What have you done to your 5th Gen 4Runner today?

huh? there a write about this or why to do it? I'm not sure what you mean.

 

Your panhard bar also centers your axle laterally under the vehicle. When you change the angle of the bar from OEM, without the adjustable bracket you added, it will "push" the axle to the passenger side since that is the pivot point on the frame. Adding that bracket changes the bar back to a horizontal line and brings the axle back to center. Wondering if you had measured to see if the axle sits square under the vehicle or, with A LOT of lift kits and incorrect angled panhard bars, the axle has shifted some to the left. That scenario also causes binding and reduced droop at full flex on the passenger side.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WJGEb_MPzSo

 

Ahhhhhhhhhh, was unsure of that you were asking. Long answer is no I did not but I took it in for an alignment so they could adjust it and do this for me. Found out that 4wheel parts checks basically nothing in their alignments, or at least the shop on San Carlos in San Jose, CA checks nothing and doesn't even bother to do an alignment but charges you and tells you everything is in spec which was clearly false after my tires were feathering after 4k miles. So took it somewhere else which indeed centered the axle. So yes, axle is centered.

 

Most places only sell 4 wheel alignments. And since there is nothing to adjust on the back of stock 4runners, I can easily see that nobody would even think of it. I wonder if anybody but an off-road shop would know what to do with an adjustable panhard.

Im curious, since I’m wonder if maybe I should recenter my axle…did you get any sort of print out that showed pre and post measurements? If so, what is the number used to determine if everything is aligned and centered with the rear axle…Would steer ahead angle give you that info?

 

that would make sense but they asked me why I was getting an alignment and I told them the front was lowered because of weight and so I lowered the rear with shorter springs and in-so-doing, I disconnected a lot of things in the rear and so needed the rear specifically checked. I was asked if I had adjustable suspension. I told them I had adjustable upper and lower trailing arms and an adjustable panhard bar; that i have fully adjustable suspension. I was told, "great." when i picked my truck and when I confronted them about doing nothing, I was told, "well you don't have adjustable rear suspension," to which I said, "I told the person I spoke with about this alignment I have fully adjustable suspension in the front and rear and that you would say this tells me you did nothing." DONT DO BUSINESS WITH 4WHEEL PARTS

I don't know what steer ahead is and I don't know where my paperwork is from the correct alignment but the paperwork I got showed the camber and toe was off, and also the distance between the front and rear tires were off. The distance between the right front and rear - and the left front and rear was about 2 inches difference. meaning there was some major discrepancies between what the panhard bar as well as what the rear trailing arms where doing and what they should be doing. There was some other measurements going on but I don't recall. I think it was distance between wheels diagonally and a few other things.

There was so much going on in the other alignment that the guy at 4 wheel parts looks defeated and dumbfounded. There was like maybe 3 specs/measurements from 4wheel parts and like 12 or so from the other place.

 

That sucks…you’d think that 4wheel parts would want to be known as specialists in this sort of thing…. There’s nothing I hate more than taking the time to explain your situation in detail, watch them take notes like good little students, and then completely ignore everything they heard. What a freaking horse and pony show that is.

It sounds like the last alignment was pretty thourough with all the crosschecked measurements. Now I know that it’s something that could be done if I ever decide to get all precise about my panhard. Ingot a 1.5ish-2.0ish lift in the back. I think it’s probably ok how it is, but not sure.

 

New rims.

 

yeah you'd think but they literally did nothing. 4wheel parts lost my business for life

and yeah there's options out there for you when you want to get that alignment

 

I went on my first offroad trip Sunday.

This is our group.

How I started.

How I finished.

Random pics from the day.

 

Just got it rust proofed before winter comes here in eastern Quebec!

 

Nice job! Rode hard, but dont put her away wet!

Make sure to get to know your underside and rinse everything out real good!

 

It will be 75 here tomorrow I already have the pressure washer ready to go. Then on the 15th I am going back to do it all again.

 

LOL. Not having enough time to clean between excursions is a good problem to have

But at least when you park at work, they’ll know you wheel (bro).

 

Lol I showed my Boss pics and he was like no way your truck is always spotless lol. I like to keep a very clean car but this is worth the hours of detailing.

 

I installed 168 Sylvania super bright LED bulbs over my rear plate, might have to remove them as it turns the back of the white vehicle into a lighted billboard of sorts. Anyone else do this and how do you like the effect?

 

I consider my car clean when the frame has been washed clear of mud and I rinse out the frame rails (and crossmembers). But the mud on the wheels, tires, and body are decoration.

Yeah, sometimes it gets a little tiring to tell everyone that I wheel, after I get out of my 4runner and loudly mutter to myself about the mud on always getting on my pant legs from the sliders…but it comes with the territory.

If I get tired of explaining “it’s because I wheel,” I suppose I could stop. Technically nobody has really asked me. But I know they want to ask.

 

The last thing I want is my plate lit up....

 

The first time I saw a car with the ultra bright license plate lights, I thought it was a wrong way driver coming towards me down the interstate…I briefly panicked even….and it was at least an 1/8th of a mile away!!!!Lol

When I realized what I was actually looking at, my first thought was exactly what @Burnt Taco said haha. Not that I have anything to hide.

It’s an LED version of waiving your 5th amendment rights.

 

lol I used to detail before I joined the Navy so not having a clean car drives me crazy.

 

If you go out often and have a pressure washer, you need one of these. Works great

LadyRosian 4000 PSI Pressure Washer Undercarriage Cleaner, Under Car Wash, with 2 Pcs 13 Inch Extension Wand & 1 Pcs 30 Degree Angled Wand (4 Nozzles Undercarriage + Extension Wand)

LadyRosian 4000 PSI Pressure Washer Undercarriage Cleaner, Under Car Wash, with 2 Pcs 13" Extension Wand & 1 Pcs 30 Degree Angled Wand (4 Nozzles Undercarriage + Extension Wand)

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0837P1X76

 

Wrong. Last thing you want is being pulled over because it isn't or is poorly lit up.

 

Finally had some time to figure out how and where i was gonna mount my radio handset. I used parts from two different companies, Bulletpoint and OffRoam. I ended up modifying the ball mounts so i could mount them to the dash. So far I'm happy with the location, it's not in my way, very easy to grab and put back in it's place. It's a super solid mount. I'm stoked that it worked out and I didn't have to drill any extra holes!
I also mounted a ball near the top of the radio bezel on the left hand side. That's for my phone. Mounted the ball the same way as I did the other one. That was a lil tight in there, trying to tighten the screws was a pain in the arse, had to cut down an allen wrench but I got it!

 

Cringeworthy understanding of the Fifth Amendment

 

Good point on need for lighting
I think OEM license plate lighting is adequate. Not into being spotted from Mars.

 

More goodies for the next outing.

 

Ditto. Mine is well lit. The one thing I don’t want well lit is my cabin at night time.

 

Maybe you havent seen the hyperlighting that I was referring to lol. It’s not about lighting your license plate, it’s whether or not having headlights lighting up your plate is desirable or not.

The intense lighting is enough to change the appearance of a vehicle if you are any distance behind it, enough so, that it doesnt even look like a road vehicle at first (or second) sight.

Lol. I came off sounding more serious than intended.

And yes, Dr. Legalscholar , my link to the self-incrimination clause of the amendment could be criticized as being tenuous.

Especially for somebody who’s innocent… I swear.

 

You clearly needed to be defensive in both instances. I'll leave it at that.

 

What?!? You cant prove anything! You got nothin on me!!!

 

I’m installing some power folding side mirrors and Morimoto sequential turns! Anyone done this? Are you happy with the outcome?