What Did You Do To Your 3rd Gen Today?

[JoeT4R]

Yeah I agree with Brian, if you don't mind taking a little dip and are riding on the 3rd perch I would suggest lowering the clip one position and seeing how you like it, maybe throw in a top plate spacer if need be

So try dropping the clip 1 position. This is only setting spring preload (how much weight is needed before it moves), more preload means more weight needed.... it all devolves into theory from here (I deleted it, boring to anyone not specifically looking for it). The short and sweet of it is that less preload on ANY appropriate spring will yield a smoother ride. Or, you can toss some more weight on the front end, it has the same over all effect as far as the preload is concerned (but you might introduce wallowing under heaving braking, really depends on the spring rate).

Hate that there isn't a better source for springs, where you can pick the rate and length independently. That way you could dial in both the preload that's right for the weight of the vehicle AND the ride height you desire ~ it'd be the best possible solution. Well, or making the shock body itself length adjustable (this is the norm for motorcycles, which is my particular avenue of expertise).

I'm like 95% positive that my springs are set on the lowest perch currently. Here's the only photo I have on hand right now.

<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/195517094@N03/52148719562/in/photostream/" title="Dampness around shock - 6/15/22"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52148719562_6e1ea815ae_c.jpg" width="600" height="800" alt="Dampness around shock - 6/15/22"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

I took this photo back in June to document a potential and likely leaky shock, as you can see in the photo. I don't think it's causing any harm to my driving experience, but I'm no suspension genius so I could be absolutely wrong about that. Ideally i'd like to freshen things up in the front, new shocks/springs, and new shocks for the rear, but keep my FJ80 springs. I'd love to add weight to the front end, like a bumper or something, but I would rather invest my money into new suspension components before I invest it in off road gear that I am reeeeeally unlikely to use. I always keep my eyes peeled and scour the interwebs for used bumpers but they are far and few in between. Brian I gotta agree with all of that as well.

 

[octanejunkie]

Decisions, decisions...

We took 3N34 to 3N34D

Just a shakedown run and a break-in for new 4.88 gears and spartan locker (front diff)

Truck performed like a champ!

Updated my build thread

 

[Devbot]

I'm like 95% positive that my springs are set on the lowest perch currently. Here's the only photo I have on hand right now.

<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/195517094@N03/52148719562/in/photostream/" title="Dampness around shock - 6/15/22"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52148719562_6e1ea815ae_c.jpg" width="600" height="800" alt="Dampness around shock - 6/15/22"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

I took this photo back in June to document a potential and likely leaky shock, as you can see in the photo. I don't think it's causing any harm to my driving experience, but I'm no suspension genius so I could be absolutely wrong about that. Ideally i'd like to freshen things up in the front, new shocks/springs, and new shocks for the rear, but keep my FJ80 springs. I'd love to add weight to the front end, like a bumper or something, but I would rather invest my money into new suspension components before I invest it in off road gear that I am reeeeeally unlikely to use. I always keep my eyes peeled and scour the interwebs for used bumpers but they are far and few in between. Brian I gotta agree with all of that as well.

It indeed looks very low already. If you're at stock weight, how much lift do you have right now?
If you plan on adding armor I would go with the Toytecs regardless. For the time being, since there's no weight on your front end I imagine if you ran them on the bottom clip of the 5100s you'd get 2-2.5in and still have a pretty good ride. I can't see it being very jarring or absurdly springy like that - but that's my personal uneducated opinion
For what it's worth I got my bumper from True North Fab and I'd probably go with them again if I had to. The space for a winch is TIGHT and definitely limits your choices but it looks so damn good :brushteeth: Just make sure to get a body lift before any armor, otherwise you're stuck!

 

[sbag91]

Bought some Toytec springs. Been exactly two years and I can't put up with the TRD coils any longer, they just don't offer any sort of flex to them

Yep, the YY/YB coils

You, ugh, wouldn't be selling those would you?

 

[amalik]

Had the #2 transfer case solenoid go bad on me. Decided to replace all four. Along with some new Mobil Delvac 75w90, it has never shifted quicker into 4wd in sixteen years.

Did this throw a CEL?

 

[JZiggy]

Got a chance to head out to rural AL to do some lake activities with the fam. A mounted some J hooks to the Sherpa rack to give me some more options for the kid kayaks.

Also got to romp around on some dirt roads from well- to non-maintained. Always fun to cake everything up with red clay.

 

[3bears]

Got a chance to head out to rural AL to do some lake activities with the fam. A mounted some J hooks to the Sherpa rack to give me some more options for the kid kayaks.

Also got to romp around on some dirt roads from well- to non-maintained. Always fun to cake everything up with red clay.

glad you had a good time with family and kids.....enjoy while you can...the kids...they grow so fast and time flies.

so that is the 2nd time I have seen a "extra bumper" mounted to a hitch...does it light up too ? Links?

I just have a big old ball hitch...hope that keeps people off my butt in a parking lot. Had a motorcycle with extra lights on back....hyper lights they were called....flashed fast and bright when I hit my brakes.

