Recent content by midcoma

They're all over the place out here. Hard to find nice ones though. Same frame rust issues, or they have a crazy thick undercoating. And a lot of repainted bodies. It's neat to see the different JDM options though.

Ok, here's the loooong overdue update straight from the horses mouth. As others have posted, my current Navy assignment has me stationed in Japan. I'll be here until around the Summer of 2024, and at the moment I have no clue where I'll be going after that. I'm not producing kits while...

Final Frame This is how awesome the frame turned out when it was complete. After all the modifications were finished and the welding/cutting was over, I coated the inside of the frame with Eastwood's Internal Frame Coating. I used four cans and it was probably enough, but I probably would...

Other Frame Mods To help reinforce the front suspension components, I installed eimkeith's STR (Strut Tower Reinforcement), Total Chaos' Upper Coil Bucket Tower Gussets, and Total Chaos' Lower Control Arm Tab Gussets. Having the body off the frame made this a much more enjoyable task. It was...

Drivetrain Lift The next major modification to the frame was the drivetrain lift. I've been doing this for a while. The first time was on my Tacoma when it was IFS to get a perfectly flat belly. It was very nice to wheel with all that smooth clearance. Here's a great shot of what that...

Not Your Average Body Lift The next good idea fairy came when I was deciding on a body lift. I wanted it to be 1.25". This meant a higher price and a longer lead time than something off the shelf. With my short timeline and mind towards a budget, I didn't really like that option. Looking at...

Lower Control Arm Mods The LCAs got some attention during this process as well. A quick sandblasting and a straight forward install of the eimkeith LCAR (Lower Control Arm Reinforcement). They were also electroplated with the other parts. Some paint was added for color and a fresh set of...

Budget Adjustable UCAs? I had another idea for modifying a stock part, so decided to give it a try without any real idea of it would work or not other than "it looks close." I knew I would be using the 333 Fabrications Alignment Cam Eliminator Plates, and I intended to run them with the front...

Axle Shenanigans Part 2 After the long, slow process of welding the truss, it was time to gain some clearance under the differential. This was my second time shaving a Toyota housing, so I knew what I was getting into but it's still a big commitment. Here's the initial cut line. And...

Axle Shenanigans Part 1 I've always wanted to build a Toyota axle. I know there's probably more bang for the buck buying a fabricated housing, but it's just been a bucket list item. I figured this was a good opportunity to scratch that itch. Here's what I started with. The axle that came on...

Donor Frame I like to think of this build as "cookie cutter with a twist." It really looks like any other basic 4Runner build with the standard bolt on lift and aftermarket parts. The closer you look, the more you start to notice and realize that this isn't quite your every day 4Runner. At...

How Things Started Here's a couple great pictures of the computer screen from the Craigslist add. A few better pictures provided by the seller. And this is how it looked after I got it home and cleaned up.

Background Info I like to call this the Phoenix build for two reasons. 1. This was built for my nephew, Phoenix, for his first car. 2. I bought this 4Runner as a parts vehicle with no intention of building it. So it's on it's second life after being destined for scraps. I bought this 1999...

Thread In Progress... Specs: Front: Total Chaos Lower Control Arm Cam Tab Gussets (#59960) Total Chaos Upper Coil Bucket Tower Gussets (#59650) Total Chaos Spindle Gussets (# 59697) 333 Fabrications Alignment Cam Eliminator Plates Durobumps Front Primary Bump Stops...

Team_Jake sending unit kit if they're still available. Weld in vent for 1/2" hose. I think I see what you're doing with the Vapor Valve #E7DZ-9B593-A. If you plan to use it for the evap line that goes to the charcoal canister, it will probably work. I still think I would weld the flange for...