Wavesport's Build

[Wavesport]

Update #16

Just a few pics to update the thread.

The battery blanket, battery maintainer and new block heater are in. I used some aluminium tape to secure the blanket the the battery, rather than the ridiculous 3.5 foot long wire tires they included in the package for the same purpose... Not really sure who would use such a flimsy solution.

This battery maintainer is a trickle charger than was about 40 bucks at NAPA. Identical to the (priced at double) Schumaker version.

It's a tidy package, with the blanket drawing about 50 watts, the maintainer up to about 20 watts, and the block heater... something like 1000...

So I installed them on a short 3 pronged power adapter with a breaker.

I could have bough a new battery for the setup - but I plan on going a dual battery setup in the future, and haven't decided which batteries to go with at the moment. This is all kind of a temporary setup for the winter. Plus... I'm pumped the ol' panasonic is still running - almost 13 years later

I finally got the last coats of paint on the skid plates, but haven't installed them yet.

The engine enamel aluminum is still better to work with than the metal mask.

Here is another shot of the front end. This probably makes me far happier than is reasonable.

I just got a box of stuff from my Dad in BC - and I had some of the dry lube for the uniballs, and a grease gun with super heavy pressure moly grease, as well as some mobil 1 synthetic crease. I'm going to regrets the upper control arm bushings here when I get a chance. They still squeak - but interestingly - at certain temperatures - there is no squeak at all. I'm hoping that the moly grease will adhere to the bushings a little better than the synthetic grease - likely doesn't make any sense - but fingers crossed.

The old air filter after all the sand blasting...

Still got some work to do to increase this stuff angle - I think it might articulate a slight further - but it is fully stuffed on the opposite site. I was thinking about a curry rock jock iii - but at the moment - this thing rides very nicely indeed.

Have a new project on the go - and should have it on the snow hopefully next week. No parts this weekend

 

[Drunner97]

Looking good. That thing has come a long way since you picked it up.

 

[MSRP.]

Love your "POR-15 everything, ALL OF IT" attitude.

Regarding the fading headlights, after you buff it, just order some clear film to protect it. It'll be way quicker, cheaper, than clearcoating it. (aftermarket plastic clear coat isn't really the best).

 

[Wavesport]

Love your "POR-15 everything, ALL OF IT" attitude.

Regarding the fading headlights, after you buff it, just order some clear film to protect it. It'll be way quicker, cheaper, than clearcoating it. (aftermarket plastic clear coat isn't really the best).

I think that's a pretty good idea. clear vinyl work best?

 

[MSRP.]

I think that's a pretty good idea. clear vinyl work best?

I used that on my 2001 Civic way back and it certainly held up for 2 (Toronto)winters before I sold it. It's only as good as the installer (not hard unless the headlight cover is oddly shaped), and I have confidence in your eye for details, that you'll install it just fine.

If you have a tint shop, they typically have scraps large enough for headlights, but if not, amazon/ebay is a cheap source.

 

[Wavesport]

Update #17

Haven't been able to locate any clear vinyl for the headlights - but I may wait on this until next winter. I'll be out of the country for about 5 months this summer, and my winter projects are taking up some more time than I anticipated

I did make a few changes over the past week or so however.
#1. Huge bummer - the panasonic finally died. Fully charged the day before - hit -20c and zero crank. Hit it hard with a battery rejuvenator after heating it back up - but zero charge hold. Replaced it with a NAPA battery, and all is well. I wanted to wait until I was ready for the full dual batt swap.. but whatever. Winter.

#2. Installed some LED lamps in the headlights. Not bad in terms of glare surprisingly - so I'll keep them as a result. Much brighter with better coverage than stock, and though I don't really like white light - they work for now.

#3. Not really an upgrade per say just an observation. The KO2's - in the fairly extreme cold we get up here in labrador (not including windchill, -25c is the coldest it's been lately, but -40c is not uncommon - with windchill we can get to -80c or colder) - the tires seem to hold their shape. What I mean to say is that if you start off after leaving her sit for a while - you can feel the tires holding their conformation / shape from where they were sitting (i.e.: the tire is flatter on the bottom than the top, and it holds this shape rather than deforming as you roll) - and it resolves as you drive off (ostensibly the tire warms and becomes more pliable). I only run them at 44psi - so I'd imagine running at 60-80 might keep this from happening? I dunno if this is going to cause any long term harm to the tires - but thought I would make a little note of it here for anyone paying attention. I've never noticed this in a tire before. Doesn't happen above zero, and only lasts perhaps 45 seconds before it is undetectable. Almost feels like driving on square wheels for a bit.

