gm350reratliff
New member
Check out post #7, 11, & 12. I can take some more pics if you want. I may even drill the cross bars on my 5th gen to carry some Treds like this.
My better late than never build thread
- Thread starter gm350reratliff
- Start date
Check out post #7, 11, & 12. I can take some more pics if you want. I may even drill the cross bars on my 5th gen to carry some Treds like this.
wadle5
New member
Ah ha. . .must not of let the photos load all the way on page one last time I was in your thread.
Thank ya sir!
gm350reratliff
New member
Yesterday I added some King 700 lb coils to help handle the weight of the bumper and winch. I also replaced the upper SPC ball joints because one of the originals had some play in it.
Going from 600 lb coils that come with the Bilstein 6112's to King 700 lb coils. Not much difference in height, same amount of wraps but the coils themselves are noticeably thicker.
Out with the old, in with the new.
Here's a picture just before I started with the 600 lb coils at the 4th notch up. The front dropped about an inch with the addition of the steel bumper and winch but it still rode surprisingly well but I wanted that inch back.
Here's a picture after the dust settled last night.
So after spending the better part of yesterday adjusting the 6112's here's some observations on swapping in heavier coils. To start out with, the 6112's at the 4th notch (and 1/4" spacer on the driver side) measured 22 5/8" from the center of the hub to the edge of the fender. The front dropped a full inch when I added the bumper and winch, which I expected. I didn't want to compromise the ride when adding the Kings so I first installed them at the 2nd notch up. Unfortunately, this resulted in the same height as the 600 lb coils at the 4th notch. I removed the coilovers and moved the C-clip back to the 4th notch. Surprisingly, this gave me about 1.5" over what I wanted. The front was high and the ride was rough as the coilovers were topping out on just about every bump. Third times a charm, I removed the 6112's and dropped the C-clip to the third notch up. This puts the front about 1/8" below where it was before the bumper. As long as the kings don't settle any, I'll be happy at this height. If the do settle, looks like I may have to fine tune with spacers above the 6112's.
Another observation, I thought about leaving the front sway bar off and drove the 4runner a little without it after getting the 6112's dialed in. To me, without the sway bar, it simply leans too much for my comfort. The ride does seem smoother but the lean seemed excessive to me. That being said, I re-installed the sway bar since I'll probably be adding an aftermarket roof rack and possibly a RTT.
The other thing I did yesterday was cut some new fender liners out of 1/16" rubber. Unfortunately I broke most of the retaining pins and the replacement pins don't seem to fit right. I dug through the garage and barely came up with enough pins and screws to install the new liners but they're on there!
Going from 600 lb coils that come with the Bilstein 6112's to King 700 lb coils. Not much difference in height, same amount of wraps but the coils themselves are noticeably thicker.
Out with the old, in with the new.
Here's a picture just before I started with the 600 lb coils at the 4th notch up. The front dropped about an inch with the addition of the steel bumper and winch but it still rode surprisingly well but I wanted that inch back.
Here's a picture after the dust settled last night.
So after spending the better part of yesterday adjusting the 6112's here's some observations on swapping in heavier coils. To start out with, the 6112's at the 4th notch (and 1/4" spacer on the driver side) measured 22 5/8" from the center of the hub to the edge of the fender. The front dropped a full inch when I added the bumper and winch, which I expected. I didn't want to compromise the ride when adding the Kings so I first installed them at the 2nd notch up. Unfortunately, this resulted in the same height as the 600 lb coils at the 4th notch. I removed the coilovers and moved the C-clip back to the 4th notch. Surprisingly, this gave me about 1.5" over what I wanted. The front was high and the ride was rough as the coilovers were topping out on just about every bump. Third times a charm, I removed the 6112's and dropped the C-clip to the third notch up. This puts the front about 1/8" below where it was before the bumper. As long as the kings don't settle any, I'll be happy at this height. If the do settle, looks like I may have to fine tune with spacers above the 6112's.
Another observation, I thought about leaving the front sway bar off and drove the 4runner a little without it after getting the 6112's dialed in. To me, without the sway bar, it simply leans too much for my comfort. The ride does seem smoother but the lean seemed excessive to me. That being said, I re-installed the sway bar since I'll probably be adding an aftermarket roof rack and possibly a RTT.
The other thing I did yesterday was cut some new fender liners out of 1/16" rubber. Unfortunately I broke most of the retaining pins and the replacement pins don't seem to fit right. I dug through the garage and barely came up with enough pins and screws to install the new liners but they're on there!
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gm350reratliff
New member
I forgot to add in the post this morning that I also installed some fog lights in the bumper last night. These are the Apex 18w amber driving lights.
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gm350reratliff
New member
I got a couple nice pics of my 4th gen on a little trail ride we took yesterday on Mt. Taylor. Both 4Runners worked flawlessly as expected.
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gm350reratliff
New member
Added a new mule to the stable.
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gm350reratliff
New member
Finally got around to installing the cheap LED lights I purchased off Amazon some time ago. Unfortunately, the lights were a little too deep and prevented the hood from opening. I tried selling them but apparently nobody else wanted them so I decided to trim off some of the cooling fins in order to get them to fit. I also re-drilled the mounting bracket to move the entire light forward around 3/8". I have nearly zero dollars in these lights so if it didn't work out it was no big loss but in the end I think they turned out OK. These are very bright but more of a flood pattern vs. a spot pattern.
This was the very first cut. In the end, I was able to smooth them down nicely and there's still a lot of cooling fin left.
