Scramble's "Metallica Truck" Build Thread

[Scramble]

6/2015

So a few weeks after installing the Body Lift we started on the Suspension Lift. If you scroll back a few posts you'll see I bought the Sonoran Steel 7.2 lift kit & swapped out the OME 890's for LC 8 wraps. I also bought All-Pro Upper Control Arms.
There were also some maintenance items I wanted to get done while the front end was pulled apart. I purchased Lower Ball Joints & Outer Tie Rod Ends from Camelback Toyota & Energy Steering Rack Bushings from Wheelers Offroad.

https://parts.camelbacktoyota.com/partlocator/index.cfm?siteid=214329

https://wheelersoffroad.com/product...shing-kit-for-95-00-tacoma-and-96-02-4runner/

It took us a few nights to get it all done. I work 3pm-11pm but it was a slow period at work so I was leaving around 10 & getting to his shop around 11 & we'd work until 2 or 3am.

I'll start with pics of the rear. The dreaded upper shock mount nuts were a rusted blob & rounded out right away. My buddy Craig loves to cut shlt, (who doesn't love destruction) but the Oxy - Acetylene torch set the shock oil on fire! I grabbed a fire extinguisher & put the oil out but that's what the white powder is that you'll see in the following photo's. LOL

Shocks out.

IMG_0863 by Mike Campbell, on Flickr

8 Wraps in.

IMG_0864 by Mike Campbell, on Flickr

IMG_0865 by Mike Campbell, on Flickr

Tundra 5100's in.

IMG_0866 by Mike Campbell, on Flickr

IMG_0867 by Mike Campbell, on Flickr

Braided Stainless Steel Extended Brake Line.

IMG_0868 by Mike Campbell, on Flickr

Parking Brake Extension Bracket.

IMG_0869 by Mike Campbell, on Flickr

 

[Scramble]

June 2015

The front had some problems too. The passenger side OTRE would not come off! That nut was rusted on there. We used massive wrenches that he had in his shop to no avail. Finally took a lot of heat from the Oxy - Acetylene torch to break it free & I had to order a new boot because that one was melted to nothing.

Also the drivers side upper ball joint would not come out of the spindle. It took a lot of work with a C-Clamp & Air Impact to get it done.

IMG_0874 by Mike Campbell, on Flickr

IMG_0880 by Mike Campbell, on Flickr

IMG_0881 by Mike Campbell, on Flickr

In this photo you can see how much heat we had on the OTRE locking nut.

IMG_0875 by Mike Campbell, on Flickr

IMG_0879 by Mike Campbell, on Flickr

IMG_0899 by Mike Campbell, on Flickr

IMG_0900 by Mike Campbell, on Flickr

IMG_0904 by Mike Campbell, on Flickr

New Boot.

IMG_0923 by Mike Campbell, on Flickr

 

[Scramble]

June 2015

All-Pro UCA's & Tundra Coilovers are in - 2nd Perch.

IMG_0876 by Mike Campbell, on Flickr

IMG_0887 by Mike Campbell, on Flickr

IMG_0888 by Mike Campbell, on Flickr

IMG_0889 by Mike Campbell, on Flickr

IMG_0890 by Mike Campbell, on Flickr

IMG_0897 by Mike Campbell, on Flickr

IMG_0898 by Mike Campbell, on Flickr

 

[Scramble]

My girlfriend stopped by the shop & took some pics of me doing the steering rack bushings.
Replaced the steering rack bushings with Energy Suspension polys from Wheelers Offroad. Best $21 I ever spent. Stopped my steering wheels vibrations but the job is a little bit of a pain!

IMG_0883 by Mike Campbell, on Flickr

IMG_0884 by Mike Campbell, on Flickr

IMG_0885 by Mike Campbell, on Flickr

IMG_0886 by Mike Campbell, on Flickr

 

[Scramble]

June 2015

While we were doing the suspension install I noticed the exhaust was rusty & the muffler had a hole in it. The exhaust was getting louder but it really wasn't that bad. I figured since it was in the shop I should order a cat back system. I really love the sound of the Borla but the price & rear exit made me buy the JBA from LC Engineering. Since I already have headers & plan on super charging I ordered the Magnaflow high flow catalytic converter too. The JBA & Magnaflow together was cheaper than the Borla cat back alone.

