WeakSauz's 2000 SR5 "Resto-Mod" Build Thread

[phattyduck]

Yes, 255/85/16 fits stock suspension (barely)

The suspension goes through the same arc whether you are lifted or not... If they truly fit a lifted truck (through all travel/flex) they will fit a stock height truck. Those are larger diameter than most people will say fit, but maybe the narrower width helps with clearance.

-Charlie

 

[WeakSauz]

Just a quick post- Will be posting more detailed pics later on:

• Installed Eibach Pro-Lift Kit stage 1 from Wheelers
• Installed front/rear swaybar bushings, end link bushings
• Steering rack bushings
• OEM front LBJs
• Camburg UCA rebuild kit (bushings)
• Alignment
• Tundra brake upgrade with Brembo rotors and pads

Here is how the Wheeler's Eibach Pro-Lift Stage 1 kit sits:

I will be installing the FJ60 center caps, cleaning it up a bit, and will post some more

 

[WeakSauz]

Busy times at work, therefore the 4Runner project has really sat still for the last 3-4 days since completing the lift.

Couple of updates:

-- As with lifting any vehicle, it seems to expose or exacerbate issues, such as slinging grease from the 18 year old CV boots. Trying to think this through... replace the boot, or just go with whole new CVs. Probably whichever of these options my wife will kill me less painfully on. The stock boots do not look torn. I may just try to tighten them down some and run it as is

-- Ordered up a set of ShrockWorks skids! Black powdercoated

-- I am cutting down the rollbar this weekend and fabbing it up.
Here's the whole "roll bar plan":

• Cut and fab up new foot plates and underside backing plates
• Send Rollbar to powdercoater
• Pull up all rear cargo carpet and lay down Dynamat Xtreme on floor and wheel wells
• Bolt rollbar through the carpet- not on top of it (requires making a slit in the carpet)

Looking forward to seeing if the DynaMat will cut down some of the whirring from these KM2s

-- Again, for those who are wondering: The Eibach Pro-Lift Stage 1 kit that Wheeler's sells is actually quite nice! It's cheaper than many, and sits 100% level. Plus, the ride quality feels close to stock. It is just a really well-engineered kit it seems like. One of the better driving 4x4's I've been in.

 

[128keaton]

What load class of tires did you end up getting? I love the stance on your truck! Have you noticed any major hit in MPG? Looks awesome man!

 

[WeakSauz]

What load class of tires did you end up getting? I love the stance on your truck! Have you noticed any major hit in MPG? Looks awesome man!

Load Range E.

No noticeable hit in MPG yet, but I know it probably took a significant hit, even with the 255's. I'll measure it next fill up

Now, speaking of MPG- this thing could use some 4.88's now front and back! These wheels and tires are not light
I think the 4.88's would come close to correcting the speedometer as well

 

[phattyduck]

I think the 4.88's would come close to correcting the speedometer as well

Nope. The speedo is run off the ABS system (on any 3rd gen that has ABS). Wheel rotation speed is all that matters. No matter the gears, the speedo will read the same.

-Charlie

 

[WeakSauz]

Nope. The speedo is run off the ABS system (on any 3rd gen that has ABS). Wheel rotation speed is all that matters. No matter the gears, the speedo will read the same.

-Charlie

Great info- I haven't really researched it yet and need to. So given that the wheel rotation speed is solely ABS-based, it sounds like there really isnt a way to fix the speedo reading. I think it's showing about 9mph slow now, which doesnt bother me too much

 

[phattyduck]

Great info- I haven't really researched it yet and need to. So given that the wheel rotation speed is solely ABS-based, it sounds like there really isnt a way to fix the speedo reading. I think it's showing about 9mph slow now, which doesnt bother me too much

You may still want to re-gear. Since you started with the 15" wheels, you have either 3.73 or 3.9 gears. Most of the 16" wheel trucks had 4.1 gears and some have 4.3 gears (for V6's, the 4 cylinders sometimes were even 4.56's).

You can re-calibrate the speedo pretty easily with a calibrator. I used a Dakota Digital SGI-5E. You wire it in between the ABS computer and the gauge cluster.

Universal Speedometer Signal Interface

I have some more information in my build thread...

-Charlie

 

[meeceboy78]

loving those steel wheels. they look great!

 

[WeakSauz]

I have been very slack with keeping this up to date.

