Waterman2112 Build Thread

[Waterman2112]

Thought I’d put together a little build thread as to what I’ve accomplished thus far… Nothing overly extravagant here, just some basic lifts, tires and things… I really like the results and will post additional pictures of total completion once I’m there… Most of everything is just now completed. All was DIY.

Truck Basics are: 2015 Toyota 4Runner Trail Edition – Non-KDSS. No interior frills, just the basic offerings for cloth seats (electric adjustable, but no heat). 6cyl, Auto.

I will say that I enjoyed the process of modification and the expertise gained from this forum. There were a number of helpful hints and basic guides - like the Tire Fitment guide and discussions around UCAs – that really helped in my decision making process for component choices as well as mechanical install techniques. Thanks to all for your help…

#1 – Tires: I went with the Cooper AT3 LT275/70R 17 in a “C” Load. Huge change here in the handling characteristics of the truck – I was often pondering why would Toyota send this vehicle out with P series but extensive reading here showed why (for a variety of reasons – cost, weight, rolling resistance and the like) this would not make every day practical sense. This mod was the most impactful for people that like a truck feel – a real change. I was though, very aware of oversizing my tire selection based on real world applications of what I do, and what I planned to do. This is my daily driver – not much of a commute as I take the train into the city – but nonetheless the 80/20 rule applies towards road/off-road usage.

 

[Waterman2112]

#2 – Front Lift: Went with the Toytec Boss Coil Over solution. I did this primarily to gain adjustment capabilities and also because I wanted a true full component front lift as opposed to spacers. I think this is just a preference but I was concerned somewhat about shock travel and loading of the stock springs based on over or under spacer application with regards to the strut top retaining cap assembly. I probably over thought the issue but hey… it’s in so what the heck…

I adjusted back the Toytec pre-adjustment from 2-1/2” to about 1-1/4” to level the truck in this first pass. That’s about 0.75” of thread space showing at the bottom of the adjustment collars.

I liked the look but I could immediately feel the change in road response as all here in this forum can confirm – lift pulls caster out. Posting alignment numbers too.

 

[Waterman2112]

#3 – Icon Shifters: A nice add. The anodized aluminum looks great in the interior which just seems to match better to the other interior appointments. Also, the stock 4 wheel drive selector seemed cheesy and had the tendency to rotate in my hand during usage. Tightening it down by hand meant that the drive schematic on top wasn’t lined up… and while trying to fix that I just bogged the whole thing up (my fault), trashed it. So out with the stock and in with the Icon Shifters.

 

[Waterman2112]

#4 – Rear Springs & Bilsteins: I knew I was going up in the rear from stock so I tried to get something off the shelf as opposed to a custom Eibach spring so I went with the Sway-A-Way 1-1/2” lift spring option. Definitely greater than the spring lift height advertised… more like 2” on the money as measured from various datum points so keep that in mind. They may “settle” as some remark… only 200 miles since install. A little bit of a challenge getting them in… how taller springs than these get in there is difficult to imagine. Hats off to all that have the skills to do so… wow. I drew up a picture to show some of the brackets that need to be loosened or temporarily pulled to get the axle to drop sufficiently.

Rake is back for now but Camburgs are going in with additional height adjustments for the Boss’s. I will also add that some members have remarked about caster, road forces and weight distribution. I concur; there was a marked improvement in road feel as the weight shifted towards to the front of the truck. This did not negate the caster loss from front lift but did have the effect of helping to counter road forces with shifted mass…I think that’s what happened… Anyhow, I felt an improvement in caster loss effects like road wandering.

 

[Waterman2112]

#5 – Camburg UCAs / Moog Joint: Went this route as I had concerns over Uni-ball longevity here in the North East salt winter environs. I liked the serviceability of the Moog and the actual “A” arm construction over the LR units. I will say that the “feel” of caster was pushed back in but not to the extent that I thought it would be from a numbers thing… Resultant alignment sheet included. Alignment must be somewhat of a black art. Things certainly seem to shift around and I often wonder if the rack is calibrated and when… also, does thermal expansion play a role…? I arrived when the shop opened (7am, my dealer). I worked in metrology some years ago – yeah, we were working in the arc second’s domain but there has to be some correlation because we were certainly concerned about thermal issues. I don’t know enough about the machines and alignment to make a good recommendation here but the Camburgs did not add significantly to the numbers - - - But they did to road feel. After alignment the truck feels very nice indeed. No wandering, pulling and no more tendency to micro steer when you feel the nose fluttering around in the cross wind… Is it worth the money ($560.00)? Yes… Just so. Lifted the front to somewhat level the truck… left in just a bit of rake for loads, tongue weight, and the previously mentioned mass distribution thing. I had read where others were somewhat dissatisfied with the Camburg/Moog UCAs in that they did not get the caster readings they wanted but were satisfied with the actual feel of the truck… I thought maybe with a little rake I could get a leg up.

