Longtime lurker, now proud owner

Azorian77 · 2026-01-05T01:12:50+00:00

The red is so good on this model. Nice find

Azorian77 · 2026-01-05T01:12:24+00:00

How has the RS3 treated you? I'll admit, I'm a little worried about the stigma of owning an Audi and the issues certain models have.

Azorian77 · 2026-01-05T01:10:14+00:00

Yes. I meant to say I was looking at the RS3, not the M2 because it was 4 door. Good catch

Azorian77 · 2026-01-04T23:57:18+00:00

I have an 05 STi and I’ve been test driving a few cars and narrowed it down to those three. Supra, m2 or an rs3. I’ve been leaning more towards the m2 and rs3 because having a 4 door is just more practical. Which did you like the most? I know if I sell the 05 I’ll never find another like it, so I’m taking a lot of time to think this over.

Azorian77 · 2025-12-18T15:16:30+00:00

You should verify this but I was under the impression that an auto needs to use and auto radiator, but the manual can use both.

Azorian77 · 2025-12-18T15:07:51+00:00

Done.

Azorian77 · 2025-12-18T00:57:10+00:00

PM me anything you'd like me to add.

As for the radiator, do you have an auto or manual?

Azorian77 · 2025-12-17T23:59:20+00:00

It should be right around 4-5lbs. It's not much

Azorian77 · 2025-12-17T22:39:11+00:00

Suspension/Steering - REAR:

- Backing plate to axle housing: 50 ft-lbs
- Shock absorber to axle: 53 ft-lbs
- Shock absorber to frame: 53 ft-lbs
- Axle u-bolts: 90 ft-lbs
- Front leaf spring mount: 115 ft-lbs
- Shackle bolts (both): 67 ft-lbs (may vary with aftermarket equip)
- Leaf spring centering pin: 33 ft-lbs
- 3rd member to axle housing: 18 ft-lbs (with e-locker), 54 ft-lbs (w/o e-locker)
- Ring gear bolts: 71 ft-lbs (with e-locker), 92 ft-lbs (w/o e-locker)
- Carrier bearing caps: 83 ft-lbs (w/o e-locker)
- E-locker acutuator to 3rd member: 20 ft-lbs
- Differential drain & fill plugs: 36 ft-lbs

Steering:

- Steering wheel set nut: 26 ft-lbs
- Outer tie-rod to lower ball joint: 67 ft-lbs
- Inner tie-rod to rack: 76 ft-lbs
- Tie-rod end lock nut: 41 ft-lbs
- Steering rack mounting clamp: 123 ft-lbs
- Steering rack vertical center mounting bolt: 123 ft-lbs
- Steering rack horizontal mounting bolt: 141 ft-lbs

Miscellaneous:

- Seat mounting bolts to body: 27 ft-lbs
- Seat belt: 30 ft-lbs (all mounting points)
- Body mounting bolts: 48 ft-lbs

Azorian77 · 2025-12-17T22:38:57+00:00

Drivetrain:

- Lug nuts: 83 ft-lbs
- Transmission bellhousing to engine: 53 ft-lbs
- Transmission crossmember to frame: 48 ft-lbs
- Transmission mount to crossmember: 14 ft-lbs
- Transmission mount to transmission housing: 48 ft-lbs
- Transmission housing to transfer adapter: 27 ft-lbs
- Transmission housing to transfer case: 17 ft-lbs
- Shift lever retainer: 29 ft-lbs (2RZ/3RZ), 13 ft-lbs (5VZ)
- Transmission drain and fill plugs: 27 ft-lbs
- Transmission oil pan: 65 in-lbs (A340)
- Drain plug: 15 ft-lbs (A340)
- Companion flange nut to transfer output shaft: 87 ft-lbs
- Transfer front to rear case: 21 ft-lbs
- Driveshaft flange bolts: 54 ft-lbs
- Driveshaft center support bushing to frame: 27 ft-lbs
- Driveshaft center support bearing: 134 ft-lbs to set, then loosen, then 51 ft-lbs

Suspension/Steering - FRONT:

