smkd13's Build Thread

[smkd13]

An now it is LIFTED!!!

Well finally got somewhere that i can get online and have some time to do my write up (at Work) for the lift install. I have a few pictures but was kinda bad at taking them this go around. But here we go:

Special thanks to Konsta ("rctoy" on TW) for the use of his shop and knowledge and my brother Joe (Auto tech "in training") for the extra hand.

(Sorry for the crappy cell phone pictures, it is all I have ATM)

Installation was for a ToyTec BOSS lift for a 3rd gen 4Runner. Everything is pretty straight forward for what you have to do. My installation included LBJs and OTREs so the process was a little more intense. (getting started and a pic of my bros back)

Along the way we ran into an issue: there was a bent Inner on the passenger side. Luckily my buddy had a spare

We got the coilovers installed before we changed the LBJs but that was a very quick process. They took a little "motivation" to get the bottom bolt in.

found out that on the top of the knuckle there is a flat spot that is on the back close to the spring. this is at full droop. It was only an 1/8 of an inch or so but I was not comfortable with that so we "clearanced" it. Just rounded it out a bit and threw on some paint. got it to about a 1/4 clearance which i am comforable with.

My buddy did most of the front end while I was building my PH bar. but here is is installed and looking good.

Installed the diff drop after everything in the front was done. (no pics)

The rear coils and shocks went in smoothly.

(picture coming soon)

Put the wheel on it. no pics

at this point we tired to do a basic alignment and found out that OTREs where the wrong ones. when trying to fix the toe we ran out of thread and they would not fit. The old ones where still in good shape so they got installed back in. Dropped it back down to the ground and tweaked the alignment good enough to drive.

Installed the B&M 70268 and new PCV. and ran into an issue of the radiator tranny cooler return "nub" (cant recall name atm) broke off and again luckily my buddy had an aftermarket one that was barely used.

While my brother was putting the fan shroud on the "new" radiator, I did this to my front bumper:

We then filled her back up with some TF and AF. Leak tested then installed the stock skid plate. (took a slight amount of modification to get it to fit correctly - BFH used extensivly) Reason for this as some of you might be aware of is that my crossmember is bent. That will be getting fixed later.

 

[smkd13]

Overall the process was smooth and pretty too the point... We decided to leave both swaybars off... honestly the ride is fine without them... even when going 75... but i am definitely seeing the point of a re-gear... The truck cruises at a lower RPM but downshifts A LOT more... found the happy medium to be at somewhere around 65 to 70... this ain't no race car so i don't mind that... The GY Duratracs are unbelievably quiet on the road... I have a little more vibration but that can mainly be felt on mid range of the RPMs, as well the rearview shakes a little more... nothing too bad though... There is a lean to the drivers side but I am sure that the reason for that is the lack of swaybars and the fact of a sub, two batteries, gas tank, and me all on that side... it sits pretty level but but looks as it is sagging in the rear but it is level...

Overall I am happy with it... Will reinstall the swaybar and see if that helps with the lean.

Here are some pictures on it

 

[Roguestatus1688]

Runner is looking good man..I am looking into buying some BOSS coilovers. How are they riding? Also, what size are those duratracs? I want to go bigger if I get the new lift...I have 265/70/16 right now...

 

[smkd13]

Runner is looking good man..I am looking into buying some BOSS coilovers. How are they riding? Also, what size are those duratracs? I want to go bigger if I get the new lift...I have 265/70/16 right now...

well they are riding great so far and i would really know it cause i drove 200 mile without sway bars. lol honestly you don't really need them but it does lean drivers without them. (or atleast that is my theory) the coilovers are valved perfectly. definitely satisfied with them.

the Duratracs are 285/75r16 on pro comp 7069s (4" BS with -11 offset). fills the fender wells nicely. if you got that big you will not be able to cruise at 75 without a lot of "gear searching". 65-70 seem to be the sweet spot. this is with the stock 4.10s btw. if you regear to 4.88 you should be fine lol they are honestly really quiet tires.

I had a set of 265/70r16s on mine before the lift. fender height was about 34" before. after lift with 285s it sits at 39ish. so total was almost 5 in lift. still have to trim the fenders infront of the cab and you can see where i trimmed the front bumper.

 

[rickashay]

Your rig is looking great!

Don't you love it when you get your lift first installed, your new tires on, and you step back and think "damn, that looks awesome." Then you go for a drive. haha Your pic of your truck at the gas station reminded me of that sweet moment. Thanks for the reminiscent memory.

Cheers

 

[smkd13]

Your rig is looking great!

Don't you love it when you get your lift first installed, your new tires on, and you step back and think "damn, that looks awesome." Then you go for a drive. haha Your pic of your truck at the gas station reminded me of that sweet moment. Thanks for the reminiscent memory.

