So... about two months ago I went ahead and bought this 1999 4Runner Limited 4x4 from a small dealer in Mesa, AZ.






Has 240K miles, is 4x4, has a factory E-Locker, automatic, and for the most part all of the electrical works!

However, having had it now for a couple months and having the time to start taking a closer look, there is some damage that I need to have repaired before I can even start to think about after market armor!




The frame side plates that are welded on need to be cut off and replaced. The local dealership here wants $40-$50 per plate. part numbers are:
51135-35050
51136-35050
If anyone has the EXACT specs so that I can just recreate these pieces, or know where to find them cheap please let me know!

I also need this vertical bar that runs in front of the radiator, connects to the hood latch, and has a connection to the center of the grille.



The interior is in pretty awesome shape for a truck that is 15 years old! I am going to hopefully pull the running boards this week because I simply don't like them and they reduce my ground clearance when wheeling!




So far, the only "mod" I have installed is a Bluetooth OBD II scan tool that works with the Torque app on my Note 3



I do have the PowerStop KC2324-36 brake kit ordered. Comes with the cross drilled and slotted rotors, ceramic truck/towing pads, and the red powder coated 13WL calipers. Got the entire set up for $305 shipped! Cannot wait to get the brakes installed!

The list of what I want to do that will come along in this build thread as I can afford the parts include:

Armor:

• Shrockworks plate front bumper with light guards and winch mount
• CBI plate rear bumper with tire carrier, gas can mounts, telesoping light, and folding table
• Sliders of a sort

Lift:

• Bilstein 5100's for the Tundra front and rear
• LC 8 wrap coils for the rear
• Tundra TRD front coils
• Adjustable panhard bar
• 1" differential drop
• 1"-2" body lift

Not sure about rims and tires yet, however, I am researching to see what is out there, but I am a huge fan of Dueler's and the BFG Mud Terrain MK2's

Well I think that is enough for my first real post (one where I was not bugging people for information!)

Sounds like you have a great idea on starting to mod. Look forward to seeing it take shape!

Welcome from a fellow AZ runner. I'm jealous of your e-locker but not of your leather seats. Sounds like you have some good ideas lined up, keep updating this thread and consider it your personal build thread!! PM me if you ever need help...... drinking beer.

Another AZ runner here saying welcome. Our trucks are very similar, will be nice to see it take shape and I agree, keep updating this thread. If you ever plan on wheeling Florence junction area, keep me in mind, I love it out there and know my way around fairly well.

Thank you guys for the warm welcome guys!

Florence Junction? Like up by Florence and Coolige? I have family up in Eloy and I would love to check out wheeling out that way!

So far I have done the backside of Mount Lemmon with some friends (rode along in a friend's Wrangle cause my runner was getting new rear axle seals).

And last weekend I went out with some friends in their Wranglers and did the route East from the I-19 near Arivaca towards Patagonia, and back through Madera Canyon, back up in Tucson.

Bone stock, using my E-Locker, I took some of those steep and rocky inclines as good as, if not better than the lifted Wrangler I was with. Having just gotten onto the trail, we had to change one of the tires on one of the Jeeps, and some guy in a H2 came up behind us, we let him pass after changing the tire, and was hilarious to watch him creep this edge for fear of rubbing his paint and his big ass chrome rims!

Is that brake kit the Tundra upgrade? Is it the 199mm? Sounds like a good price.

Yeah... the KC2324 by PowerStop is the Tundra 13WL 231mm brake kit. Everything you need in ONE box! $305 out the door. No core charge, free shipping, etc

I was going to ask about why the front flares don't seem to line up in the first pics. I guess it's related to the frame pieces you mentioned? Jealous of your locker...

Yeah, by Florence up in the box canyon. Trails range from beginner to insane depending on your level of wheeling, and it sounds like you'd be able to handle some decent stuff. Its cool hearing about those trails, I have yet to venture that far south but am not counting it out, heck I'm kinda curious now lol.

Ok, so today my sway bar bushings came in.

I will be honest, was a bit more of a pain in the A$$ than I expected it to be!

Here are what the bushings looked like on the truck:









This is them off of the truck:



This is the Prothane kit that I used, cost me like $13.99:



The 14mm bolt on the end link assembly was a complete and utter P.I.T.A. to get off because I was afraid of twisting the end link to all hell and back! Grabbed some channel locks to hold it while I used my 24" breaker to get it loose, then hit it with the air ratchet!

The 12mm bolt and the 12mm nut on each of the frame mounts were not that bad on the driver's side, however, passenger's side with the catalytic converter in the way caused 1 thrown wrench, and 3 foul words!

Eventuall, found a way to get my air ratchet up around the exhaust, and got the undone though!

Driver's side finished:



Passenger's side finished:



All in all, saved $285, after Firestone wanted $300 between parts and labor to do the same job!

notice much difference? I know plenty of guys don't even run a front sway. I've been thinking of tearing mine out too since my bushings and end links are shot anyway.

As far as I can tell, having only done it like 15hrs ago, yes! considering that mine were destroyed, it is a HUGE improvement in body roll! Cannot wait to get out in the bush this weekend!

I might pull it out though when I get around to lifting it.

But for now, as a daily driver and weekend trail truck... I'm keeping in it.

Holy f*ck you got those bushings wrenched down! You've going to have those worn out before they're even broke in. Only need 10-14lbs and they're good!

Hopefully it's just the camera playing tricks.

Me too... memory serves I only used 14 ft/lbs.... I mean, I used a 1/2" torque wrench, so there is room for error at that low of a setting, so I might go get a 1/4" drive tomorrow for better accuracy.

I have to take the wheel off anyways, because the rotors, calipers, and pads from Power Stop should be here tomorrow and I plan on getting the Tundra Brake Upgrade installed

Looks good man! I'm also jealous of your elocker. Just wondering, did your brakes get delivered yet?