There has been a decent amount of "easy" work done in the past week.

1. Rear floor stripped out
2. Cleaned with alcohol
3. Sound dampening mat installed
4. re-install carpet
5. Mount 1st Gen Rollbar with custom backing plates

I am limited on pictures here, but here we go!

Pulled the carpet back:

Alcohol wipedown

sound dampening in progress

going back together:

All tidied up:

Overall, I am absolutley shocked at how much quieter the truck is. The KM2 tires are much less noticeable.

This in itself is motivation to sound-deaden the ENTIRE interior. The material isn't cheap, but the outcome is quite impressive.

 

[WeakSauz]

Roll bar back from Fab and powder coat:

With OEM pad:

In the truck, installed directly to floor with custom backing plates underneath the truck. 2" bolts.

I'm pleased with it! Overall it's not "in the way" and will serve for mounting some gear in the days to come

 

[meeceboy78]

the roll bar looks CLEAN! nice job on getting it powder coated.
unless i missed it do you have the measurements on how much was cut off? i just got one and want to get this done as well.

 

[WeakSauz]

the roll bar looks CLEAN! nice job on getting it powder coated.
unless i missed it do you have the measurements on how much was cut off? i just got one and want to get this done as well.

Thanks!

Exactly 2.0" was cut off of the short legs. The passenger side foot plate has to be welded on at a slight angle to fit the curve of the wheel hump.

It's a super simple job for a fabricator. My local fab shop wanted $25 for the work

 

[WeakSauz]

My wiper arms were looking terrible, so sanded them down and resprayed (and installed new silicone blades in the front and a new OEM blade in the rear)

Paint still wet:

done:

 

[meeceboy78]

Thanks!

Exactly 2.0" was cut off of the short legs. The passenger side foot plate has to be welded on at a slight angle to fit the curve of the wheel hump.

It's a super simple job for a fabricator. My local fab shop wanted $25 for the work

thanks for the response. is it only the passenger side than needs the angle?

 

[WeakSauz]

thanks for the response. is it only the passenger side than needs the angle?

My driver's side leg sits flat and needed no angle

 

[wettRunner]

I just noticed you're in N.C. Check out Jocassee Gorges when you get some time. Fun trails with tons of awesome camp spots. I plan on going back before the end of the year.

 

[WeakSauz]

I just noticed you're in N.C. Check out Jocassee Gorges when you get some time. Fun trails with tons of awesome camp spots. I plan on going back before the end of the year.

Holy cow that place looks awesome! I just Googled it. May have to make that my first camping destination with the wife in this truck

 

[WeakSauz]

I had several days off work over Thanksgiving, and I'm a glutton for punishment, so decided to do a full paint correction and ceramic coating job on the truck

I have had good luck with Adam’s products and have done this to approximately 25 cars over the past few years (side work). Here are the steps I took, totaling around 19 hours of labor

1. Wash, 2-bucket method, including wheel wells
2. Clay Bar entire truck and re-wash to remove residue. Dry with microfiber
3. Take it indoors- treat black plastics (bumper plastic) with Adam’s Ceramic trim coating.
4. Detail wheel wells, coat
5. VRT on tires
6. Remove roof rack. Clean and clay roof
7. Stage 1 Severe Correcting polish with FLEX polisher and blue microfiber pad
8. Stage 2 Heavy Correcting polish with FLEX on an Orange foam pad
9. Stage 3 Fine finishing polish on a white foam pad
10. Adam’s Ceramic coating prep wipedown
11. Adam’s Ceramic coating application
12. 18hrs later- Ceramic boost applied
13. Glass sealant (after glass was polished)

I wish I had taken before photos. Many scratches and all swirls in the paint are removed.


Roof rack crossbars removed:

Finished roof:

A couple of In-Progress shots. Note the LED light- used for finding imperfections

Quick shots of the finished product. In person, it's almost like the truck changed hues of silver

I hope to get some better, more "professional" pics this weekend.

This week:

- Install Thule Aeroblade roof bars (when my fit kit arrives in the mail)
- Wire up Dakota digital speedo calibrator

.. Drive up to Virginia to pull off and buy some......

'94 Tacoma manual hubs, front CVs.. :tape2:

 

[WeakSauz]

Also threw on my powdercoated Shrockworks rad and engine skids