South Bay Truck and 4x4 (LA area)

[theknack]

I found myself in the possession of an Icon Stage II kit about a week ago (Thank you Chas [MENTION=120150]TotalAutomotiveLV[/MENTION] for the t4r group buy). It literally showed up 3 days after i committed, I mean i expect that kind of turn around from amazon but I was impressed when i found the kit on my porch that day. I originally thought I had a few weeks to do some research on mechanics (I had done enough to know I'd rather just pay someone than learn on my daily driver), but now it was go time. Having the parts in your garage and not on your truck has a strong effect so after a few days I was gathering quotes.

So I ended up at south bay truck and 4x4 to install it, lots of positive experience and they're just too convenient for me to pass up (I literally dropped my 4runner off at 8:00am and walked to work, then at the end of the day walked back over to pick it up). Completely satisfied with Frank and his guys. There's a 4wheelparts even closer but based on what i've seen here on the forum i wanted to avoid them like the clap. I also got a quote from Big O Tires but when i told them i wanted them to install an Icon Stage II they actually said to me "what's that?"(They do list suspension installs on their website). I don't fault them for that and i'm sure they're good at what they're good at, but yea, that sort of ended the conversation. So, like i said, i ended up with Frank. From what I've seen and after talking to him in depth, mechanical stuff is his forte. Apparently he is one of the places Dirty Parts outsources the "dirty work" to. But, while he's happy tearing apart your suspension and differentials he actually sends the fancy electrical work over to Dirty Parts so they seem to have a mutually beneficial relationship.

So anyways, yes, there's lots of words above, but i wanted to relay my experience with Frank. I had done my share of research before buying the lift and even more when it came to installing it (i really wanted to do it myself but just don't have the space, equipment, or 4runner downtime available at the moment) and i would go to him again (and will the next time i need something i can't do myself). Lots of places specialize in Jeeps, not so many with new Toyota's. Frank has experience with Taco's, FJ's and 4runners and i even got a referral from a forum member, thanks [MENTION=115996]enkrypt3d[/MENTION]. I'm really happy with the work and feel like this is the what the 4runner was supposed to be, not the soccer mom version they sell you at the dealer

 

[enkrypt3d]

dude thats awesome! did you get any new springs or UCA's too?

rig looks great! glad you had a good experience there. Frank is a good guy and does good work.

Looks great man! :madgrin:

My next mod I think is Nitto Trail grapplers (not that i need them but they look badass) haha although I'm not sure if I need to get bigger springs in the rear to fit 33's?

 

[DesertCanyons]

Thanks

Thanks for the testimonial. I'll probably be looking for a good shop to add the suspension upgrade. This is an hour from my home and office but it could work.

 

[theknack]

dude thats awesome! did you get any new springs or UCA's too?

rig looks great! glad you had a good experience there. Frank is a good guy and does good work.

Looks great man! :madgrin:

My next mod I think is Nitto Trail grapplers (not that i need them but they look badass) haha although I'm not sure if I need to get bigger springs in the rear to fit 33's?

Thanks! I just got what comes in the Icon Stage II with tubular UCA kit. It lifted the rear 2.5" with stock tires. The 33's seem to fit just fine. I came across some debate on whether new UCA's are required for a 3" lift in the front. Supposedly the right person can get everything aligned but here's 2 more things to consider:
1. Frank implied the new UCA's are necessary to get the full travel out of the new shock, I already had the UCA's so I didn't give his comment much thought at the time but that might have just been because the shocks I got are extended travel.
2. The tire shop said the 285/70/17 on a stock rim would rub on the stock UCA. I don't know if he was just trying to sell me spacers or what but once he saw i had the icon UCA he said I was fine.
Since i already had the icon UCA's i didn't worry about either of those comments but figured I'd relay them. If nothing else they're probably worth a little more research if you're planning to keep the stock UCA's with a lift/larger tires.

Thanks for the testimonial. I'll probably be looking for a good shop to add the suspension upgrade. This is an hour from my home and office but it could work.

You're welcome. This forum has been very helpful, although expensive, for me so I figured I'd try to make contributions where I can. If you can make it over to see Frank great, but in another thread someone had recommended RPM Auto in Arcadia so they might be worth checking out if you're in Pasadena. Having a few options is always nice.

 

[TotalAutomotiveLV]

Your 4Runner is looking great!! Thank you for your business as well.

How are you liking it now that youve had it installed for a couple weeks?

 

[theknack]

So far I'm happy with it. It's definitely stiffer and of course everyone will have their own opinions, but for me I feel like its an improvement driving around town and on the highway. If nothing else the nose drive while braking is significantly improved.

After about a week the uni-balls developed a creaking sound at low speed but wiping them out and re-lubing with tri-flow seemed to take care of it. I did notice some metal particles on the q-tips but hopefully that's just from wearing in. Seems like a lot of people have some sort of noises coming from the uni-ball so I'm just going to monitor it for now. Hopefully after everything wears in and I clean them out a few times they'll stay quiet for a while.

Unfortunately I haven't been able to go on any trails with the new setup yet. I was going to join some family friends on some Big Bear trails a couple weeks ago but they canceled due to the rain (wtF we're in a drought...). I'd really like to do some offroading soon to expose any issues sooner than later so I'll be keeping an eye on the SoCal section!