming from the rear.
A little heat was needed to get the tie rod ends to budge.
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MStudt
official vendor
I have about 2 weeks to get everything finished up on the 4runner before we head to Utah for Christmas. With all the snow on the ground right now, that kind of limits me to what I can do on the exterior. So, I've been working on carpeting the sleeping platform today. I must tell you, that carpeting this platform is really bringing back my speaker box building days.
MStudt
official vendor
I finished carpeting the platform over the weekend. I think it turned out pretty good, although the color doesn't match as nicely as I was hoping. I'll try ti get some pictures of the platform in the car this week. We had talked about finding a 2" futon mattress that we could cut down to fit, but that was impossible to find on a budget. Next, we thought about finding a couple chaise lounge chair cushions to fit in the back; yeah no. We ended up scoring a couple Everlast Exercise Mats that are 2'x6' and 1-5/8" thick. Someone left these in the back of my wifes Jeep and forgot we had them.:noidea:
For the next project I'm making 4 new sway-bar links. Everything is going to be yellow zinc coated to help minimize corrosion since it's under the 4runner. I'll be using 1/2-20 B7 threaded rod, grade 8 yellow zinc lock nuts, Energy Suspension poly bushings with washers, and some 1/2-20 yellow zinc rod ends with studs.
I'm thinking about building some of these if anyone is interested. I know there are a couple other people from time to time selling these. If there is an interest I'll make some at a good price. I could sell a set of 2 for $80 and a set of 4 for $120. For anyone who is interested just let me know.
For the next project I'm making 4 new sway-bar links. Everything is going to be yellow zinc coated to help minimize corrosion since it's under the 4runner. I'll be using 1/2-20 B7 threaded rod, grade 8 yellow zinc lock nuts, Energy Suspension poly bushings with washers, and some 1/2-20 yellow zinc rod ends with studs.
I'm thinking about building some of these if anyone is interested. I know there are a couple other people from time to time selling these. If there is an interest I'll make some at a good price. I could sell a set of 2 for $80 and a set of 4 for $120. For anyone who is interested just let me know.
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TheArkMaster
New member
Where in Utah are you coming?
MStudt
official vendor
We're heading to Manti-La Sal National Forest to hopefully do some backpacking. We know it's pretty fricking cold there right now, but things look to be warming up some.
TheArkMaster
New member
It's definitely warmer than the 2 degrees we had last week haha.
MStudt
official vendor
I'm seeing that Gunnison should be in the upper 30's late next week. Not sure how much of a difference in temp it's going to be from Gunnison to where we'll be at.
MStudt
official vendor
I've been working hard on everything this weekend, in order to get things ready for Utah in about 6 days. I've actually only been working today since I decided to act like a kid again and go sledding all day yesterday. ;D
The sway bar links are finished and installed on the rear so far today. I'll try to get the fronts finished as well, but no promises there. The biggest area for body is the rear and my new links should take care of that. The links are overkill to say the least. Everything I used was 1/2" rather than 3/8". That meant I had to drill out the bushings just a little, and drill out the sway bar itself a little as well.
I also got the platform finished and my new sleeping pads in.
The sway bar links are finished and installed on the rear so far today. I'll try to get the fronts finished as well, but no promises there. The biggest area for body is the rear and my new links should take care of that. The links are overkill to say the least. Everything I used was 1/2" rather than 3/8". That meant I had to drill out the bushings just a little, and drill out the sway bar itself a little as well.
I also got the platform finished and my new sleeping pads in.
