Unner's Build, 2001 T4R 4x4
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Charlene
New member
I'm running the eibachs right now with tundra 5100's on the first perch with no front armour. It gave me about 2.5" of lift but the ride is real firm. I don't know if that's what your looking for or not but a lot of the time it can be almost jarring on potholes on the road. However when I'm offroad I love the firmness and how it soaks up a lot of the bumps
Unner
New member
I backed for $179 Australian Dollars, or $126 USD. I backed for just the recovery ramps, I didn't really have a need for the mount.
Hmmm. I don't want a super firm jarring ride, but I'll also be running a little extra weight up front so that may help the ride out some to smooth it out.
krenaud33
New member
I think you would like the TRD Tundra coils and adjustable Tundra Bilstien 5100s on perch 2
Charlene
New member
This is definitely a better idea especially if you want a more comfortable ride. I don't have experience with the TRD coils but I assume they are a lot more soft than the eibachs. But if you plan on doing a bumper and winch then I would go with the eibachs. They will ride perfectly after that
Unner
New member
Pretty sure this is what I'm going to do. I just need to decide if I want the first or second perch since I won't be running a winch right away unless I find a crazy deal and the AOR bumper is only 23 lbs heavier than stock.
Yeah I'd like to have a nice ride. The truck is my DD so I need a somewhat nice ride.
Today I got the skid plates installed after picking them up from the powder coater yesterday. They came out great with the powder coating, and the install wasn't too bad although it did take me a little while. I also greased my driveshaft while I was down there since I wasn't sure how access would be with the skids installed.
[MENTION=84643]JBurt[/MENTION]
The only real issue I had while installing the skids was on the front my shackle hangers wouldn't fit anymore. To remedy this I just installed the front tie down loops that were there originally from the factory. The Shrockworks skids come with 1/4" shims that you are supposed to put between the skid and frame if you aren't running a plate bumper. The tie down loops are also 1/4" steel so I used these instead of the shims. I could have installed the OEM tow hook as well, but I chose not to. I would have had to mount it over the skid plate and didn't want it rubbing on my fresh powder coat, plus the bolt would be going through an extra 1/4" of steel so I wasn't sure how the thread engagement would be so I opted to leave it out. I'm gonna pick up a recovery strap with a hook on the end of it just incase it's needed before I get a front bumper. Honestly you could probably use the radiator skid as a recover point it's so stout haha.
Another thing that anyone installing these or removing the factory gas tank skid should note. On the front there are three bolts that all look like they are holding the skid plate on. Well the outer two are and the center one is the one that holds the entire gas tank up... I learned this the hard way. I pulled all three bolts because I couldn't see that the center one didn't affect the skid plate. Next thing I know there's a full gas tank laying on me... It was quite heavy, but I'm glad I was under the tank so it landed on me instead of ripping everything else attached out. No one else was around so I managed to push the tank back up and get that bolt threaded in a bit and ran to grab the jack and a 1x8 board. Lesson learned...
Now for some pictures! My friend cleverly called this "Unner Armour" haha
Stock vs Shrockworks
DSC02620 by Unner Unner, on Flickr
DSC02621 by Unner Unner, on FlickrInstalled!
DSC02627 by Unner Unner, on Flickr
DSC02632 by Unner Unner, on Flickr
DSC02633 by Unner Unner, on Flickr
DSC02636 by Unner Unner, on Flickr
DSC02641 by Unner Unner, on Flickr
DSC02643 by Unner Unner, on Flickr
DSC02646 by Unner Unner, on Flickr
DSC02647 by Unner Unner, on Flickr
DSC02651 by Unner Unner, on Flickr
DSC02654 by Unner Unner, on FlickrI love the way these look and the fit is awesome. I was worried they wouldn't line up since they all link up together, but it came out perfect. The coverage is awesome as well and only required drill one hole that wasn't an issue at all. I've got a nice smooth surface all the way back now. Everything is covered, and all but two bolts on the under side are carriage bolts so it shouldn't hang up on much.
I'm kinda digging the "Speed Hole" look the 4Runner is getting now with the dimpled sliders and the holes in the skid plates. It ties it all together well.
Just a little info on weights and measurements.
Stock Radiator + Engine Skid - 17.5 lbs
Stock Gas Tank Skid - 14.5 lbs
Shrockworks Radiator Skid - 32 lbs
Shrockworks Engine Skid - 23 lbs
Shrockworks Transmission Skid - 35 lbs
Shrockworks Transfer Case Skid - 22 lbs
Shrockworks Gas Tank Skid - 41 lbs
So in total I added about 121 lbs of steel to the 4Runner with these additions, but the good news is it's all down low so it shouldn't affect handing much like a spare on the roof would.
[MENTION=107971]derpiful[/MENTION]
Here's my before and after measurements of installing the skids. I'm going to try and keep this updated with every time I make a change that will affect the ride height since info like this is hard to find it seems. Maybe it will help someone out.
Before Ground to Fender Hub to Fender
DF 34 5/8" 19 5/8"
PF 34 3/4" 19 3/4"
DR 36" 20 3/4"
PR 36" 20 3/4"
After Ground to Fender Hub to Fender
DF 34 3/8" 19 3/8"
PF 34 1/2" 19 1/2"
DR 36" 20 3/4"
PR 36" 20 3/4"
I lost about a quarter inch of height up front, and nothing in the back but I'm also running air bags in the rear with a pretty good bit of pressure in them so that might be part of the reason it didn't change, also most of the weight is on the front.
