Seems time to post a build/ownership thread of my 2WD daily driver 4runner SR54 Sport since I’ve been on here for maybe 5 years. I originally joined the forum to get help with a few repairs but eventually the mod-bug bit me and I’ve been upgrading my truck and doing all required maintenance with the help of the awesome membership here, so it’s time to give back with an organized thread. I will link all my past sub-project threads here, and moving forward as well as pics of my journeys and adventures as they pertain to 4runner ownership. Love this truck, love this forum.

This is how it looked when I got it in June of 2011 with 67K miles for $6,000


Here it is today at 263K miles



Mods/Specs as it sits now:

Suspension & Brakes:

Bilstien Tundra Shocks BSN-24-261425 front
Toytec/Eibach 112-620 springs on 1st notch

Stock calipers painted red (adds 5 HP)
1.25” wheel spacers up front
LC 8-wrap springs
Toytec NGTR-4R (ProComp ES9000 #922510) shocks (rear)
OME 906 w/ Daystar 1.5" Spacer
Emergency Brake extension bracket (pending)
Moog K80380 Sway Bar End Links, front (95 4runner)

Wheels/Tires:

Stock spare with 265/75 R16 tire (factory original)

Winter/daily driving
Factory 5-star 16", stock 4runner wheels
265/75 R16 Hankook Dynapro AT, C Load Range

Summer/wheeling
Factory Tundra/Sequoia 17” wheels
265/70 R17 General Grabbers, 10-ply E Load Range

Drivetrain:

5VZ-FE 3.4L V6
5W-30 full synthetic oil with WIX 51348XP synthetic filter
A340E automatic transmission w/Castrol Transmax Import Multi-Vehicle trans fluid
Aussie Locker XD-24930 in the factory carrier with factory 4.10 gears
85-140W conventional gear oil in rear diff

Electrical:

Duralast Gold Battery - Group 24F
replaced a cracked/leaky
Exide Extreme FX Battery - Group 24F

Appearance Mods:

ARB 3423020 Bumper SOLD
Smitybilt SMT-97495 winch
Harbor Freight D-ring shackles
Satoshi Grille
Removed all body emblems/badges
Clear Corner Lenses w/Orange LED Bulbs
Factory corners w/orange bulbs

Lighting:

Retrofit DDM D2S V1 3” projectors w/35watt 5000K
Panamera V1 Shrouds w/Cree LED Halo Rings wired to side markers
Factory '99 Headlamps
PIAA 5291 85-Watt Crystal Ion 6” Fog Lamps traded for a fride
Projector LED Rear Reverse Lamps
LED license plate bulbs
QDY 21 Inch 100W Single Row Led Light bar CREE LEDs Spot Flood Combo
Aux Nilight 18W 1260lm 4” backup lights
All LED internal bulbs

Miscellaneous:

Extended Rear Brake hose
Tru-Cool LPD 4454 Aux Transmission Cooler
WeatherTech front mats, Tan
Husky Black mats
Hardwired DBPOWER 2.7" Dash Cam, 120° Wide Angle 1080P Dash Cam
Single DIN Pioneer BT head unit with hardwired mic at map light
Antenna mod (switched)
Factory radio


First, a little backstory...

I’ve always been a truck guy and bought a new 1993 standard shift 4WD Nissan Pathfinder in 1992. In 1996 I bought a 1959 Chevy Apache 3100 1/2 Ton Stepside to restro-mod which has been a 20+ year project truck and has gone through several builds, it currently has an all new drivetrain (350, 700R4, 4.10 posi rear) as well as EFI and "just needs" paint, body and interior to be done, easily another 10K to finish it. Fast Forward to 2018, the Chevy died while driving one day and wouldn't restart. I had it towed home and went through lot's of troubleshooting and diagnosing and suspected the EFI (computer) but couldn't pinpoint it so in May of 2019 I removed the Holley Avenger EFI kit and reinstalled my Carter AFB and now she's back on the road. Now back to the story.

In 2000 I got married and in 2002 bought a 99 Chevy Tahoe to replace the Pathfinder as the family car because we needed more space for the dog and future kid, this turned out to be a big mistake. To make matters worse, I sold the Pathfinder for $2,700 in 2007 and have regretted that ever since. The Tahoe was crap and the wife wanted it in the divorce, so good riddance to both. I drove an Astro van for work for a few years but wanted another SUV, specifically a sporty one, and I had always loved 3rd Gen 4runners.

In summer 2011 I started looking for used 4runners and test drove plenty of them, my criteria were Sport model (had to have the hood scoop) with cloth interior and I was open to standard shift but favored automatic and was again open to either 2WD or 4WD. When I saw the truck I now own I knew right away I wanted it. Single owner, low miles, Jade Mica Green and pretty darn good condition with no issues - all the other ones had some “but it needs” with no break in price. I bought the '99 on the spot, and after some back and forth between Washington state DMV and California DMV the truck was registered in my name and my journey began.

The first real "mod" I made on my truck was retrofit projectors following threads by @SDBrian_42 and a few other forum members. I detailed that project in it's own thread here

At the same time I wired in DRL halos that switch on with the side markers (which I always have on) and off when the headlamps are turned on - no need to run halos and projectors at the same time.

The next mod I did was an aftermarket stereo with BT and external mic. I wired the mic along the driver side a-pillar inside the trim along the windshield. The wire is held in by strips of grey foam I cut about 2" long by 1/4" square (think a foam bar) and shoved between the windshield and trim/headliner.

Next up, antenna switch mod. The new radio was not as smart as the factory radio and the antenna stayed up in every function, so I put in a switch, but I had it up most of the time until I installed a Y-adapter to combine both antennas into the single aftermarket stereo antenna input. I rarely use the main antenna anymore.

Fall of 2018, Aussie Locker install then ARB and AUX trans cooler install and Extended AC Drain mod

Summer of 2019 just drove the truck, mostly for work/life but have sliders and a winch to install... just. need. the. time

Reserved for Mods #2

It's about time! *rolls eyes* I didn't realize it came with the sport hood & man, you've put a lot on miles on her. You're enjoying her for sure!

I was thinking the same!! Want to see all the mods in one thread.

What rock have I been hiding under???? I never noticed you didn't have one, even though you're always on here. Glad you do now!

Nicely done brotherman Mike... looking forward to reading about the journey

defiantly shows initiative. or should I say the cart before the horse. good sense of humor.good luck.

Umm, you forgot to reserve a spot for "4WD Conversion". That's ok though when it's time you can have this one. lol

Wow, you've put a lot of miles on her in the last 7 years. I thought I had a lot with the 100k I've done in the last 4 years. You have a real long commute or something?

Hahaha I was gonna ask when the 4WD conversion happens. Forreal though, is that in the plans?

You always have good memes. Here’s my contribution lol

I knew I liked you for a reason - that Jade Green - many hearts!! Plus you helped me ALOT being a newbie still.
Nicely done on the build and mileage.
Funny but I was looking at a sweet Pathfinder (04) yet couldn't let go of my T4R.
Can't wait to see more posts.

Subscribed for the memes, oh and some truck stuff.

I love the mods. Keep it up!

Looks good Mike, and I'm glad you started this thread!

I'm thinking of starting my own thread too, not because I think I have anything earth shattering to show off, but because I've had it up to here with my image links disappearing and then having to look all over the board to fix them. This way they'll all be in one thread .