shinyblackdeer's 98 T4R SR5 V6 build thread

What brand of rear sway bar links are those? And is that a new rer sway or did you just remove and paint? Also where did you find the rear sway bushings?

You guys are giving me lots of ideas. :)
 
If you are running an actual Sonoran Steel lift kit, DO NOT use poly bushings on the sway bars, you will remove all the movement you just bought. Go to the Toyota dealer and get brand new soft, flexible factory rubber. It will articulate more and the rear sway bar will not break in half.

From my experience, factory sway bar links are the best quality.
 
If you are running an actual Sonoran Steel lift kit, DO NOT use poly bushings on the sway bars, you will remove all the movement you just bought. Go to the Toyota dealer and get brand new soft, flexible factory rubber. It will articulate more and the rear sway bar will not break in half.

From my experience, factory sway bar links are the best quality.

Got it. I will be running the SS 1.2 lift. Thanks for the tip.
 
What brand of rear sway bar links are those? And is that a new rer sway or did you just remove and paint? Also where did you find the rear sway bushings?

You guys are giving me lots of ideas. :)

Ideas are good! The swaybar links are Moog. Jeff removed and painted the swaybar red, along with the new rear springs. The poly bushings are Prothane from Amazon. We're running Toytec's Ultimate lift.

Edit: @sschaefer3 knows his stuff -- use factory bushings! Aftermarket poly bushings will fail with excessive trail use.
 
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Wow, this thing is going to be gorgeous when you're done with it. Congrats on all the progress so far and I can't wait to see how it all ends up.
 
Bushwacker fender flares.

Jeff has already test-fitted the Bushwacker fender flares and now it's time for paint. We've decided to paint-match the flares and bumpers to our body color: Desert Dune Metallic. Here's a shot of the base coat in our not so technical paint booth.

98-t4r-71.jpg
 
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4X Innovations front plate bumper test fit.

We drove to Platteville, WI this morning to pick up our front bumper and sliders from Adam and Ben at 4X Innovations. Super nice guys, awesome shop and THEY'RE WORKING ON SUNDAY because they make a quality product that is in demand. Very cool. No lie when I say it took less than 20 minutes to install. It fits and looks amazing.

98-T4R-72.jpg


98-T4R-73.jpg


98-T4R-74.jpg
 
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Catback exhaust installed.

Jeff has a great old friend with a great shop in Cedar Rapids called Professional Muffler. Yesterday they installed a stainless catback exhaust with a Magnaflow muffler. Yes, I've read all the digs on "Magnablow", but we're taking our chances on this one. Looks and sounds awesome.

98-T4R-75.jpg
 
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Great build so far! Loving the attention to detail, and teamwork by both you and your husband! :)

Can't wait to see what's next! :)
 
Bushwacker fender flares painted and installed.

Jeff finished base coat/clear coat on the Bushwacker flares (with spray bombs, no less) and they look awesome. The color isn't a perfect match to the body, but close enough for a town this size. The bumpers will get the same treatment, plus rust protection.
We also clay barred and hand waxed the exterior, even removing the roof rack to get everything shiny smooth. I'm pretty sure that hasn't been done in awhile, if ever.
This weekend we'll be prepping the 4X Innovations front bumper for paint and getting the sliders welded up for final install. I think we've decided on LineX coating for these.

Happy 4th of July!

98-T4R-82.jpg
 
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FYI- I agree bed liner does look nice for rock sliders, but the problem we have run into our here in Arizona, is that when you actually slide on the rock sliders, which happens a lot on our trails, the bed liner actually tears off in chunks.

I have tired powder coat and same issue, once scratched you can not repair. Our infamous 1990 Red Truck had beautiful Ancient Black Hammered rock sliders, but once scratched, they are always scratched and still are.

My suggestions for my rock slider customers is Rustolium Hammered as when you scratch them, you simply re-spray them.

The tearing off in large chunks is the issue with the bed liner. If you want to test it, get a piece of plumbing pipe and have them do a test coating, then drag that test pipe over a rock, but push hard a 3rd Gen is tipping the scale at 5,000 pounds.
 
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FYI- I agree bed liner does look nice for rock sliders, but the problem we have run into our here in Arizona, is that when you actually slide on the rock sliders, which happens a lot on our trails, the bed liner actually tears off in chunks.

I have tired powder coat and same issue, once scratched you can not repair. Our infamous 1990 Red Truck had beautiful Ancient Black Hammered rock sliders, but once scratched, they are always scratched and still are.

My suggestions for my rock slider customers is Rustolium Hammered as when you scratch them, you simply re-spray them.

The tearing off in large chunks is the issue with the bed liner. If you want to test it, get a piece of plumbing pipe and have them do a test coating, then drag that test pipe over a rock, but push hard a 3rd Gen is tipping the scale at 5,000 pounds.

It will probably pain you to read this, given the effort we're putting into our 4Runner, but it will spend 95% of its life with all 4 tires on pavement. With the exception of vacations to Moab or Ouray, this is going to be a daily driver. We'll be stepping on the sliders more often than they'll ever come into contact with rocks. Sad but true.

I do appreciate your advice.

Edit: Always listen to advice from those with experience!
 
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