Silver Supra
New member
I know. I had no idea how bad these were! Anyone with a higher mileage t4r needs to inspect them.
Silver Supra's build thread
- Thread starter Silver Supra
- Start date
I know. I had no idea how bad these were! Anyone with a higher mileage t4r needs to inspect them.
Silver Supra
New member
Update:
Ok, I FINALLY finished going through the front suspension! Our weekends have been pretty busy for the past month or so but today she's back on all 4 wheels and back on the road.
I replaced the following:
Upper control arm bushings
Lower control arm bushings
Upper ball joints
Lower ball joints
Steering rack bushings
Sway bar end links
While it was apart I did a lot of cleaning and also painted the Tundra calipers which had become covered with surface rust.
I also replaced the four shifter bushings as mine had disintegrated like everyone else's. I HIGHLY recommend this if your shifter is loose. It took maybe 45 minutes and is soooo rewarding when you're finished.
I was pretty shocked when I took it for a drive, the truck felt amazing. The vague and loose feeling in the steering is gone and it also now returns to center which I did not expect. The new plugs and wires were also obvious.
I also made some progress on the interior and converted my center console from the '98 to '99. Love it. I can also highly recommend this mod as well.
[MENTION=213580]SlvrSupraSub[/MENTION] has made some good progress on putting the new leather onto the front seats which she will finish up soon. We also picked up some seat heaters which I need to do some wiring for.
I also stopped by to visit a friend of mine from high school and it just so happens he had THIS sitting in his warehouse and I just couldn't leave without it.
It's the one item that Slvrsuprasub and I both really like and after looking for a used one I got tired of waiting. I'll probably put it on in primer form as we decide if we want to keep the 4R white or maybe try a different color. Either way, I'm excited to put the scooped hood on.
I also will be adding limited flares in the not too distant future.
My new wheels should be here this week which I am super excited about.
All in all, the Runner is coming along and it really feels good to have her drivable again.
Ok, I FINALLY finished going through the front suspension! Our weekends have been pretty busy for the past month or so but today she's back on all 4 wheels and back on the road.
I replaced the following:
Upper control arm bushings
Lower control arm bushings
Upper ball joints
Lower ball joints
Steering rack bushings
Sway bar end links
While it was apart I did a lot of cleaning and also painted the Tundra calipers which had become covered with surface rust.
I also replaced the four shifter bushings as mine had disintegrated like everyone else's. I HIGHLY recommend this if your shifter is loose. It took maybe 45 minutes and is soooo rewarding when you're finished.
I was pretty shocked when I took it for a drive, the truck felt amazing. The vague and loose feeling in the steering is gone and it also now returns to center which I did not expect. The new plugs and wires were also obvious.
I also made some progress on the interior and converted my center console from the '98 to '99. Love it. I can also highly recommend this mod as well.
[MENTION=213580]SlvrSupraSub[/MENTION] has made some good progress on putting the new leather onto the front seats which she will finish up soon. We also picked up some seat heaters which I need to do some wiring for.
I also stopped by to visit a friend of mine from high school and it just so happens he had THIS sitting in his warehouse and I just couldn't leave without it.
It's the one item that Slvrsuprasub and I both really like and after looking for a used one I got tired of waiting. I'll probably put it on in primer form as we decide if we want to keep the 4R white or maybe try a different color. Either way, I'm excited to put the scooped hood on.
I also will be adding limited flares in the not too distant future.
My new wheels should be here this week which I am super excited about.
All in all, the Runner is coming along and it really feels good to have her drivable again.
Last edited:
wrench.n.wheel
New member
Good to see another join the hood scoop gang. Doing all those bushings and joints doesn't look like fun. I just did tie rods, LBJs, and steering rack bushings.
Lesson: buy the right tool. Buy nice and cry once.
Lesson: buy the right tool. Buy nice and cry once.
Silver Supra
New member
Scooped hood is on. The paint is a little lighter than the original paint but I'm ok with it as the truck will probably get wrapped or painted at some point. I also got the rear hatch painted as it had some surface rust near the glass.
Also got a new windshield since my old one was cracked in several places and severely scratched.
I had the whole truck detailed and it looks a million times better, even though the detailer burned through the paint in a few spots. Again... not a big deal as I've been planning on changing the color of it at some point down the road.
I have a new set of wheels being delivered today so hopefully there will be more pics to add this evening.
Also got a new windshield since my old one was cracked in several places and severely scratched.
I had the whole truck detailed and it looks a million times better, even though the detailer burned through the paint in a few spots. Again... not a big deal as I've been planning on changing the color of it at some point down the road.
I have a new set of wheels being delivered today so hopefully there will be more pics to add this evening.
Silver Supra
New member
A few more pics outside.
Younger brother looking over her shoulder
[MENTION=213580]SlvrSupraSub[/MENTION] from our mini vacation
Younger brother looking over her shoulder
[MENTION=213580]SlvrSupraSub[/MENTION] from our mini vacation
Last edited:
thezentree
Senior Member
There's a guy in Holly Springs I know from a J**p forum who does excellent detailing work if you need it done again sometime.
Silver Supra
New member
Thanks! Send me his contact info.
