[ViaPhoenix]

ViaPhoenix's 1997 4Runner SR5 4x4 w/ Factory E-locker

I bought this in Nov '18 because I wanted learned to wrench on vehicles and eventually have a rig to start exploring further offroad than my outback could take me. As well as, having a non-daily driver that I do not care about the AZ pin striping and any body damage that could come. I have lurked this forum a lot and followed Timmy&Sean's lead over at Toyota Time a lot. So much thanks to all of you that have unknownly helped me tackle all these projects and buy way more tools than I thought I'd ever need.


Specs & List of Mods:

Engine:

• 3.4L 5VZ-FE V6 - 291k miles as of Jul '21
• Hood strut mounts - Jan '19
• Removed previous owner's K&N filter and found junk yard OEM airbox from 99-02 runner with the cheaper MAS than the 96-98 (had to repin plug) - Mar '19

Diffs/Transmission:

• Rear Factory E-Locker swapped from a 98 limited Completed - Mar '21 - Rear Axle Swap Photos
• E-Locker Wiring harness from 12VoltGuy - Mar '21
• 4:88 Nitro Gears, regeared by ZUK @ gearinstalls.com with cryo finish - Dec '20 - Photos from ZUK
• CVJ Axle Remans - Mar '21
• 1" front Diff Drop toytec - Mar '21
• Extended Rear Diff Breather - Mar '21
• New Rear U-Joint - Mar '21
• Magnefine Trans line filter - July '21
• MaxTow Transmission Temp Gauge - July '21

Lift/Suspension:

Front:

• Old Man Emu Shocks and springs (881) ~2.5" lift - Mar '21 - Front Suspension Photos
• New OEM LBJ, UBJ, UCA Bushings - Mar '21
• New Serberian bushings for LCA/Steering Rack/Sway Bar - Mar '21
• Overland Offroad Endlinks - Mar '21
• DuraBump bumpstops and differential support arm bushing - Mar '21
• JBA UCA on order - Aug '21 - installed Jan '22
• Manual hubs - Junk Yard find - Aug '21 - Installed Jan '22 - Manual Hubs

Rear:

• Old Man Emu Shocks and springs (890) ~2.5" lift - Mar '21 - Rear Suspension Photos
• Replaced OME 890s with LC80 7.5 Wraps (Toyo part# 48131-6A480) - Dec '21 - LC 7.5 wrap photos
• Overland Offroad Endlinks - Mar '21
• DuraBump bumpstops
• New Serberian bushings for Upper&lower Shock/UCA/LCA/PanHard/Sway Bar - Mar '21

Tires/Wheels:

• American Racing AR172 Baja Rims - 17" - Black
• BFG K02 285/70R17 - Rim and Tire Photos

Brakes:

• Big brake upgrade - 231mm Tundra Calipers/pads/rotor/rebooted and painted black. Installed June'21

Armor:

• Old Man Emu Shock Mount stone guard - Mar '21
• Li'l Skips Gas Tank Skid - May '21
• BudBuilt Diff Armor - May '21
• Addicted Offroad Plate bump with BadLand 9K Winch (Cut my AC line with grinder ) - Nov '21 - AOR Front Bumper Photos
• CBI Sliders - Nov '21 - Slider Photos
• CBI Skids - Nov '21 - Skids Photos
• CBI Rear Bumper with dual swing out - Dec '21 - https://photos.app.goo.gl/CWMRvKeEr9WEgWcv5

Future Armor:

• EIM Keith Lower Link Mount Skids/Reinforcement Painted, just need to be welded on

Exterior:

• Gobi Roof Rack - Oct '21

Interior:

• Center Console Mod from 99-02 4runner - Mar '19
• Noico Sound Deadening - Rear May '19 - Front Mar'21 - Sound Deadening Photos
• New Carpet from stock interiors - Mar '21 - New Carpet Photos
• LED light bulbs from superbrightleds.com - July'21
• 99-02 passenger rear side panel mod - May '21
• Atoto A6 Pro Stereo - May '21
• Hilux Surf Field Monitor Unit - July '21 A couple FMU photos
• Outbound Nevada Molle Panel - Aug '21 Outbound Nevada Molle Photos

Future Interior:

• Rear hatch window switch on rear hatch
• Rear hatch door latch on rear hatch

Maintenance:

• Trans/Diffs/Oil drain fill - Multiple times
• Driveline Zerc fitting greasing - Multiple
• Braided Front brake lines - Feb '19
• New Value Cover gaskets - Mar '19 - Value Gasket Photos
• New OEM Timing Belt/Waterpump - Mar'19 - Timing Belt Photos
• Learned the hard way that not all AC Mount bracket are equal mine had a 99+ bracket
• New OEM Radiator / Toyo Pink coolant - Apr'19
• New OEM Rear Wheel bearing and axle seals - Mar '20
• O'Rielly's Alternator went out 30 miles from home on a Sunday ;( - June '20
• New rear brake drums and shoes - Sept '20
• New Throttle cable - Sept '20
• New Battery Autozone - Dec '20
• New Transfer Case OEM oil seal to rear drive line - Mar '21
• New OEM Innner/Outer Tie Rods - Mar '21
• Junk Yard Oil Pan replaced while Front Diff was out, old was leaking at drain plug - Mar '21 - Oil Pan Photos
• New Fuel Injectors from Motor West - Mar '21
• Cleaned door contacts and added dialectic grease to all 4 doors. June '21
• New Trans Oil pan (35106-35100) July'21
• Trans oil filter (35330-60020) July '21
• Replaced Negative Battery Terminal (90982-06022) July'21
• magnafine filter July '21

Future Maintenance:

• External trans cooler
• Transfer Case still has small leak, higher that the Rear drive shaft seal on something facing the passenger side, more discovery needed

**I am unoriginal and stole format from brain2sun, so please and thank you.