Road Bull's 2002 SR-5 timeline.
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- Start date
Road Bull
Senior Member
Savage skids install day!
I had been priming, painting, second coating, and waiting for these skids to dry enough for install. I will say that I underestimated my task and the time it would take. I found myself racing against the clock for sundown. I knew I would lose my daylight advantage and things would become exponentially more difficult.
I eventually figured it out. However, I wish that there was some just basic instructions on what holes these go in and the order in which to put them and perhaps any tips to assist along the way to make it easier. I was able to go back and look at a few different write ups and find out where others had run into a little bit of difficulty and sorted it out.
When I removed the factory skids I noticed there was a dead bird up tucked up under my skid plate. Perhaps I hit him, or perhaps he was looking for something a little bit warm the cold weather. Either way he is in the afterlife seeking greener fields.
After sorting out which skids would need to be installed first I started with the rear most skid plate and work my way forward skipping the Third moving to the absolute front and then coming back for the second skid plate. I noticed that the long bolts seem to be a 14 mm bolt, while the short bolts are a 13 mm bolt. I did find that a bit odd but I'm sure there's a reason for it.
I used a variety of different things to prop up the skids so that I could work on them. I just use whatever I had at hand. This included some sort of light fixture box, a cooler, spray paint cans, and the bottle jack. If you are about to undertake this task find something sturdy that can support weight. Jack stands are great but it's not what I had available. Otherwise you'll be looking around for something to make your life easier like I did. Skip the spray paint cans, trust me.
Once I figured out where exactly in the rear skid goes it became a lot more easy to see how it was going to fit together. I referenced this site about a dozen different times coming in to the house. I eventually did lose the light which made things a bit more difficult. I think the hardest thing was getting second from the rear skid on. There is NO room to manipulate hands and fingers, let alone wrenches to get the rear passenger side bolt and nut on. Eventually used the closed end of a 14 millimeter wrench hold the nut in place as I ratcheted the other side (should have used the open end... duh). This might seem very obvious to some, but things were just not coming to me today. LOL. Once I got it torqued down to my satisfaction I realized that I could not easily remove the closed-ended wrench from the nut do the clearance issues from the hardware on either side and the now elongated screw that was wedging the wrench in there. After a little persuasion, and a fair amount of cursing, I was able to free it and breath a sigh of relief knowing that I was not going to have to undo what I just did.
The front skids were far more straightforward. I had to use the bottle jack in order to manipulate the last two skid plates to line up enough for me to screw them to the body.
I was able to get it finished, but on a short trip around the block I noticed a fair amount of vibration. I am heading out on vacation so I won't be able to diagnose what's going on till my return.
Any tips about most likely causes for the vibration would be great.
I had been priming, painting, second coating, and waiting for these skids to dry enough for install. I will say that I underestimated my task and the time it would take. I found myself racing against the clock for sundown. I knew I would lose my daylight advantage and things would become exponentially more difficult.
I eventually figured it out. However, I wish that there was some just basic instructions on what holes these go in and the order in which to put them and perhaps any tips to assist along the way to make it easier. I was able to go back and look at a few different write ups and find out where others had run into a little bit of difficulty and sorted it out.
When I removed the factory skids I noticed there was a dead bird up tucked up under my skid plate. Perhaps I hit him, or perhaps he was looking for something a little bit warm the cold weather. Either way he is in the afterlife seeking greener fields.
After sorting out which skids would need to be installed first I started with the rear most skid plate and work my way forward skipping the Third moving to the absolute front and then coming back for the second skid plate. I noticed that the long bolts seem to be a 14 mm bolt, while the short bolts are a 13 mm bolt. I did find that a bit odd but I'm sure there's a reason for it.
I used a variety of different things to prop up the skids so that I could work on them. I just use whatever I had at hand. This included some sort of light fixture box, a cooler, spray paint cans, and the bottle jack. If you are about to undertake this task find something sturdy that can support weight. Jack stands are great but it's not what I had available. Otherwise you'll be looking around for something to make your life easier like I did. Skip the spray paint cans, trust me.
