Schmiegle's Build

[Schmiegle]

Hey Yo!

I've been lurking for a while and there is a wealth of knowledge stored on this site! Thanks a lot for all the effort placed into the sticky threads and all around passion within each post.

Meet Schmiegle (also my personal alter ego), my 2005 T4R V8 Limited. Bought in 2008, right out of college with 20k miles! I was amazed at the ride quality, quick turn in, and downright defiance towards getting stuck in anything. There's lots of ICE and snow in an Oklahoma winter and she's performed incredibly!

But with 125k miles, I'm ready for a suspension upgrade (among other things...). I wanted to retain the stock ride so initially investigated a total stock replacement of the suspension. I've messed with suspension before on an '98 Nissan 200SX and dropped it too low, with too high of spring rate, and never really rode right. I LOVED the performance of my T4R when I bought it and didn't want to lose that. I decided to give the dealership a shot with a quote and at this point, I was informed that this Limited had the XREAS system...

Ohhh man, I wonder what that is?

EXPENSIVE, THAT'S WHAT XREAS IS! I wish I still had the quote but I think my jaw dropped drool made the whole thing illegible anyway. It was insane as they would only replace the entire system tubing, valves, and of course custom Toyota shocks/struts!

Drove back home with the intention of doing a suspension upgrade the right way so that it will last another 100k miles. P.S. I LOVE THIS THING...

Through my lurking research, I decided on the following:

5100 Bilsteins
1/4" Front drivers side spacer
OME 885 springs up front
Toyota Superflex springs in back
Total Chaos UCAs
LCA Energy Suspension bushings
Sway bar Energy Suspension body bushings
Custom(ish) Rear End links with more Energy Suspension bushings
Toytec extended rear brake lines
Spidertrax 1.25" spacers
BFG A/T KO2 - 275/70-17s (5 of em... :snacker

I mentioned that I replaced suspension on a previous vehicle and had some trouble installing it over the course of a weekend. I decided it was the better part of valor to just have a local shop take care of it.

Found a reputable shop here in Tulsa, Gateway Tire on 31st. Talk to Ryan if you're in the area and have issues. They have a massive shop and have done a good job with issues up to this point, as it went into the shop this morning and should be finished first thing tomorrow.


Issues up to this point:

- Rear strut, upper piston nut, seized up on both size. Had to be cut off to be disassembled.

- LCA bolts seized up. The previous day, Ryan saw this coming and ordered a new Toyota hardware kit. Gonna have to burn them out right?

- At first the mechanic balked at removing XREAS... After showing him a thread found on this forum, he didn't see much of an issue. I've decided to just leave the valve to valve system tubing on there for now. I'll remove it when I get home unless it really doesn't matter to stay put?

I stopped by this afternoon to check up on progress and I REALLY LIKE THE LOOK OF THE BFGs... If I can just figure out where to put the 5th one!

Should be finished up tomorrow early... Thanks for a great site!

More to follow!

Schmiegle

 

[Schmiegle]

COULDN'T BE HAPPIER! This setup is incredible!

After a few issues, the shop was finally able to tighten everything down and give it a good alignment.

The ride is MUCH improved. Closer to stock Limited ride where vehicle stays level throughout cornering. The bigger tires and extended travel suck out bumps without a problem! It was a rainy day in Oklahoma, so I'm not sure if that was causing a bit of tire slippage in turns or if it was just the new tires. Will relay more information as tires wear in dry weather.

Well I'm headed out to Colorado for some snow! eace:

Schmiegle

 

[JJ_Stin]

Looks good man!
I'm thinking about going the same route!
Look a lot better if you got different wheels, imo.

 

[Schmiegle]

Looks good man!
I'm thinking about going the same route!
Look a lot better if you got different wheels, imo.

Yeah, I agree. But alas the almighty $$$ is being drawn elsewhere...

I did spend last weekend rotating all 5 wheels though... While they were off I polished every last square inch, front and back! They look pretty good though! Time for new rear pads and discs!

 

[Schmiegle]

On another note with the spare... I've read both the spare does and doesn't fit, at a full size (BFG A/T KO2 - 275/70-17) and fully inflated (40psi). I wish I had tried to put the new tire under the for gits and shiggles!