MStudt
official vendor
The first trip was a success in the 4runner. We left for Kanab Utah on 12/20 and things we looking good until about 3.5 hours later. Just outside of Joplin Missouri the car died; ended up being a faulty fuel gauge (more later). We made it to Oklahoma City Oklahoma that night despite having to drive through an ice storm. Woke up the next morning to find that it was still raining some, and the roads were not to bad at this point. While heading towards Amarillo Texas the rain changed over to light snow, then heavy snow, and then all the people on the road went retarded. Around 7 pm on 12/21 we were finally about 2 miles out of Amarillo sitting in traffic. I started seeing truck after truck driving up the embankment on the side of the highway to get to the service road, so I followed. At this point the roads were so shitty we just stopped at the next exit, and called it a night. Keep in mind that we're now about 38 hours into our 22 hour drive. The next morning we were on the road by 6 am trying to get an early start. The start was slow since all the roads were still completely covered in snow, and the snow had stopped about 8 hours prior to us getting back on the road. By 9 am we were sitting in traffic again, just to find out the highway was now closed from Amarillo Texas to the New Mexico boarder. We finally made it to our destination about 50 hours later.
The fuel issue that started the trip would continue the entire trip. I made sure that I filled up around every 150-180 miles just so I would have to worry about running out. The thing is this, the needle on the fuel gauge was all over the place. At points, I'd have 110 miles and not even use a 1/4 tank of gas, and other times I'd have between 130-150 miles at a 1/2 tank of gas.
After this trip and now have a list of things that need to be fixed or bought. I found a nice section of frame rust that will need to be taken care in the next couple months. The spot in on the passenger side about 12 inches or so in front of the LCA frame mount. Depending on how much frame I need to remove, I might end up replacing these mounts on both sides. I also need to invest in some air bags since the rear end is so bouncy right now. I'll try to get some pictures up in the next couple days, but here is a teaser or our Christmas Day camping spot.
The fuel issue that started the trip would continue the entire trip. I made sure that I filled up around every 150-180 miles just so I would have to worry about running out. The thing is this, the needle on the fuel gauge was all over the place. At points, I'd have 110 miles and not even use a 1/4 tank of gas, and other times I'd have between 130-150 miles at a 1/2 tank of gas.
After this trip and now have a list of things that need to be fixed or bought. I found a nice section of frame rust that will need to be taken care in the next couple months. The spot in on the passenger side about 12 inches or so in front of the LCA frame mount. Depending on how much frame I need to remove, I might end up replacing these mounts on both sides. I also need to invest in some air bags since the rear end is so bouncy right now. I'll try to get some pictures up in the next couple days, but here is a teaser or our Christmas Day camping spot.
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MStudt
official vendor
Been collecting parts for a couple months, and haven't had time to do anything with all of it. This weekend I'll be trying to get some of this stuff put in.
Brand new NAPA lower ball joints, $25 on eBay.
Power inverter, wiring kit, and fuse.
Battery powered led light strips on the left. I got a power bank to run them with on the left. The power bank can be used to run these lights, charge iPods, cell phones, and camera.
New 6-3/4" front speakers, and 5-1/4" rear speakers.
New bug guard and window rain guards.
Got some other things going on as well. I still need to build my skids but I can't seem to find anytime to run by to grab the steel I need. I'm also making some new sway bar links that I'm pretty excited about.
Brand new NAPA lower ball joints, $25 on eBay.
Power inverter, wiring kit, and fuse.
Battery powered led light strips on the left. I got a power bank to run them with on the left. The power bank can be used to run these lights, charge iPods, cell phones, and camera.
New 6-3/4" front speakers, and 5-1/4" rear speakers.
New bug guard and window rain guards.
Got some other things going on as well. I still need to build my skids but I can't seem to find anytime to run by to grab the steel I need. I'm also making some new sway bar links that I'm pretty excited about.
Millerad1651
New member
You'll like those front speakers...just installed the same ones. You'll have to dremel out the sail panel to mount the tweeter, its just a tad too big.
Do you have a link for those LBJs? I'm going to change mine out this spring, and was going to go with NAPA ones...cheapest I've seen is $60+ a side.
Do you have a link for those LBJs? I'm going to change mine out this spring, and was going to go with NAPA ones...cheapest I've seen is $60+ a side.
MStudt
official vendor
Good to know about the tweeter issue. Luckily I just got a dremel that's begging to be used. The LBJ's I found on eBay, and I got lucky. I bought them from someone in California who had them to swap in, but decided to go SAS instead.
