Unner's Build, 2001 T4R 4x4
- Thread starter Unner
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Unner
New member
Haha, normal people don't understand. When I say I have time and money into this truck they're like, ok, he worked on it for a few hours and spent a couple hundred dollars on it. They also don't know what it means when we say something like regear, or swap rear axles to get a locking diff. They just look at us like we're crazy.
I remember my easy mods. Vent visors, weather techs, trd decals, and now I cut the frame using an angle grinder and drill, rip the suspension apart, have 450 pounds of steel added to it... All good stuff.
Scramble
New member
LOL, I never did anything like this to a vehicle before. Last year when I was cutting the front of the frame off for the bumper my GF was like, "do you know what you're doing"? I said, "No"! LOL She has pics of me with the grinder that I'll add to my build thread when I get up to it. But is was easy.
Unner
New member
Haha sounds just like me. That was the first time I actually used an angle grinder as well. Gotta start somewhere.
List of things to do this weekend in order of priority for next weekends wheeling trip.
Flip Gas Tank Skid Bolts
Trim Mattress Pad to fit in back, possibly make quick disconnect bolts for rear seat cushions and a small platform to extend the space in the rear a bit.
LCA Skids
Sway Bar End Links
Parking Brake Cable Brackets
Level Coilovers (Driver side 1/2" lower)
Power Steering Flush
3M Clear Bra under Rack Fairing
Round Edges on Rack Fairing
Then she'll be ready to hit the trails, weather cooperating.
zonedriven
New member
Nice Thread. Welcome to the upstate! If you're interested we are looking into a trip to horsepasture rd on 3.27.16, Email me at [email protected]
MattJakobs
New member
I don't know how I'm just now seeing this but I was able to hop in the RAT Products group buy for a full set of skids.
The bumper/skid set up you're running looks really good man.
I do agree with you in terms of not being a huge fan of the rear tube bumpers. I can't wait to get rid of mine. If you go tire carrier, what are your plans for the ladder?
Unner
New member
Nice! I love the look of the truck from the front right now. The skids, bumper, and the way the suspension peeks through looks super aggressive. Still haven't been able to test it out though. Trip got canceled this weekend only for it not to rain at all. I got a little dirt road action in though. Nothing I couldn't have done in 2WD though most likely.
Well I hope that I'll be able to keep the ladder and run a tire carrier, I'll have to look into clearances. If not I guess I'll have a ladder build onto the tire carrier and then sell the Gobi.
I've got a few small updates to post, just need to upload some photos real quick.
Unner
New member
Two weekends ago I got my front end links installed, finished up my camping setup for the rear, and found out why the parking brake bracket isn't for the 01-02. It doesn't fit with the way the brake lines are for the VSC...
DSC03758 by Unner Unner, on Flickr
I made these quick release bolts for my seat bottoms so it's long enough for me to lay back there now. Simple set up, Just a M8x1.25 bolt, a 3/8" wing nut, and some M8 nuts and washers to clamp it on. They are sturdy, you just have to turn them a little to flip the seats up depending on how they are lined up at the time. Then I cut a piece of plywood to lay across the front. Just flip the headrests around and you've got a good support for the wood. Throw a 2" foam mattress topper on there and you've got a pretty decent bed.
DSC03754 by Unner Unner, on Flickr
DSC03753 by Unner Unner, on Flickr
DSC03752 by Unner Unner, on Flickr
DSC03751 by Unner Unner, on Flickr
DSC03749 by Unner Unner, on Flickr
I got home last weekend from my 350 miles drive back to the smell of burning oil. Crawled under and looked and my front diff seal on the passenger CV had gone bad pretty quick. After a quote of $550 from Toyota to just replace the seal I decided I was going to do it myself and replace the CV while I was there since it was about to tear I'm sure and had already let a good bit of grease go. So far so good, 200 miles leak free.
20160314_013441 by Unner Unner, on Flickr
20160314_013551 by Unner Unner, on Flickr
20160318_152424 by Unner Unner, on Flickr
I leveled my coilovers last week too. This weekend my plans got canceled due to the fear of rain. It didn't rain at all so we went and found a gravel road by accident at Jocassee Gorges. Here's a couple pics from there.
DSC03794 by Unner Unner, on Flickr
DSC03816 by Unner Unner, on Flickr
DSC03774 by Unner Unner, on Flickr
And a couple pics from the weekend before.
DSC03767 by Unner Unner, on Flickr
DSC03763 by Unner Unner, on Flickr
DSC03760 by Unner Unner, on Flickr
DSC03758 by Unner Unner, on FlickrI made these quick release bolts for my seat bottoms so it's long enough for me to lay back there now. Simple set up, Just a M8x1.25 bolt, a 3/8" wing nut, and some M8 nuts and washers to clamp it on. They are sturdy, you just have to turn them a little to flip the seats up depending on how they are lined up at the time. Then I cut a piece of plywood to lay across the front. Just flip the headrests around and you've got a good support for the wood. Throw a 2" foam mattress topper on there and you've got a pretty decent bed.
