The led lights in the tailgate are eagle eye lights I found on Amazon. If I remember correctly I think the 12 pack cost me like 25 bucks. I made a wiring harness to connect each individual light. Quite a bit of soldering and heatshrink but it's all nice and tidy behind there with one connector to unplug to remove the cover. I had pictures at one point but think they got deleted.
stiles97 maint/ mods build thread
- Thread starter Stiles97
- Start date
So I have looked through the lift sticky and I think I want to go with the 99 highlander springs for just a little lift. Didn't want to start another lift thread so hopefully someone that looks here may have some advice. I am thinking about the bilstein adjustables in the front but I'm not sure what to put as far as shocks in the rear. I see long travel options for the 5100 series that indicate they would be for a 3" lift. Also I read that if I don't have the big springs (3" lift) there is a possibility of the springs popping out. I think I would rather have matching shocks front and rear for ride characteristics. Anyone have thoughts/ experience with this set up or similar ? Mainly is a DD but sees the high country off road when time permits. Thanks , Matt
So I have been toying with the idea of removing the running boards. Removed the drivers side this evening. Looks pretty good ! Only thing I don't like is the trailing edge of the flare for front wheel. Guess I need to look into this and what's available. Didn't realize how easy the boards come off. Lol.
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The light bar is mounted very solid and does not bounce. Been very happy with it.
7/25/16 204900 miles
Installed new power steering rack bushings , lower ball joints and outer tie rod ends ( oem ) with new bolts for ball joints. Flushed the brakes all the way around and also flushed the clutch fluid. Found that the right ball joint to control arm but was actually loose ( finger tight ) when I pulled the cotter pin out. Hopefully that isn't an indication that the control arm bore is worn ??? Tightened everything to specs and it appears as if my shimmy is gone !!!! Alignment is scheduled for a couple days out ( lifetime deal).
Also scored some superflex rear springs for $40 bucks last night. Starting to piece together my lift plans. These springs were 8 months old with maybe 5k miles on them according to the seller. The look the part so I think I got a good deal on then.
Installed new power steering rack bushings , lower ball joints and outer tie rod ends ( oem ) with new bolts for ball joints. Flushed the brakes all the way around and also flushed the clutch fluid. Found that the right ball joint to control arm but was actually loose ( finger tight ) when I pulled the cotter pin out. Hopefully that isn't an indication that the control arm bore is worn ??? Tightened everything to specs and it appears as if my shimmy is gone !!!! Alignment is scheduled for a couple days out ( lifetime deal).
Also scored some superflex rear springs for $40 bucks last night. Starting to piece together my lift plans. These springs were 8 months old with maybe 5k miles on them according to the seller. The look the part so I think I got a good deal on then.
So this is a Rola rack purchased from Amazon. First thoughts, this was super easy to assemble! Phillips screwdriver the only tool required. I unpacked and had it installed in under a half hour. It seems pretty stout and imagine that the only limiting factor as far as weight goes would be your factory cross bars. This morning was the first time I had it at highway speeds and I didn't hear any additional noise being created by the rack ! So far very pleased. Next up is mounting my other light bar and figuring out how to mount my high lift to it. Stay tuned.
So a couple days ago I had to replace the starter contacts. Truck had been randomly not cranking on first attempt. Sometimes second key turn and it would crank, sometimes 5. Had heard the 'horror' stories about how hard starter was to pull but went at it anyway in the driveway in 5deg cold. Starter can be pulled with out jacking truck or pulling right front wheel. I have no lift just had to slide under there. Disconnect battery , Pull rubber fender liner, remove main starter wire and small electrical connector, remove exhaust bracket, loosened brake line retainers ( no need to open brake system). Remove 2 bolts retaining starter. I had bought a couple long extensions while at the parts store for the contacts but didn't even need them as some people suggested. You do have to get the starter positioned just right for removal through fender/wheelwell but it will fit. Replaced contacts and had it all back together in 1.5 hrs tops. Starter contacts were worn out and needed replaced. No one had a plunger in town so after inspecting it I just cleaned it up with some emery paper. Has been working great now! Hasn't shown symptoms since replacement. 213.5k 12/18/2016
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98runnerelock
New member
Still liking the rack? Looks interesting.
Yeah it's been working out great! Hi lift is mounted to it and the upper light bar. I just did a 2k mile trip with all sorts of crap up there and it did fine.
