Stan's build thread
- Thread starter Stan
- Start date
bugeye1257
New member
Do you still have the stock UCA's?
Unfortunately, yes.
I forget, I'd have to dig out the paper but everything is in spec except for a touch of positive camber in the front.
wadle5
New member
Fantastic build, and impressed with how quickly it was assembled I would have to say my favorite besides the armor would definitely be the wheels on your rig. Love the texture and color!
And I can relate as I'm still running stock UCA's as well and so far haven't had any issues with my trail running
And I can relate as I'm still running stock UCA's as well and so far haven't had any issues with my trail running
Little update: I picked up an FJ 3rd member with e-locker to do this modification (FJ Elocker retrofit into 4th gen 4Runner - Toyota 120 Platforms Forum). Then I ended up finding an entire FJ axle complete with brakes, locker...etc etc and thought that might be easier than drilling holes in my axle housing, so out it came...
By the way, for anyone thinking about doing this, I recommend just doing the 3rd member retro fit into your 4runner axle housing. Might be a lot easier. I had the use the 4runner ebrake cables because the FJ cables are different on the end where the cables go into the cabin. :yell::yell::yell:
Then I decided while I had it out to do the Metal Tech long travel rear suspension with HD coils, 3" bump stop extension, extended brake lines and Fox 2.0 factory series 12" travel shocks (the remote reservoir is just hose clamped in place until I decide the best way to actually mount it):
But once I put the truck on the ground, I noticed that the coils weren't really doing what I thought they would, being they're the Heavy Duty springs to compensate for all the armour. I only have 1" of up travel before the axle hits the bump stops. This isn't going as planned. :yell::yell::yell:
By the way, for anyone thinking about doing this, I recommend just doing the 3rd member retro fit into your 4runner axle housing. Might be a lot easier. I had the use the 4runner ebrake cables because the FJ cables are different on the end where the cables go into the cabin. :yell::yell::yell:
Then I decided while I had it out to do the Metal Tech long travel rear suspension with HD coils, 3" bump stop extension, extended brake lines and Fox 2.0 factory series 12" travel shocks (the remote reservoir is just hose clamped in place until I decide the best way to actually mount it):
But once I put the truck on the ground, I noticed that the coils weren't really doing what I thought they would, being they're the Heavy Duty springs to compensate for all the armour. I only have 1" of up travel before the axle hits the bump stops. This isn't going as planned. :yell::yell::yell:
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UPDATE: I ended up exchanging the 12" fox's for 10" fox's and now the travel is perfect.
I also had a hell of a time wiring up the e-locker because my axle came out of a 2011 FJ Cruiser and the colors of the wires from the e-locker are different than anything I could find on the internet. So if you ever do this swap, hopefully I can save you some time.
I was going to follow a wiring diagram from 12voltguy and use a basic switch. But I wanted to mount the switch in a switch blank to make the install cleaner but the stupid switch was so big that it wouldn't fit in the blank:
After digging through my electrical tool box, I found a couple nice Bosch relays, an LED and a nice switch left over from a previous project:
So out came the Dremel and here's what I ended up with (I also made a resistor box to slow down the e-locker actuator motor on engagement and disengagement... as seen in the background):
12voltguy's wiring diagram for using a switch:
The 2 relays I used basically just replace the switch in that diagram. I ran some 8 conductor (two wires too many), multistranded wire through the engine bay, into the cabin then used the rubber grommet where the oem running board lights used to get power (didn't need those since I have sliders), then all the way to the back, above the locker.
I used heat shrink and taped up the harness and mounted the relays (here's a picture after soldering and heat shrinking:
Here's what I figured out for wiring (use at your own risk). Hopefully this helps someone else in the future.
So then I jacked up one rear wheel and put the transmission in neutral......Annnnnnnnnnd drum roll..........
I also had a hell of a time wiring up the e-locker because my axle came out of a 2011 FJ Cruiser and the colors of the wires from the e-locker are different than anything I could find on the internet. So if you ever do this swap, hopefully I can save you some time.
I was going to follow a wiring diagram from 12voltguy and use a basic switch. But I wanted to mount the switch in a switch blank to make the install cleaner but the stupid switch was so big that it wouldn't fit in the blank:
After digging through my electrical tool box, I found a couple nice Bosch relays, an LED and a nice switch left over from a previous project:
So out came the Dremel and here's what I ended up with (I also made a resistor box to slow down the e-locker actuator motor on engagement and disengagement... as seen in the background):
12voltguy's wiring diagram for using a switch:
The 2 relays I used basically just replace the switch in that diagram. I ran some 8 conductor (two wires too many), multistranded wire through the engine bay, into the cabin then used the rubber grommet where the oem running board lights used to get power (didn't need those since I have sliders), then all the way to the back, above the locker.
I used heat shrink and taped up the harness and mounted the relays (here's a picture after soldering and heat shrinking:
Here's what I figured out for wiring (use at your own risk). Hopefully this helps someone else in the future.
So then I jacked up one rear wheel and put the transmission in neutral......Annnnnnnnnnd drum roll..........
EarthQuakeBlake
New member
Hi Stan
Thanks for the build pics. Jason is my brother and I'm going to have him build my new (to me) 5th gen some parts. I'm pleased to hear you were pleased with his work. I hope it is still working out well for you.
Have an excellent day!
Thanks for the build pics. Jason is my brother and I'm going to have him build my new (to me) 5th gen some parts. I'm pleased to hear you were pleased with his work. I hope it is still working out well for you.
Have an excellent day!