Silver Supra
New member
Fedex just dropped off some goodies!
Off to the tire store we go...
I can't say enough good things about Dustin and FN. This is my second set of wheels from him and am happy to recommend him and his products.
Off to the tire store we go...
I can't say enough good things about Dustin and FN. This is my second set of wheels from him and am happy to recommend him and his products.
Silver Supra
New member
I was going to do that, but after rebuilding the front end the steering feels great now. It returns to center as it should. Very happy about that!
Silver Supra
New member
While the wheels were off I decided to spray down the frame with some fluid film just for good measure.
And now with the new wheels and the old 265/75-16's. I love these wheels! Thanks again Dustin FN!
Silver Supra
New member
Accomplished quite a bit this weekend.
I put [MENTION=213580]SlvrSupraSub[/MENTION] to work on replacing the seat bottom leather. Check out the sweet FN wheel shirt that Dustin was kind enough to send! :rockon:
Original leather off and new leather on. We also put seat heaters on under the back and bottom leather, which are the cords you see hanging out.
Installed - the color is much closer than these pics show so I'm guessing it's the flash???
I'm sure we will do the seat backs at some point but for now we're really happy with how they turned out. Sub girl did all of it and really impressed me with her skills.
While she was working on the seats, I was working on taking apart the dash to relocate the switches from my old center console.
Out with the old double DIN head unit.
Switches relocated. Red rocker switch was for the old fog lights which will be replaced at some point.
New center console in. This is such a worthwhile upgrade it's not even funny. Just do it.
While the dash as apart we upgraded the head unit to a killer Pioneer unit with bluetooth, time alignment and all sorts of great features. A steal at $99.
Testing the Bluetooth with some Floyd.
Had to make a run to the local dealer while my hatch was still at the painters, but I didn't care. Weather was perfect and it felt amazing driving the Runner after all the work we've done!
I put [MENTION=213580]SlvrSupraSub[/MENTION] to work on replacing the seat bottom leather. Check out the sweet FN wheel shirt that Dustin was kind enough to send! :rockon:
Original leather off and new leather on. We also put seat heaters on under the back and bottom leather, which are the cords you see hanging out.
Installed - the color is much closer than these pics show so I'm guessing it's the flash???
I'm sure we will do the seat backs at some point but for now we're really happy with how they turned out. Sub girl did all of it and really impressed me with her skills.
While she was working on the seats, I was working on taking apart the dash to relocate the switches from my old center console.
Out with the old double DIN head unit.
Switches relocated. Red rocker switch was for the old fog lights which will be replaced at some point.
New center console in. This is such a worthwhile upgrade it's not even funny. Just do it.
While the dash as apart we upgraded the head unit to a killer Pioneer unit with bluetooth, time alignment and all sorts of great features. A steal at $99.
Testing the Bluetooth with some Floyd.
Had to make a run to the local dealer while my hatch was still at the painters, but I didn't care. Weather was perfect and it felt amazing driving the Runner after all the work we've done!
jbrentd
New member
Nice work! I agree on the cup holder swap...really worth it. If the backwards UP/DOWN lettering bothers you, you can take some fine sandpaper to them and the letters come off pretty easily.
I have that same head unit too. What seat heaters did you go with? I want to do this some day.
I have that same head unit too. What seat heaters did you go with? I want to do this some day.
Tyler James Inc
Senior Member
Lookin good!
I had the same Pioneer HU in my '97. It was awesome for the first 6 months or so, then had all kinds of weird BT issues. Hopefully you have better luck with yours!
I had the same Pioneer HU in my '97. It was awesome for the first 6 months or so, then had all kinds of weird BT issues. Hopefully you have better luck with yours!
Silver Supra
New member
Thanks everyone. I went with the Dorman universal seat heaters off ebay.
https://www.dormanproducts.com/p-8240-628-040.aspx
https://www.dormanproducts.com/p-8240-628-040.aspx
Silver Supra
New member
Lift has been ordered. :behindsofa:
Silver Supra
New member
Minor update... lift should be arriving today! :jaw:
Also, I wired up the seat heaters which I had to completely re-do for my own piece of mind. The kit was designed with the relay power source, and the + relay trigger (pins 86 and 30) tied together which was then supposed to slip over a leg of a fuse into an existing switched fuse location. I don't like that at all since you don't know if the circuit is rated for the draw (10A per heater or 20A total).
I added a dedicated relay under the hood and ran my own circuit. Much safer IMO.
Finally, I'm shopping for some sliders... any recommendations?
Also, I wired up the seat heaters which I had to completely re-do for my own piece of mind. The kit was designed with the relay power source, and the + relay trigger (pins 86 and 30) tied together which was then supposed to slip over a leg of a fuse into an existing switched fuse location. I don't like that at all since you don't know if the circuit is rated for the draw (10A per heater or 20A total).
I added a dedicated relay under the hood and ran my own circuit. Much safer IMO.
Finally, I'm shopping for some sliders... any recommendations?
Silver Supra
New member
Lift is here!
Thanks Steve!! :cheers::cheers:
Thanks Steve!! :cheers::cheers:
