Nooga_Rock's 2001 SR5 Build

[Nooga_Rock]

Current:
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/163943675@N07/40786728534/in/dateposted-public/" title="IMG_1304"><img src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/892/40786728534_fb8d1b3528_b.jpg" width="1024" height="768" alt="IMG_1304"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Hi guys,

I'm about to install a lift/tires on my 2001 SR5 4runner so I figured I would start my build thread.

I owned a '99 tacoma over a decade ago in highschool. Did some various mods to it but sold it when I graduated thinking I wanted a "sports car" (02 RSX). I've regretted it ever since and always wanted another Toyota 4x4 from that generation.

Here's the truck. I'd make some different style choices, but I have fond memories of it.

I purchased the 4runner with 175k miles for what appeared to be a very good price. The dealer was 2 hours away so I didn't get to examine the 4runner as closely as I would have liked and it was too late to get a mechanic to look at it. After making the purchase driving home, then driving to work the next day I noticed a massive leak in the engine bay that wasn't there when I looked at it. I took it to a local toyota specialist and was informed that the person who had done the previous maintenance had "really messed things up". Needless to say the bill was large. I went ahead and had the timing belt replaced while they were in there. Some other things they fixed were leaking valve cover gaskets, new water pump, new knock sensors, reload the scissor gears (previous dude had messed that up) and some other various smaller things. I paid a lot more in the end than I would have liked compared to the buying price, but am glad that everything has been taken care of and I'm ready to enjoy it.

Here are the pictures from the dealership.

 

[Nooga_Rock]

I initially did some light mods.

I did the deckplate mod which was easy enough.

I also plasti-dipped my front and rear emblems black. I was surprised at how well this worked,was very easy.

I also got some different cleaning products. Bought a dual action buffer and some meguiars ultimate compound which I'll try out later. I got meguiars black plastic restorer which I used on some of the trim. It worked really well.

I ordered a Toytec/bilstein 3" lift, some Pro Comp 51 wheels, and a set of 285/75/16 Cooper Maxx's that I got for a really good deal from discount tire's ebay store, $690 shipped. I went ahead and got a small 1/4" spacers for the front that supposedly will rub the calipers along with some black lugnuts and center caps. Here are the tires. I had 2 shipped to my apartment and 2 shipped to my parents house in order to use the $100 off coupon twice. Pops wants to get a set for his Tundra and paint his wheels black now that he's seen mine :bounce:

I'm going to visit them over the weekend and will use his tools to install the lift. I ordered the coils pre-assembled so I'm hoping it won't be too much trouble. We installed a suspension lift and body lift on my truck so we have some prior experience.

 

[Unner]

Don't forget to loosen and retorque your front and rear control arms after you install the lift to prevent tearing the control arm bushings. It's not a bad job, just don't rush and make sure it's done right.

 

[Nooga_Rock]

Don't forget to loosen and retorque your front and rear control arms after you install the lift to prevent tearing the control arm bushings. It's not a bad job, just don't rush and make sure it's done right.

Thanks, I'll check that out. I also plan on checking the ball joints.

 

[kale2s]

Looks like a real nice rig. The lift isn't bad at all and it makes a world of difference in looks and ride. :rockon:

 

[raKnizek]

Don't forget to loosen and retorque your front and rear control arms after you install the lift to prevent tearing the control arm bushings. It's not a bad job, just don't rush and make sure it's done right.

Can you explain this more? This is my first time hearing of this. Getting an alignment should theoretically take care of the front? Thanks!

 

[rickmum]

Beauty. Looking forward to seeing this one evolve.

 

[Unner]

Can you explain this more? This is my first time hearing of this. Getting an alignment should theoretically take care of the front? Thanks!

When your control arm bolts are tight they basically lock the bushing into position at that ride height. When you change the ride height you are putting tension on those bushings because they can't rotate to the new ride height with the bolts torqued down and tight. So by loosening them and retorqueing them at the right new ride height you prevent putting that tension on the control arm bushings and tearing them. It also makes it much easier to get the front coilovers in if the control arm bolts are loosened, and the rear axle moves easier also if everything is loosened up.

That's probably not the best explanation of it, but do some searching and you'll find the same information.

 

[Nooga_Rock]

Got the lift installed and the new wheels/tires mounted. The lift took a little longer than I was hoping, but we got everything together. I had the entire rear coil/shock assembled only to realize I had put the passenger coil on the driver side and had to redo it :frusty:. Also, getting the bottom connection off of the sway bar links was a huge pain in the ass. I'm loving how the tires and wheels look. They also drive great at this point, almost zero road noise. I'd say it's the same as the normal tires I had on before. I did have to use 1/4" spacers on the front to make the wheels fit over the calipers. I also realized I accidentally ordered 20 black lugs instead of 24... the tire place had some extra chrome lugs to use, but I'll have to order some more black ones.

 

[Unner]

Looks good!

 

[Nooga_Rock]

Got a chance to take it wheeling for the first time since adding the lift and new tires. It performed excellently, granted I was doing mostly light trail riding. I'm really impressed with how smooth and quiet these Cooper's have been so far. We'll see if that holds out with mileage.

We were at Blue Ridge, GA which is an incredibly beautiful area. I prefer it to Gatlinburg. Has amazing outdoors and the quaint downtown is the perfect size and level of tourism. Also got a chance to visit a couple of breweries there. I enjoyed the beers I had from Grumpy Old Men, although they closed oddly early and we didn't get a chance to try more. I was pretty surprised, they kicked a pretty large crowd out at 6pm. I also tried a blonde from Blue Ridge Brewery that was terrible. It's a rare day when I can't finish a beer, but that was one of the few.

