My 4gunner restore, refurb and re-work
- Thread starter Jhelms
- Start date
Jhelms
New member
Happy to help!
The spring compressor is a no name. Case is that of a harbor freight kit but the quality is MUCH better. I bought mine off the ebay after seeing some positive reviews and nearly killing myself with multiple harbor freight kits. Best money I have spent in ages! The kit is sort of a clone to the scangrip compressor which is NICE. But this is 1/3rd or less the price.
Auto Macpherson Interchangable Fork Strut Coil Spring Compressor Extractor Set | eBay
Yes, the ultra gauge does codes. Cannot recall if it resets but I think it was in the menu - do not quote me on it. Will look at it when I mount the 2nd one in the silver gunner today.
Jhelms
New member
So far, mileage looks to have taken a small hit. Last fill showed 16.3 but that did not count as I had a lot of idle time while I let the AC run as I installed the stereo and played with the ultragauge setup (so darn hot here). That was with a mix of city and freeway. Will report back actual on the next fill as there was not much idle time on this tank.
They spec the weight at 58lbs on the 265/75/16 toyo MT. So combined with the stock 5 star which I would guess weighs 22-25lbs... We are talking 80+ lbs per corner. And it was quite noticeable when mounting them back on as I was already tired from other projects.
Unner
New member
They're C load and weigh 60 lbs a piece?! My 255/75/17 BFG M/T's weigh 47 I believe, C load as well.
PhdNPrerunners
New member
Yup they are a little under 59 lbs. I was really surprised how heavy they were after I got them. How's the noise with the muds?
Jhelms
New member
I purchased from these guys...
1996 2002 Toyota 4Runner 4DR Carpet Pass Area Any Color | eBay
The front carpet is great - easy to install per the photos. The rear carpet is a joke and I do not recommend it.
Both are made by ACC ACC: your authority for custom automotive carpet, floor mats, and more which seems to charge a HUGE amount in comparison to Aardvark on ebay.
1996 2002 Toyota 4Runner 4DR Carpet Pass Area Any Color | eBay
The front carpet is great - easy to install per the photos. The rear carpet is a joke and I do not recommend it.
Both are made by ACC ACC: your authority for custom automotive carpet, floor mats, and more which seems to charge a HUGE amount in comparison to Aardvark on ebay.
Unner
New member
Windows up radio/AC on it's not bad at all, just don't expect it to be like riding in a Mercedes or something on plain street tires. Windows down they're louder obviously, but nothing unbearable. They're actually quieter on the interstate I believe. More wind noise to drone the tires out I guess. They seem to have gotten a tad bit louder after I rotated them this weekend, but I could just be imagining that. I'm still happy with them.
Jhelms
New member
Due to a very generous local FJ owner, I just picked up a full front and rear suspension set from an 05. Will do some playing this weekend :bravo: Thanks to seads505 for his post!
Working on getting a 2nd set of 05-09 FJ springs as well for the silver gunner as I will lift both gunners equally.
New parts list for the white gunner that I just ordered in. Will have this war turtle mostly finished other than timing, water pump, fan clutch, idlers / fan idler, oil pump, cam and crank seals, valve cover gaskets and so on. Will do those when temps get into the low 80's.
- Bilstein 5100 24-188265 for the FJ front springs. These are the tundra version. Ordered a set for both gunners along with 2x KYB SM5184 strut tops for whitey
- KYB KG54317 Gas adjusts for the rear of the white gunner (already installed on the silver gunner)
- Poly sway bushings, rack bushings 18-1115, 18-1116 and 18-701
- New Aisin wheel cylinders for the rears 47550 35190
- Same Callahan 13wl tundra brake caliper, rotor and pad set as I put on the silver gunner
- Stop Tech Stainless lines for the fronts x950.44007
- Front and rear stainless speed bleeders
- DENSO 950-0100 fuel pump
- Revtek RTDD1-KB Differential Drop Spacer Kit(s) for each gunner. I figure if I get a 2" lift over my 01 and 02's saggy sock springs, or even a 1.5" lift... this diff drop should get my CV angle back to almost stock / low stress
Working on getting a 2nd set of 05-09 FJ springs as well for the silver gunner as I will lift both gunners equally.
New parts list for the white gunner that I just ordered in. Will have this war turtle mostly finished other than timing, water pump, fan clutch, idlers / fan idler, oil pump, cam and crank seals, valve cover gaskets and so on. Will do those when temps get into the low 80's.
