Magnet18's 1983 310

[Magnet18]

Everything including jack stands has arrived for the spring and ball joint swap except for the airbags, because when SDtrucksprings says "same day shipping, arrives in 3 days" they apparently mean "4 day shipping, arrives in 10 days", with the non-responsive customer service to match.


But the good news, I finally got the engine back in the 4runner and it fired right up! Never in a million years did I think it would go that smooth

Now that that's done, it'll get a steering rebuild, then I'll install the tow parts

Base plate: it's either the BX3715 or 3710... The years they list don't make sense and I worry they have their documentation crossed, toyota switched from SFA to IFS between 85 and 86, but they draw the line between 86 and 87.
Wiring kit: https://www.blueox.com/towing-accessories/bx8848/
And a separate 6 pin connector

I should be able to swap the brake pedal pusher over from the jeep and re-use everything else

Once I verify it tows well I'll sell the jeep, it's only a couple hundred pounds heavier than the jeep (and about 1500 pounds lighter than a new 4runner, if you were wondering)

Or more likely I'll sell the jeep anyway and tow the fit.

[Magnet18]

Can't help but post some pics

[Magnet18]

The heater core needs to go from 3/8npt to 3/4 heater hose...
This is what I came up with, but it's dumb, there is definitely a better way

[rmkrum]

Only issue with that setup is going from brass to steel could be a corrosion issue.

There are much worse examples...

[Magnet18]

Got one side done, new ball joints and spring/airbag

Took about 6 hours, will do the other side tomorrow and see if I can cut that in half now that I know what I'm doing

[Hans 34.5]

Did you need the air bags with the bigger springs. I went with out when I changed to moog 6560S springs . The front end sits up high. One day I will find out if I should have put them in. It's a lot of bull work.

[Magnet18]

Originally Posted by Hans 34.5

Did you need the air bags with the bigger springs. I went with out when I changed to moog 6560S springs . The front end sits up high. One day I will find out if I should have put them in. It's a lot of bull work.

Not sure yet if I need them. I see various opinions. I saw a couple opinions that it handles better with them, and the springs will wear out slower. Really just opinions, but I didn't see anyone say it was *better* without so I figured I might as well put them in.

It is indeed hard work, I took the wheel off the passenger side and that's about as far as I got, yesterday was a good full body workout and I'm still wiped. Plus the weather was too good not to go enjoy.

[Magnet18]

Got the passenger side disassembled today after work

Hopefully tomorrow I can reassemble

Will start a post in the mechanical section about a steering centering setup I have that isn't compatible with the new ball joints

[Magnet18]

Finished up the install yesterday and got the motorhome dropped back down onto the tires

I didn't inflate the bags yet as I wanted to see what it would do without them

Ride height is unchanged from what it was before

Tonight I'll air up the bags and see what that does

[Magnet18]

While I was in there, I looked at the brake pads and noticed uneven wear

On both sides the outer pads were much more worn, with the drivers outer being about half the thickness of the passengers outer

Is this normal?

[Kvsterling]

I did some brake work last year, caliper piston in rear were sticking but wear was even all around. So replaced both rear calipers, very inexpensive parts. I think it would be worth replacing your calipers with pads while you are in there. Hint: avoid Napa brake pads, heard they were garbage

[Magnet18]

Thanks for the info!

I ordered pads (not napa )

My calipers seem fine, borderline new even, I think I have receipts that show they are only 2ish years old. There are no pins on these, but the surfaces they slide on were very sticky and grimey, I'll clean them up and lubricate them.

[Magnet18]

So I inflated the airbags yesterday, ride height looking better. Can't find a spec anywhere for what normal is.

Also going to order the new steer safe wheel brackets for $90 a piece. I was set to modify the existing ones but time is short so the wife encouraged me to just buy them so I don't work myself to death.

Need to get the new bump stops in, get this thing aligned, and get the new heater core in before next weekends trip, planning on putting a few hundred miles on it

[Magnet18]

Pictures

[bkahler]

55 psi

[Magnet18]

Originally Posted by bkahler

55 psi

Sorry I wasn't clear!
Can't find a spec for what ride height is supposed to be

Thanks though

[KB6YAF]

Congratulations on your 'new to you' 310. It sounds like you have one nice rig.

I am also a 1983 '310' owner.

Post photos on your progress.

....Russell

[cmadmaxman]

Originally Posted by KB6YAF

Congratulations on your 'new to you' 310. It sounds like you have one nice rig.

I am also a 1983 '310' owner.

Post photos on your progress.

....Russell

1 3/4 - 2 1/2 from new bump stop to upper control arm. With my supper steer springs, right at 2 1/2 with no air bags!

[cmadmaxman]

I used the 5000 to 5300 springs.

[cmadmaxman]

Trying to get used to the mobile app!
Spec from Supper steer: 1 3/4 - 2 1/2 from new bump stop to upper control arm. With my supper steer springs, right at 2 1/2 with no air bags!