This was the very first cut. In the end, I was able to smooth them down nicely and there's still a lot of cooling fin left.
gm350reratliff
New member
Some more pictures of the Auxbeam lights I trimmed down.
gm350reratliff
New member
Finally, I think I've restored all the pictures in this thread back to how it was before photobucket screwed us all. Luckily, I've been on graveyards the last two weeks which gave me a lot of time to work on moving and restoring pics. If only I worked that hard at my actual job.....:bored:
Time to get caught up. My wife and I were lucky enough to each have another opportunity to attend the FJ Summit in Ouray CO. Both 4Runners did great and we were able to get some great shots of them up there.
Time to get caught up. My wife and I were lucky enough to each have another opportunity to attend the FJ Summit in Ouray CO. Both 4Runners did great and we were able to get some great shots of them up there.
kingofthehill
New member
I finally got around to installing the RCI skid and filler plates today. I purchased these through a group buy last year but just never had time to put them on until today. The timing was good because I also needed to change the oil and install the Fumoto drain valve.
I enjoyed looking through your thread. BTW did you buy the filler piece or did you make it yourself?
gm350reratliff
New member
I bought the RCI filler piece. Could've made it but didn't have the time. I really should just sell it since I no longer need it, it's just sitting there collecting dust.
gm350reratliff
New member
Just because it's fall.
gm350reratliff
New member
More backroad cruising and came across this bridge in western NM. Not exactly sure when it was constructed but this road was at one time as sort of an "underground " route between a couple uranium mines and mills. The road was almost completely on private property so the police didn't have jurisdiction on it so the trucks could run as much weight as they dared to, even pulling double full length overweight trailers. The uranium days are long gone but the road and this bridge remain, connecting the middle of nowhere to just east of Prewitt, NM and I-40. The bridge is completely metal including the roadway which pops and creaks as you drive across, much like walking on all metal scaffolding.
monkeywrenchMoose
New member
This is such a nice build thread, thanks for taking the time to correct the photo embeds too.
I've got an '08 that I just purchased. Thanks for all the ideas.
I am looking at the same RCI skid. Did you buy the full length skid package? Or just the front skid only?
Any reason to buy the full length skid package? Or will the front only be enough?
I've got an '08 that I just purchased. Thanks for all the ideas.
I am looking at the same RCI skid. Did you buy the full length skid package? Or just the front skid only?
Any reason to buy the full length skid package? Or will the front only be enough?
mastergunnera8
New member
Incredible Truck!! Looking to get into the 4runner world soon...
gm350reratliff
New member
Thanks guys!
I actually just purchased the front skid only. I'm planning on getting the rest of the skids at some point. I honestly thought I'd have them by now but I've been neglecting my 4th gen and focusing more on my Tundra.
Just not enough time or money to mod all three at once. I have the front, trans, and transfer case skids on my 5th gen. They have held up pretty good over the last few years.Build looks great!
Would you mind posting a pic of the engine bay. I am thinking about getting that snorkel for mine but curious about your air filter location, brand, etc. I have a V8 so it will be a little different (I think, never looked at a V6 engine bay closely) but at least it will give me an idea of how to start laying everything out in my head.
Also, how do you like the snorkel? Any problems? I am getting ready to install a Pelfreybilt bumper and like you said, I am somewhat concerned about exposing the factory air intake more. That is the main reason for wanting a snorkel (plus, they just look cool) but we also travel down very dusty roads for camping so getting that intake up higher would be nice, too. Not overly concerned for water crossings as we don't go through (hopefully) stuff that deep. For $60 it's worth the piece of mind.
Thanks in advance for any feedback and again, great looking build.
Would you mind posting a pic of the engine bay. I am thinking about getting that snorkel for mine but curious about your air filter location, brand, etc. I have a V8 so it will be a little different (I think, never looked at a V6 engine bay closely) but at least it will give me an idea of how to start laying everything out in my head.
Also, how do you like the snorkel? Any problems? I am getting ready to install a Pelfreybilt bumper and like you said, I am somewhat concerned about exposing the factory air intake more. That is the main reason for wanting a snorkel (plus, they just look cool) but we also travel down very dusty roads for camping so getting that intake up higher would be nice, too. Not overly concerned for water crossings as we don't go through (hopefully) stuff that deep. For $60 it's worth the piece of mind.
Thanks in advance for any feedback and again, great looking build.
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monkeywrenchMoose
New member
Thanks guys!
I actually just purchased the front skid only. I'm planning on getting the rest of the skids at some point. I honestly thought I'd have them by now but I've been neglecting my 4th gen and focusing more on my Tundra.
Do you find that you end up using the trans and transfer case skids on the 5th gen?
I'm just trying to figure out if I'm just being overly nervous? Or is it actually prudent to buy the full protection package?
gm350reratliff
New member
There actually are some minor scrapes on the trans and transfer case skids on my 5th gen. There are also scrapes on the unprotected exhaust pipe on my 4th gen where it crosses under the transfer case. I guess I've been lucky so far.
As far as "needing" them, it all depends on the type of terrain you will be in and how aggressive you be covering it. I'm usually pretty conservative on the trail and try to be aware of what I'm driving over. I also realize that these 4runners are also our daily drivers and we need to be able to drive them home. Yeah, I do have to bypass some of the gnarly trails sometimes. Just the way it goes.
08steelbumper
New member
Grille
Where did you find that grill for your rig? I love the heritage grills but i cant find anything like them for the '08s
Where did you find that grill for your rig? I love the heritage grills but i cant find anything like them for the '08s