- Bilstein 5100 24-188265 for the FJ front springs. These are the tundra version. Ordered a set for both gunners along with 2x KYB SM5184 strut tops for whitey
- KYB KG54317 Gas adjusts for the rear of the white gunner (already installed on the silver gunner)
- Poly sway bushings, rack bushings 18-1115, 18-1116 and 18-701
- New Aisin wheel cylinders for the rears 47550 35190
- Same Callahan 13wl tundra brake caliper, rotor and pad set as I put on the silver gunner
- Stop Tech Stainless lines for the fronts x950.44007
- Front and rear stainless speed bleeders
- DENSO 950-0100 fuel pump
- Revtek RTDD1-KB Differential Drop Spacer Kit(s) for each gunner. I figure if I get a 2" lift over my 01 and 02's saggy sock springs, or even a 1.5" lift... this diff drop should get my CV angle back to almost stock / low stress
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Do you think that spring compressor would work for lift springs? I just used a cheap harbor frieght special to compress my toytec springs in order to move up to the 2nd notch on the tundra 5100's. As always, I'm worried that they'll pop off and put a hole in my shop wall or worse. I have experienced them breaking, luckily with no injury or significant damage. I found this one on amazon for a decent price and I might pick it up for future work if it will work for lift springs as well as stock car/truck springs.
Jhelms
New member
I do not see why it would not work perfectly for a lift spring? Just has to grab onto the spring in two places and squeeze as it would any spring. 
Your link did not work. A poorly designed spring compressor is nothing to mess around with and is VERY dangerous. After the last ones I had came apart violently and unexpectedly.. never again. VERY pleased with this kit - built like a tank and with the threads greased, smooth as silk when compressing the spring.
Avoid this heaping pile of crap like the plague
http://www.harborfreight.com/single-action-strut-spring-compressor-43753.html
These will work, but strip easily and are a pain in the arse. Also dangerous
http://www.harborfreight.com/macpherson-strut-spring-compressor-set-61601.html
The kit I posted is as safe as I can imagine and takes no time at all to compress the spring / little effort.
Your link did not work. A poorly designed spring compressor is nothing to mess around with and is VERY dangerous. After the last ones I had came apart violently and unexpectedly.. never again. VERY pleased with this kit - built like a tank and with the threads greased, smooth as silk when compressing the spring.
Avoid this heaping pile of crap like the plague
http://www.harborfreight.com/single-action-strut-spring-compressor-43753.html
These will work, but strip easily and are a pain in the arse. Also dangerous
http://www.harborfreight.com/macpherson-strut-spring-compressor-set-61601.html
The kit I posted is as safe as I can imagine and takes no time at all to compress the spring / little effort.
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Maybe I'll give it a try. I like the ones I used in the shops I've worked at, but dont have access to one anymore since I've changed professions and they are kind of spendy. Not worth it for the number of times I would use it. But something like the one you used might be.
I didn't post a link, just referring to the one you have. The one I found on amazon is the exact one you have pictured here. I just don't like flea-bay. Great work and some good info.
I didn't post a link, just referring to the one you have. The one I found on amazon is the exact one you have pictured here. I just don't like flea-bay. Great work and some good info.
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Jhelms
New member
Same one is on the Amazon as you mentioned
Amazon.com: Universal Interchangable MacPhearson Fork Strut Coil Spring Compressor Tool Set Automotive Suspension Maintenance Kit: Automotive
Amazon.com: Universal Interchangable MacPhearson Fork Strut Coil Spring Compressor Tool Set Automotive Suspension Maintenance Kit: Automotive
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Jhelms
New member
I gotta say, the AZFJ forum / club has been AWESOME. They totally hooked me up on the springs I was looking for, and as of tomorrow I will have sets for both 4runners. Good people! The day I own an FJ, I know they will be as close as family. Picking up parts - was able to see some pretty sick rigs!
AZFJ ? Forums ? Home
AZFJ ? Forums ? Home
Jhelms
New member
- FJ springs going in both 4gunners this weekend with tundra bilstein 5100's on the fronts of both. Part numbers available in previous posts on the struts
- Will be doing the callahan tundra upgrade on whitey with speed bleeders and stainless stop tech lines
- Will be replacing rear wheel cylinders on whitey + speed bleeders
- Drain and fill on the tranny on whitey
- Oil change and drain and fill on the silver gunner
New project I did not have planned... Started to smell fuel on the 01 SR5 after a fill up and sometimes after but we could not find a leak. Wife said the ultra gauge was throwing a potential P0442 today with the gas cap tight (common symptom it seems of the check valve) Seems like the fuel tank check valve is having problems. With the mileage, just going to replace both on both 4runners. While I am in there, I will do the fuel pumps on both as well since the tanks will be dropped. Per Azbub, I will also be checking both charcoal canisters for cracks or issues.
