Road Bull's 2002 SR-5 timeline.

[Road Bull]

Half of my lift showed up!! Yuuuuuussss....

Ok... it's been a long haul for me to get this close, but I wanted to knock out pre-lift maintenance before I moved on to the fun stuff.

My extended King 2.5 coilovers have landed!! I have those and some new SPC Light Racing UCAs ready to lift the front. I have yet to open the box to confirm , but they should be the #650lbs coils.

Now.. I feel okay to pull the trigger on the rear lift. I am planning on putting my order in for a Sanoran Steel 1.2 rear only lift as well as their drop front differential tomorrow.

I might even get myself some new rims during the Discount Tire sale. I am pretty sure that I will be going with black Pro Comp 7069s. I am not sure about upgrading tires / jumping up a size just yet. I might see how the 265/75/16s work with what I have. Although, I am sure DT charges and arm and a leg to swap out 5 rims. We'll see.

In other knews... I took a trip to Walla Walla, WA. Last weekend. I am more of a beer guy, but it was my special lady friend's birthday weekend so we did a few hours wine tasting. It was really pretty cool. I think I would have preferred beer, but that's something to do on my birthday. I did find a cool store there called "Hot Poop". They Carried tons of vinyl, CDs, and musical instruments. I got to check out a few old drum sets which always makes me happy. And on the way back I scored a kick ass old fire Bell that I'm going to turn into a percussive instrument that destroys or drums. Yeehaw!!!

Maintenance to do list:
Swap out fuel filter with new OEM
Swap out rear differential fluid.
Drain and fill trans fluid.
Oil change.

 

[Road Bull]

New wheels! Pro Comp 7069s.

I just picked up five new Pro Comp 7069s 16x8, 4" BS, -12mm offset. Mounted with Gorilla E-T (extended thread) S/D Acorn 12mm. X 1.50 lugs. Now all wheels will clear my TBU. I kind of like the chrome lug on black rim look too. They were taking a bit to mount as the Discount Tire guys couldn't get the caps to fit. (They don't fit on our vehicles btw as the cap is too small to seat on the hub properly.) I could have saved them some time as I didn't want them on there anyway.

I had been considering SCS Ray 10s, as they are also bad ass, as well as their F5s. But I figured I would put the money saved towards something else like skids, slider, winch, or maybe a locker...

Anyway, these are just about my favorite wheel as they are a classic design, anti-bling, (not to draw too much attention), and don't break the bank.

The rest of my lift, SS 1.2 rear lift and MStudt sway bar end links should be here in about a week or so.

 

[sschaefer3]

I am advising you NOT TO install the aftermarket sway bar end links you have purchased (specifically the rear). You will remove articulation from the parts you bought from me.

We discussed this on the phone in great detail.

 

[Road Bull]

I am advising you NOT TO install the aftermarket sway bar end links you have purchased (specifically the rear). You will remove articulation from the parts you bought from me.

We discussed this on the phone in great detail.

I am using them on the front.

 

[sschaefer3]

Ok. That will work.

 

[Road Bull]

Lift installed!

What better way to celebrate Black Friday than by getting my lift installed?

This has been about two years in the making knocking out some maintenance first, but now I feel like I have 'gotten' somewhere. King 2.5 extended coilovers, SPC Light Racing UCAs, MStudt extended end links, (front), Sonoran Steel front differential drop spacer kit, Sonoran Steel 1.2 rear only lift, (including: extended bumpstops, adjustable panhard bar, sway bar relocation brackets, and extended stainless steel brake lines (x2), with Tokico blacks outback.

I really like it! It really transforms the look and feel of the rig. I have not had a chance to take it offroad yet, but I like how it handles our crappy roads. I love having a slightly elevated perspective when driving. This is pretty early on as far as things settling, but I was about 20" hub to fender up front and 20.5" out back pre lift original 2002 suspension. Now I am roughly 23" up front with about 24.5 " out back. I cranked the fronts up a little during lift. I have sliders, skids and a winch on the way. So things will probably compress a bit.

Overall, I am stoked.