JBA Exhaust For 4Runner (4 Door) 2WD/4WD (1996-1998) 2.7L & 3.4L

IMG_0901 by Mike Campbell, on Flickr

Muffler Hole.

IMG_0902 by Mike Campbell, on Flickr

IMG_0895 by Mike Campbell, on Flickr

My first piece of fab work. The Magnaflow flange didn't line up with the DT headers flange so we cut the flange off my old cat & welded it onto the new cat.

IMG_0906 by Mike Campbell, on Flickr

IMG_0905 by Mike Campbell, on Flickr

New Stainless Steel skid plate going on.

IMG_0893 by Mike Campbell, on Flickr

Tires getting mounted to my new wheels! 285/70R17 Hankook Dynapro MTR's & 2014 T4R Trail Edition wheels with about 600 miles on them.

IMG_0872 by Mike Campbell, on Flickr

IMG_0873 by Mike Campbell, on Flickr

 

[LittleCaesar]

We need some pics of those new shoes on the ride.

I envy no one who lives in the Northeast and has to wrench on an automobile with all that rust. It can't be fun.....

 

[Scramble]

The last night was on a Fri and as you can see it's getting light out as we finished up the exhaust, mounted & balanced the tires. Sat morning around 6am. :thumb:

IMG_0907 by Mike Campbell, on Flickr

IMG_0908 by Mike Campbell, on Flickr

IMG_0909 by Mike Campbell, on Flickr

IMG_0910 by Mike Campbell, on Flickr

IMG_0911 by Mike Campbell, on Flickr

IMG_0912 by Mike Campbell, on Flickr

IMG_0913 by Mike Campbell, on Flickr

IMG_0914 by Mike Campbell, on Flickr

Polished exhaust tip. Nice Done!

IMG_0916 by Mike Campbell, on Flickr

 

[Scramble]

We need some pics of those new shoes on the ride.

I envy no one who lives in the Northeast and has to wrench on an automobile with all that rust. It can't be fun.....

Ask & you shall receive! Look up! Yea, rust is tough but I'll admit that my truck should be a lot worse. I'm amazed at all of the nuts & bolts I get off with no problems.

 

[ToyoT4R]

So am I! :becky: I retired from wrenching years ago & I cant believe I'm getting back into it at 48.

Wait, 48 isn't old....is it??

 

[Scramble]

Wait, 48 isn't old....is it??

Well I'm 50 now, 51 in Aug, have arthritis in my spine & it takes a long time for my muscles to feel better after wrenching soooo. Mentally I'm 30 but my body feels 60! LOL

 

[poleclimber63]

Well I'm 50 now, 51 in Aug, have arthritis in my spine & it takes a long time for my muscles to feel better after wrenching soooo. Mentally I'm 30 but my body feels 60! LOL

Yup, just about to turn 54 myself! Definitely wrenching more! At least I'm not doing it because I have to, like when I was 25 and broke, we had 1 (20yr old) car and its broken down and I need to get to work or take a baby and new mom to a doctors' appt -- all the next day!
I'm helping the kids with their cars, tweaking my 4R and contemplating improvements to my Celica... FOR fun! Its nice to finally have time and tools!

By the way, I wanted to ask you, your "signature" mentions you've upgraded your exhaust-- Doug Thorley headers high flow exhaust--- did it make a huge difference? There's a new post declaring a sale on these headers and I'm thinking about it....

 

[Scramble]

Yup, just about to turn 54 myself! Definitely wrenching more! At least I'm not doing it because I have to, like when I was 25 and broke, we had 1 (20yr old) car and its broken down and I need to get to work or take a baby and new mom to a doctors' appt -- all the next day!
I'm helping the kids with their cars, tweaking my 4R and contemplating improvements to my Celica... FOR fun! Its nice to finally have time and tools!