For the 01-02 gunners:
- Check valve P/N: 77390-35010
- Check valve gasket P/N: 77177-33010
- Fuel Pump / Assembly gasket P/N: 7716960010
- Fuel pump, direct denso factory replacement P/N: DENSO 950-0100
- Will be doing the callahan tundra upgrade on whitey with speed bleeders and stainless stop tech lines
- Will be replacing rear wheel cylinders on whitey + speed bleeders
- Drain and fill on the tranny on whitey
- Oil change and drain and fill on the silver gunner
New project I did not have planned... Started to smell fuel on the 01 SR5 after a fill up and sometimes after but we could not find a leak. Wife said the ultra gauge was throwing a potential P0442 today with the gas cap tight (common symptom it seems of the check valve) Seems like the fuel tank check valve is having problems. With the mileage, just going to replace both on both 4runners. While I am in there, I will do the fuel pumps on both as well since the tanks will be dropped. Per Azbub, I will also be checking both charcoal canisters for cracks or issues.
For the 01-02 gunners:
- Check valve P/N: 77390-35010
- Check valve gasket P/N: 77177-33010
- Fuel Pump / Assembly gasket P/N: 7716960010
- Fuel pump, direct denso factory replacement P/N: DENSO 950-0100
PhdNPrerunners
New member
Is your ultragauge the new verizon that reads trans temps? Never seen them with a green numbers.
Jhelms
New member
Notta, I plan a manual temp gauge with pre-post cooler readouts so I did not need it on the gauge. I have heard it does not work anyways with 9141 on our 4runners? At least that is what ultra gauge says.
They are green because I used green gel film from concert lighting / can light sheets (it is high temp). Took apart the gauge and placed it over the top of the LCD. Makes the gauge perfectly green. To note, you need to up the minimum brightness to 30% once you apply the film. You can change the ultra gauge any color you like with film like this.
They are green because I used green gel film from concert lighting / can light sheets (it is high temp). Took apart the gauge and placed it over the top of the LCD. Makes the gauge perfectly green. To note, you need to up the minimum brightness to 30% once you apply the film. You can change the ultra gauge any color you like with film like this.
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Jhelms
New member
Fj lifts went great today Happy with the results
- Did the lifts on both 4runners
- Measurements are not settled much, drive around the block and 1/2 tanks of gas. Stock springs were shot and riding low. Big improvement visually
- Wish the lift gave .25 - .5 more in the rear. This will be an easy fix when I recover
- Used #2 spacer setting on the 5100s
- Did the tundra upgrade on the white gunner with stainless lines
- Bled 4 containers of fluid through the white gunner - Was BAD. Looked like used green motor oil... slightly more transparent
- Did sway bushing front and rear on the white gunner
Silver 4runner FJ lift. Ground to fender (these springs looked almost new)
Drivers front 2 1/16"
Pass front 2 1/16
Rear drivers 2"
Rear pass 2 1/16
White FJ lift. Ground to fender (these springs looked to have some miles and I used stock / crushed strut mounts / KYB's not in yet)
Drivers Front 1 3/4"
Pass Front 2"
Rear drivers 1 3/4
Rear pass 1 3/4
That is all I managed today and I am SHOT. General first impression, ride is smoother all around. Driving up on a curb was pure butter!
Silver 4runner front before FJ lift. Ground to fender
Silver before lift
Silver lift after
White lift before
White lift after
Nasty brake fluid
Random shot
- Did the lifts on both 4runners
- Measurements are not settled much, drive around the block and 1/2 tanks of gas. Stock springs were shot and riding low. Big improvement visually
- Wish the lift gave .25 - .5 more in the rear. This will be an easy fix when I recover
- Used #2 spacer setting on the 5100s
- Did the tundra upgrade on the white gunner with stainless lines
- Bled 4 containers of fluid through the white gunner - Was BAD. Looked like used green motor oil... slightly more transparent
- Did sway bushing front and rear on the white gunner
Silver 4runner FJ lift. Ground to fender (these springs looked almost new)
Drivers front 2 1/16"
Pass front 2 1/16
Rear drivers 2"
Rear pass 2 1/16
White FJ lift. Ground to fender (these springs looked to have some miles and I used stock / crushed strut mounts / KYB's not in yet)
Drivers Front 1 3/4"
Pass Front 2"
Rear drivers 1 3/4
Rear pass 1 3/4
That is all I managed today and I am SHOT. General first impression, ride is smoother all around. Driving up on a curb was pure butter!
Silver 4runner front before FJ lift. Ground to fender
Silver before lift
Silver lift after
White lift before
White lift after
Nasty brake fluid
Random shot
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