Also: I had the Boss units in for the winter. Gentlemen – if you have them be sure to WD40 the crap out of them before you attempt any adjustments and continue to keep them lubricated in some way as much as you can. From what I can see the Collars are anodized aluminum, the strut body is stainless and the springs are cold rolled steel…? Somebody is giving up electrons in this salt spray electrolysis atmosphere here on Long Island… The thread measurements on the Boss units are now 1-1/8th on the driver side (me and gas) and a fat 1” on the passenger side. Side to side level is good. So we're at about a 2" lift.

 

[BlacknTan]

Very informative post!

Nice install, and the rig looks VERY nice!!

Did Smithtown Toyota install the lift kit and UCA's?

 

[Waterman2112]

No... They will not install anything that is not a Toyota TRD part... All installs were performed right in my driveway..

 

[Waterman2112]

Finished product for now... Excuse the lack of center wheel caps - leaving them off for a bit as new Spider's just put in and torqued to spec. A little of the wife's fingernail polish to index the vehicle studs and nuts supplied. Checking again on torque in 50-75 miles or so...

 

[fubar]

Thanks. I was dithering about which UCA's. Ordered the Camburg/Moog as I have the same ICON set-up as you do. You have set my expectations appropriately.

 

[Waterman2112]

Spiders Installed -

Went back and forth on this... Worried somewhat about safety but followed the instructions, cleaned all surfaces and torqued to specs. They did move the wheels out for a more aggressive look and stance. Some rubbing in reverse full lock to contend with.

 

[highbar]

Good info, I have been researching a similar setup. 275/70's, SAW, adjustable front coilovers, and Camburg BJ UCA'a. May I ask what the overall height of your vehicle is at it's highest point? And although I'm not sure if it's wise to mix and match with a toytec/bilstein front setup, did you consider an OME 895e rear spring setup for a <2" lift in back?

 

[Waterman2112]

Good info, I have been researching a similar setup. 275/70's, SAW, adjustable front coilovers, and Camburg BJ UCA'a. May I ask what the overall height of your vehicle is at it's highest point? And although I'm not sure if it's wise to mix and match with a toytec/bilstein front setup, did you consider an OME 895e rear spring setup for a <2" lift in back?

Not to sure what you mean by mix and match..

Don't know what the overall height is... still makes it into the parking garage at the train station.

I looked at the 895e. Based on what I read - the spring rate is higher... i.e. stiffer ride.

 

[highbar]

I meant mixing a toytec front setup with an OME rear setup. I mentioned the 895e assuming you might have been looking for something shorter than a 2" coil in the rear. Yes, I am aware of the spring rate of the 895e but I was looking at it from a height perspective. By overall height I was trying to get an idea how tall your vehicle is at it's highest point (roof rack or fin antennae) as a reference to parking garages at facilities I work at. 2 of the garages are limited to 6' 5". Thanks.

 

[mauolaidom]

Nice install, and the rig looks VERY nice!!

 

[Waterman2112]

I meant mixing a toytec front setup with an OME rear setup. I mentioned the 895e assuming you might have been looking for something shorter than a 2" coil in the rear. Yes, I am aware of the spring rate of the 895e but I was looking at it from a height perspective. By overall height I was trying to get an idea how tall your vehicle is at it's highest point (roof rack or fin antennae) as a reference to parking garages at facilities I work at. 2 of the garages are limited to 6' 5". Thanks.

I'm 6'5"... the overall height is just shorter than me...

No problem mixing and matching...springs are springs, just so long that the left to right match. I think OME, Toytec and Icon get all their springs manufactured by Eibach. I'm 95% on that, but confirm. The SAWs that I purchased are the 1.5" lift units, as advertised.

Sway-A-Way 1.5" Lift Rear Coil Set

Lars