Tim_Snapple76

Guys i've planned the following repairs/mods for soon replacement. I was wondering if there were anything else i might consider to repair or replace while i was in the front end of my pickup. I need to replace all bushings and things of the sort. (trying to kill many birds with one stone). What are some special considerations or hints while replacing these components? Any opinions and suggestions are welcome, so bring them on, and no im not going to do a SAS.

1.) Old Man Emu Steering Dampner
2.) 1 1/2" bj spacers(4crawler)
3.) Differential Drop(4crawler)
4.) Sway Bar Bushings
5.) Sway Bar Spacers (4crawler)
6.) Control Arm Bushings..( i need a pic plz)
7.) Pitman Arm Bushings...is there anything there that needs to be replaced??? (if so i need pic also plz) sorry... : (
8.) Sonoran Steel IFS truss
9.) Upper Ball Joints...heck might as well right? But which ones, and where should i order them, or...are the orielly's ones just as good???.... need help there...
10.) Rear lift, either shackles, or new rear leafs, or add a leaf, or new leafs and shackles...( i really just want to level the rear with the front, it doesnt sag right now anyway..) What are ya'lls opinions on these mods and what else should i keep in mind? FYI i plan to do all of these mods/repairs at the same time, as i still have another truck to drive.
11.) New Shocks... I've heard great things about the bilstien 5100's... and how they handle loads well. I occasionally tow trailers full of junk and a four wheeler in the bed of my truck. Please try to keep these in mind.. Also, some things to keep in mind, my truck suspension is stock, there is no lift, and im riding on 31x10.5.x15 dayton mt's. Im not really worried about my meats lookin too small underneath the fenderwells until i get this thing done. Once i get this done i'll worry about that part.
Give me your wrenchhead advice on this. Even personal opinions. What im trying to do is fix many things that i've actually been neglecting to take care of for the past 2 years... and I also want to have a reliable truck to drive to and from school... and maybe pick up a few chicks here and there. .lol. and yes i do use my truck offroad extensively, deer woods, camping, duck hunting, etc etc. Thanks Guys. Tim.

Tim_Snapple76

bump..........

nmtoy

The Sonoran steel ifs truss will not work with the diff drop (ask me how I know). I would recommend using the truss and not cranking the T bars.

If you leave your torsion bars relaxed you will not need the diff drop and your CV's will be much happier.

I would also replace the rear springs rather than use a lift shackle or add a leaf. New springs arent that expensive and will really improve the ride and flex of your truck.

I just went from having BJ spacers with a diff drop and cranked T bars with an add a leaf and lift shackle in the rear to BJ spacers and relaxed T bars and stock length shackle and Downey 3" springs in the rear.

My truck sits about 2" lower than it did before and the ride and flex is great for an ifs truck. I still clear 33X10.50 Mud TA's with no problems.
before:
after:

Robb

Tim_Snapple76

so i can scratch the diff drop and sway bar spacers?

jcfb

O'Reilly's has several options as far as ball joints go. I use their Moog ball joints. I do believe they consider them the "heavy duty" ball joints. They also are re-greasable, which is a huge plus, because I love doing my own vehicle maintenance. I've been running Moog tie rod ends and an idler arm for a little over a year and they are good. I better go knock on wood now.

Oh yeah, my tires are 33x12.50s.

Tim_Snapple76

when you order the bj spacers will they come with extension bolts or do i need to find some else where..... or do i use the stock hardware??? do you guys have a pic of your rear springs and also control arm etc.? thanks jcfb & nmtoy. tim.

Jay351

my bj spacers came with 8 long bolts to use..

Diesel_Freak

Go with OME rear springs CS009R (from TRDparts4u.com) unbelieveable quality and ride. I'm running BJ spacers, OME springs and no T-bar crank or Diff drop. My rig rides GREAT!!!! Manual hubs help alot with Keeping CV's alive. The BJ spacers come with hardware.

nmtoy

I didn't look at the year of your truck. 4runners went from leaf to coil springs in the rear in 1990. There are lots of options, do a search for "the ball joint spacer cruiser coil" thread.

If you relax your torsion bars after you install the ball joint spacers you will not need the diff drop or sway bar spacers. Be sure to get your truck aligned after installing the BJ spacers.

Tim_Snapple76

http://www.trdparts4u.com/PD-BJS1.aspx?MakeID=1

Is this a 2" or 1" or 1 1/2" bj spacer??? Or is that a dumb question? I'd think they would put labels...

ovrrdrive

The standard bj spacers are 1.5" unless you order a custom size.