Once I figured out where exactly in the rear skid goes it became a lot more easy to see how it was going to fit together. I referenced this site about a dozen different times coming in to the house. I eventually did lose the light which made things a bit more difficult. I think the hardest thing was getting second from the rear skid on. There is NO room to manipulate hands and fingers, let alone wrenches to get the rear passenger side bolt and nut on. Eventually used the closed end of a 14 millimeter wrench hold the nut in place as I ratcheted the other side (should have used the open end... duh). This might seem very obvious to some, but things were just not coming to me today. LOL. Once I got it torqued down to my satisfaction I realized that I could not easily remove the closed-ended wrench from the nut do the clearance issues from the hardware on either side and the now elongated screw that was wedging the wrench in there. After a little persuasion, and a fair amount of cursing, I was able to free it and breath a sigh of relief knowing that I was not going to have to undo what I just did.
The front skids were far more straightforward. I had to use the bottle jack in order to manipulate the last two skid plates to line up enough for me to screw them to the body.
I was able to get it finished, but on a short trip around the block I noticed a fair amount of vibration. I am heading out on vacation so I won't be able to diagnose what's going on till my return.
Any tips about most likely causes for the vibration would be great.
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Road Bull
Senior Member
Post lift garage parking is just about as tight as it gets.
I always envied people posting here with beautifully large garages the look well lit with copious amount of Headroom a place for everything and an assortment of tools at the ready. That is not my situation at all. I am a single guy but still managed to have acquired a fair amount of crap that wants to live in my garage. To begin with, my garage is very narrow and has a extremely low ceiling. So low in fact but there is less than an inch between my roof rack hand the support beams. Mental note, make sure the next house I buy has a large beautiful garage.
I always envied people posting here with beautifully large garages the look well lit with copious amount of Headroom a place for everything and an assortment of tools at the ready. That is not my situation at all. I am a single guy but still managed to have acquired a fair amount of crap that wants to live in my garage. To begin with, my garage is very narrow and has a extremely low ceiling. So low in fact but there is less than an inch between my roof rack hand the support beams. Mental note, make sure the next house I buy has a large beautiful garage.
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4BUMR
New member
This will be top of mind, when I finally get a Garage. :sobbing:
SONOMA-T4R
New member
clean rig
Road Bull
Senior Member
Late to the party and out of order catch up post.
The end of the year was busy as far as upgrades go. I managed to get my lift on, new wheels a while back. I also got the full Savage skids painted and mounted.
Beyond that, I got Stubbs HD-SKO sliders painted and installed. I went with Rustoleum self etching primer and Rustoleum hammered black finish. I haven't had a chance to put them to any great Terra test than defending my body in parking lots, lol.
I also gave my rig a tune up at ~209K miles. New Denso plugs and NGK Wires. I also tightened my loose valve cover bolts during my tune up.
I have a list of things to do and install:
-Warn 8000m winch
-Hella Super tones horn
-PIAA 510 Crystal Ion fog lights
-ARB twin air compressor
-Install extended differential breather
-Valve cover seal job
-Timing belt, T-stat, water pump
-New Radiator
That should keep me busy for the foreseeable future.
Here are a bunch of catch up pics.
The end of the year was busy as far as upgrades go. I managed to get my lift on, new wheels a while back. I also got the full Savage skids painted and mounted.
Beyond that, I got Stubbs HD-SKO sliders painted and installed. I went with Rustoleum self etching primer and Rustoleum hammered black finish. I haven't had a chance to put them to any great Terra test than defending my body in parking lots, lol.
I also gave my rig a tune up at ~209K miles. New Denso plugs and NGK Wires. I also tightened my loose valve cover bolts during my tune up.
I have a list of things to do and install:
-Warn 8000m winch
-Hella Super tones horn
-PIAA 510 Crystal Ion fog lights
-ARB twin air compressor
-Install extended differential breather
-Valve cover seal job
-Timing belt, T-stat, water pump
-New Radiator
That should keep me busy for the foreseeable future.
Here are a bunch of catch up pics.
