Mstudt's SR5 Build & Adventure Thread

[MStudt]

We've been lurking around for awhile, but never had a reason to start a thread until now. Our hopes are to build our new (used) 01 4runner into something that is more camper and forest road friendly then our old vehicle.

As it sits now:


The 4runner needs some work from the get go. For starters it needs new exhaust since the tail pipe rusted off at the muffler. The brakes are pretty well toast, along with the stock suspension. The radio does not work since the antenna seems to have been ripped off, cd portion cuts out, and we don't own any cassettes. It through a couple codes on the way as well, P0440 & P0442. The 4runner is an 01 with close to 115k on it; we're the second owner.

Directory:
MagnaFlow Exhaust
New Antenna
Sleeping Platform Build
Sleeping Platform Carpeting
Emergency Brake Levers
Toytec Lift
CB Install
LED Center Dash Conversion
LED Gauge Conversion
LED Bulb Conversion Chart
Wheels & Tires
Skid Plate Template Build
Sway Bar Links
Andy MOD 2.0 w/real TRAC OFF
DRL MOD 2.0
Eagle Eye 3w LED Cargo Lights

I will continue to add more links as the build progresses. If you see something and need more information on what I've done, feel free to ask.

My actual threads on some of the above topics:
LED Dash Light FAQs
Sway Bar End Links
Andy MOD 2.0 w/real TRAC OFF Switch
Sleeping Platform
Rear Control Arm Build
DRL MOD 2.0

Thanks

 

[Whitson Metalworks]

Nice looking ride, I dig the black! The 4runner of-course lol

 

[MStudt]

Nice looking ride, I dig the black! The 4runner of-course lol

Thanks, black cars tend to run in the family. The goal of course is going to be black on black on black. We're not gonna go crazy and have every single piece on the 4runner black though, just the major components.

This is going to be a slow project, which will most likely entail one project a month a month for now. We're going to start off small, and work our way up to the larger items. I'm sure the suspension is going to be one of the last things that we do.

 

[yota-runner]

Project for the weekend, hopefully everything goes smoothly.

RETURN THAT!! It WILL fail. I'll try to find the thread for you. Go Borla.
edit: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/88678-horrible-experience-magnaflow.html

 

[Millerad1651]

RETURN THAT!! It WILL fail. I'll try to find the thread for you. Go Borla.
edit: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/88678-horrible-experience-magnaflow.html

While his experience was bad, not everyone has problems with them. I've had mine for a while and no problems.

You'll love the sound with it. Nice mellow rumble but doesn't get whiny, and doesn't drone on the interstate.

 

[MStudt]

RETURN THAT!! It WILL fail. I'll try to find the thread for you. Go Borla.
edit: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/88678-horrible-experience-magnaflow.html

Sorry, not happening. I've been running Magnaflow for years on my jeep with no issues at all. Even if there is an issue, they have a lifetime warranty for a reason, and I've used that warranty in the past. That issue was carelessness on my part. I've known about that issue for quite some time now, and it's not just a Toyota issue. If this ends up failing after a year or so I'll pick up a Borla XR-1 muffler at that time. I appreciate the heads up and concern about it, but I think I'll take me chances at this point in time.

While his experience was bad, not everyone has problems with them. I've had mine for a while and no problems.

You'll love the sound with it. Nice mellow rumble but doesn't get whiny, and doesn't drone on the interstate.

That's what I've heard about this specific muffler. I've been looking into these for a couple weeks now, just to make sure it wouldn't have a tuner sound. The plan is to work on this today, and hopefully get it finished in one day well. The only thing I'm worried about are using the band clamps I got. I've heard both sides of the story for them, some people say they suck, and some people say they are the greatest thing. If they end of not working I'll just weld it up at that time. I'll try to get some pictures up if the progress.

 

[MStudt]

First things first, band clamps absolutely suck! Now I know, save time and weld it the first time. All in all things went pretty smooth with the install. I still have some tweaking that I'd like to do. I was thinking about ditching the tail pipe and just dumping it. Any of you have experience with this, is it something you're glad you did?

On to the install:
I started by cutting the inlet fitting off the muffler since the outlet had already fallen off.



Cleaned up


Welded up



Had some extra day light left, so I decided to go ahead and remove the running boards. Looks a lot better without them!

 

[thebrandon]

You'll have t post up a sound clip of your new exhaust

 

[MStudt]

You'll have t post up a sound clip of your new exhaust

I was thinking the same thing when I was sitting in the driveway revving the engine. I'll see what I can do about that tomorrow. I'm going to experiment with dumping the tail pipe first and see how that sounds.

 

[98OzarksRunner]

Where in Missouri? I see rocks and we only have rocks in one part of Missouri - all of it!

 

[MStudt]

Where in Missouri? I see rocks and we only have rocks in one part of Missouri - all of it!

We live in the out skirts of Pacific. I've got more rock at this house then I know what to do with, and a lot of sandstone too!

 

[MStudt]

As requested, here is a short video to show how the Magnaflow 12255 sounds on an 01 4runner SR5. Never mind the person trying to run in the beginning and end of it.



The muffler sounds great at idle, but only sounds good while driving. Granted, I only drove it around my road for about 3 minutes. It's a little louder then I'd like when getting up to speed. Once I'm at speed just cruising along it does sound pretty good. I has a nice deep tone it, and even when getting up to speed it doesn't sound bad. Another thing, I was driving with all the windows down and the radio was not on either.

