Grunter's SR5 - Canning prep - build stage 3

[Hilux Max]

the sensors arent touched at all when fitting the ARB bar.

[gruntre69]

Mate the airbar sensors are not involved with the Bull Bar install. The only wiring change is the relocation of the temp sensor and this is only for the SR5 models. As far as I know the air bag sensors are behind the grill somewhere. The ARB install instructions are very precise and clear and that goes for other ARB fitments I have done. Top marks ARB!

[LANK]

Thanks for the info. keep us updated with the lift.

[gruntre69]

OK my springs and Billsteins have arrived and I've just got to get then installed. I spoke again to Cal and the word is that the 2 grooves on the Cal versions are both higher than the standard Hilux Billies. He says that the higher groove will give 4" on a standard lux or a bit less with accessories and the lower gives 3" or a bit less with accessory loads (with the supplied springs).

I want to achieve 3" over standard with the accessories so I had my machinist cut another groove dead centre between the 2 supplied grooves. I toyed with the idea of making the left 2mm higher to account for the battery but didn't end up worrying about that because I might end up on the lower or higher groove in the end.

I've taken some measurements and just wanted to get them recorded somewhere for future reference so here goes:
Bilstein measurements (cal version)

266.5mm from the bottom of the outer bushing bottom mount to the 1st groove
275mm from the bottom of the outer bushing bottom mount to the 2nd groove (my new groove)
284mm from the bottom of the outer bushing bottom mount to the 3rd groove (edited for clarity)
663mm from bottom of the outer bushing bottom mount to the top of the shaft (extended measurement)

Standard Xcab Hilux measurements (in dealer yard)

500mm from front wheel centre to flare
585mm from rear wheel centre to flare

My standard lux measurements with batteries, winch, bullbar etc

470/463mm right/left from front wheel centre to flare
570mm from rear wheel centre to flare

So you can see that there is a 30mm and 15mm sag or settlement front and rear. I've measured from the wheel centre so that wheel and tyre sizes are irrelevant.

The plan is to do one side on the middle groove 1st then lower the vehicle and take a measurement, subtract 20mm for settlement and see what we have, also have a look at the CV angles. If all good then do the other side.

[gruntre69]

OK guys, I got my springs and struts in yesterday...... Yahoo, it's heaps better now!

CV angles are pretty steep but I reckon they will settle to an acceptable level once those springs settle down a bit.

I'll talk in mm because it's easier to be accurate.....

It's up a full 110mm from what it was so I'm really happy, seems that it is now up 80mm from the standard brand new measurements but I'm assuming it will settle so it will end up probably 65mm up on the brand new measurement and 75 up on the settled brand new level.

Here are the new measurement comparisions:
Standard Xcab Hilux measurements (in dealer yard)

500mm from front wheel centre to flare
585mm from rear wheel centre to flare

My standard lux measurements with batteries, winch, bullbar etc

470/463mm right/left from front wheel centre to flare
570mm from rear wheel centre to flare

My lifted lux measurements with batteries, winch, bullbar etc

580/570mm right/left from front wheel centre to flare
580mm from rear wheel centre to flare (not sure why this has gained 10mm )

Looks like I got it right with getting that 3rd groove machined and if it settles more than I like I have the last groove left, if I can be bothered pulling it all out and doing it again.

It does however make the standard SR5 wheels and tyres look rather pathetic.... Now for the decision on tyres and the last big spend and I'm virtually finished (well...... lockers, barwork etc etc... )

I'll post up a few pointers in the how to section on the strut change out, it isn't that hard really especially with a couple of tips...

It actually looks quite level now so there is no real rush to make any changes to the rear. They sit a bit higher in the rear from standard and I assume this is to allow for a bit of extra load. I'm in no real rush to lift the rear higher than the front again but will see how it goes with a load in it. I never really carry all that much weight so it might be OK. Maybe just a couple of 25mm blocks will be sweet...

Oh yer, first impressions of the Billies....... F$#king DELUXE!
Photos soon....

[Jack S]

mate a few tips and pointers would be great as i am looking to get this kit very shortly!

