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PValorum's 97 Limited Work Log - Pictures and Words
https://i.imgur.com/teqrUEsh.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/Sx2FqPph.jpg https://i.imgur.com/f88F1ihh.jpg https://i.imgur.com/xmBDW3Uh.jpg https://i.imgur.com/zo9RUFWh.jpg I'm a little late posting this thread. As of two months ago I've owned my 4Runner for 3 years and racked up 38k miles, rolling 200k last week. I've already done a number of mods to increase the functionality and enjoyment of my truck, which I'll try to recount. Goals: - Reliable DD - Capable for weekend off road camping trips to remote areas - Overkill Mods: Suspension: Front: ICON 2.5 Extended travel remote reservoir coilovers w/adjustable damping and 600 lbs/in springs ICON UCAs without Delta joint Poly LCA bushings Energy Suspension steering rack bushings Wheeler's diff drop Rear: <strike>4th gen rear coils (used, 190k+ on them, lol)</strike> Toytec Superflex 024RCB rear springs ICON 2.5 LC80 rear shocks with remote reservoirs and adjustable damping Custom F250 shock tower mounts welded outside of the frame Sonoran Steel lower trailing arms Sonoran Steel adjustable track bar Tires/Brakes 235/85-16 Goodyear Duratracs 199mm Tundra brake upgrade 1.5" bolt on spacers Braided stainless brake hoses Exterior: Gobi Stealth roof rack 30" Chinesium light bar Dual LED reverse lights on a relay ARB 6' awning Amazon HitLights LED Strip Lights, 2700k on awning ARB annex room w/screens HID retrofit from A.Wilson013 3800k bulbs Oil spray Armor: Shrockworks front bumper and winch fairlead Warn M8000 Winch with Dyneema synthetic line 2" Trailer marker LED turn signals Custom rear bumper with tire carrier swingout 4xInnovations weld on sliders w/kickout Shrockworks 5 piece skidplate set Electrical: Optima dual battery setup National Luna battery manager and controller 2k watt Hazard Fraught inverter CS144 alt Quick Start high output 170 amp Big 3 upgrade (actually 4) 2x Newapowa 30W solar panels in series Victron SmartSolar MPPT 75/10 Solar Charge Controller Engine: Moroso oil filter relocation block with AN fittings to clear upgraded alternator Interior: Custom sleeping platform w/ soft close drawers, based heavily on Rickashay's build Custom storage cubby where rear seats used to be ARB 37qt fridge/freezer Pioneer head unit w/ stock speakers Infinity BassLink 200w active sub Amazon 3000k LED interior lights Ram Mounts GDS tablet mount, and X-Grip for phone Comms: Amateur Radio License - Technician Yaesu FT-2900R Larsen NMO 150 2m 5/8 whip Baofeng UV-82 Uniden Pro520XL CB Radio 4' Firestick CB antenna w/spring mount Drivetrain: B&M trans cooler Magnefine trans fluid filter Torque converter replaced - 186k Full rear diff master rebuild kit 186k E-locker actuator motor replaced - works! Trips: GSMNP 2016 KAT - May 2017 Tar Hollow - May 2018 George Washington National Forest - April 2019 |
Sleeping platform and fridge, easily my favorite mods so far.