 

[MStudt]

Codes P0440 and P0442

Lets move onto the next issue, and I need some help with this. I'm getting codes P0440 and P0442, along with the VSC OFF and VSC TRAC lights on the dash. My code reader is saying the both are Auxiliary Emission Control problems. The only thing I've done so far is replace the gas cap. Any help would be great.
Thanks

 

[shootmymime]

Oh shiz!!! another Missouri boy! Its about time we get more on here!

Exciting, exciting, exciting!

 

[MStudt]

Lets more on to the next project. I know it's not the best head unit in the world, but it's better then the non-working one we currently have. I'll start on this tonight, and hopefully finish it tonight. There is nothing to installing these, pretty straight forward.

 

[MStudt]

I was going to a write up on installing an aftermarket head unit, but there is already a good one on here that I used for mine. So, instead I'll give a write up on installing an aftermarket antenna.

The broken antenna, I removed the nut with a pair of snap ring pliers


Once the nut was off I'll pulled this out


Then remove the tire


Next, pull the inner fender away and look for the nut holding the antenna on, it's a 10mm nut
RL]

Next I pulled the antenna assembly out, disconnected it, and cut the wire going in to the head unit


From there I positioned the inner fender portion of of the antenna, and connected the adjustable to bracket


Then this


This is the opening where the stock antenna wire came out, I pulled the cut into the cab


After pulling into the cab I removed the grommet to slide over the new wire


I had to remove a couple trim panels in order to access the opening for wire



Then I pulled the antenna wire in the cab,and tucked it under the carpet, the orange is the old wire



After all of this, you just need to connect the new wire to your head unit. I removed the old antenna wire, just so I had no unused wires in the cab. Hopefully this help someone out. Also, I got this antenna from O'Reilly's for $13.99 (CK-US07R).

 

[MStudt]

Already people. I'm getting royally confused on lift options for my 4runner. I know I'm making it harder then it needs to be, but I only know jeep suspensions at this point, and I'm trying to learn as fast as I can about 4runner suspensions. I'm leaning towards getting the Bilstein 5100 adjustable's in the front and Bilstein 5125's in the rear, and that's about all I'm certain on. They're are so many different coils for the front and rear I don't know where to start. At this point there is no aftermarket bumper or winch on the front, and no extra weight in the rear. Although, I'll be building a sleeping platform with drawers in the next couple months and that will add some weight. What would be a good option for springs, and please just don't post the link to the lift facts. I've read that, and I'm only getting more confused, that's why I'm asking.
Thanks,
Mike

 

[NachoPitt]

I am pretty happy with my setup - Tundra Billies on the second clip with the TRD springs in front and LC black shocks and 7.5 wraps out back. Very stable running fireroads and handles well on the street. I have about 10k on the setup and love it.

 

[MojaveMadMan]

Already people. I'm getting royally confused on lift options for my 4runner. I know I'm making it harder then it needs to be, but I only know jeep suspensions at this point, and I'm trying to learn as fast as I can about 4runner suspensions. I'm leaning towards getting the Bilstein 5100 adjustable's in the front and Bilstein 5125's in the rear, and that's about all I'm certain on. They're are so many different coils for the front and rear I don't know where to start. At this point there is no aftermarket bumper or winch on the front, and no extra weight in the rear. Although, I'll be building a sleeping platform with drawers in the next couple months and that will add some weight. What would be a good option for springs, and please just don't post the link to the lift facts. I've read that, and I'm only getting more confused, that's why I'm asking.
Thanks,
Mike

My 2 cents: Run your stock coils in the front until you buy all the heavy stuff. After you install the 5100's once, you will see it's a rather quick and simple job, so no biggie doing it second time down the line. There is talk on running the tundra 5100's, I would read more on that, but I do know you will need a little stiffer valving down the line when you run more weight on the front.

For the rear, I don't have a ton of experience to speak of. But, after reading most of the build threads on here I have seen one common theme with the rear coils. Everyone goes with LC springs, then at some point they aren't happy and they go with the OME heavy springs to compensate for the added load and sag in the back... I know I am gunna save myself the trouble and just go with those out of the gate when it's time!

 

[MStudt]

I am pretty happy with my setup - Tundra Billies on the second clip with the TRD springs in front and LC black shocks and 7.5 wraps out back. Very stable running fireroads and handles well on the street. I have about 10k on the setup and love it.

I was looking into this, but finding these springs used has been a task to say the least. I've found them for $80 used, or $140 new each.

My 2 cents: Run your stock coils in the front until you buy all the heavy stuff. After you install the 5100's once, you will see it's a rather quick and simple job, so no biggie doing it second time down the line. There is talk on running the tundra 5100's, I would read more on that, but I do know you will need a little stiffer valving down the line when you run more weight on the front.

For the rear, I don't have a ton of experience to speak of. But, after reading most of the build threads on here I have seen one common theme with the rear coils. Everyone goes with LC springs, then at some point they aren't happy and they go with the OME heavy springs to compensate for the added load and sag in the back... I know I am gunna save myself the trouble and just go with those out of the gate when it's time!

My stock suspension is completely toast and needs new everything. I've been reading a ton, and seem to see the same thing as you. I'd really like to do it right the first time, but I also don't want to spend $1100 on the set-up. I'd be really nice if I could figure out how to mount some Ballistic Fab 2.5 air shocks. I have 4 of them that I never mounted to my jeep. I just think it's going to be a lot more work then I want to go through.

What I'm really thinking about doing now is this. Running 5100's up front with Toytec/Eibach springs for 3" inches up front. In the rear running 5125's with OME 891's. I figure with the extra weight in front with the new bumper/winch, and the extra weight of the rear bumper. I'm hoping the heavier duty springs will give a good ride.