As she Sits now
11/2015



DRIVETRAIN:
3.4L-220XXX miles
AFE air filter
4 Speed Auto
4.30 gearing

WHEELS & TIRES:
General Grabber AT2 285/75/16
FZJ80 wheels

SUSPENSION:
OME 883/891 springs
F shocks- Bilstein 5100 Tundra
R shocks- Fox 2.0
Removed rear sway bar
Diff drop

ARMOR/RECOVERY:
CBI front hybrid/Smittybilt 9500 w/synthetic rope
CBI rear hybrid w/swingout-HiLift jack
Stubbs HKO sliders
Savage front skids

MISC:
KC HiLites
Yakima rack w/basket and 2 bike trays
Drilled/slotted front rotors

PLANS:
New shocks-Bilstein/Fox (should be installed 12/10/15)




This build started over 2 years ago and I'm just making a thread...pathetic I know. I honestly don't remember what got me into Toyota's, I think I was just looking for a new 4x4 and the research I did pointed me in the Yota direction. I do remember looking for 3rd gen Runners and 80 series Cruisers. At the time I was stationed in Missouri and the picking were pretty slim. All the Cruisers had 250k+ miles and most of the 3rd gens were about the same and pretty rough. I was looking for a 99+ after doing research on here but had no luck(prices were ridiculous) even in the midwest. I ended up finding a 98 Limited with a locker for what I thought was a good price and the rest is history.

Pics from the craigslist ad
2/2013







I drove it home and couldn't stop thinking about how I just bought a car twice as old as the one I had with twice as many miles!

Luckily there was a Toyota dealership literally around the corner from where I lived. Even though I was against stealerships I took it there being that it was the only place in town I knew that would have Yota knowledge (not much import car love where I was). Im anal about maintanaince and wanted to get it taken care of before I started the fun stuff.

In the first month I ownded her I baselined all the fluids, did the water pump and timing belt, new battery, fuel filter, pcv valve and air filter.

Then after much research it was time to lift. I went with about 1.5in front and rear with OME shocks and struts and 265/75/16 BFG ATs.



I wasent too happy with how it looked but I figured it would probably grow on me.

First time taking her "off road"









Which resulted in this...





Basically the front sway bar link broke which let the bar literally go into the CV boot and....ya. So while that was getting sorted out I had the LBJ's replaced with OEM naturally.

Took off the running boards and painted the wheels



Time to hit the trails









I realized I need rock sliders and after lots of research on here I contacted Mr. Stubbs. Ended up talking to him for over an hour (awesome guy) and ordering a set of the HD-SKO sliders. For some reason I didnt take any pics of the install...I remember it being over 100 degrees while we were painting them so I probably wasent worried about documenting the experience.

Exactly 1 year after buying the Runner (I just noticed in my records) It was time to finnally lift 3in and put on 33's.

I got a great deal on some LC wheels on TTORA and ordered up some OME 883 and 891s (after researching on here of course). For rubber I went with General Grabber AT2's, they were a good price and BrianSD_42 reccomended them so they must me good.

A pic the night everything was installed