I went to a junkyard on Friday to look for some junkyard bumpstops and a spare that would fit over my TBU, but I didn't find any wheels and didn't have time to look for the bump stops. I did pull this set of flares off a truck there though to save them from the crusher. They're for sale as I have no use for them. I will also be selling my shackle mounts for the front.
Hopefully this week I get a chance to go back and look for the bumpstops and I may pick up the steering joint from that truck too and try welding that and replacing mine with that one since I have that play in it that seems pretty common on the later year 3rd gens.
I was planning to do my tie rods tomorrow, but I'm not sure anymore since I have to get an alignment afterwards. I may just wait until next weekend. Tomorrow maybe I'll just wash the truck and take some good pictures with the new skids and rack since I haven't washed it since adding either...
Last edited:
Unner
New member
Thanks, we need to go wheeling sometime or get an Alabama 4Runner meet together. There's a good bit of us in the Huntsville to Birmingham region I think.
Thanks! Most people wouldn't notice them, but those that do notice them will know what they are and what their purpose is. I need to get this thing up in the air a little and get a bumper on the front though so you can see how good they look easier!
I'll probably start ordering lift parts next week. I'm gonna go with the Tundra/LC lift, 5100's up front and OEM Tokico shocks in the rear. I'm hoping to get a set of 7 wraps from a member here who only ran them 15k miles so they're almost new. I'm getting the rest of the OE parts from Camelback, the 5100's, brake lines, diff drop, and other small parts needed from either Toytec or Wheelers, bumpstops from the junkyard, sway bar links from Mstudt, and UCAs through a black friday sale hopefully.
I'm gonna try it without a panhard drop or adjustable bar at first and see how bad it really is. There's a lot of differing opinions on it so I'm gonna find out for myself. If AOR runs a black Friday sale I'll be jumping on that as well.
I just ordered a set of BAMF LCA skids. They were on sale for $120 with free shipping today. Seemed like a good deal and they should look good on my truck.
Not looking forward to drilling the LCA's, but I'm not afraid of it anymore either like I would have been a year or two ago before I started modding this truck. I may pick up an extra set of LCA's and swap new bushings into them at the same time and then just swap LCA's.
Unner
New member
Yeah that's what we'll probably have to do. There's a southeast section on the forum here, but it hardly sees any traffic. I think a couple years ago some members got a group together and ran the skyline drive trail down in Talladega. It's probably closed at this point in the year, but it would be cool to get something like that going.
Hoots Magoon
New member
Can you still ride in Bankhead?
Unner
New member
I was looking into it last year and I called them and asked and they said the trails there are for dirt bikes and quads, nothing for vehicles. That's what they told me at least at the state park office.
jpeaslee
New member
I went out there a couple months ago with my cousins. There're a lot of forrest roads and a few trails that you can ride, but nothing too challenging. Everything we did, shane did in his S10 2wd w/ positrac. There were a few spots we didn't venture down because of that, but he still probably woulda been ok.
Unner
New member
Yeah that's what I figured, kinda like fire roads. We've got a good bit of those here around the river. Most of it's doable in 2wd. I only ever needed 4WD twice out there. Once last winter in the 9" of snow we got, and once when I went out there after a week of rain and the river had come up over the trail in places. Nothing the 4Runner couldn't handle though. There's a few pull off mud holes, but nothing too exciting, I don't care much for mud anyway.
krenaud33
New member
With only that much difference in weight I would run them on the 1st perch.
MattJakobs
New member
The skids look great man, it's awesome you were able to get them so quickly with the rush of the group buy!
Unner
New member
If I go with them that's what I'll do. I've been looking at the Toytec boss coilovers here lately, got some great news yesterday so I may treat myself to something a little nicer. Plus it may be worth the extra couple hundred dollars to be able to adjust the suspension as the weight or my needs change.
Thanks! I think I got them so quickly because I got my order in right away. They may have had a set on the shelf ready to ship too with how fast I got them.
The only thing that I've noticed is on a cold start up and backing up the truck seems to have slightly more vibration than it did before the skids. It's not bad at all, just something I noticed being picky like I am. To install the transfer case skid you have to remove the "Vibration Damper" on the transfer case skid so I feel like that's what's causing it.
Unner
New member
Well, everything is ordered...
I went with:
ToyTec Boss Coilovers (600lb Red Springs)
Front Diff Drop
SuperBump Bump Stops for Front
New LC 7 Wraps
LC Rear Shocks
Extended Rear Brake Lines
Junkyard Bumpstops for rear (still need to acquire)
Grade 5 5/8" washers for LC shocks
Anyone see anything important that I missed?
Just for my future reference and anyone else's I called Wheeler's today to ask about the SuperBumps and he said to only run one on each side, preferably the rear ones. Leave the stock bump stops on so there is still something as a final limit on compression.
I also made an appointment to have my alignment done on friday, I plan to finally change my inner and outer tie rods Friday morning.
I'm super excited to get my lift put on now! :reddance:
I went with:
ToyTec Boss Coilovers (600lb Red Springs)
Front Diff Drop
SuperBump Bump Stops for Front
New LC 7 Wraps
LC Rear Shocks
Extended Rear Brake Lines
Junkyard Bumpstops for rear (still need to acquire)
Grade 5 5/8" washers for LC shocks
Anyone see anything important that I missed?
Just for my future reference and anyone else's I called Wheeler's today to ask about the SuperBumps and he said to only run one on each side, preferably the rear ones. Leave the stock bump stops on so there is still something as a final limit on compression.
I also made an appointment to have my alignment done on friday, I plan to finally change my inner and outer tie rods Friday morning.
I'm super excited to get my lift put on now! :reddance:
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