Cheers

thanks bud

oh yes that moment was amazing honestly. I like driving it and not feeling like i am in a car anymore lol and your welcome :

 

[4runner269]

Love the black and white theme, very nice runner:bravo: Other then the diff drop, did you have to replace the stock control arms? Pics didnt look it but i wanna make sure. If mine ever looks like this i'de keep it forever!

 

[smkd13]

Love the black and white theme, very nice runner:bravo: Other then the diff drop, did you have to replace the stock control arms? Pics didnt look it but i wanna make sure. If mine ever looks like this i'de keep it forever!

Thank you bro, i like the black and white and the flares are a little more tolerable now lol

and by stock control arms you mean the uppers, correct? if so then the answer is no i did not have to. the tires cleared them fine but i am running 4" BS on my 8" rims. I did have to trim the knuckle a little bit but that was just me being cautious.

 

[BigFishAllDay]

I've been checking out the build, so I figured I'd pop in here and say "atta-boy!" Your 4Runner is coming along quickly and I dig the mods (just can't beat that wheel and tire combo). When it was stock it looked just like my Wife's 2000. If I ever want to try and convince her to lift hers, I'll show her this thread.

Look forward meeting you and running over some stuff with the rigs in Moab.

 

[smkd13]

Ok so just got off the phone with Dylan at ToyTec and some clarification on the rear coils. They are marked for each side as follows:

024RCBR for the Passenger Side

024RCBL for the Driver Side

as well for the rear you should see a hub to fender of somewhere in the range of 23 1/2" to 24" and the front should be right around 23"

I will be adjusting the coilovers and rear springs this weekend and hopefully will be able to get this thing to sit without a lean lol

On another note I will eventually be getting a better alternator for when i get a winch and some lighting going on. My buddy (Konsta) is running a modified Alternator out of a late 90s supra. 95-99 from my searching. These are modded to output 200 amps with an idle output of 90 amps. pretty close to a bolt on except for a modification to the mounding bracket but other than that pretty simple. generally get them off ebay and they range anywhere from $150 to $300. Just wanted to put that on here incase i forget.

 

[smkd13]

I've been checking out the build, so I figured I'd pop in here and say "atta-boy!" Your 4Runner is coming along quickly and I dig the mods (just can't beat that wheel and tire combo). When it was stock it looked just like my Wife's 2000. If I ever want to try and convince her to lift hers, I'll show her this thread.

Look forward meeting you and running over some stuff with the rigs in Moab.

Hey thanks buddy i love the wheel/tire combo. definitely very happy with it :nod: and that mean a lot to me that i will be inspiration :rockon:

definitely cant wait to see you guys down in Moab here in a few months... always nice to see the rigs that give you ideas in real life.

 

[smkd13]

Well did my drl mod and very happy about it

Also flexed out my truck today

And I definitely need longer bump stops

 

[02_SE_Runner]

Looking good Mate. Keeping Tuned! Can't wait to see your take on the LED door handles eh?

 

[Hepar]

You got a great looking rig and build going yourself!

 

[smkd13]

Thanks guys. Probably gonna order some LEDs here later this week or next. Going to go do some pinch weld trimming today

 

[smkd13]

Finally got around to doing my pinch welds on the front wheel wells. Not many pictures but here is one I snapped before my phone died.

 

[junr]

The front bumper looks great. How did you make the cut? It looks as if you just took a line that went from (bottom right) of the fat part of the bumper and took it to the opposite corner.

I may do this to mine as well.

junr

 

[smkd13]

The front bumper looks great. How did you make the cut? It looks as if you just took a line that went from (bottom right) of the fat part of the bumper and took it to the opposite corner.

I may do this to mine as well.

junr

Thanks bud

I made three marks. On at the front next to the lip, one right around the fog light. And one right about an 1/8 in down from the metal. Used a piece of cardboard and permanent marker to make the line and a grinder to make the cut. Sand it to make the edges smooth.

 

[Kraze]

Well did my drl mod and very happy about it http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/03/10/5ana7u4a.jpg[IMG]

Also flexed out my truck today :)

[IMG]http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/03/10/eve6a6uh.jpg[IMG]

And I definitely need longer bump stops

[IMG]http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/03/10/su9e9ebu.jpg[IMG][/QUOTE]

Any clue what you're going to do as far as the bump stops go? I'm thinking of eventually switching to that setup in the rear, so I'm curious.

 

[smkd13]

Any clue what you're going to do as far as the bump stops go? I'm thinking of eventually switching to that setup in the rear, so I'm curious.

probably gonna be daystar bumps but idk at this moment i need to get a measurement on how long they need to be