By the way, I wanted to ask you, your "signature" mentions you've upgraded your exhaust-- Doug Thorley headers high flow exhaust--- did it make a huge difference? There's a new post declaring a sale on these headers and I'm thinking about it....

Now because my GF thinks I have skills I do the work on her car & my DD.

I wouldn't say a huge difference but I do feel like I have a little more pick up & it sounds great. I did the headers because the stock iron one cracked. Then I did the cat & cat back because I knew eventually I was getting a S/C.
I say do it!

 

[fourfive]

Tires getting mounted to my new wheels! 285/70R17 Hankook Dynapro MTR's & 2014 T4R Trail Edition wheels with about 600 miles on them.

Really cool seeing the updates of your 4runner's evolution over the years. I may have missed it but did you get your sliders mounted yet?

What's your review on your Hankook Dynapro MTs in the various driving conditions you've taken them through (pavement, dirt, mud, rain, snow, etc)? How do you like them compared to other AT or MT's you've owned? Would you buy them again?

 

[Scramble]

Really cool seeing the updates of your 4runner's evolution over the years. I may have missed it but did you get your sliders mounted yet?

What's your review on your Hankook Dynapro MTs in the various driving conditions you've taken them through (pavement, dirt, mud, rain, snow, etc)? How do you like them compared to other AT or MT's you've owned? Would you buy them again?

Sliders aren't mounted yet but I'm itchin' to play with them! Maybe I'll paint them this weekend! I'm in the middle of an e-locker swap right now. Gonna drop the gears off to get set up this week. I need to do some rust proofing on the frame & rocker panels before the sliders get welded on. I also have the panhard drop/lift brackets and frame front end caps to get welded at the same time.

I love my Dynapro's! These are my first MT's & I'm very happy! If this was my DD I'd probably go back to AT's or commute on HT's & use the MT's as winter & wheelin' tires. They are noisier obviously & mushier on sharp turns than AT's but they are awesome in sand, rocks, snow & rain. I know people say MT's aren't supposed to be good in the rain but these are. I only have around 10K on them over 2 years but right now I'd say yes I'd buy them again in a heartbeat.
http://www.fourwheeler.com/how-to/w...tire-shootout-first-place-hankook-dynapro-mt/
This tire won the MT shoot out at FourWheeler & I'm surprised more people dont run them. NateMob did... I'm sure the BF Goodrich's are great but with the Discount Tire Ebay sale + rebate these are almost half the price.
Hercules also looks like they make great tires that no one talks about. I would try those if a good sale came around.

 

[fourfive]

I also have the panhard drop/lift brackets and frame front end caps to get welded at the same time.

Were the end caps not welded on when your front bumper was installed?

Thanks for the feedback on the tires. I'll most likely stick to an AT but keeping my options open. My current BFG AT KO are great in all driving conditions & have been my go to AT tire so I don't have any experience with any other AT or MT. I've read that the BFG KO2 are supposed to be just as good as the KO but not a big fan of how they look...but they have grown on me a little more. I agree, I've always heard positive reviews on the Hankook dynapro MT but they never seem to get as much attention. I really like the look of the tread pattern on the dynapro MT.

 

[Scramble]

Were the end caps not welded on when your front bumper was installed?

Thanks for the feedback on the tires. I'll most likely stick to an AT but keeping my options open. My current BFG AT KO are great in all driving conditions & have been my go to AT tire so I don't have any experience with any other AT or MT. I've read that the BFG KO2 are supposed to be just as good as the KO but not a big fan of how they look...but they have grown on me a little more. I agree, I've always heard positive reviews on the Hankook dynapro MT but they never seem to get as much attention. I really like the look of the tread pattern on the dynapro MT.

I was in a rush to get the bumper on & go wheelin' so I skipped that part. LOL
They're really only necessary if you plan on running a winch. Plus with the front of the frame open It will be easier for me to get in there with the Eastwood internal frame coating. My SW bumper is off right now to repair rock chips & rust that's starting.