DSC03754 by Unner Unner, on FlickrDSC03753 by Unner Unner, on FlickrDSC03752 by Unner Unner, on FlickrDSC03751 by Unner Unner, on FlickrDSC03749 by Unner Unner, on FlickrI got home last weekend from my 350 miles drive back to the smell of burning oil. Crawled under and looked and my front diff seal on the passenger CV had gone bad pretty quick. After a quote of $550 from Toyota to just replace the seal I decided I was going to do it myself and replace the CV while I was there since it was about to tear I'm sure and had already let a good bit of grease go. So far so good, 200 miles leak free.
20160314_013441 by Unner Unner, on Flickr20160314_013551 by Unner Unner, on Flickr20160318_152424 by Unner Unner, on FlickrI leveled my coilovers last week too. This weekend my plans got canceled due to the fear of rain. It didn't rain at all so we went and found a gravel road by accident at Jocassee Gorges. Here's a couple pics from there.
DSC03794 by Unner Unner, on FlickrDSC03816 by Unner Unner, on FlickrDSC03774 by Unner Unner, on FlickrAnd a couple pics from the weekend before.
DSC03767 by Unner Unner, on FlickrDSC03763 by Unner Unner, on FlickrDSC03760 by Unner Unner, on Flickr
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Unner
New member
I've been looking into limb risers that mount at the front of the hood as well recently as a small project. I'm not sure what the next step is for me right now as far as a big project. Projectors, winch, bumper, and locker are still on the table. I've also been thinking about trying to get a dual mount system on the ditch lights so I can regain some of the light that I lost from the light bar. It didn't throw nearly as far as the spot lights do, but I kinda miss the lighting on the sides, it was good for spotting deer, armadillos, opossums, that like to wander out...
jpeaslee
New member
Is there a reason not to throw one up on the WMW rack that you won't part with?
MattJakobs
New member
I can't wait to have that look. I can see the bumpers and suspension, still waiting on the skids to complete that front end look.
That's all the action I got in this weekend too, dirt/sandy trails not needing 4wd. Still nice to get out and enjoy the weather.
Savage does make the half swing-out that could work too. Just came to my mind.
Why not mount the light bar to the roof rack? If I ever end up with a full length roof rack, I'd like to throw a single row bar up there.
Unner
New member
Everything is for sale for the right price. Maybe. Not sure that statement is true about my truck anymore though. You'd have to throw stupid cash at me haha
It's a great look. I like to think that I strike fear into small cars when I pull up behind them.
I've been thinking about that Savage bumper. I'm waiting for a few people to get theirs and post some real world pics on some real trucks that aren't spray painted camo like his haha.
I probably would have put my old light bar up there, but it doesn't fit in the opening. It's a 37" light bar and I've got like 31" to work with up top. I've thought about putting a single row up there, but I'm not sure if I want to or not. It seems like overnight everyone and their brother had a light bar on their Tahoe, Silverado, Jeep, I've even seen a Lincoln LS with a 50" light bar bolted straight to the hood. That ladies and gentlemen is why you don't venture too far off the interstate in Alabama...
Unner
New member
Well a couple interesting updates I guess you could call them. I got the truck weighed yesterday at a truck stop. Came in at exactly 4900 pounds with me on the scale (180 lbs) and a full tank of gas. This is about exactly what I was expecting for the weight in it's current set up.
20160324_162714 by Unner Unner, on Flickr
I also picked this up. :banana:
20160324_162704 by Unner Unner, on Flickr
E-locker housing!
It's got a kinda interesting story behind it too. I bought it from [MENTION=88391]NateMob[/MENTION] who was all the way out here in the southeast visiting family from his home back in New Mexico. He had originally bought this to swap into his old 4Runner but ended up selling before it happened. He's moved onto a bad ass long travel Tacoma now. We probably spent 30 minutes just talking trucks in the REI parking lot while we exchanged the axle and money.
This axle was apparently pulled by [MENTION=44220]BigFishAllDay[/MENTION] and checked over by him verifying measurements between link locations and stuff so I know it's certified and straight. I bet you never thought this axle would end up on my rig did you haha?
The only issue is a little rain got into the ends of the axle and caused some surface rust. This was after taking a terry cloth and wiping as much off as I could with that and then putting a coat of gear oil over it to keep it from getting worse since I won't have time to mess with it this weekend. One side has more than the other. Other than that the axle housing itself is in perfect shape, no rust at all on the outside since it came from a New Mexico truck. Any suggestions on how to get this as clean as possible on the ends?