 

[MSRP.]

Haven't been able to locate any clear vinyl for the headlights - but I may wait on this until next winter. I'll be out of the country for about 5 months this summer, and my winter projects are taking up some more time than I anticipated

I did make a few changes over the past week or so however.
#1. Huge bummer - the panasonic finally died. Fully charged the day before - hit -20c and zero crank. Hit it hard with a battery rejuvenator after heating it back up - but zero charge hold. Replaced it with a NAPA battery, and all is well. I wanted to wait until I was ready for the full dual batt swap.. but whatever. Winter.

#2. Installed some LED lamps in the headlights. Not bad in terms of glare surprisingly - so I'll keep them as a result. Much brighter with better coverage than stock, and though I don't really like white light - they work for now.

#3. Not really an upgrade per say just an observation. The KO2's - in the fairly extreme cold we get up here in labrador (not including windchill, -25c is the coldest it's been lately, but -40c is not uncommon - with windchill we can get to -80c or colder) - the tires seem to hold their shape. What I mean to say is that if you start off after leaving her sit for a while - you can feel the tires holding their conformation / shape from where they were sitting (i.e.: the tire is flatter on the bottom than the top, and it holds this shape rather than deforming as you roll) - and it resolves as you drive off (ostensibly the tire warms and becomes more pliable). I only run them at 44psi - so I'd imagine running at 60-80 might keep this from happening? I dunno if this is going to cause any long term harm to the tires - but thought I would make a little note of it here for anyone paying attention. I've never noticed this in a tire before. Doesn't happen above zero, and only lasts perhaps 45 seconds before it is undetectable. Almost feels like driving on square wheels for a bit.

Amazon: 3M clear film
Amazon.com: 3m clear film: Automotive

 

[Wavesport]

Been a while

Almost ready to get cracking on this beast again. I've been a bit busy in the interim:

1. Started the Pacific Crest Trail - and had 2 evacuations - 1 for a broken foot in my partner, and another for Salmonella... again in my partner (She's ok, but we decided to hold off on another return to the trail to just try again next year).

2. Bought a new car and won't take delivery until October - which will end up being a preperatory shakedown for the Targa Newfoundland likely 2 years from now. It has a fancy rear differential

3. Bought a new house, and have been busy working on it. Needs paint, floors, a kitchen, bathroom, deck, furnishing, etc. Bigger project than I had planned on, but am enjoying it none-theless.

4. Decided to scrap the Ford. I have a couple sweet axles for a big 4x4 build down the road now

As for the 4runner - I have the bumper, and winch sitting in boxes for the past few months ready to install, but just havn't gotten around to it. The truck is runnig incredibly well - just went on a 4000km road trip and towed a 5000lb trailer on the way back. Mileage was about 11.5l/100km on the way there (lots of gravel roads), and ~15l/100km on the way back towing heavy. Very happy with the capability of the transmission and differentials. I wasn't sure I'd be able to do it without overheating, but didn't have any issues. Increased oil coloring after the run, and somehow spilled some fluid from the front diff at some point (maybe overheated and boiled off?), from the driver's side axle seal.

Also - I installed a GPS head unit, and a bunch of LED stuff - and have really been likely the functionality of the system. The JBL amp has gotta go - as it handles everything without giving me much freedom to tweak from the head unit (as it uses a little bypass box to talk to the amp). The sound is pretty good at baseline, but I'd like a bit more.

I'd like to run a second battery for the winch, and I need to figure out the wiring and extra capacity stuff, which will be in the next series of posts when I get a chance.

 

[Wavesport]

Man - memory lane reading through this Thread. I guess I'll keep the same format with overindulgent and unnecessary details, to continue telling the story of my life for whoever inherits my internet passwords if / when I pass away tragically in a snowmobiling accident.