https://i.imgur.com/uDZXg5gh.jpg Camping in -9F weather https://i.imgur.com/q5J2ONxh.jpg With my buddy's 4th gen https://i.imgur.com/8wXhn6Qh.jpg Cleaning out mud and rebuilding the drums https://i.imgur.com/uVnG6O4h.jpg Radio setup https://i.imgur.com/jvLtsOkh.jpg Trans cooler https://i.imgur.com/ZKlBpnCh.jpg Dual batteries https://i.imgur.com/5F0rkbvh.jpg CS144 HO 170A Alt upgrade vs stock https://i.imgur.com/ECK40E4h.jpg https://i.imgur.com/XpeeE6Yh.jpg https://i.imgur.com/tmicuU9h.jpg |
KAT - Kentucky Adventure Trail - 2017
This trail is 800+ miles of mostly offroad trail, primarily aimed at dual sport motorcycles. My buddy and I took 3 days and did as much as we could, which was less than 150 miles if I remember correctly. We had to turn around a couple times: one river was flooded, and there was a crazy washed out gulch that we didn't feel confident in our abilities to traverse it without causing gratiutous cosmetic damage. Turns out that part was a bridle trail, and as we were turning around a group of riders passed us, giving us looks like we were crazy for being where we were in vehicles, lol. This was both of first real off road experiences, and of course we were instantly hooked. Both vehicles were essentially stock, save for matching 235/85-16 Duratracs. We learned a lot, and talked nearly the entire drive back about how impressed we were with the capability of this platform, to handle the terrain that we just did, allow us to sleep inside of our respective vehicles, and then drive a full highway speeds home with no discomfort. Setup to eat lunch right on the trail, didn't pass anyone the entire day https://i.imgur.com/Kg2HVCTh.jpg Amazing overlook view camp site on the trail https://i.imgur.com/061y1Yfh.jpg |
I was looking forward to installing the new suspension this weekend with my buddy, who has a lift at his house and is a certified welder. I have a welder, but no 220v, and no lift.
Parts procured in anticipation for project Geriatric 4Runner Rejuvenation, or GRR:
I got a couple of these on sale when I could, Black Friday for the massive 20% off on Icon, or used, for the spacers. My buddy said he's booked until late June to tackle this project. I've had the suspension for a while, lol: https://i.imgur.com/lZ6hzRRl.jpg |
The other day I decided to finally replace my rear wiper with OEM parts. I balked before at the $25 price of admission and got some stuff off Rock Auto.
Even when brand new, the aftermarket wiper never wiped a clean pattern on the window. It only got worse from there. New parts! Wiper and accessories, steering rack guide update kit, and LBJs https://i.imgur.com/Y8VLd68h.jpg Aftermarket wiper. Can't see it too well, but since it doesn't have the little rubber tooth thing to ride into the stopper on the hatch panel, it sits on the sill and rusts it up.... https://i.imgur.com/nXUJsaxh.jpg That "extreme weather" protection boot didn't seem to help much. I think this is 2 years old.... Avoid at all costs... https://i.imgur.com/dsA8wvHh.jpg This is amazing after using the other junk for far too long. Notice all the residual rust stains on the window ledge. https://i.imgur.com/p8m6kJ4h.jpg |
Well, this weekend didn't go quite as planned.
A couple years ago I went off roading with a Jeep club on a Novice Trail Ride day near Tar Hollow State Park. I thought it was actually pretty challenging for a novice event, but I essentially had a stock truck with half worn 12+ year old Michelin all terrains and a non-working e-locker, lol. I learned a lot, and had a blast, although I broke several smallish things, mainly due to rust. I recorded that route as a GPX file and planned a trip with my buddy and his Tacoma. We checked in at the park campground and headed out to the trail. I remembered the trail starting off as pretty tame, but needing 4wd quickly. This time we turned down a gravel road and crossed a small stream. Skirting several very large puddles I was leery about the depth of, we made our way up to a frame twister section with a stream flowing between the moguls. One in and on two wheels, I quickly started sliding toward the driver's side and the bank threatened my wheel flare. I engaged 4lo and the elocker and continued out of the section, and snagged some pics of my buddy traversing it. He makes it look easy, I must have taken a stupid line, I was teeter-tottering the whole way. https://i.imgur.com/A6bfo7ah.jpg https://i.imgur.com/fvqrktih.jpg https://i.imgur.com/eP8dWM6h.jpg We stopped to discuss the section we just passed, and how we planned to approach what was ahead. He then noticed another 3rd gen coming down the trail behind us! New trail buddy hamming it up https://i.imgur.com/jmFlAdsh.jpg https://i.imgur.com/881frOFh.jpg