20160324_162622 by Unner Unner, on Flickr
20160324_162628 by Unner Unner, on Flickr
20160324_162636 by Unner Unner, on Flickr
Now I begin the search for the other parts I need, mainly a 4.10 elocked diff. If anyone has a lead on a good one at a reasonable price let me know. I'm not paying what some of these people are asking for a diff with 200k miles... If you come across a crazy good deal I'd even be willing to throw in a small finders fee haha
20160324_162714 by Unner Unner, on FlickrI also picked this up. :banana:
20160324_162704 by Unner Unner, on FlickrE-locker housing!
It's got a kinda interesting story behind it too. I bought it from [MENTION=88391]NateMob[/MENTION] who was all the way out here in the southeast visiting family from his home back in New Mexico. He had originally bought this to swap into his old 4Runner but ended up selling before it happened. He's moved onto a bad ass long travel Tacoma now. We probably spent 30 minutes just talking trucks in the REI parking lot while we exchanged the axle and money.
This axle was apparently pulled by [MENTION=44220]BigFishAllDay[/MENTION] and checked over by him verifying measurements between link locations and stuff so I know it's certified and straight. I bet you never thought this axle would end up on my rig did you haha?
The only issue is a little rain got into the ends of the axle and caused some surface rust. This was after taking a terry cloth and wiping as much off as I could with that and then putting a coat of gear oil over it to keep it from getting worse since I won't have time to mess with it this weekend. One side has more than the other. Other than that the axle housing itself is in perfect shape, no rust at all on the outside since it came from a New Mexico truck. Any suggestions on how to get this as clean as possible on the ends?
20160324_162622 by Unner Unner, on Flickr20160324_162628 by Unner Unner, on Flickr20160324_162636 by Unner Unner, on FlickrNow I begin the search for the other parts I need, mainly a 4.10 elocked diff. If anyone has a lead on a good one at a reasonable price let me know. I'm not paying what some of these people are asking for a diff with 200k miles... If you come across a crazy good deal I'd even be willing to throw in a small finders fee haha
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Kyle Reese
New member
Hey man what grille mesh did you go with? It looks nice
AZ_Trails
New member
I may have gotten lucky, but I was able to find my drum to drum 4.10 e-locked axle pretty easily on car-part.com in a few weeks of looking. Granted, being in AZ I didn't have to worry about rust. Also got it for a great deal. I think it's totally worth a shot to see if you can track one down on there. Not sure if it'll be easier or more difficult since you already have the housing.
Unner
New member
SS Perforated Mesh from customcargrills.com I believe.
I've looked through there a little, but not much. Did you pick your's up in person or have it shipped? I hate dealing with junkyards, but this may be the best option in the end.
Hey if it works it's not ghetto! I might have to try that.
I've been thinking about that too, but I was thinking something more like 1000-1200 grit that will keep the surface really smooth still. Not sure how perfectly smooth those surfaces need to be, but better safe than sorry I would think.
Also been thinking about regearing, but that's a lot of money... I think if I regear it will be one of the very last things I do. I'd rather put that money into a rear bumper at the moment. It's not terribly slow yet. Maybe after 33"+ tires and a rear bumper I'll feel differently though...
Unner
New member
Well I haven't done anything to the truck here lately. This weekend I am replacing my front lower control arms. The bushings have gone bad and are causing my clunk on speed bumps and slow turns I believe. I decided to just buy new Toyota arms so I don't have to mess with pressing/burning the bushings out and replacing. I have new adjustment cams coming too just incase mine are frozen. I'm hoping not. I will also install my BAMF skids at the same time I think.
Should be pretty simple I think, the only part I'm slightly worried about is pulling the LBJ from the LCA. I don't want to damage my LBJ's since they're only like 25k miles old or so. Any suggestions to safely remove them would be appreciated.
I also ordered a winch today. Smittybilt XRC 9.5k w/synthetic line. I only paid $385 which is a great deal. I found it here but didn't trust the website so I tried to see if someone else would price match them.
https://www.discountbandit.com/smittybilt-xrc-95-winch-synthetic-sb-98495.html
Morris 4x4 replied immediately saying they would so I bought it through them.
Should be pretty simple I think, the only part I'm slightly worried about is pulling the LBJ from the LCA. I don't want to damage my LBJ's since they're only like 25k miles old or so. Any suggestions to safely remove them would be appreciated.
I also ordered a winch today. Smittybilt XRC 9.5k w/synthetic line. I only paid $385 which is a great deal. I found it here but didn't trust the website so I tried to see if someone else would price match them.
https://www.discountbandit.com/smittybilt-xrc-95-winch-synthetic-sb-98495.html
Morris 4x4 replied immediately saying they would so I bought it through them.
fourfive
Senior Member
If you are careful how you position a ball joint/pitman arm puller you should be able to remove the LBJ without any damage. I've used them multiple times on my 4runner without any damage to the LBJ.
I bought this from amazon and have already got my moneys worth from it:
OTC 6295 Front End Service Set
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