My 2014 TE build thread

[gm350reratliff]

Finally got a chance to install some goodies today. Christmas came a little early.

Before:

Out with the old:

New and much improved:

The rear setup:

 

[gm350reratliff]

After installing the lift, I took it out for a little wheeling to help the springs settle.

Drove it around a little tonight and I am really impressed with how it rides. Still smooth but feels so much more controlled. I flew down some dirt trails tonight that would've shaken a normal vehicle to pieces. The passenger side is about 3/8" higher than the driver side so far (the 4Runner had a 1/4" lean from the factory so I may just live with it, for now). I'm going to try to adjust that out tomorrow and align it if plans go accordingly. Measurements after the install indicate the front was lifted 2.75" and the rear 2.25". Almost exactly the rake I wanted but just a little taller than I wanted. Hopefully the springs will settle evenly.

Now I'm thinking my new-ish BFG 265s seem small. Looks like my 4th gen may inherit those. Well, not until after the new year.

 

[Belaire23]

After installing the lift, I took it out for a little wheeling to help the springs settle.

Garage shot:

Drove it around a little tonight and I am really impressed with how it rides. Still smooth but feels so much more controlled. I flew down some dirt trails tonight that would've shaken a normal vehicle to pieces. The passenger side is about 3/8" higher than the driver side so far (the 4Runner had a 1/4" lean from the factory so I may just live with it, for now). I'm going to try to adjust that out tomorrow and align it if plans go accordingly. Measurements after the install indicate the front was lifted 2.75" and the rear 2.25". Almost exactly the rake I wanted but just a little taller than I wanted. Hopefully the springs will settle evenly.

Now I'm thinking my new-ish BFG 265s seem small. Looks like my 4th gen may inherit those. Well, not until after the new year.

Looks great! I like the set up. What are your rear coils and where did you get your UCAs?

 

[gm350reratliff]

Thanks! I bought everything from Wheelers Offroad. The rear coils are Sway-Away 1.5". Sway-A-Way 1.5" Lift Rear Coil Set

 

[gm350reratliff]

I removed some more preload from the passenger side CO and aligned it today. On the alignment rack, measuring from the lip of the wheel, the 4runner was sitting an 1/8" higher on the passenger side (with a 1/2 tank of fuel) which is close enough for me. So far, the Icons lifted the 4runner 2.5", a little bit more than I wanted but it still has some settling to do and if all else fails, I can adjust the COs down a bit. Still impressed with how it drives. I'm also impressed with the new rear SAW springs. Had a bunch of weight in there today but the rear end never squatted.

The one thing I am not impressed with is the Camburg UCAs. Build quality seems ok but I was only able to get 2.4° of caster with them. I was hoping to get 3.5°- 4° of caster. That being said, the 4runner tracks straight and true so there is a slight possibility my buddy's alignment machine needs to be recalibrated but I doubt it's that far out. If I had to do it over, I would just go with Icon or TC UCAs. Live and learn I guess.

The other weird thing is after a 90+ mile drive home, and a full tank of fuel, the passenger side is almost an inch higher than the driver side.

 

[toyohtadude]

Looks great Ron! That 's about the same amount of lift I'd be looking for. It will be another year before I will be buying the lift. I want to time my purchase with new tires when the OEM tires wear out.

With this lift, what do you feel are the max size tires you can fit without mods for rubbing issues?

Nice work!

 

[gm350reratliff]

Looks great Ron! That 's about the same amount of lift I'd be looking for. It will be another year before I will be buying the lift. I want to time my purchase with new tires when the OEM tires wear out.

With this lift, what do you feel are the max size tires you can fit without mods for rubbing issues?

Nice work!

Thanks man!

I pretty sure a 275/70/17 would fit without rubbing. Even a 255/80/17 would probably fit. However, I'm guessing a 285 may rub a little.

I need to measure the height again today. It feels like the Icons settled a bunch yesterday.

 

[gm350reratliff]

Finally finished my block heater install today. If anybody is thinking of installing a block heater, I strongly advise to get the actual Toyota block heater. The Kats heater needed to be sanded and polished to fit properly in the engine block. Also, the clip that came with the Kats heater is cheesy and doesn't lock the heater in place very solid. It's a good thing the O2 sensor harness runs right in front of the block heater, at least I could zip-tie it to that to prevent it from falling out if/when the clip falls off.

Although I was rather disappointed with the block heater itself, I did find a much easier way to install it. Since I had all 4 tires off for rotation, it was easier to access the block heater location through the driver side front wheel well. The block heater hole is still behind the exhuast manifold but I could reach my hand in there much easier.

Since I will be running a battery blanket and the cord for the block heater is a little short, I picked up a heavy duty 6' 3 into 1 extension cord. I don't need a 6' extension but that's all I could find around here. I plugged both cords into the extension cord and ran it behind the left headlight, down behind the bumper. I used some split loom to cover the end of the extension cord and tied the end to the frame horn, leaving just enough to tuck behind the bumper when I don't need it (like, most of the year). The plug will get tucked away. It's snug but still easy to reach under and get the plug out for use.

 

[wadle5]

How has the block heater been holding up? Morseo how about the touchpad in cold weather? Any issues with it recognizing you putting in your code and locking it with temperature change?

 

[gm350reratliff]

Honestly, I haven't used the block heater once. Usually it's pretty cold when we go to ND but this year was warm so no need for it up there. It's been a unusually warm year for us in NM as well, even at night, so I haven't needed it at work either. There will be much more trips to CO, MT, ND, and MN in the winter so it will eventually get some use.

