Son-Uva-Driller's 97 Limited Family 4Wheeler Build

[Son-Uva-Driller]

Priming and painting the rock sliders. It's the last job I'll get done before I go back to work for a couple of weeks. Have to pay for the following parts that I'm gonna order while away:
-Wheel spacers (1.25" or 1.5")
-Rear coil spring spacers (1.5")
-UBJs and LBJs
-Inner and outer Tie rod ends
-OEM boot kits (have to reboot both half shafts)

 

[Son-Uva-Driller]

Finally!!!

Home two days and have been working on the truck solid. Completed the following:
-Oil change
-Rad flush and fill
-ATF flush and fill
-Pulled and rebooted both cv's
-Replaced both LBJ's
-Replaced both outer tie rod ends
-Installed 1.25" Spidertrax all around
-Installed Weathertech side window deflectors
-Installed Trail Gear 1" diff drop
-Replaced bushings on front sway bar and endlinks
-Installed roof top cargo/gear basket

And Finally got my tires mounted!

 

[Dephcon]

Looking good, just need to put the front bumper fender caps back on and and it will look like it should have when it came from the factory.

 

[Son-Uva-Driller]

Looking good, just need to put the front bumper fender caps back on and and it will look like it should have when it came from the factory.

Yes was wondering if someone would notice then missing. Had to do some trimming at the tire shop just to get the alignment done.
Will probably do some more trimming of the valence panel and bumper etc so the front fender flare caps will most likely stay off.
Went for a quick rip with the family this afternoon on a local FSR.

 

[fightman80]

Thanks to those who've taken a minute to have a look at my build thread. Sorry it's not as exciting as some of the other guys builds and that the pics are huge, but any advice, comments or critiques is always appreciated.

We all start somewhere.... some of us have bigger budgets... other's do what they can with what they have. You've got a good start going on man... not sure what your ultimate goal is... but just remember to enjoy the process!

I opted for a mild build... with an "OEM Plus" feel... but really enjoy seeing the tricked out rigs too!

Good luck with your project man!

 

[Son-Uva-Driller]

We all start somewhere.... some of us have bigger budgets... other's do what they can with what they have. You've got a good start going on man... not sure what your ultimate goal is... but just remember to enjoy the process!

I opted for a mild build... with an "OEM Plus" feel... but really enjoy seeing the tricked out rigs too!

Good luck with your project man!

Thanks very much. I wouldn't be able to do it without the inspiration, advice and awesome DIY build threads that guys like you have posted up.

Up next for me will be the following:

167 Hilux snorkel
ISR and deck plate mods
Front and rear bumpers and winch

Stay tuned...

 

[baja1]

NICE! im picking up her identical sistership today! got a SS 1.2 in the back ready for install. what size duratracs did you buy?

 

[Son-Uva-Driller]

NICE! im picking up her identical sistership today! got a SS 1.2 in the back ready for install. what size duratracs did you buy?

Right on! The duratracs are 285/75/16. Love them so far. Super quiet on the pavement and haven't found anything that has stopped them on the trail yet.

Post up some pics when you get yours. looking forward to seeing it.

 

[Son-Uva-Driller]

Hilux 167

The snorkel kit I ordered arrived today. Gonna wait until I get back from work before I start cutting into my truck.
Great DIY write up on the forum here that I will definately be referring to when it comes time to install it. A little nervous because as you will read in the write up, the template is a little off. Oh well, will cross that bridge when I get there.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/182919-hilux-167-snorkel-3rd-gens.html

 

[RAZsRunner]

Excellent build man! I love the ride height of your runner. Thats exactly how i want mine to sit. Currently trying to determine what suspension to go with once i get to that point. How much do you have in it suspension wise if you don't mind me asking?

 

[Son-Uva-Driller]

Excellent build man! I love the ride height of your runner. Thats exactly how i want mine to sit. Currently trying to determine what suspension to go with once i get to that point. How much do you have in it suspension wise if you don't mind me asking?

Toytec Ultimate lift kit, Bilstein 5100 Coilovers with 600lbs springs in front and Bilstein 5125 with OME 890 springs in the rear.

Got pretty much 3" lift front and rear. The front is a little high but I can adjust the coilovers. But I'll be putting on a aftermarket bumper and winch by the end of summer so that should bring in down to where I want it.

When you lift your rig ABSOLUTELY install the diff drop. I didn't, and my inner CV boots exploded before I made it out the driveway after I lifted it.

Rebooted them and installed the diff drop and they're all good now.

Good luck.

 

[A.Wilson013]

Toytec Ultimate lift kit, Bilstein 5100 Coilovers with 600lbs springs in front and Bilstein 5125 with OME 890 springs in the rear.

Got pretty much 3" lift front and rear. The front is a little high but I can adjust the coilovers. But I'll be putting on a aftermarket bumper and winch by the end of summer so that should bring in down to where I want it.

When you lift your rig ABSOLUTELY install the diff drop. I didn't, and my inner CV boots exploded before I made it out the driveway after I lifted it.

Rebooted them and installed the diff drop and they're all good now.

Good luck.