The images are taken from riding on the Cohutta wilderness trail, which is part of the Georgia Traverse ride that i'm really wanting to do in the near future, especially after seeing how amazing this portion of the trail was! There was a thick fog that made us miss what I'm sure were some wonderful views, but it also gave the surroundings a sort of haunting beauty that I really enjoyed. I was very frustrated with the number of beer cans along this trail. Whoever is dumb enough to throw trash out in the middle of all that wonderful nature deserves a punch in the face.

<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/163943675@N07/27562844778/in/dateposted-public/" title="2018-04-10 09.36.54 1"><img src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/801/27562844778_ae3ecc053c_b.jpg" width="1024" height="1024" alt="2018-04-10 09.36.54 1"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/163943675@N07/41435412971/in/dateposted-public/" title="2018-04-11 09.23.20 1"><img src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/786/41435412971_a2b98d51ff_b.jpg" width="1024" height="1024" alt="2018-04-11 09.23.20 1"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/163943675@N07/40720958114/in/dateposted-public/" title="2018-04-10 09.36.50 1"><img src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/785/40720958114_c37a02e9ee_b.jpg" width="1024" height="1024" alt="2018-04-10 09.36.50 1"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/163943675@N07/26564320857/in/dateposted-public/" title="2018-04-13 01.18.52 1"><img src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/822/26564320857_03588866d8_b.jpg" width="1024" height="1023" alt="2018-04-13 01.18.52 1"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[phattyduck]

I enjoyed the beers I had from Grumpy Old Men, although they closed oddly early and we didn't get a chance to try more. I was pretty surprised, they kicked a pretty large crowd out at 6pm. I also tried a blonde from Blue Ridge Brewery that was terrible. It's a rare day when I can't finish a beer, but that was one of the few.

If you are at a brewery tasting room, just take the beer back to the counter. They should be happy to give you a different choice! That might be the best way for them to find out that they either have a bad keg or a bad recipe. Blondes at microbreweries are normally a pretty safe choice, if a bit boring.

Trash on the trails is the worst thing about close-by Southern California mountains (hiking, biking or 4WD). It only takes a small percentage of people to ruin it if there are so many out there on the trails.

-Charlie

 

[Nooga_Rock]

If you are at a brewery tasting room, just take the beer back to the counter. They should be happy to give you a different choice! That might be the best way for them to find out that they either have a bad keg or a bad recipe. Blondes at microbreweries are normally a pretty safe choice, if a bit boring.

Trash on the trails is the worst thing about close-by Southern California mountains (hiking, biking or 4WD). It only takes a small percentage of people to ruin it if there are so many out there on the trails.

-Charlie

Yeah if they hadn't been so crowded with a live band going on I would have said something, my friend got a hefeweisen that was also pretty bad. Like you said, blondes are usually a pretty safe bet, but this one tasted like eating raw rising dough.

Next time i'm out I'm gonna try to remember to bring a trash bag.

 

[SilverRidgeRunner1]

Yeah if they hadn't been so crowded with a live band going on I would have said something, my friend got a hefeweisen that was also pretty bad. Like you said, blondes are usually a pretty safe bet, but this one tasted like eating raw rising dough.

Next time i'm out I'm gonna try to remember to bring a trash bag.

Nice ride.... What ur plans, are u going to stick close to stock.

 

[Nooga_Rock]

Nice ride.... What ur plans, are u going to stick close to stock.

I have plenty of things I'm hoping to do, but I'll have to pace myself with them. It took a lot of coaxing with the wife to do the lift/rims/wheels already.

I'm hoping to eventually have Rock Sliders, Front Bumper, Rear Bumper, Roof Rack, Roof Tent, Rear locker, Re-gear, Winch and so on

 

[Silver Supra]

Great build!

 

[Acorn22]

Don't forget to loosen and retorque your front and rear control arms after you install the lift to prevent tearing the control arm bushings. It's not a bad job, just don't rush and make sure it's done right.

Man I wish I had known that like 8 months ago... My uca bushings make a super annoying creaking now, I guess because I didn't do this when I lifted mine.

 

[Nooga_Rock]

My fog lights weren't working so I changed out the bulbs with some Yellow LEDs. I can't decide how I feel about them yet, I sort of wish I had gone with amber. Yellow looks amazing on some 4runners/tacos, but I'm wondering if it only works on the newer angular body styles. I'm gonna give it some more time and more chances to actually check out how they look before I make up my mind.

The tiny screws to change the bulbs are really easy to strip. One of them was already stripped before I even started from the previous owner. Fortunately it was wallowed out enough that I was able to use a regular phillips head size to get it undone.

<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/163943675@N07/40786306184/in/dateposted-public/" title="2018-04-16 11.05.12 1"><img src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/804/40786306184_cca4d0ea35_b.jpg" width="1024" height="1024" alt="2018-04-16 11.05.12 1"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Also got to go to a local beer fest this weekend. It was pouring (rain and beer), but was still a really cool even. Lots of local beer and homebrew beer as well as sliders from local restaurants. It was hosted at the Chattanooga Choo-Choo, a really cool venue.

<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/163943675@N07/40606324305/in/shares-brBa29/" title="2018-04-14 06.31.30 1"><img src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/890/40606324305_96d703bfc6_b.jpg" width="1024" height="1024" alt="2018-04-14 06.31.30 1"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>