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Road Bull
Senior Member
Winter 2017 and a pile of projects.
Also, I met a few 4Runners of Washington peeps at the 4 Wheel Parts grand reopening event in Lynwood this last Saturday. Cool group of people. I look forward to hitting some trails with you guys and meeting a few more people this year in our Seattle area.
I am tempted to use part of my tax return to do something fun to my rig. Rear swing out bumper, 285s, ARB air locker, who knows... I might wait and see though.
Also, I met a few 4Runners of Washington peeps at the 4 Wheel Parts grand reopening event in Lynwood this last Saturday. Cool group of people. I look forward to hitting some trails with you guys and meeting a few more people this year in our Seattle area.
I am tempted to use part of my tax return to do something fun to my rig. Rear swing out bumper, 285s, ARB air locker, who knows... I might wait and see though.
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Road Bull
Senior Member
Thank you mine are extended travel coilovers with 600# coils. I ordered them through Total Automotive Performance. I let them know that I had a front bumper and planned to add a winch and skids. I asked them to factor this additional weight into my order. I was a little nervous because many who run the same run 650 & 700# coils. So I hope these hold up. I have mine set to give about a 2.5 lift up front. I may need to adjust after installing my winch. I really like the raked stance. They are a very nice coilover. I recommend them if you can swing it.
When I ordered them they were not that much more expensive then let's say toytec boss coilover system. I also have SPC Light Racing UCAs. Aftermarket UCAs are required for the extended travel.
BamAustian
New member
Looks great... I definitely like the bumper and skid plate set up.
trailbikerider
Member
Truck is looking great man!
Road Bull
Senior Member
Thanks guys. It has taken a long time to get to where I am at, but I really dig where I ended up. It might have been better for me overall that it has taken as long as it did for me to make my mods and acquisitions. It gave me plenty of time to research, like over a year for the lift.
Now, if the weather begins to cooperate, and schedule permits, I will get out on some of our awesome trails in the PNW.
BamAustian
New member
I did the same, and just started my thread on reviving my 99.
I've had it about year and half, but wanted to research and figure out what I really wanted out of it.
I've always been a car guy so this was new territory for me.
Cadaverous
New member
It was my understanding that the 5 star 16' wheels fit over the tundra calipers. Is this not the case?
Build looks great. Keep up your good work.
Build looks great. Keep up your good work.
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Road Bull
Senior Member
Well, this is a great forum for weighing your options. There is no shortage of information available. While I was deciding on big noticeable mods, I focused on maintenance, LBJs, CVs, inner and outer tie rods, trans cooler UCAs... None of that is terribly exciting, but a lift is a silly mod to do if you LBJ fails on you and does a lot of expensive damage that is avoidable. Take your time and enjoy the ride. Many of these cool builds span several years, not a handful of months.
BamAustian
New member
Agreed, I'm in midst of installing my Sonoran steel full kit, but did LCA, LBJ, tie rods, etc at same time.
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theesotericone
New member
That is being thorough. Mine went something like this:
"Babe the rig needs new shocks, struts and springs"
Wife: "How much is that gonna be?"
"About 1100. I can do it myself for about 2/3 of that"
Wife: "Really? That would be great"
So I ordered the Toytec/Eiback lift and SPC control arms. Did the work on a weekend when she was away for work. Lifted and running boards removed. She gets home and looks at me.
Wife: "Umm, the truck looks a little taller"
After I got done laughing I spent the next 30 minutes explaining to her what a lift is and why I felt it was needed on "her" rig. She hemmed and hawed a bit then finally took it for a drive. She was stoked.
A few days ago I was stuck doing a remodel on our guest bath on Saturday. She took the rig out to do some climbing. It's been a really wet year here in Cali so far. She gets back and the rig is COVERED in mud. She rallied it hard.
When I asked her where she went she tells me the Buttermilks. It's about 6 miles in on a dirt road that has major wash outs from the last storm. There are usually at least 200 people there on a winter weekend. She was one of two other rigs that made it. Now she thinks the lift in the best thing since sliced bread. lol
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