But now that I have 8k miles on 4 of my 5 tires, I can confirm the 8k mile worn tire DOES fit. It appears with about 0.030" clearance to a rear stabilizer bar. I also took a tread depth measurement and found about 1/64th" was worn from tread depth. So 1/32" (0.032") off the total diameter. Just thinking that if a full size tire fits but I bet its dependent on the tire pressure!

BTW, with the new lift, the vehicle dynamics ARE slightly hindered from what I remember it was at 20k miles old BUT I am EXTREMELY happy to have done this suspension and tire setup at 125k. I'm going to drive this thing another 100k miles!

Anyone have some sweet seat cover ideas?

 

[Schmiegle]

Do you contemplate your audience when you speak?

When I say this, I mean it from the base of my being... I ****ING LOVE my T4R!

I've been lurking, reading, & learning A LOT the past few weeks and am thankful for the vast depth of knowledge passed through this forum. Thank you for the effort of each involved... :hippie:


HAPPY 150,000 mile BIRTHDAY to Schimiegle! This week has been a busy week tending to the following neglected maintenance...

Since the last update, it's been a fun filled fomentation of additions.

K&N CAI addition (Whoa...)
New Hood Struts
Driver's Leather Seat replacement
4 piece carpet replacement
Headlight Restore
Front/Rear Differential Flush
Transfer Case Flush
Power Steering Flush
Coolant Flush
Oil Change
*Transmission Drain/Fill....
Alignment/Balance/Rotation
Washer Fluid Fill
Wiper Replacement


*Transmission Drain/Fill:

Whew, that was a heavy decision. I purchased the truck with 22k miles. Currently, I'm at 150k. I had the realization I had not touched the transmission fluid in FAR too long. While tossing around the idea of Flush vs. Drain/Fill for a sealed transmission, I decided a gentle transition back towards stability was in order. The dealership offered $265 for a Drain / Fill while offering $275 for a FLUSH. The risk of a $5200 new transmission kept me in line.

To me, this was a bit of a head fake for the following:

Past 75k transmission fluid change interval, the dealership does not take ransmission liability upon "cracking" the transmission. I was told "the statistics merit leaving the transmission sealed if I had not kept up with it until now."

The main issue with changing transmission fluid on higher mileage trucks is the potential of dislodging "sludge". While I realized, through my research, the WC transmission fluid is "lifetime", meaning the synthetic friction inhibiting nature of the fluid does not break down, the detergents within the fluid, DO. The synthetic fluid potentially lasts forever due to the low(er) shear forces / temperature nature of the transmission vs. engine block while the detergents break down into "sludge" over time. My intent with the fluid Drain / Fill is to GENTLY bring the state of the transmission fluid back to normal and break down any potential "sludge" as slow as possible. I'll probably do another Drain/Fill in 10-20k miles to increase the detergents in the ATF.

This led me to the realization of WHY a flush is BAD for high mileage transmissions. Picture this: Sludge packed ports and basically any gaps between gears. While 150k mile (DIRTY) transmission fluid is in stability between adding TO the sludge, or detergents breaking AWAY the sludge, the T4R continues to churn. If one is to do the full FLUSH @150k for the first time, you remove all the DIRTY fluid and replace with NEW, DETERGENT FILLED, CLEAN fluid. This QUICKLY breaks down any built up sludge within the transmission and has the high potentiality of dislodging and clogging a port. At least that's my theory. I do not recommend full flush and intend to do another (2 or 3) Drain / Fills to SLOWLY bring my transmission towards a better stability.

Up next looks like a SR5 hood replacement to eliminate a bit of hail damage and a couple cosmetic touch ups... I love my T4R!

Pictures to follow when I find a FULL car wash/wax!

Schmiegle

 

[havoc531]

I'm planning a lift very similar to yours, and thinking I may as well replace bushings while it's up. Can you tell me the part numbers you used for the Energy suspension bushings? Mine is a 2007 V8 so I'm pretty sure the part numbers will be the same.

Thanks!

 

[Powder_Hound]

Looking good [MENTION=121609]Schmiegle[/MENTION]!!!

Nice to here the 275's fit as I'm increasing to 275's in the fall! I "might" go 285's if they clear UCA's (prob need to go to a 15mm backspaced wheel) and run a 275 for a spare.