2003 Access Cab 4x4 Daily Driver Bulletproof Fun Surfing Camp Paid For Truck

That is a great looking truck!

I did the toytec 3 leaf AAL and got about an inch and a quarter. Eventually I bought the HD leaf pack and it was so much better. Rear was exactly at 23 hub to fender. ATS and general springs both sell them and they are about $500 for both.

 

I also went with the Toytec AAL. It's a little pricier but it is made by Deaver. It's a 3 leaf AAL and I probably got about 2 inches out of it on my 2003 AC. I'm pretty happy with it. I paired it with Fox shocks and put a little grease around them when installing them to help with any sliding and clunking.

Good looking truck and nice choice of wheels.

 

Nice. This may be the way to go!

 

truck looks great. Love the wheels. Lack of down travel is also a product of the stock suspension. Designed for highway use. Total suspension travel hasn't changed with you're new setup, it's still pretty meager. Even with your new bumper I would imagine you'll need to adjust those coilovers down a bit to get you closer to center of that travel to allow both compression travel and droop. If this is gonna be a beach bomber, I would highly recommend treating that frame. The PHM oil and grease massage for the frame and bits. Also spraying it off after beach runs to keep the salt water corrosion to a minimum.

 

I had that exact truck in the same color . . . never thought about taking that fender trim off like you did. Looks clean.

 

Paid for trucks are the best. I would guess that is why most of us are here.

 

200k is nothing for these motors. Friend has a Sequoia he bought new now with 394k. He's not nice to it. Runs like a dream. Just saying.

 

No doubt. That’s awesome. Wouldn’t have bought it otherwise!

 

Update! Got the ARB on. The daytime running lights and blinkers are really cool- see the last two pics. I’ll be throwing some fogs on and other lights eventually.

Extra weight made the truck ride better. Still needs to come down in height because I still have very little down travel. I can feel and hear it. I’ll measure tomorrow for y’all but still recommend the 302 spring not 314!! They are the same spring but 314 is too tall for these trucks.

Rear suspension came in and will prob be on this weekend. @SouthPaw has some bada$$ lights on the way to me as well. He’s a pleasure to work with and highly recommend.

Still working on the “bulletproof” part of this thread. Everything else remains true

 

Thanks for the info! Been spraying it after. Debating the full spray down. Fluid film might do the trick for much cheaper...? What is PHM oil?

 

Got @SouthPaw headlights in. Need to adjust the driver’s side since it seems to be throwing right. So much better than the foggy stock! Looking forward to getting them adjusted well.

Haven’t been able to wheel the truck because of the extreme lack of downtravel situation. Tried to adjust the coils myself without a press but no dice. Hoping to get that resolved very shortly because it’s pretty unbearable.

LBJ, CVJ CV joints, and rear lift are next. Might just have the shop install everything so I can pick it up dialed and stop worrying about it. Peace of mind and convenience is sometimes worth the price since I’m super busy. Want to start enjoying this thing. Trip to Big Bend is in the works and she needs to be ready!

 

Man those tires look huge. I'm guessing you had to persuade them? Nice work.

 

Thanks! 305s from my 2014. Probably half worn. They rub a bit on the rear of fender well in reverse. I’m surprised how well they fit. Will go down to a 285 next.

 

man, I love these trucks without flares. makes me wish my parts truck would've been a flawless model.

 

Agreed. I've seen people remove them and fill the holes to make them look good. I've wanted to remove mine and make sure rust isn't growing under there where I can't see it. I'm sure I would break all the clips though.

 

You can buy replacement clips on Amazon for pretty cheap.

 

Hey gurus!

Turns out my steering rack is leaking Just threw some Lucas Power Steering Stop in the res.

Situation:
- I was a hair under "low" in the reservoir and just filled it to the max line with the Lucas Power Steering Stop.
- Truck PS has had a quiet whine
- The tie rod boots are "wet" on the bottom. No puddling or the like.
- I have not had the Lucas Power Steering Stop long enough in the truck to see if it is leaking out. I JUST threw it in.

I've done a bit of research on the problem. Basically, it'd be really nice if the $10 bottle did its job.

Any wisdom from my favorite forum? Please I can absolutely take pics/ check out the truck for more info if you guys have insight!

 

I installed the Wheeler's 3 leaf AAL a couple months ago. Rides fantastic! The rear soaks up bumps and makes it feel smoother than the front. I gained about 1.5" with the overload leaf in place. I'd highly recommend it.

 

Thanks for feedback. I'll be installing them next weekend!

 

Just saw this. Its The Best Shit for Your Truck.

 

Depending on how quickly it loses fluid I'd just leave it.

 

Agreed, I think he just described every first gen I’ve ever seen.

 

I just installed the wheelers 3 leaf kit and like you I left the overload in place. The front spring hanger on the the wheelers kit has a rivet head on bottom which contacts the front of the overload leaf. you have this issue?

 

Hey guys. Little updateskie.

Thinking of trading my SCS wheels for some black TRD PRO 4Runner take offs and using the cash he gives me on top towards brand spanking new tires.

These 305s with SCS I have on now rub my bumper, my cab mount area on metal, and my rear inner fender (body panel) when tucked. Really just trying to get away from all that. Plus, still having downtravel issues with these Dobinsons and smaller tires will allow me to adjust the coils down more which I hope will alleviate the issue finally.

I could absolutely buy new smaller tires for my truck and keep the wheels but I’m kinda frugal and wouldn’t mind saving some dough.

The downsides of getting rid of SCS wheels are that I have 5 of them and could get a matching spare. Another downside is I see like 10 cars a day with these TRD Pro wheels but I kinda like them.

After typing this Idk why I am posting this LOL still don’t know what I’ll do. But ya. I’ll post a pic of my truck bc everybody likes pics. I love the aggressive stance and being a “cool guy” but sometimes cool isn’t actually cool

edit: prinsu for the camper on the way. Using it to move 1500 miles away soon.

 

New wheels/ tires are on. They’re 265/70/17. Think I’m going to see if they’ll swap them out for 285/70/17. I don’t know if I’m used to the 305s but they borderline look silly with my lift in real life. Maybe I’m crazy

 

I may be a little biased but 285s are just absolute perfection on these trucks.

 

Def better looking! Hopefully discount tire will let me swap them out. Excited to not have road debris slung all over my paint anymore. Doesn’t look as good as the old wheels but oh well. I’ll post up the 285s if they let me do that

 

If you’ve only had them on for a day, I bet they would. Discount has been pretty good to me.

 

Just called them. They're going on Monday. Discount Tire rocks.

 

I've always been surprised how well they treat customers. Plus I have never seen an impact gun used to mount wheels there, that drives me nuts (pardon the pun).