 

[JZiggy]

glad you had a good time with family and kids.....enjoy while you can...the kids...they grow so fast and time flies.

so that is the 2nd time I have seen a "extra bumper" mounted to a hitch...does it light up too ? Links?

I just have a big old ball hitch...hope that keeps people off my butt in a parking lot. Had a motorcycle with extra lights on back....hyper lights they were called....flashed fast and bright when I hit my brakes.

The product is called Super Bumper. It has a set of urethane bushings that allow it to absorb impact if it gets hit. I do have an extra light mounted on the top of the hitch for a little more "hey stop when you see this" action. It makes a nice step and it signals to tailgaters to back off.

 

[Mark_BC]

The product is called Super Bumper. It has a set of urethane bushings that allow it to absorb impact if it gets hit. I do have an extra light mounted on the top of the hitch for a little more "hey stop when you see this" action. It makes a nice step and it signals to tailgaters to back off.

LOL I could have used this last week. I was backing up and went straight into a sign post, not sure how I didn't see it. Amazingly the buttress of the sign post hit exactly in the center of my hitch socket and left a bit of a divet but otherwise no damage. if it hit anywhere else it coulda done some real damage.

 

[octanejunkie]

Tuesday ordered, today received : 6 maps and a spiral bound trail book from Rick Russell at Sidekick Off Road

More details in my build thread

 

[JoeT4R]

It indeed looks very low already. If you're at stock weight, how much lift do you have right now?

If you plan on adding armor I would go with the Toytecs regardless. For the time being, since there's no weight on your front end I imagine if you ran them on the bottom clip of the 5100s you'd get 2-2.5in and still have a pretty good ride. I can't see it being very jarring or absurdly springy like that - but that's my personal uneducated opinion

For what it's worth I got my bumper from True North Fab and I'd probably go with them again if I had to. The space for a winch is TIGHT and definitely limits your choices but it looks so damn good :brushteeth: Just make sure to get a body lift before any armor, otherwise you're stuck!

I haven't taken exact measurements in a very long time, which is maybe something I should do soon. Just for informational purposes. But it's supposed to give me 3" of lift. I don't have any plans to add armor, but like I said, if a used bumper just falls in my lap then that would happen. Otherwise I'll be keeping it stock up front. I've also got a diff drop kit installed as well.

Currently have the Fat Pats 1" Body Lift and I like it. Doesn't give too much body/frame gap and If anything, I think it really makes the truck look a bit better.

Maybe I'm being super picky about all of this. I don't expect it to ride like a 6 figure sports car, but I'm just wondering if there's any more wiggle room to really dial things in and fine tune the overall ride quality.

Sent from my SM-S908U using Tapatalk

 

[Endlessblockades]

The instructions went to great lengths to drive home the advice:

DO NOT ATTEMPT THIS ALONE!

Solo-geezer front/rear bumper install....

Put the rusty tuber back on the rear solo as well. If I decide to keep it it will get paint but i had nice results with some steel wool and WD-40 Silicone anti-rust spray for now (not shown).

 

[Storm01]

Got my lift from Wheelers today.
Bilstein 5100s w/Eibach Coils for the front and long travel 5100s and OME 891s in the rear.

 

[octanejunkie]

Updated my build thread

Sent from my Pixel 4 XL using Tapatalk

 

[Storm01]

Before lifting on tired, saggy coils & shocks
Now after! Loving the ride, worried that the 891s were going to be too stiff but they ride like a cloud. Love the Eibachs in the front! This is with a 1” BL and stock wheels and tires.

 

[3bears]

did not do a thing .....thats the beauty of these old rigs...
on a 7 day road trip (im on day 5) exploring parts of alaska b4 the snow hits...some places I have not seen. back roads...gravel roads at times...will do over 1200 miles
the thing is...after all these hard miles.....not needing a drop of oil or coolant. Crawled under...all dry...even my brake drums ( axel seals ? )..245k. gonna have to push hard to get back home and to work on time as I have gone further than intended.... and this rig will make it.
these rigs are great thats why I say...havent done a thing. however...i hate my hood wobble...pulled over several times...esp in high speed or high winds...is this thing latched ?

 

[JohnMc]

Do you need to adjust those rubber hood stops on either side of the front? The hood should be under a slight bit of tension between them and the latch.

I guess adjust those to level them with the fenders, then adjust the latch.

 

[Spiker Engineering]

i hate my hood wobble...pulled over several times...esp in high speed or high winds...is this thing latched ?

Do you by chance have a bug deflector? Those tend to really send the hood for a nice dance at highway speeds, which can be cured with a cowl snubber, like the Tacos got.

 

[3bears]

Do you need to adjust those rubber hood stops on either side of the front? The hood should be under a slight bit of tension between them and the latch.

I guess adjust those to level them with the fenders, then adjust the latch.

they are maxed out...to the point if I adjust further up they will fall off. did not know there was a way to adjust latch...tell me/us more

 

[3bears]

Do you by chance have a bug deflector? Those tend to really send the hood for a nice dance at highway speeds, which can be cured with a cowl snubber, like the Tacos got.

yes i have q bug deflector...what is the taco snubber?

another taco mod...like my taco whip