The BFG's must be a great tire with so many people running them & Pro's racing them. I just can't get past the price with other options like Grabbers, Coopers, Hercules & Hankook.

I've had great experiences with Pirelli & Bridgestone AT's in the past but nothing current interests me.

PS: And you'll never see me run overpriced Goodyear junk.

 

[Scramble]

June 26, 2015

Here are some driveway pics after the suspension lift & alignment. The used 8 wraps settled about 2 inches after I put the 12" sub box back in & drove it for a few months.

IMG_0917 by Mike Campbell, on Flickr

IMG_0918 by Mike Campbell, on Flickr

IMG_0919 by Mike Campbell, on Flickr

IMG_0920 by Mike Campbell, on Flickr

IMG_0921 by Mike Campbell, on Flickr

 

[Scramble]

June 2015

The first day I drove the truck to work with the new lift the passenger side axle inner boot spewed it's guts. After reading a bunch of threads on here I figured a new Napa Max-Drive would be best for my needs. Lifetime warranty & I could keep my old axle & re-boot it. I brought it back to my buddies shop to swap axles & I'm so glad i did. The axle was a bltch to get out & I never would have been able to do it myself in the driveway. We used a 4ft crowbar & air hammer and after a few hours it finally came out. See the rust on the outer splines? The Inner splines were just like that. A year later I did the DS & it popped right out. The splines had gear oil on them making it easy.

IMG_0924 by Mike Campbell, on Flickr

IMG_0926 by Mike Campbell, on Flickr

IMG_0925 by Mike Campbell, on Flickr

I also picked up a LC emblem & Master clutch cylinder from Camelback Toyota. I plan on making a custom grill someday but not a Satoshi. I'm not a fan of the "big black hole look" in the front of my truck. I think they look better with a Silver mesh like [MENTION=44220]BigFishAllDay[/MENTION] did.

IMG_0870 by Mike Campbell, on Flickr

IMG_0871 by Mike Campbell, on Flickr

BFAD's Satoshi is the only one I really like. I've always been a fan of Silver.

 

[Scramble]

July 2015

Back in April of 2015 I got in on the Shrockworks group buy & ordered a front bumper. A 3 month wait wasn't bad at all. I cut the front flanges off the frame & did a test fit of the bumper before painting it. This was my first time using an angle grinder & I bought the $30 Hitachi corded from Lowe's. It came with 1 cut off wheel & 4 grinding disks. I have a Hitachi table saw that works great too.

After pulling off the stock bumper I found this dead guy smashed up against the radiator. :hungry:

IMG_0928 by Mike Campbell, on Flickr

So pretty!

IMG_0930 by Mike Campbell, on Flickr

IMG_0932 by Mike Campbell, on Flickr

I used the cutting disk first & then a grinding disk to get it flush with the frame.

IMG_0933 by Mike Campbell, on Flickr

IMG_0934 by Mike Campbell, on Flickr

 

[Scramble]

Bumper test fit July 2015

IMG_0937 by Mike Campbell, on Flickr

My GF likes when I'm doing manly stuff. imp:

IMG_0948 by Mike Campbell, on Flickr

IMG_0958 by Mike Campbell, on Flickr

IMG_1002 by Mike Campbell, on Flickr

Off the blacktop & onto to the grass.

IMG_1005 by Mike Campbell, on Flickr

IMG_1006 by Mike Campbell, on Flickr

You can see in the photos that I'm changing out my spare. That's the original 16yo 265/70R16 Goodyear RTS on the steel wheel. It still holds air, I've never put air in it ever & has no dry rot between the treads or on the sidewalls. As much as I hate GY products it's amazing how well it's held up. My Brother had GY Eagle GT's on his Lincoln LS 7 for 14 years! Pretty wild!

I replaced it with one of the General Grabber HTR's I used to run on a 4th Gen Sport wheel, 265/70R17. Fits like a glove.

IMG_1004 by Mike Campbell, on Flickr

IMG_1003 by Mike Campbell, on Flickr