SouthPaw’s 2000 Tundra Limited 4x4 Build

Right now yes. I’d like to possibly move them to 3” but I think that would require a differential drop.

 

More parts coming in. All I have left to order is all the rear end stuff (brakes, seals, etc) and then new tires/wheels.

 

Well I was going to wait a bit before ordering the new wheel/tire setup but I found a deal that was too good to pass up. I ordered some Kenda Klever RT KR601’s in 33x10.50R17 with some Vision Manx 398 wheels. I chose the 33x10.50 over the 285/70 because the 33” are .5” skinnier and have 2/32 more tread depth then the 285. I also found them for $25 less per tire.






I know a lot of guys run 285/70/17 but I wanted something different and skinnier; especially since I’ll be running some aftermarket wheels again. I looked at some 255/80/17’s at my local discount tire but choices are pretty limited in that size. This setup is going to run my $1300 installed. I looked at these tires earlier this year but they were still too new and there wasn’t a lot of information out there for them. Now that they have been out longer, there is a lot more people running them and reviewing them. I honestly haven’t found a bad review yet. One guy over at TacomaWorld swears they are the best tires he has every run. I’m pretty excited to get these guys on in time for the snow.

 

be sure to post up pictures! im really leaning to 255/80r17 tires for my truck when i go 17s ive found skinner tires to perform better in the snow (not like i plan on using this truck much in the snow though)

 

Oh you know I will.. lol.

Kind of my experience as well. I remember
when I was in middle school my dad had some 33x9.50R15 pizza cutters on his old Jeep Wrangler and it would cut through anything. This is all year truck for me and we are just now getting into our snowy season here in Colorado. It will be a good comparison to the duratracs that are currently on it now.

 

Those look great!

 

Picked up the rest of the parts today and a few extras for NYE. I’ll stop by the local Wally World later this week for some gear oil and I’ll be set.



I got some Altrom OEM/OEM style sway bar links. I’m not sure if I will use them or opt for the suspension maxx extended ones. Seems like the guys that run them but not sure if they are really worth the extra $100. Anyone have feedback on the suspension maxx ones if they are worth the extra coin?

 

I run oem style ones on my tundra with no problems.

 

Good to know. I couldn’t imagine how they made that much of a difference but it’s always worth asking. Maybe I’ll paint them to make me feel special...

 

Led strips on them

 

I think they still sell chrome spray paint.

 

Doorbell rang and these were sitting outside:


They look even better in person. I always heard stories about buying ‘internet’ tires and them possibly being old, new stock. Date code puts these manufactured 10/2020. The wheels have an ETA of next Tuesday and hopefully that same weekend, I’ll get everything else put on.

 

SOLD

 

Well it’s never done, but it’s come a long way. Finally got everything installed and got it aligned today. It drives so much better as you can imagine some of these parts were original with 188k on them. This is the final result:










Comparison from stock with 265/75/16 to now:


I have to say, I am blown away with these tires. For one, they took less weight to balance than my duratracs (-3oz per tire), they handle great and have far less road noise. I figured they would be at least as loud if not louder than the Goodyear’s. With this setup, there is zero rubbing anywhere. When I first bought this truck, this is exactly how I imagined it to look when I was done. I’ll snap a few more pics but you get the idea.

 

Some of the original parts that were taken off. Those sway bar link bushings.. lol.

 

I was looking at my suspension yesterday and realized half of my passenger wheel well liner is missing. It’s like it cracked and fell off somewhere. I found new ones on eBay for $30 shipped so those are on the way. I also noticed all the rubber flaps(?) were missing some clips and dangling. The driver side front one is also torn in half so I am going to attempt and make my own.

Drivers side:


Passenger side:


Is there supposed to be a cover above the UCA as well?

 

I don't think so.

 

New liners came in today. For $30 shipped for both fronts, I was pretty happy with the quality. They are really pliable (in a good way) which helped since they needed to be fit to my truck. Every one of old clips snapped when I removed the old liners. I have an assortment of automotive body clips and found some that fit nice and snug. The driver side was only missing some clips which were replaced but the passenger side was missing the entire front half of the liner. It was exposing the intake tube to all the elements for a true CAI . Good thing I change the air filter every oil change...

Broke off at the red line and missing the whole price circled in blue:



FleaBay specials


Back passenger side


Front passenger side


Grill also came in but weather is supposed to be pretty crappy. Maybe next week I’ll get around to it. I’ll be retro fitting a ‘03-‘06 AC cab grille to my truck.

 

Been a little absent lately but finally got a nice day to get the new grille installed. This grille is for a 2003-2006 Tundra and required a little modification to fit. The trim that runs order the grille has to be cut out for clearance and longer bolts need to be used to reach the latch handle now. Install was pretty straight forward other than all the original hardware was rusted and had to be cut out. The original grille had multiple broken tabs and the hood release handle broke off so it will need to be replaced. Total time was about two hours but it was totally worth it. Really updated the look and the FJ cruiser emblem completes it.












This is the trim piece that needs the center cut out.



I also got the front suspension leveled out. I didn’t notice it right away but one day I was looking at it and noticed the drivers side looked lower. Talking to ToyTec, they measure center of the hub to the fender flare to determine how much lift the springs are providing. Factory measures 20”. The drivers side measured 22” center of hub to flare and passenger side measured 22-3/4” lol. Of course, the driver side adjusting nut was seized and took quite a bit to free up. I pressure washed them off, soaked them in PB blaster and they still wouldn’t budge and I ended up busting the provided wrench trying to turn them. We ended having to take a torch to them and using some big channel locks and it finally started to spin. Adjusted them 1/2” up which provided 1” lift. Both sides measure 22-3/4” on both sides now, no more Toyota lean! I was still under the warranty period for my alignment and got it in today. The rear is still an inch higher but as funds allow, I’ll maybe remove the lift blocks and do an add-a-leaf in the summer.

 

I was just wondering were you disappeared off to.....Truck is looking great...I need to hit you up for some retrofits.

 

Still around lol. Work has been getting busy which is good but giving me less free time.

Future plans:

• Upgrade tail lights to 2005-2006 assemblies
• Paint or plastidip side door moldings
  • Done
• Paint or replace window chrome trim
• Clean up headlight wiring
• Full size spare

 

Running boards are finally off!

 

Your truck is too nice to have that side molding look like that. Did the plasti-dip fail?

 

I know, it’s an eye sore. It has not been plasti dipped (yet). I believe those trim moldings were painted at one time and it’s starting to flake off. My plan is to plasti dip in white or black.

 

Mine has flaked off too. Thought about just taking molding off, not sure how it will look tho?

 

I had horrible luck trying to plasti-dip mine but painting them worked nicely. I then covered the chrome part in carbon fiber. I would just paint them and be done with it.

 

Looks really good! Where did get the wrap from?

I’ve had really good on the plasti dip on my bumpers. Only one spot peeled a little when a rock came out of a dump truck and smacked it. I saw it bouncing down the highway and at the last second, it jumped up. I surprised it didn’t leave a dent as loud as it was.

 

I just bought 3M Carbon Fiber off Amazon and then cut it to size. It was fairly easy.

 

I actually don’t think I would mind wrapping the whole thing in carbon fiber.

 

You could do it. I actually wrapped some of the interior too but it turned out like crap because I don't own a heat gun. That material is a lot easier to work with if you use a heat gun. Warm it up and you will be able to work the C.F into the crevices of the trim. I will say, it's surprisingly durable. I've hit that trim with the pressure washer at the quarter wash before and it hasn't come off.