1. Finished the PCT in 2017 after returning for a 3rd time. It was the best thing I've ever done. Made me fall in love with America. Met some amazing friends along the way. Hiked a short length of the Rubicon and some amazing jeep bros made us drinks from a portable fully stocked bar.

2. Took delivery of a 16' Ford Focus RS when I got back from hiking after some holidays (like - who needs holidays after being on holidays for 6 months). The Focus is amazing. I recently took it on a 5000km road trip - and smiled the entire way. Haven't done any mods other than Rally Armor mud flaps, and an aluminum under tray. The highway that follows the upper boarder of lake superior is amazing - as is the road for 200km northwest out of Baie Comeau. Saugenay is beautiful, and for some reason there is a ferrari dealership there.

3. Since then the highlights include: Got a new dog (Bodhi a Golden Doodle), bought a cabin, a boat, a seadoo, multiple skidoos (got really into snowmobiling), did house renovations (new fireplace / chimney, roof, bathroom, upper floor walls, ceilings), landscaped and built a garden in the back, got a speeding ticket in GERMANY FFS in a rented e300 hybrid, broke my lower back surfing, then my upper back in a skidoo accident (same one broke my shoulder, gave me a concussion and lost a week, tore a rib off from my spine, and cut one of my lungs up -> was coughing up blood for and hour and a half - but was in a remote area and still had to ride home), got to ride on a Cormorant, got really into competitive PC overclocking (currently run a 10980xe, 2080ti, 3800c14 64gb if anyone is into that), started making custom beard combs for friends out of fancy wood because, learned to solve a rubik's cube, gave up running because my knees always hurt, have seen many friends leave town for greener pastures, and a few move in ready suffer for remote life. Old dog had cancer and needed to have a lung removed but is still kicking after moving to a meat only diet. Wife is starting a new project in Saskatchewan so I will be back and forth over the coming year. Bought a new vehicle to do the road trip: Tundra TRD PRO.

3. The 4runner has been a good daily for the past several years - however - there was a few issues - that I sort of did not half expect.
The coil springs on the Toytec boss front shocks degraded and exploded. The shock body was damaged to a degree - that it might not be salvageable. Toytec was not very helpful with this - which - fair enough - but I thought it might be a defect - I've never seen a spring explode like that before. They weren't interested in talking about it. (will not be dealing with toytec again as a result). I ended up having to throw on the rancho stuff I had sitting in a box - until I can either get the springs replaced or some new shocks on hand. The rancho's are fine for now.

4. Sprung a few leaks here and there. Front drivers diff seal failed again for some reason. Rear driver's seal at the hub also. Will be re-installing the parking brake and replacing the whole axle assembly in the back.

5. Got the front Shrockworks bumper on - and the body lift is happening soon (lost the bolts for a while - but just found them the other day). Also - the LED Baja Designs Fog lights went in.

6. Installed a 12xp warn winch with synthetic cable - wiring - bus - etc. to the cockpit.

7. Fender rub has gotten pretty terrible (after losing some ride height to the ranchos.) Will be updating those at some point - but not sure if I want to go down the expensive road and update a bunch of stuff again. The 4runner might not get used as much in the next few years, and there isn't really a tonne worthwhile to upgrade to in that case.

 

[Inv4drZm]

got really into competitive PC overclocking (currently run a 10980xe, 2080ti, 3800c14 64gb if anyone is into that),

Nice!

Haven't followed the PC hardware scene for the past year but here's mine, daily at 5.2ghz.

https://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-...d-thread-32.html?highlight=2080ti#post3250988

 

[montijo505]

ToyTec really just blew you off? People always go crazy over their customer service. I had a great experience myself in 2014, but alas times change. Sucks though. [MENTION=44448]ToyTec Lifts[/MENTION]

Sent from my SM-G986U using Tapatalk

 

[Wavesport]

Nice!

Haven't followed the PC hardware scene for the past year but here's mine, daily at 5.2ghz.

https://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-...d-thread-32.html?highlight=2080ti#post3250988

Nice work! - quality build there. All core 5.2 is an amazing daily.