 

[Road Bull]

Lift collateral damage. So when I got to the rear portion of the lift, I found out that Discount Tire, who installed my new wheels a few weeks back, cross threaded one of the lug nuts. So of course it snapped when we tried to remove it. Fan-tastic... so I have THAT going for me. I also saw that it looked like one of the studs on the other side is shorter as well. It looks like they started to do the same thing as the other side, but caught themselves, and cleaned it up the best they could. Lame.

I spoke to the manager and he agreed that they damaged it and they would pay to have it fixed. I also mentioned that I did not like the idea of the spline lugs and that the concept of having a special adapter in order to get the wheels off did not instill a lot of confidence in that not being an issue somewhere down the road. I had read how Big Fish All Day had replaced his bolts with standard bolts that were tapered to still allow him to use a standard size tool in order to remove the wheels. The manager offered to swap them out at no cost.

Swapping out the stud does not look that terribly difficult. It actually seems more difficult trying to find time to drop it off somewhere to have them do it. I might just attempt to replace it myself. At least that way I would know that it's done correctly.

Does anybody know the part number that I'm looking for to replace those studs or bolts or whatever?

 

[trailbikerider]

 

[Road Bull]

I have a Firestone lifetime alignment on my vehicle but every time I leave, I feel like they gave it their best 70%. They stressed that the numbers weren't far off. They said that the computer thinks that it is reading a stock height 4runner and that for them to get it all in the green would require them to zero it out and spend a couple hours on it. They quickly pointed out that that service is not covered in the lifetime alignment. I did give them the SPC Light Racing cheat sheet as well.

It does drive straight and no rubbing at all. I have to say that I really dig the suspension. It feels firm where it needs it, but super smooth overall. I just don't want to wear the tires prematurely or unevenly.

Also picked up my Superwinch TS9500.

 

[trailbikerider]

The front camber seems a little extreme, especially since it's adjustable with the control arms. However, I wouldn't be too terribly worried, toe wears tires FAR faster than camber does, and your toe numbers appear to be pretty good.

 

[sschaefer3]

I have a Firestone lifetime alignment on our 2012 Trail 4Runner. Needless to say I have not taken it back, I have taken it to independent shops and paid for a correct alignment. I fully agree on your 70% statement.

Print out the Light Racing directions and take the truck to a small mom and pop shop and tell them to make it perfect. Because you can with those arms. Tires are very expensive these days. An alignment is typically 70 bucks.

 

[rallypoint_1]

The front camber seems a little extreme, especially since it's adjustable with the control arms. However, I wouldn't be too terribly worried, toe wears tires FAR faster than camber does, and your toe numbers appear to be pretty good.

Most definitely!!! I lagged on getting an alignment after my lift and within 1 month or so the outer edge of my drivers side was almost bald. I took it to get aligned prior to my new tires and the tech said the toe was off about 2"!!! So ya, its makes a huge difference!!

 

[Road Bull]

The front camber seems a little extreme, especially since it's adjustable with the control arms. However, I wouldn't be too terribly worried, toe wears tires FAR faster than camber does, and your toe numbers appear to be pretty good.

Yeah, they said something had to give. They said if they forced it to all be in the green that the steering wheel would not be straight comma or something worse would be off. It is driving straight though and does not appear to be pulling to the left or right.

I have a Firestone lifetime alignment on our 2012 Trail 4Runner. Needless to say I have not taken it back, I have taken it to independent shops and paid for a correct alignment. I fully agree on your 70% statement.

Print out the Light Racing directions and take the truck to a small mom and pop shop and tell them to make it perfect. Because you can with those arms. Tires are very expensive these days. An alignment is typically 70 bucks.

Yes, that is the reason why I got these upper control arms specifically. I even have a laminated copy to give others down the line to work on the alignment. I think I just need to find a good local shop that knows what they're doing.

Most definitely!!! I lagged on getting an alignment after my lift and within 1 month or so the outer edge of my drivers side was almost bald. I took it to get aligned prior to my new tires and the tech said the toe was off about 2"!!! So ya, its makes a huge difference!!

For sure, I don't want to find out a month on the way that my tires are toast due to a bad alignment. Specially when I'm not detecting anything out of the ordinary. Hopefully these tires last a little while longer so my wallet can recuperate from all the different mods and things I've done for it.

