quicksilvr

I purchased this 4Runner in February of 2010 to replace my 1996 Limited. I sold the '96 Limited to my brother who lives in Colorado.

Specs on the '96 Limited:

-3" ProComp suspension lift
-Diff Drop
-285/75R16 BFGoodrich All-Terrain K/O
-RR Diff Locker
-K&N Intake
-Full exhaust with Flowmaster muffler and dump tube
-Interior/dash changed to white LED's
-New leather on both front seats



Obviously, the '96 was already a pretty nice rig. I wanted to upgrade to a '99, preferably a Highlander, so when I found my truck I knew it was the one.




2/15/2010
Specs on my 1999 SR5 Highlander when I bought it:

-Factory tall coils
-Bilstein HD shocks
-RR Diff Locker
-Rocky Road Supersliders
-BudBuilt IFS and Belly skids
-Crager Soft 8 wheels
-265/75R16 BFGoodrich Mud Terrain KM1's
-SS Extreme Duty Rear Lower Links

It also came with:

-Factory 5-star alloys
-265/75R16 Bridgestone Revo's
-Factory running boards
-Husky floor liners


This is a picture from the drive home right after I bought it. The back was loaded with the Crager/BFG combo, running boards, etc.




3/10/2010

It got parked in the garage right away, and I had several weeks to work on it while I was still driving the '96 Limited.

When it rolled out of the garage for the first time, I had already done this stuff:

-Remove BudBuilt skids (to fix clanking sound and re-install correctly)
-Remove sliders (to have media blasted/re-powdercoated and installed with stainless hardware)
-Install Crager/BFG's
-Change all dash lighting to white LED's
-Install Kenwood HU
-Remove old amp and wiring and clean up JL audio wiring for component system with crossovers
-Deep clean entire interior (seats out, etc)
-"Blue Wire" mod for E-Locker
-Oil change with a Used Oil Analysis (UOA) from Blackstone Labs (more on this below)







This is what it looked like at that point...rollin' out in winter




Both 'runners together before the '96 Limited left for Colorado




Here's a cool sig picture I made from this shoot...sadly I can't use it here on the forum



UOA


Wasn't too thrilled with this first UOA, but in hindsight, the oil probably had like 7000+ miles on it. And I have no clue what brand it was. I should have had it changed at a quicklube before I drove 1300 miles home on it. Anyway. I thought I might have some issues, and was kind of feeling down about the truck overall after getting it home, going through everything and having this first UOA done. But, I have since done 2 more UOA's, and everything looks great now. I have a strong engine that is showing normal/low wear, and I expect lots of life out of it.

Here is my most recent UOA (you can see all previous UOA on the sheet)





4/25/2010

I did mostly cosmetic stuff at first:

-Clear corners
-Clear turn signals
-Remove dents from hood
-Touchup paint

First clean after winter






6/13/2010

Next I did a bunch of maintenance stuff and a few upgrades:

-Changed RR Diff, T-Case, and FR Diff fluid to Amsoil 75w-90
-Lubed Drivetrain
-Drained/Refilled coolant
-Installed B&M 70268 transmission cooler (bypass stock cooler)
-Installed Magnafine trans filter
-Put the 5-star/Revo combo on the truck for summer and road trips
-Deckplate mod
-Rear diff breather extension
-Fluid Film rust preventer on frame and undercarriage
-Installed Daystar rear spacers
-Alignment
-Power Steering flush
-Install ScanGauge II
-Transmission flush/filter/pan clean/etc




Currently:

Looks pretty stock right now. I snapped these real fast today, the lighting sucks and the setting sucks....but it's better than nothing right?



What's happening next:

-Re-install Crager/BFG combo
-Re-install freshly PC'd sliders with new stainless hardware
-Install new oil drain plug with valve to keep skids clean
-Re-install skids

quicksilvr

10/2010









I guess I'm still undecided on whether to re-install the sliders. If I do, I cannot install front mud guards. I won't really use the sliders as they are intended (no rocks around here) so they'd just be heavy duty side steps. Really heavy duty side steps.

I'm also need to find time to install my poly rack&pinion bushing set from Wheelers. Until I do that, I can't put the skids on.

quicksilvr

Some winter pictures, January 2011.

quicksilvr

3/2011


I installed my poly rack bushings from Wheelers, and the install went better than anticipated. I still have a little vibration at speed, but it's probably just a wheel balance issue...but my major shaking is completely gone. Much nicer at 70mph than it used to be.

Also re-installed my BudBuilt skids. They are beastly pieces...and while I love them...they are dragging the front end of my truck down. It almost looks silly now. Rear height is 37.75" ground to fender...and the front is now 35.5". Ouch. The front had been 36.5". So the skids pulled it down a whole inch.

I think I'm going to take the belly skid off until further notice. Hopefully I can afford to put some Tundra coils with adjustable Bilstein 5100's up front to handle the weight and lift me back up to the 37" range.