This week i finished my SS1.2 Kit, got an alignment and tires. Here are a few pics with about 140lbs of gear in the trunk.













Install was a piece of cake! its a 1 man job. I did have a few questions and steve at sonoran steel was awesome! superb customer service. with the alignment, it rides great!

The tires are yokohama geolanders at-s 285/75/16s. They r SILENT on the highway. I dont have any wet or off road experience with them yet. i got em for a great deal. and i dont know what i like in off road tires yet so i figured this would be an ok start.

No skid plate yet. i dont want to bother modifying the stock one. I will be ordering a budbuilt or similar before wheeling.

My next concern is gearing. Im still researching to find out what gears my stock difs have on a 3.4 V6 automatic, axle code A340F. The performance loss with the 33s was not too bad but i miss the pep and the better mileage.

I am mechanically inclined but with limited experience. What is the most cost effective/practical way to regear difs? should i pull them out and have someone set the gears or should i let them do the whole thing? where do you guys take yours?

ive got a million more Qs but i will try to search it all more first.

Anyone near chicago wanna do some fall wheeling?

 

Sliders for now, then save up for OEM elocker and re-gear.

 

Modifying the stock skid is pizzacake, you don't have to weld it. i'd keep it on at least keeping most of the salt out.

com'n down to Cali to get a BruceTS bumper, hehe...

 

Now help the neighbor paint his garage

 

should i pull them out and have someone set the gears or should i let them do the whole thing?

If you pull them out you can sent them to ZUK and he can regear them so all you need to do is put them back in and he knows his shi@ on settting up regear installs.

 

dear god! that is beautiful! does he make a matching front? ROADTRIP!

 

4runner looks great just one question do hows the wakeboarding up there???

 

Bruce doesn't make front bumper, he has a TJM15 on his 99 Highlander edtion, i have an ARB on mine.

 

TJM does not sell in the US anymore. what is a guy to do?

 

^^ Get an ARB


I'd love to go wheeling with you some time. I'm out at school at the moment, but when I get back we'll have to find some place to wheel.

 

That lift comes with the silver Bilstiens doesn't it? It sounds like you like the ride but I am sure it has got to be at least a little firmer than stock. Is it much firmer?

 

well i was riding on the origional suspension with 145000 miles on it so im not sure what stock felt like. Its much smoother then that i had and about the same firmness if not slightly less. i think thats because the main goal of this kit is to give u the best ifs articulation possible. its an awesome ride on the street for sure.

 

Is he still making the rears? I may have to try and PM him again..

 

Let me know when you want to go.

 

What is the cost of this?

BTW, nice job on the ride OP!

 

To the degree that Madison, WI is near Chicago, I'm up for some wheeling. You will like the SS kit. I've had the 7.2 on since the spring and it's quite nice.

MadCityRich

 

to all who replied to chicago wheeling.

click here!

 

If I ever want to sell mine, I'll let ya buy mine.

 

Looks nice! I hear a lot about the SS kits but I do not like how they sit higher in the back. Does this last very long or what?? I would like mine to sit level as possible or maybe a 1/4" higher in the back.

 

Im gonna hold you to that! haha but seriously i would do a TJM over an ARB anyday. just my personal style preference.