The touch pad works good although, I don't use it very often. I Have found that if the windshield is dirty it takes a few times to get it to accept the code. I use the heck out of the smart phone app though and that does work great.

 

[gm350reratliff]

Since the license plate lights were out on my 4th gen, I ordered 4 LED replacements and also changed the license plate lights on my 5th gen.

A before and after shot:

 

[NoDak]

Honestly, I haven't used the block heater once. Usually it's pretty cold when we go to ND but this year was warm so no need for it up there. It's been a unusually warm year for us in NM as well, even at night, so I haven't needed it at work either. There will be much more trips to CO, MT, ND, and MN in the winter so it will eventually get some use.

The touch pad works good although, I don't use it very often. I Have found that if the windshield is dirty it takes a few times to get it to accept the code. I use the heck out of the smart phone app though and that does work great.

yeah this winter was way to freaking warm. I was thinking why the hell you putting in a block heater/battery blanket for a vehicle in NM. but then I saw ND winter trips

I would look into this for a extension cord, has lighted ends and flexible down to -35F.

lighted ends to ensure the outlet your plugged into is actually supplying juice to your block/blanket heater.


"25 ft. Power-On Illuminated Plug Temp-Flex-35 Cord"

Since the license plate lights were out on my 4th gen, I ordered 4 LED replacements and also changed the license plate lights on my 5th gen.

have you noticed the led's overwhelm the backup camera?

I have some vleds now, but living with it for now since I don't want to waste the $20 for the 2 leds I have now on another set of lower output.

 

[gm350reratliff]

have you noticed the led's overwhelm the backup camera?

I have some vleds now, but living with it for now since I don't want to waste the $20 for the 2 leds I have now on another set of lower output.

Not yet but I haven't driven it at night with those lights at night yet. If they do indeed overpower the backup camera, I will swap to something else. I like having the camera, especially at night.

 

[gm350reratliff]

Unfortunately, the only update to this thread is more of a complaint/question. Just last year I purchased some ProComp wheels for my 5th gen at Discount Tire along with some BFG KO's. Over the course of the year (25k, and a few tire rotations) the center caps are scratched to hell and the paint on them is peeling. The problem I'm having is two-fold. One, the caps are somewhat seized to all for center hubs. I'm sure I could get them off but I may destroy the caps so before I do that I want to have new caps in hand. Second, the caps barely fit in the center bore of the wheel. I'm super careful when removing or installing the wheels but no matter how careful I am, the wheel really scrapes the center cap. I've done two of the tire rotations myself and discount tire did the last one. When Discount Tire did the last rotation, I brought this to their attention. They called ProComp which stated there was a finish warranty on the wheels but not the caps. I argued the fact that the caps fit too tightly in the wheels but I got the same response.

So my question is, does anyone know of a push-through center cap that will fit these wheels better? I don't want to run without center caps because, IMHO, it looks unfinished unless it's on a race car or truck. The ends of these caps pop off (for use on trucks with manual hubs) so I may try taking just the cap that pops off and adhere it the center of the wheel with some silicone or something.

Anyway, here is a pic of what's going on.

 

[gm350reratliff]

I jumped on the RCI black Friday sale and ordered skid plates for both 4runners. Those skids came in Monday but I wasn't feeling so good that day or yesterday. Today I felt a little better so I decided to install the skid plate on my 5th gen since it also needed an oil change. Along with the skid plate I also ordered the bumper filler piece and the Fumoto oil drain valve. Install was a breeze for all 3 pieces so I'll get right to the pics.

The rest of the skids will come later. Aside from much better protection these skids offer, the other reason to get these is the oil filter door. I hate taking off the entire skid plate just to change the oil filter. I sure wish Toyota would've kept the filter setup like the 4th gen v6 have.

Also, an update to the previous post about the crappy ProComp center caps. I ended up purchasing some cheap satin black caps from Summit Racing. The satin black matches the ProComp wheels good and they seem to fit over the hub better. Long term plans are to replace these ProComps with something better but for now this will work. Sorry no pics of the caps, just envision a plain satin black center cap in each wheel.

 

[gm350reratliff]

Yesterday I had a matte black vinyl piece installed on the hood. Not only does it help break up the white but also it should reduce the glare from the hood scoop, which I don't find that bad but it seems to bug my wife more. I guess because she sits lower than I do. Anyway, I had NM Fleet Design do this piece and I think it came out great. I highly recommend them. Unfortunately, they couldn't wrap the scoop insert due to the tight curves. I'm not sure whether to paint the insert or just leave it as is. What do you folks think?

 

[3wbdriver]

Looks good. Plasti-dip the insert. Most people will probably not even notice the difference.

 

[oljedi11950]

Yes plasti scoop looks a little odd IMO ! Aren't they removable ?

 

[gm350reratliff]

Yeah, the scoop is removable. I'm planning on dipping it, hopefully next weekend if time permits.

Next on the list is a TRDP grill and dip bumper pieces or buy the TRD bumper pieces. My silver bumpers are currently wrapped in black vinyl but it's glossy and looks as if it has a little metal flake in it, which looks a little off with the matte black on the hood.

 

[gm350reratliff]

Happy valentines day to my 5th gen!

I finally installed the TRD PRO grill I purchased from a member here and Plasti-derped the hood scoop insert. Actually, the plastidip matches the vinyl very well.

I will post more pics later. Photobucket is not really cooperating.