Shooter's Build Thread
 

Here is the build-up of my 1997 4Runner.

I purchased it in January 2014 with about 263,000 miles, looking like this:
http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g2...8.jpg~original

And here it is in its latest condition (June 21, 2015):
http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g2...5.jpg~original

The Details:
1997 SR5, 3.4 5VZ-FE, 5-speed with Rear Diff Locker (broken and I'm really bummed!), leather, etc.

What I have done (modifications, not maintenance):
-removed running boards and chrome fender strips
-installed Lotus rear trailing arm skid guards
-extended the rear diff breather into the upper rear body pillar
-20% tint on the front windows
-front suspension: Toytec BOSS coilovers with 600 lb springs, 1" diff drop
-adapted the factory blinkers into the cutouts in the front bumper
-rear suspension: LC 8-wrap springs, LC Tokico Black shocks
-installed longer bump stops from late 90's GMC Jimmy
-stretched CV boots
-installed front TJM-17 plate bumper
-installed rear Savage bumper
-installed thinned washer into the throttle body linkage to eliminate high idle
-modified the gas tank skid plate to avoid drive shaft contact during flex
-replaced the shifter seat with one from Marlin Crawler
-removed the cone bump stops from the rear suspension

As of June 29, 2016:
-changed front diff, rear diff, and t-case fluid (all synthetic)
-changed transmission fluid (synthetic)
-changed fuel filter
-bled clutch
-replaced LBJs (OEM, nothing else)
-replaced ITREs and OTREs (OEM, because I'm lifted)
-replaced steering rack boots (poly)
-cleaned MAF and throttle body
-replaced spark plug wires
-replaced spark plugs
-replaced the valve cover gaskets
-cleaned the intake plenum, intake manifold, and intake ports, replacing gaskets
-cleaned IAC and throttle body
-replaced PCV and PCV grommet
-installed a secondary power source in the dash; routed power wire and audio input wire for cell phone into the dash
-timing belt, water pump, tensioner, all rollers, cam shaft seals, crank shaft seal, oil cooler hoses
-replaced the accessory belts
-flushed the cooling system 5 times and filled with 50/50 coolant mix
-installed front and rear anti-roll bars, the front using grease-able poly bushings, both using quick disconnect endlinks
-replaced a kinked hard-line for power steering, filled and bled power steering
-lots more

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g2...8.jpg~original

To be continued...

Here is a screenshot of a video, taken during a river crossing on Memorial Day weekend. Got a little water up over the hood :)
http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g2...0.png~original

Where is this...?

Greenwater
http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g2...M.png~original

We also went down some of the Naches Trail and took some offshoots that were pretty challenging.

you cant do this to me, Multiple times i scanned down the list of threads and saw "Shoots build thread" and got all excited like i had a new comment (doesn't happen much) then clicked on it and your popped up... Not nice.

Just for you, I will try to calm down all the crazy excitement that is happening in my build thread :D

That river looks high...lol

Here's what I am up against lately. I took my 4Runner to a little offroad test spot, to try out the new suspension. It worked great. I turned on my rear diff lock to climb up a steep, gravel hill, and after that the diff lock would not disengage. I ended up driving home a couple miles with the rear locked. Since then I have taken the actuator apart and found a major problem. 3 of the magnets in the motor became loose and moved over next to each other (pic). That would cause the motor to fail. So, I got a hot glue gun and glued them back where they need to be. The real problem now... It still won't work. I've been putting it together and taking it apart all night, changing the starting position of the gear. Nothing is working.

Pics, of course...
http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g2...2.jpg~original

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g2...8.jpg~original

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g2...3.jpg~original

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g2...2.jpg~original

Glad to see you started a build thread. Looking forward to the updates!

I hate that... Take something apart, see what's OBVIOUSLY causing the issue, fix it, and still doesn't work.

I imagine you've tested to see if you're getting power to the actuator?

It's it's a good suggestion. Yes, it's getting power. After I cycle the switch a few times, pausing in between, I take it off the truck again and the actuator is hot.

That rivers looks fun! Now just have to talk my wife into camping. So I can spend it at naches.
I need to do my rear diff mod.. puddles scares me.

Thanks Brian. Drop in any time :)

It was a short little crossing which dipped the hood into the river briefly. I highly recommend extending the rear diff breather. I used a hose that is oil-safe, even though it is more expensive. O'reilly's has all the fittings, so you don't need to order from Toyota and wait for shipping. Most people run their breathers up into the fuel-fill area. I ran mine up even higher, into the rear pillar. It's a simple mod, which I put off for a while too.

Embedding didn't work. Here is the short video of the water crossing LINK HERE

I stretched my CV boots tonight
http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g2...1.jpg~original

Wow. Looks like you're smacking those bumpstops pretty hard.