 

[IsaiahC]

Yeah, they said something had to give. They said if they forced it to all be in the green that the steering wheel would not be straight comma or something worse would be off. It is driving straight though and does not appear to be pulling to the left or right.



Yes, that is the reason why I got these upper control arms specifically. I even have a laminated copy to give others down the line to work on the alignment. I think I just need to find a good local shop that knows what they're doing.



For sure, I don't want to find out a month on the way that my tires are toast due to a bad alignment. Specially when I'm not detecting anything out of the ordinary. Hopefully these tires last a little while longer so my wallet can recuperate from all the different mods and things I've done for it.

I've gotten firestone lifetime alignments at 3 different locations here in Oregon. Since getting my spc upper control arms, they've been able to align it every time.

 

[Road Bull]

I've gotten firestone lifetime alignments at 3 different locations here in Oregon. Since getting my spc upper control arms, they've been able to align it every time.
View attachment 229021

Ha! Why does this not surprise me. I need to go to another location next go around. I forgot that the last time I went to the same location I got a pile of excuses instead of a solution. Last time something was frozen and they couldn't adjust it. This time no problem with cams, or anything, just not dialed in. That, and I think that they just rushed me along because they scheduled 3 alignments at THE SAME TIME!! Oops... I think that place is dead to me. LOL.

 

[Road Bull]

Went to discount tire to have my spline wheel lugs swapped out for standard 19mm. I thought it would be straight forward and in and out. Ha! Not this Saturday. Show up and am greeted by a 10+ person line. Phones ringing entire time. No one picks up are seems to notice. Oh boy...

They did make it happen. I didn't want to have to rely on an adapter to get accommodate the spline lugs. But to my surprise, the standards that they replaced them with came with lug locks. I guess the upside is that it might deter theft but I still am not thrilled about having an adapter back in the equation.

However, later that day while my band was practicing, someone was messing with my car enough to set the alarm off! WTF?!?!

I didn't notice till after, but I came out to see a large bottle of Newcastle beer sitting on my hood and a roof shingle under my passenger side wiper! My band mate's house has cameras. He is trying to figure out how to go back and view the feed. That's when I started to feel better about the lug locks AND my car alarm. I talked to the next door neighbor to find out that the alarm did go off, but he didn't see anyone. Man, I would have loved to interrupt that a-hole...

Makes me want to get a camera for the car... and maybe run an electric current through the body...

I did swing by 4Wheelparts and picked up my new ARB twin air compressor. Woot!

So soon I hope to get this and my Superwinch into the game.

 

[theesotericone]

Do you have your bumper for the winch yet? I'm leaning heavily towards Superwinch TS11500 right now. My bumpers not gonna be ready until late Jan/Early Feb so I have some time to decide. The other winch I'm looking at is the Engo 77-12000PFS. I'll be going synthetic line to save weight and both of those have great price points compared to you know who. Let me know how you like it when you get it set up.

 

[Road Bull]

Yup. I have an AOR front bumper that should be the perfect home for this winch. I read a few other people's build that combine these. I was tempted to find a nicer winch with or without synthetic, but my thinking is to have this for now, and if I want for something better down the road, I will swap it out and sell this one.

 

[KojiKP]

Too bad to hear about Firestone. I too have a lifetime alignment with them on one of my cars. First alignment they dented my fender, tried to fight be about it but in the end they covered it. 2nd alignment I had done, couple weeks later I noticed a bad vibration especially at higher speeds. Turns out they didn't tighten the jam nut for the upper control arm adjustment so they were free to move as they wanted.

Perhaps we are going to the same Firestone as I see you're in WA too

 

[Road Bull]

Too bad to hear about Firestone. I too have a lifetime alignment with them on one of my cars. First alignment they dented my fender, tried to fight be about it but in the end they covered it. 2nd alignment I had done, couple weeks later I noticed a bad vibration especially at higher speeds. Turns out they didn't tighten the jam nut for the upper control arm adjustment so they were free to move as they wanted.

Perhaps we are going to the same Firestone as I see you're in WA too

It could be. I went to the one in Kent, WA. I will take it to Tacoma or Seattle next time. If that doesn't work, I will find an independent place with a good reputation and get it done correctly.