LTDSC Build Thread

I gave up on restraining my rear axle. I just decided to cut off whatever rubs

 

Time for a face lift for my front end.

 

got the fenders on. Meant to do the headlights but i need her bulbs for just about everything so i need to do some research on the bulbs and wire in the proper plugs. Fenders fit great, only had to sand one area and the lines are pretty damn good.





New HID bulbs and these gems came in today. Now I can finally swap over to my 06 headlights


Got my headlights in. I'm really shocked and disappointed Toyota has the 1156 bulb at the blinker. I remember those from my 68 cougar. Like seriously Toyota? Anyway I love the look of the 06 headlights. The blinker in the light and I love the way the lower filler piece actually clips in!

I also cranked the front an inch.





Paint next weekend!



I pick it up today

 

Purchased the long travel progressive rate rear springs. Should be a LOT softer in the rear.

Also got LT rear link bars which are also double the thickness of OEM so will be a ton beefier.







Swapped out the rear springs today. I noticed they had a driver side specific spring so that helps with the lean. Hopefully i wont need a spacer to adjust.



The swap was extremely easy. Basically as soon as the shocks came off the axle drooped enough to dump the old springs. Ride seems a lot softer on large bumps, ill see how it breaks in. It also dropped 3/4" in the rear

 

Walked out Sunday morning to see this...



I went and talked to the body shop, they're going to repair it but they want me to make wheel liners first so a rock wont hit it again and damage it.

My plan for "custom" liners are get a thinner piece of sheet metal, like a 4x4 sheet and get longer L brackets and mimic the wheel arch from the wheel tub and bring it up to be hidden and then trace the arch on the inner fender. From there ill mount the L brackets and then mark holes on the sheet metal to attach it. It should be strong enough to deflect any rocks and also be hidden from view. Ill be making it this weekend as they want the fenders next week.

Today's project was to create a fender liner that will protect the fiberglass for once these are fixed and to prevent this in the future.










Took a trip up to the mountains this weekend and went and explored. My GoPro got turned on during the drive so it was dead and i forgot my cord :fp: So i just have a few pics













went and explored about 150 miles of logging roads and found a bunch of hidden lakes and relaxed. Was a great trip and the 4runner handled everything like a champ. These rear springs definitely a huge improvement, around 25mph on washboard roads it smooths completely out and glides across the dirt. Was a lot of fun, the 4runner is absolutely disgustingly dirty.

 

Installed my lower links this morning in under an hour. Really easy install, high quality products.



Against stock links



Installed



Next up is lengthening my rear sway links to even it out and get the upper links as well.

Qty 1. Energy Suspension kit (Part #9.8121R) which I got off Amazon.

McMaster-Carr
Qty 1. ASTM A193 Grade B7 Alloy Steel Threaded Rod, Plain Finish, 3/8"-24 Thread, 2' Length; Part number 98957A805
Qty 2. Steel Ball Joint Rod End, 3/8"-24 Right-Hand Female Shank, 3/8" Ball ID, 13/16" L Thread; Part number 60645K341
Qty 2. Zinc-Plated Steel Washer for Ball Joint Rod End, Fits 3/8" Shank Size; Part number 95034A300

Lowes
Qty 2. Grade 8 3/8" 2" length bolts
Qty 2. Grade 8 3/8"-24 Thread nylock nuts
Qty 2. Grade 8 3/8"-16 Thread nylock nuts
Qty 2. Packs of 3/8" grade 8 washers
Qty 2. 3/8x1/2x1-1/2" Steel Spacer
Red Loctite



Pre Assembly


Stock comparison


Sleeves for the stock sway bar to protect the threads of the new bolts.


The overall Eyelet to frame mount should be 6 1/2" so instead of cutting the bushing like others have, i cut the sleeve down a hair. The heims add about an inch if not a little less so you'll need to do one or the other. I refused to cut a perfectly new bushing.

Measurement for what length you want the sleeve to be


All combined, back at 6 1/2" like desired.


Installed (notice its now parallel to the lower link. Definitely an improvement from the OEM link angle.





Very easy installation and build, i highly recommend them. Im only in this about $40.

 

went up to the mountains this past weekend, wheeled a bit. Suspension is perfect, theres parts where i was 60mph+ and it was smooth as glass offroad. Very impressed. Now i just want to strap the front and add a better bump stop up front.













[video=vimeo;132767351]http://vimeo.com/132767351[/video]

 

Started building a box today. To fit comfortably within the side of my cargo area. I've had the 8" in factory location which I explained and showed in the beginning of my build. It was time to move on to bigger and better but still not take up a lot of space because I use my cargo area almost daily.

I got half way through this before I decided I should take pics so this is all I have.









Tomorrow I'm going to carpet it to match existing tan carpet. Also going to close off the box a bit, take the cubic feet down a touch as the sub only needs 0.80 (minimum)and its sitting around 1.25 right now. Maximum is 3.0

Finished up today. Very happy with how it turned out. I closed off the box to 0.90 cubic feet for optimal sound. Carpeted it up and fully secured it. I'm happy with it.









I put a cover on it to protect it from moving cargo.

 

I think you might be taller than me now

 

Maybe, but you still look way bigger.

Ill be going up to 285/75/17s eventually which will raise me a bit.

 

Not going real wide?

 

theres really no tires available that i like in a 305/315 and 33/12.5s are too damn heavy.

 

What tires do you want?

 

preferably my Toyo AT2s again but in extreme tread. I like the Toyo RT's but they're 13lbs heavier than my AT2s EACH TIRE.

 

Installed new hubs/bearings as well as new CV axles. It got rid of my vibration an upgraded my equipment so no big loss.

Recently got stock spindles as a spare set. I'm going to gusset and paint those then install. Will greatly improve strength.

 

Have you reinforced your LCA cam tabs?

 

Not yet I haven't. It's on the list for sure.

 

They bend pretty easy. Some dumbass tech bent one on my Taco during my last alignment . I think I'm just gonna cut the one off and weld some 1/4" in place, and weld the back side on the others.

 

These things are beef

 

every damn time i go on your build, i get about two words in and then its like "TIME TO LOAD PHOTOS"

 

hahaha im waiting for it to skip to the next page.

 

ill reply again and move you one step closer

 

spindles and gussets are getting dropped off at CaliFab Saturday.

 

Califab hooked it up and spit these out quick today. Now I need to find time to install.

 

i don't know whats more impressive, the beads on your spindles or paint when it rains

 

I wish I had those spindle gussets today, think I may have bent mine a bit

 

I was shocked I hadn't bent mine yet to be honest

 

Came down hard after using skinny pedal to get over a big obstacle and hasn't felt right since.

 

Didn't just funk up your alignment?