Lookin super sweet!

Some recent pix

http://s285.photobucket.com/albums/l...elin%20111030/

Gorgeous country up there. Good looking truck, too!

I recently replaced the 2" OME rear springs with a TG 4" kit to level out the stance. Will post some pix.

nice pics there Sean ...

Oh wow, you're in Surrey. I live in Cloverdale; I definitely have to come see this beast someday!

That is a really good looking runner. I would be afraid to put that much money into the cosmetics of a 4runner and then go beat it up offroad. I would cry as soon as I hit a rock or a tree with those fenders. On the flip side, if you're decent with fiberglass they would be easy to fix and they won't rust.

Awesome runner, post some pics

you guys make me laugh sometimes .. you have no Idea ! OUR "fiberglass" is not 60's fiberglass .. it's pretty tough sh!t !!

steel panel - didnt stand a chance

HPIM0017.mp4 video by bj_bumperboy - Photobucket

same hamer , same strike
VRS OUR FRP panel

2lbhammer.mp4 video by bj_bumperboy - Photobucket
and sledge

sledgehammer.mp4 video by bj_bumperboy - Photobucket

and I will even drive over it !!

runningtruck.mp4 video by bj_bumperboy - Photobucket



NO way steel is that tough .. unless you like rasins !!



.

sorry Sean for the intruption ..


back to your build !!






.

I'm not bashing your product in any way, I would love to have you do some high clearance front and rear fenders for my runner. Heck, I would love for you to build a rear quarter panel with the rear wheel wells moved back 10 inches or so. BUT... When the side of a vehicle rubs against a rock face or the edge of a tree, something has to give. Unless the fiberglass will either move a rock or a vehicle, I see the glass being the weak link. On the flip side, as long as the glass just cracks and moves back to the same position, fiberglass is a LOT easier to patch and repair than steel.

Thanks for the compliments!

I had rust issues starting in the truck which is one reason I went with Corey's product. Any steel I added would just rust again. I've had the truck since new and I know what it is and isn't, so it was the way to go for me.

I'm building the truck for fun, to have fun with and to ge tmy kids interested in things mechanical. I'm no rock racer but I have rubbed trees with both the fender and quarter on the driver's side. Basically, the panels held the weight of the truck and it slid over. The paint wrinkled and scratched a bit. I know metal would have bent or creased. I will likely add some wheel opening bars eventually, more for rock protection and as a base for a partial exo, but that's for another time.

So, anyway, I removed the 2" OME rear suspension and swapped in a TG 4" kit over the summer weekends.

Before: Looks a bit saggy in the back.


Old stuff removed.


Ready to start assembling.


New stuff installed. Had to install new spring hagers as the springs are 9" longer than the originals and the OMEs. I rotated the rear diff about 6 degrees to use a double cardan rear shaft.


Good shackle angle


A shot underneath. I did a lot of cleaning and applied a lot of POR15.

I also swapped out the fuel tank with a used one. At the same time, I trimmed the excess material off the passenger side pinch weld to better clear the mounts for my bolt-on sliders.


A little flexing on the weekend. It should loosen up a bit with some use.






About the only thing I want to do now is to get a locker in the front. I think I'll switch to a high pinion diff at the same time to get some better clearance and help with driveshaft angles.

One sweet build, Pyroboy! You've put a lot of quality work in this truck. Love the built-in flares. I know who I'm voting for when the next 1st Gen poll comes around! Can't wait to see what's next.

Thanks! I've had a lot of support and help from other forum users and companies like Slacker's www.ToyotaFiberglass.com , Big Country Customs (BCC).
Offroad 4x4 parts | Trail-gear, Yukon Gears | Toyota, Suzuki | Suspension Lift, Custom Bumpers - Big Country Customs and North Shore Off Road www.nsor.com

I have a few things on my 'to-do' list, but it's not that long now. I think the next thing is a front locker. I was looking at getting a rebuilt diff with ARB to match the rear, specifically the high-pinion versionto give a bit more clearance and help with driveshaft angles. Mine aren't too bad as I have dual cases but every bit helps. Marlin Crawler builds complete units and BCC is a local retailer.

I'll also get the 'stud eliminator kit' and the whole thing should install in a day.

After that, I am thinking about a set of 4.7 gears in the crawl box and maybe some side protection bars or a partial exo cage. We'll see.

One ongoing concern is the engine. I bought my truck as a dealer sevice manager's demo, almost new, and it now has almost 480,000 km / 300,000 miles on the original 22RE. Other than a timing chain swap (and head gasket, oil pump, water pump, etc.) at 300,000 km and a set of starter contacts, it's all original. It has never been a problem but I have been thinking about a re-build or swap in the future.

I would love a Toy 1KZ-TE or D4D diesel, but a 3RZ may be more practical. I would consider a VW 2.0 TDI but I prefer to keep it all-Toyota and I don't think anyone makes a standalone ECM for the TDI yet. I'm in no rush so I'll just keep researching.

There are tons of cool rigs on sites like this so I'm always getting new ideas.

Well, I pulled the pin and ordered a high-pinion front third with the ARB, built by Marlin Crawler. Also ordered the cap screw stud eliminator kit. Should have it all in a couple of weeks, after building and shipping. I can't wait!

EDIT: October 11th

My high-pinion ARB 3rd showed up today! Will get it all painted up and installed this weekend, I hope.

Just got the 3rd on Wednesday. Put it in a spare centre section and hit it with some POR15 Prep and Ready.



Will get the POR 15 on today. Will try to get it installed next weekend.

All PORd and read for install! Now to start tearing my front end apart... or maybe wait until after I go out next Saturday.



Got my dash prepped last weekend:



And finally got my Altimiter / Inclinometer installed. Needs a dye job!