I’ve got a few different cpus that have cores that can touch 5.4 - but none for all core above 5.0 at reasonable volts (14nm intel is ok to around 1.4v - for the most part - imc degrades the fastest at higher volts - and I tend towards enjoying memory oc the most.

 

[Wavesport]

ToyTec really just blew you off? People always go crazy over their customer service. I had a great experience myself in 2014, but alas times change. Sucks though. [MENTION=44448]ToyTec Lifts[/MENTION]

Sent from my SM-G986U using Tapatalk

I was quite surprised as well. I don’t actually need a company to bend over backwards to support things that are outside the terms of a warranty - but this really looked to me like a defect. The spring basically split longitudinally - then broke in half transversely. The other side was splitting longitudinally - so I took it off and binned it.

As the first spring I’ve ever broken (across many vehicles) seemed reasonable to me for the company who sold it to at least consider the potential (for no other reason than customer safety for others who might have this particular batch etc etc) - but they took a very defensive gaf attitude. I don’t think I’ll recommend or support their business any longer.

 

[montijo505]

I was quite surprised as well. I don’t actually need a company to bend over backwards to support things that are outside the terms of a warranty - but this really looked to me like a defect. The spring basically split longitudinally - then broke in half transversely. The other side was splitting longitudinally - so I took it off and binned it.



As the first spring I’ve ever broken (across many vehicles) seemed reasonable to me for the company who sold it to at least consider the potential (for no other reason than customer safety for others who might have this particular batch etc etc) - but they took a very defensive gaf attitude. I don’t think I’ll recommend or support their business any longer.

You can't recommend them in good conscience when they took that approach to a failed product.

Nice build btw, like the front bumper!

Sent from my SM-G986U using Tapatalk

 

[ToyTec Lifts]

Good morning!!

David from Toytec Tech support here!


I am sorry you were blown off like that, that is unacceptable.


Can you please call me directly at 303-255-4959 ex 103 and we can get this handled the best way possible.

 

[Wavesport]

udpate re: toytec customer service

I'm not excited to write this post - but figured anyone who is paying attention might like an update.

I have to say that I was a bit surprised when I got the message from David - it seemed like he was genuinely interested to help sort something out.

He emailed me once - and asked me to send him some photos, I even offered to send him the shocks so that he can have a look at the failure on the springs (at my expense). I had even inquired about getting some lift shackles for my Tundra (given the turnaround in their demeanor - I thought I'd give them another chance).

I have yet to hear back from him - it's been almost a month.

The good news is that the 4runner is sitting in a buddy's shop for the next month - but I'm going out of town for the next nine. The time I had to deal with this rig has evaporated.

 

[montijo505]

I'm not excited to write this post - but figured anyone who is paying attention might like an update.



I have to say that I was a bit surprised when I got the message from David - it seemed like he was genuinely interested to help sort something out.



He emailed me once - and asked me to send him some photos, I even offered to send him the shocks so that he can have a look at the failure on the springs (at my expense). I had even inquired about getting some lift shackles for my Tundra (given the turnaround in their demeanor - I thought I'd give them another chance).



I have yet to hear back from him - it's been almost a month.



The good news is that the 4runner is sitting in a buddy's shop for the next month - but I'm going out of town for the next nine. The time I had to deal with this rig has evaporated.

This really sucks, never recommending them again.

Sent from my SM-G986U using Tapatalk

 

[Wavesport]

Valid concern, but I would think proper care and for the money they should in theory hold up fine to some snow and ice. I ask because these 2.5's are on my consideration list for a future suspension and living on longisland the winters get sometime become brutal not only with cold and ice but salt and corrosion more then anything. not to mention the fact that I drive on the beach all summer.
Id like to know these parts hold up well and wont require rebuilds or replacement after a year or two of being in those conditions. Even with regular washings and rinsing with fresh water.

Also - would not recommend. They failed spectacularly.

 

[Billynath1988]

Also - would not recommend. They failed spectacularly.

Resurrected post quote: I had gone with the Radflo 2.5 kit with 700lb coils (see sig), I Have used, abused, wheeled, roaded tripped, every condition, probably 45k on them and couldn't be happier. Id recommend them to anyone. I Have replaced the lower bushings on both sides once which was pretty easy. Radflo customer service has been top notice with fast shipping.