Runn4est's '08 Urban Runner Build

[Runn4est]

I recently got in on the SPC UCAs group buy and got a set for both my 4th and 5th gen. I am waiting to do the 5th gen with all the suspension, so I took the time I had this weekend and did my 4th gen.

Install thoughts:
Very straight forward project and nothing too unexpected came up. Total install time was right around 4 hours. I'd say 2.5 on the first side while I got used to it and 1.5 on the other side, and that was with a semi expected hiccup.

Hiccup:
When I was installing my lift in January ( I think), I learned that the castle nut for the passenger ball joint was seized and the post would just spin. With that knowledge, I was expecting to have the second trouble with it this time around. Suspicions we're confirmed, and the disc grinder I had on call went to work.

Side note:
I tweaked my abs sensor lines so they hung a little looser at full droop. Maybe it's the extra droop from the UCAs, but they seemed a little taught. Fortunately, there's enough wiggle room in the length to reposition the wire in all the brackets.

 

[Runn4est]

Rejected by the dealer..

So on Friday I dropped the truck off at the dealer next to my work nice and early in the morning to have an alignment.

Let's back up a little. A few days prior, I scheduled the appointment and put very specific notes on the appt. "I have aftermarket adjustable UCAs, looking to get near 4 degrees caster. Will provide manufacturers instructions."

Back to Friday. I'm speaking with the service rep and telling him that the instructions are in the car. "Sure no problem at all". Close to 3 hours later I get a call saying the tech will not align your car because he says it's aftermarket and he cannot align it to Toyota specs." First of all, they didn't even try to align it, so I'm not sure how he doesn't think he can hit Toyota specs. Second of all, how come you charged me for my last alignment, that had 1.6 degrees of camber...aka OUT OF TOYOTA SPECS.

So I said to the rep, I'm not really sure what you mean, the last alignment you guys gave me was out of spec, why can't you do another alignment that may end up out of spec? "I'm sorry sir, the tech said he won't do it."

Long story short. Sounds like they have a great set of techs there... I had a good experience with them before, but the fact that they didn't even hook my truck up to the machine to check the numbers really irks me. He had no idea if it was in or.out of spec.

Called the dealer closer to my house, where I know a few of the guys have t4rs, I think a few on the forum too, and I specifically asked if they can do an alignment with aftermarket UCAs and they said yeah. Looks like I'll be headed there.

Sorry, just venting!

 

[Runn4est]

I recently went for a day trip to Rausch Creek with [MENTION=3442]Boyds4Runner[/MENTION] and he snapped a few cool pics of my truck. It was a fun day and my first time out since installing my SPC uppers. They held up great! My skids got some extra character and his bumper a little scuff but we blast.

 

[Runn4est]

I also just finished up this little project. It's probably not the same type of material as a raingler net, but all in I'm about $12 in supplies, so that's a huge savings.