[gruntre69]

mate a few tips and pointers would be great as i am looking to get this kit very shortly!

Done: http://www.newhilux.net/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=6402

[johnny5x]

Got any photos yet mate?

[gruntre69]

Got any photos yet mate?

I'll try and put some up in the next couple of days or so.

For now I'm having the hardest time deciding on tyres

As if all the other stuff, expecially the suspension wasn't hard enough!!!!

Tyres are probably the hardest call of all! Very difficult to figure out where to make the compromise

I'm swaying towards Mickey Thompson AT in 265 75 16 and picking up a set of 16 x 8 20p wheels.

I'm pretty certain with all the reading I've done that these will fit my rig with no dramas. It's just a tough decision. I really don't think I want MT tyres because I ofter drive 500km a weekend on black top and in reality most trips away really are 70 to 90% black top. The MT AT tyres look like a good compromise and the 4 rib versions are pretty agressive. Any body else who's using MT AT tyres, I'd love to hear from you..... Good or bad.....

[Jack S]

go some maxxis trepadors, my mate had them and got 60K out of them

[gruntre69]

OK I've pretty much decided on tyres and am going to run the Mickey Thompson ATZ 4rib in the 265 x 75% x 16. I believe this will be a really good compromise for what I'm after. I've hopefully got onto a set of 16 x 8 20P alloys which this is hinging on for now. otherwise it's new wheels too..... ouch!

I've just ordered the Bud FUG. I'm tired of looking at that twisted piece of garbage that Toyota have under it.....

I think I will take a cheaper and pretty simple option of the rear lift. I'm reasonable happy with the standard rear springs and I rarely carry much of a load so I think I will just add some 1.5" plates under the diff.

I have a mate who works for a fabrication shop who can get me the steal. Does any body know if there is a pin or anything that locates the spring to the diff housing or is the just the Ubolts that clamps it all together. Just trying to shortcut this rather than unbolt it and have a look before getting the plates cut. Guess I'll need some longer Ubolts too.

[KTM525EXC]

yeah by memory there is about a 10mm dia location spigot/pin that locates the diff against the springs

[gruntre69]

yeah by memory there is about a 10mm dia location spigot/pin that locates the diff against the springs

Cool mate, thanks for the info. Do you remember if it's part of the diff housing or is it just like a dowl pin.

I'll probably have to pull one side off and have a look though..... just being lazy here and trying to take short cuts. If it's a dowl type pin it will be easy because I'll be able to just drill out the raising block and put a roll pin in there.

[KTM525EXC]

i think it was fixed to the diff, like part of the casting but i could be wrong it was nearly 2 years ago i fitted my lift lol

[cracka23]

The head of the centre bolt on the spring pack locates into a hole on the spring perch mate!

[gruntre69]

The head of the centre bolt on the spring pack locates into a hole on the spring perch mate!

Thanks Cracka,

So I'll need a bit of very thick gauge (5mm maybe) rectantular tube with a bolt head welded into the top of it and another hole saw hole int the bottom for the spring pack bolt head. and some 40mm longer Ubolts.

Does that sound about right?

[cracka23]

Yeah that sounds about right mate...id use as heavy gague as ya can get your hands on for a lift block like that....but yeah that should work!!

[KTM525EXC]

The head of the centre bolt on the spring pack locates into a hole on the spring perch mate!

i was half right cracka gave me a refresher

[gruntre69]

OK here is my wheels and tyres decision:
Wheels: I chose because they are a good price and will be easy to clean and they look OK IMO

Speedy Grande 16 x 7 30P in the Ali colour


Tyres:
Mickey Thompson ATZ
LT265/75R16 10 123Q 7.0-8.0 808 80,000

MMAAXX I'm pretty certain that this combo will fit (no rubbing) but it would be nice to get the confirmation from you as the resident Wheels and Tyres Guru

[Hilux Max]

No problem at all...my mate is running exactly the same wheels and tyres, thou he fitted a front 2" snake spacer (even thou I advised him against the spacer)