I was just about to ask which rear springs you went with as the rear height does seem less than ideal. Another option to fix your "issue" would be to sell those 890's and pick up a set of Land Cruiser FJ80 FRONT coils. The 7.5 wraps would be ideal for your application, I think. Great springs that ride well and flex GREAT.

As for the diff drop... Even with the diff drop installed from the start I am sure your boots would have suffered the same fate. With so many miles/kms on them at the stock angle that change is huge. Mine tore on my way to get aligned after I did my lift.

Hope to see some more progress and trip pictures man... Enjoy it!

 

[Son-Uva-Driller]

I was just about to ask which rear springs you went with as the rear height does seem less than ideal. Another option to fix your "issue" would be to sell those 890's and pick up a set of Land Cruiser FJ80 FRONT coils. The 7.5 wraps would be ideal for your application, I think. Great springs that ride well and flex GREAT.

As for the diff drop... Even with the diff drop installed from the start I am sure your boots would have suffered the same fate. With so many miles/kms on them at the stock angle that change is huge. Mine tore on my way to get aligned after I did my lift.

Hope to see some more progress and trip pictures man... Enjoy it!

Thanks. Yes I was a little disappointed in how the rear turned out. Swapping out the 890's did cross my mind, but it was such a battle to get the old ones out and the 890's in that to repeat the process so soon is exhausting just thinking about it.
But just in case, any leads on a good source for the LC FJ80 coils?
I was also maybe thinking on keeping the 890's and just putting a pair of 1.5" Poly coil spacers on top of them.

 

[diponyou]

nice runner, dude. I like the progress.

 

[Son-Uva-Driller]

nice runner, dude. I like the progress.

Thank you. How was that LED install on your dash? Would really like to do it, but I'm horrible with anything electrical.

If its not too difficult I'll probably order some LEDs when I'm away at work and should arrive by the time I get back.

Also gonna tackle the Hilux 167 snorkel install when I get back too. Very tempted to try and get it done tomorrow but I don't wanna leave on Wednesday and leave the wife with a 4Runner full of holes.

 

[Bryansyodaddy]

Nice! What made you choose 285s and not 33s?

 

[A.Wilson013]

Thanks. Yes I was a little disappointed in how the rear turned out. Swapping out the 890's did cross my mind, but it was such a battle to get the old ones out and the 890's in that to repeat the process so soon is exhausting just thinking about it.
But just in case, any leads on a good source for the LC FJ80 coils?
I was also maybe thinking on keeping the 890's and just putting a pair of 1.5" Poly coil spacers on top of them.

If swapping the 890's was a pain, quite simply, you're doing something wrong.

Take the wheels off, disconnect the sway bar, and life the vehicle from the frame (hitch works well) allowing the axle to droop as much as possible. Using another jack lift up on the bottom of the axle near the brake drum in order to make the opposite side drop even lower. The coil should essentially fall right out...

If you ever make it to the Seattle area (Mukilteo to be exact) there is a shop called "Tor Fab" that will sell springs for $65 a set. I don't know if they'll ship them though... Outside of that there is a guy in the classifieds right now selling some 9 wraps... That'd really bring the rear up a LOT though.

Don't go the spacer route... That's a bandaid fix.

 

[diponyou]

It is extremely easy, and I would hardly consider it electrical. Here is the thread that I found the part numbers, and there is a decent walk through on it as well.
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/160498-led-dash-lights-faqs.html

Thank you. How was that LED install on your dash? Would really like to do it, but I'm horrible with anything electrical.

If its not too difficult I'll probably order some LEDs when I'm away at work and should arrive by the time I get back.

Also gonna tackle the Hilux 167 snorkel install when I get back too. Very tempted to try and get it done tomorrow but I don't wanna leave on Wednesday and leave the wife with a 4Runner full of holes.

 

[Son-Uva-Driller]

Nice! What made you choose 285s and not 33s?

I wanted to keep my stock 16" wheels and correct me if I'm wrong but the 33" Duratrac is 33"x12.5R15.

I'm also sure the 285s (load range E) are 10 ply and the 33" (load range C) are only 6ply.

Then again I'm not a tire expert, so anyone out there that is please feel free to correct the above statements. Thanks.

 

[Son-Uva-Driller]

If swapping the 890's was a pain, quite simply, you're doing something wrong.

Take the wheels off, disconnect the sway bar, and life the vehicle from the frame (hitch works well) allowing the axle to droop as much as possible. Using another jack lift up on the bottom of the axle near the brake drum in order to make the opposite side drop even lower. The coil should essentially fall right out...

If you ever make it to the Seattle area (Mukilteo to be exact) there is a shop called "Tor Fab" that will sell springs for $65 a set. I don't know if they'll ship them though... Outside of that there is a guy in the classifieds right now selling some 9 wraps... That'd really bring the rear up a LOT though.

Don't go the spacer route... That's a bandaid fix.

Oh I'm very sure I was doing something wrong, it was the first lift I've ever done, and I was doing it on my own. I was struggling for hours with a coil spring compressor tool I rented cursing to the high heavens and swearing I would never do it again.
Now that I've read what you've just said, I'm pretty sure I had the jack in the wrong place and I didn't use a second jack either.
I've got a buddy who lives in Bellingham, might be able to talk him into going by Tor Fab and grabbing me a set of those springs.
Thanks very much for the great tips.