Unfortunately, I didn't get as far with my 1988 4Runner as I had wanted to. After revisiting what I wanted to do with it and the work needed to get it to that point, I just didn't have the time or space to accomplish it with the 88. So I decided to sell it, and to secure a replacement

A 1997 4Runner SR5! This vehicle is soo clean (especially compared to the many others I looked at). I had originally wanted to get a Limited package, but all the ones I was finding had leather that looked rougher than Clint Eastwood's face!

The only other item on my wishlist was a rear locker, which the 97 does not have. I do have a Toyota E-locker installed in another axle back in Montana so getting it and converting the current axle is definitely in the plans.

I plan to camp (with a fair bit of travel involved) and hit whatever trails can be found here in the PNW Snow wheeling is definitely something I want to get into as well. I read through Dirtco's build and really love what I see there, so his build will be a template (with my own taste and revisions of course).

Well before I get tooo wordy (I know... too late heh), here are the pics











The immediate plans are to upgrade the battery (Sears Mode 34 Platimum Marine Battery) and moving the battery that was in it to the 88 since that one is dead.

Then comes the Trans cooler. Then I think I will get all the fluids changed so I know for sure it is good .

OH and I had to name it or the wife threatened to call it Betty 2 (she named the 88 Betty), so I came up with Brutus lol.

As my 88 4Runner (selling) needed a new battery I decided to move the one from the 97 to it and buy a new upgraded battery for the 97.

I went with a Sears DieHard Platinum Marine (34M). As the existing cabling was not long enough I decided to also knock out the "big 3" as well.

I followed the instructions here: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-ge...unner-how.html

The stock hold-down was fully corroded so bought a new one at the dealership, but found the new battery is shorter than the stock one.

I order a new battery box which I will be able to pick up tonight from the local 4 Wheel Parts. Though I realized that as it is a flat bottom, I won't be able to bolt it in. I will need to get it welded, which I don't have the hardware, space, or expertise (as yet) to accomplish lol.

SO, in the interim I will create a "shim" to go between the battery and the hold down for now till I can arrange for the welding to be done.

Here are the pics, I did do some re-routing of the cables close to the battery to make more room for the hold down/box so just slightly different, but this gives the general idea. I also hit the grounding connections on the inner fender with a dremel to make better contact.

Welcome to t-4r.org. It was nice to meet you last night. The '97 is a great platform to start with. That thing is clean.....for now..... If you need anything, or just have questions, let me know.

Ditto, it was great meeting you all! Especially fellow Toy enthusiasts

Will do bud, when I start getting to the welding stuff may have to see about some bribery lol

Worked on the fluids this weekend

Got the rear diff and the transfer case changed, but didn't have a 12mm Hex to do the front diff. No places where I could possibly get one was open on Sunday so will just have the dealership knock it out when I take it in for the oil change/lube.

I didn't do the oil change myself this time as I don't have any grease guns to hit the zerk fittings in the drive lines with. Also since this was a new vehicle to me I though having them do a look over the truck wasn't a bad idea also.

The other project is the installation of a CB, which I picked/order all the parts for. Once I receive the shipped ones in this week will get that all installed as well and post some pics.

Here is the picture of the final product of my battery install, with my self made shim

Nice clean 97 . I also have a 97 !

Nice, have a build thread on yours?

I am more than happy with it.. super excited to be doing stuff on it.

Took the Runner out on a shakedown run with the Timber Tamers at Tahuya. Had a blast and made it through the trail unscathed, except for mangling the running boards lol.

Will be taking those off this week and making sliders my next must get

We ended up accidentally on a quad trail that had some super tight sections that caused some carnage on a couple other vehicles.

Here is a pic/vid of one section my wife happened to capture for me

Got the running boards off last night.. now the truck looks taller hehe

Think I will need to shorten the flare in front of the rear tire, but will likely way till I get sliders to see how it lines up.

Will get some pics up once I get it washed lol.

And here it is without the running boards

Went to install a TG rear diff self-contained diff breather and found the PO has already extended it. Not sure where it ends up so will have to look more next time I am under it lol.

Got a new radio bezel ordered as well as some clear corners. My passenger one looks like an aquarium lol.

Gonna get the new bezel trimmed for the CB and then trace/re-route the CB cable to see how the installer at Car Toys did it. Not terribly happy with how he put a hole in my FW. I had a nice 12 dollar firewall boot I had that he didn't use so not sure how well he sealed the hole he made.

Got my clear corners in last night so got those installed. It was nice to replace the fish tank that was my passenger side corner lol.

I also got my new dash console (radio bezel) so will be getting that ready to install this weekend and get my CB properly mounted.

Before:


After:

No build thread, I already kinda did few things to it, but I will poste pics after it's all complete.

I made one of the most important upgrades to the 4Runner....



STICKERS!! pics below hehe.


Wife made me add that one lol


Gaming tag is Static Panda so I get called Panda a lot which has transferred over to as my CB handle


CB mount is from these guys , really like it Will have pics of the CB setup one I get it wrapped up.


Couple on here The If I can do it... one I got made after the Tahuya run. Another Toy owner kept telling me he liked following me as he knew if my stock 4runner could make it he could lol.