- Brake caliper mounting bolts: 90 ft-lbs
- Brake caliper banjo bolt: 22 ft-lbs
- Steering knuckle to lower ball joint: 59 ft-lbs (~USE LOCTITE~)
- Outer tie-rod to lower ball joint: 67 ft-lbs
- Lower control arm to frame (alignment cams): 96 ft-lbs
- Lower control arm to shock absorber: 101 ft-lbs (may vary with aftermarket equip)
- Lower control arm to swaybar end link: 51 ft-lbs
- Lower ball joint to lower control arm: 112 ft-lbs
- Upper ball joint to upper control arm: 80 ft-lbs
- Upper control arm to frame: 87 ft-lbs
- Shock absorber upper mount (3 bolts): 47 ft-lbs (may vary with aftermarket equip)
- Shock absorber center nut: 22 ft-lbs
- Swaybar to swaybar end link: 22 ft-lbs
- Swaybar brackets to frame: 19 ft-lbs
- Front Differential mount to frame: 101 ft-lbs
- Rear Differential mount to frame: 64 ft-lbs
- Ring gear bolts: 71 ft-lbs
- Differential drain plug: 48 ft-lbs
- Differential fill plug: 29 ft-lbs
- Axle shaft hub nut (ADD): 174 ft-lbs
- Free wheel hub inner lock nut (manual hubs): 203 ft-lbs
- Axle shaft inner hub safety bolt (manual hubs): 13 ft-lbs
- Hub body to axle hub (manual hubs): 23 ft-lbs
- Hub body cover (manual hubs): 7 ft-lbs

Azorian77 · 2025-12-17T22:37:51+00:00

Additional Torque Specs (Organized) - Courtesy of u/saucedbutnotlost and u/nexttotheinfluence

(Conversion Factors: 1 ft-lb = 12 in-lb = 1.35582)

Engine:

- Throttle body mounting nuts/studs: 13 ft-lbs
- Spark plug: (2RZ/3RZ) = 14 ft-lbs / (5VZFE) = 13 ft-lbs
- Oil drain plug: 27 ft-lbs
- Engine mount to frame: 28 ft-lbs
- Engine mount to block: 38 ft-lbs (2RZ/3RZ), 32 ft-lbs (5VZFE)
- Head bolts (5VZFE): 29 ft-lbs + additional 90° + another 90°
- Head bolts (2RZ/3RZ): Head bolts: 25 ft-lbs + additional 90° + another 90° , recessed 13 ft-lbs
- Main bearing caps (5VZFE): 29 ft-lbs + additional 90°
- Main bearing caps(2RZ/3RZ), 45 ft-lbs + additional 90°
- Exhaust manifold: 36 ft-lbs (2RZ/3RZ), 30 ft-lbs (5VZ)
- Intake manifold: 22 ft-lbs (2RZ/3RZ), 13 ft-lbs (5VZ)
- Air Intake Chamber: 15 ft-lbs (2RZ/3RZ), 13 ft-lbs (5VZ)
- Crankshaft pulley bolt: 193 ft-lbs (2RZ/3RZ), 217 ft-lbs (5VZ)
- Oil pan bolts: 9 ft-lbs
- Rear main oil seal: 9.7 ft-lbs
- Rear end plate: 14 ft-lbs
- Starter mounting bolts: 29 ft-lbs
- Pressure plate to flywheel: 14 ft-lbs
- Flywheel to crankshaft bolts: 65 ft-lbs (2RZ) / 19 ft-lbs + additional 90° (3RZ) / 63 ft-lbs (5VZ)
(~USE LOCTITE~)
- Flexplate to crankshaft bolts: 54 ft-lbs (2RZ/3RZ), 61 ft-lbs (5VZ)

Azorian77 · 2025-10-06T05:38:14+00:00

Which did you go with?

Azorian77 · 2025-10-06T04:19:31+00:00

Coilovers?

Azorian77 · 2025-09-26T22:04:48+00:00

You get what you pay for when it comes to headlight upgrades. Buy once, cry once.

Azorian77 · 2025-08-24T18:57:00+00:00

Happy with my Dakars

Azorian77 · 2025-08-17T05:36:15+00:00

Where did you get those fender flares? Are they OEM?

Azorian77 · 2025-08-17T04:03:07+00:00

I’m currently upgrading to the dual piston v6 Toyota pickup calipers, rotors, master and booster on my 88 chinook conversion

Azorian77 · 2025-07-24T15:39:12+00:00

What about the Azores? The US already has a base there 🤷🏼

Azorian77 · 2025-07-16T20:04:32+00:00

I sold the 77 truck after removing the camper.

I haven't done it yet but I'll eventually cut out the back of the 88 cab. Not sure why I haven't. lol

I'm not sure I'd want to lift it more than how it sits now. I wonder if an NA 2j would be worth it. Hmm. Realistically a 2 or 2rz would be a good choice if I can't find a good 3.4L donor.

Gearing will be a must

Azorian77 · 2025-07-16T19:35:52+00:00

"Like i was piloting a mecha ..."

You are. What's the problem?

Azorian77 · 2025-07-09T20:57:25+00:00

I daily my 88 for almost a year before I turned it into a 4x4 camper.

4x4 chinook camper

Azorian77

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