Cincinnati Area Thread (Tri-State, Ohio/Kentucky/Indiana)

Hmm, I’m not usually a fan of aftermarket headlights. I tend to prefer retrofit OEM headlights but the newer LED technology is quite appealing.

 

I ordered the aftermarket ones already and new tail lights.



Wife went to bed and left me unsupervised with my phone.




eBay and Amazon make it too easy.

 

I’m interested to see how they look in person.

 

Switched mine to led bulbs and thought I was to going break them before they snapped in.

 

So I’m about to order all the parts for the T4R/Lexus GX470 front brake upgrade and it’s got me thinking about how I want to go about installing all this stuff I’ve bought recently. I’m gonna lay out the plan I’ve got in my head below and some notes about a few things. Feel free to throw some wisdom or insight my way if you think I’d be better off doing things differently or in a different order.

Day 1 (exact date still TBD):

- T4R/Lexus GX470 front brake swap.
- Full brake system bleed, including ABS module (requires a scan tool from what I’ve heard but helps with the squishy pedal feel)
- Knock the rust off the rear drums, spray them them black (the dirty, burnt orange color just isn’t doing it for me)
- Swap the 1” wheel spacers with a new set of 1.25” spacers

Day 2 (exact date still TBD)

- Remove the 1/4” top plate spacer from the driver’s side strut assembly, install 1/2” spacer
- Install the 1/4” top plate spacer on the passenger side
- Install SPC Upper Control Arms
- Drive truck to shop and have the new 285s mounted and balanced
- Get truck aligned

Day 3 (could happen before or after the other two days)

- Install Cali Raised Stealth Mount LED bar behind the lower grill
- Wash the Truck and give exterior some much needed TLC

Backstory on the front brake upgrade is long, but to keep it somewhat short, I’m about 15 months into a full OEM parts front brake job and I’ve had at least one warped rotor for the last few months. Had the pads and rotors changed originally because of a horrible squeak I was getting in reverse every morning. Turns out one of the pistons in my passenger front caliper is sticking and in addition to the wobble I feel when braking at higher speeds, the squeak has begun to return...

In regards to day two, I’ve been chasing a random clunk in my front suspension over harsher bumps lately, so I’m still debating whether to replace the upper shock mounts with new hardware. I’m also going to test my lower ball joints for play and if needed, I may order new LCAs for one or both sides. I’d obviously like to avoid disassembling the strut assemblies and paying for LCAs but that damn clunk is annoying when it happens. I’ve already got a sway bar relocation kit installed (I will not be removing the front sway) and there are no signs of the OME springs hitting the stock UCAs but I read it could be the sway bar hitting the skid plate underneath. I’ll need to look around under there before I do any of this stuff to see if I can find any evidence of metal on metal contact.

Also, I’m regards to the alignment, I’ve read a lot about how to set the UCAs and what to tell the alignment tech to do in order to maximize tire clearance at the rear of the front fender well but I’m all ears about ideal alignment specs when it’s done. Ideally, I can fit the 285/70/17 tires without a CMC but I’m aware that it may be unavoidable. I’m still researching the best alignment specs and how to go about setting things before letting a tech start changing things.

 

Doug at Tire Discounters in Mariemont is an excellent alignment tech. He has been aligning and realigning my truck for 3 years. If you want to fit 285s without doing the CMC he can do it as he has done so with mine. He understands having an adjustable upper control arm and how to set the lower cams for clearance of the tire rotation and then set the alignment from up top.

Call ahead, set an appointment though. That’s a busy store.

 

I only count four?

 

What’s up fellas, been here for a while as a shadow but wanting to get active. Live just outside of Lexington, but heard this forum is more active than them central KY thread. Hard with my schedule but I’d like to have more taco friends! Here’s my ‘18

 

Good point. I’ll need to buy a used one from bestusedtires.com to put on my spare. That is, if I want to deal with what’s required to make it fit underneath...

 

I’m far from a Tacoma expert but I know a little about t4r and gx470s. I think you would early 5th gen t4r or gx460 calipers. 4th gen t4r and gx470s are known for seizing.

 

There's gonna be some sweet newly built trucks in here for the next couple wheeling trips! Cant wait to see you guys on the trail

 

Shit man, I need to get out and see how these gears and locker do.

 

I’m buying aftermarket calipers from NAPA. Not looking to spend the money Toyota wants for even remanufactured calipers.

It’s that or I could buy them used and rebuild them myself, but that’s just more time and effort.

 

Make sure whatever calipers you get fit inside your wheel. That's the biggest problem with brake upgrades on our trucks

 

Yep, I made sure the 4th Gen T4R upgrade would fit the stock TRD sport 17” wheels. Which makes sense, considering the T4R limited or whatever models had these calipers all came with 17” wheels. I’ve seen pictures of this exact setup inside a TRD SEMA wheel and reports of no fitment issues on the 17” Gen2 Sport wheels.

With that said, I’m not sure if the 14WA calipers from the 5th Gen T4R will fit the stock 17” Sport wheels or not.

 

Mostly you just have to be careful with 16" wheels, the 17s seem to be g2g

 

I’m curious about the 5th Gen T4R calipers now. Some quick research tells me most of the OEM parts list I have acquired for the 4th Gen setup would need to be updated... looks like at least the backing plate and the rotors are different. And I can always get stainless lines instead of OEM parts if I can’t find those part numbers too...

 

I need new tie rod ends. Any recommendations or brands to stay away from?

 

Is there a outing scheduled if so where and when ?
Kinda like to try this out before I go ordering shit I don't need .