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Did the ZUK mod to my 4Runner

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Old Mar 29, 2010 | 05:43 AM
  #1  
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Did the ZUK mod to my 4Runner

My rear end wasn't sagging too bad actually but I decided to do this mod anyways. I ride motocross and one of the things I need for this truck to do is to be able to carry a heavy load in the rear.

Without the ZUK mod the extra weight of carrying my bike on a hitch rack was just too much for the springs to handle effectively. So I sought out a solution. I first thought about doing airbags but because of the complexity and costs it wasn't the best idea. So I did some searching on here and found this mod and it works very well and addressed my need.

btw, I purchased the 12 inch X 125 coil off of ebay...Black Magic Springs I believe.

Here is the truck loaded without the springs...


Here is the truck with the ZUK mod done to it...


Here's the truck un-weighted...the backend does ride a tad higher but it's not all that bad. What other things can I do to help even it out completely?

All in all I think I gained almost 3 inches. Honestly the ride feels about the same without all the weight in the backend, but when it is loaded down it feels a hell of a lot better.



I'll post the install pictures at a later time. Need to download them off the camera. What do you guys think?

Last edited by Lotus1; Mar 29, 2010 at 05:45 AM.
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Old Mar 29, 2010 | 06:11 AM
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I think it looks good empty too. I've became a fan of the slightly raked look.
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Old Mar 29, 2010 | 06:16 AM
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wow.

looks great ane very functional for you!

i'll be doing the same.

you did the weldless version?

joel
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Old Mar 29, 2010 | 06:21 AM
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Good for you! I just did this a couple weeks back (weldless) on mine, and mine NEEDED it - see my DIY guide with pics in my sig....

Joel - it's pretty do able - I don't weld...just used an angle grinder, jacks, and tools to do it (really slow). I had a 4" lift before (blocks on crappy OEM springs) so I had the extended brakelines in place already....you may need to address that if you're running stock.
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Old Mar 29, 2010 | 06:32 AM
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nice KTM
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Old Mar 29, 2010 | 06:45 AM
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It's funny, I pride myself into doing things on my own and am very capable of doing things 99% of the time. I actually had my mechanic do this one just because I knew that when it was done it would be perfect.

I actually started things off on my own by hacking the bump stops off with a cutter and taking the rubber stoppers off. That was the extent of my doing on this project.

My mechanic then ground down the rest of the bump stop, cleaned up the frame, welded the ZUK plate on, and undercoated everything up. It looks fantastic. Like I said I'll try and get pics up later on. thanks guys.

CZ, thanks. That's a KTM 450 SXF. My first KTM, and it absolutely screams! Got it from a factory sponsored KTM rider and I love it. It was actually featured at the SEMA show the other year along with Dodge.

Last edited by Lotus1; Mar 29, 2010 at 06:47 AM.
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Old Mar 29, 2010 | 07:01 AM
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jesus, and i thought my old honda 250 2stroke screamed LOL!!!

doesn't KTM have a 950!?!? SCARY
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Old Mar 29, 2010 | 07:25 AM
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jesus, and i thought my old honda 250 2stroke screamed LOL!!!
It's funny you say that because the bike I had before this one was a Honda CRF 250 fully race built. That thing was wicked fast. This KTM would run circles around that old 250! lol

I love 2 strokes, and I've ridden them practically all my life, but these 4 strokes are no joke. They are here to stay for sure.
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Old Mar 29, 2010 | 07:28 AM
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To even it out, check out a set of ball joint spacers. That should do you pretty good for an even rake.
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Old Mar 29, 2010 | 07:52 AM
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To even it out, check out a set of ball joint spacers. That should do you pretty good for an even rake.
thanks, I'll do that!
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Old Mar 29, 2010 | 09:12 AM
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It's my Runner's twin! I like it, but I am biased for the baby blue 1st gens.

Except for the black top in the back, mine top is still faded baby blue. Did you paint your top black, or did it come that way? I keep kicking around painting mine black, now I have your rig to look at and decided if I want to go that route.

I have BJ spacers in my rig with 2" OME springs in the back. The 2" OME springs netted me about 4 1/2" of total lift in the rear, over the sagged out stock springs. If you put BJ spacers in the front you can most likely relax the T-bars a big from the stock setting to level the truck, as you gained about 1" or so over stock height in the rear, maybe 2" of sag tacken out?

Anyway, pic of my rig below.

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Old Mar 29, 2010 | 09:30 AM
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Hey Mike, sweet rig!

Did you paint your top black, or did it come that way?
It was black already. I also just got a soft top for it last year. It's a Killer Toy Top.


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Old Mar 29, 2010 | 01:08 PM
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hey phil,

saw you post!

looks great... i'll be installing in my garage in a few months!

joel

Originally Posted by Philbert
Good for you! I just did this a couple weeks back (weldless) on mine, and mine NEEDED it - see my DIY guide with pics in my sig....

Joel - it's pretty do able - I don't weld...just used an angle grinder, jacks, and tools to do it (really slow). I had a 4" lift before (blocks on crappy OEM springs) so I had the extended brakelines in place already....you may need to address that if you're running stock.
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Old Aug 8, 2011 | 10:24 PM
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bringing this back. i'm about to pull the trigger and buy some coils to zuk my 89 4runner to haul my bike better. the only difference here is my 4runner has 4" blocks under the leafs right now. I want them gone but I'm hesitant since i'm not sure if I should get the 125# or 150# 14" coils...

anyone have some advice on that? Anyone running 150#? I haul my bike exactly the same way as Lotus1.
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Old Apr 17, 2012 | 10:05 AM
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Originally Posted by Lotus1
... 12 inch X 125 coil off of ebay...Black Magic Springs I believe.

Here is the truck with the ZUK mod done to it...


Here's the truck un-weighted...the backend does ride a tad higher but it's not all that bad. What other things can I do to help even it out completely?

All in all I think I gained almost 3 inches. Honestly the ride feels about the same without all the weight in the backend, but when it is loaded down it feels a hell of a lot better.



I'll post the install pictures at a later time. Need to download them off the camera. What do you guys think?
Thanks for this post, Lotus1.
I'm also planning my ZUK mod and would like to have an idea how level the truck would be. Would appreciate inputs from the experienced, with stock rims.

After the mod, how high is bottom of wheel well from top of rim in rear?
(You got a 3-inch lift from before, right?)
How high is bottom of wheel well from top of rim in front?

TIA and best regards,
RAD
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Old Apr 17, 2012 | 11:39 AM
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Originally Posted by fork
bringing this back. i'm about to pull the trigger and buy some coils to zuk my 89 4runner to haul my bike better. the only difference here is my 4runner has 4" blocks under the leafs right now. I want them gone but I'm hesitant since i'm not sure if I should get the 125# or 150# 14" coils...

anyone have some advice on that? Anyone running 150#? I haul my bike exactly the same way as Lotus1.
I think if you read some of the other threads on here about the Zuk you will see that most prefer the 125 or even the 100's in a 14". Most of what I've read indicates that the 125's are plenty stiff for most applications. I have an 87 Xtra cab with a fiberglas highrise cap and went with the 100x14" and am SUPER happy with both the load bearing and ride.
just my $.02 worth.
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Old Apr 17, 2012 | 03:53 PM
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I had 4" blocks too (part of Pro Crap lift kit from 8 years ago). evened mine out pretty well. Read my DIY in the signature below.
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Old Apr 18, 2012 | 02:46 AM
  #18  
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did the NO-CUT ZUK MOD using 5''x11'' 125lb https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f116...r-turn-251897/
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