https://i.imgur.com/aKBZcWPh.jpg They were locals and familiar with the trail. They'd just bought the 3rd gen earlier that day and immediately headed out to baptize it in mud. They said the trail was tough, and that they'd just started logging it this year, which turned it from a "stock Jeep" trail into an "intermediate". They said there was a section of 150+ yards of knee-deep soupy clay ahead, and the driver said he'd gotten his Silverado stuck for 3 days. It took two Wranglers to pull him out, and one got stuck in the process. Seriously reconsidering what I thought were well-laid plans, we decided to forge ahead. The locals happily offered to break trail for us and scope out the conditions. They seemed much more confident in their vehicle with street tires than I did of my own. It turned out that the soup had cleared up due to a lack of recent rain, and we walked right through that section with no spinning from the Duratracs. Pulling out of the previously soupy section https://i.imgur.com/ZOTUUKCh.jpg Not what I signed up for -- looking back the way we'd come. There's plenty more beyond the bend out of sight https://i.imgur.com/dRyILgAh.jpg |
Yumm
https://i.imgur.com/5bg9r9uh.jpg We were up against the end of the trail, which I remembered. It was a steep ascent up to the road, and there were large sections of shale sticking out of the trail at different points. It was also rutted from larger trucks. The trail blazers recommended hanging back to avoid being pelted with rocks and risking a windshield or headlight. With them out of sight, and not having seen the line they took, I started up the hill. There was plenty to keep an eye on while climbing, and my new friend was urgently reminding me to keep my speed up. I prefer to slowly traverse obstacles instead of going balls to the wall. I stopped to talk to him about the next rock outcropping, and when I looked back ahead, all of the lights on my dash were on, and I noticed my truck wasn't running. I turned the key, and it just cranked. I looked back at him and asked him if he smelled gas as well. He did, and my stomach sank. We took a quick look underneath, and my gas tank was hanging down and pouring fuel out in a hurry. I feel confident this was due to my own inexperience. I think going slower and having a spotter would have made all the difference. After further inspection, we determined that my fuels lines broke off as well, so there was really no hope for a field repair. My buddy following in the Tacoma grabbed a 60' strap and we hooked it from the leading 3rd gen to mine. I didn't think it was going to work with his tires, especially since I was up against a small rock wall I needed to climb. He tried a couple gentle tugs, and it wasn't nearly enough. There was no way to get the Taco around my truck, the trail was cut down about 4 feet lower than the edges due to use, and only just wider than one truck. I was starting to worry we were going to be spending a considerable amount of time here when a pack of 6-8 Rzr/Utvs/side by sides pulls up at the top of the road. One of them hooks up to the 3rd gen and pulls both of us out in a train. I thanked all of the involved parties multiple times. We determined the best course of action was to drag my truck over to the church next to the trail and leave it there while we tried to get cell service/a tow. Fifteen minutes away in the closest town I got that orchestrated and we headed back to my truck. https://i.imgur.com/reNd9RDh.jpg https://i.imgur.com/lXWUWnBh.jpg You shouldn't be able to see the tank like this.... https://i.imgur.com/PTbrqsGh.jpg 33's and more ground clearance help https://i.imgur.com/DqNPUIVh.jpg I'm disappointed that I hurt my truck, but it's something we all know will happen at some point. I felt like I let my friends down and cut the trip short. At the same time, these trails were far more aggressive than they were previously. We noticed while waiting for the tow truck that the Rzrs were only going down that trail, not up. That local knowledge really pays! At the same time, I felt really thankful to make some new friends on the trail, and meet so many people who were so willing to help a stranger. |
Got my truck back the other day from my buddy's shop. The service manager was really impressed with the whole thing, as he ended up saying, "damn, those are some strong fuel lines on that Toyota! They held that gas tank on the whole way back on the flatbed!"
The damage was the rear tank hanger broke due to how rusty it was, and the only reason the truck wasn't running was the connector to the fuel pump got unplugged.... Unbelievable, imo. I'm thrilled it wasn't worse; I didn't even anticipate the tank being salvageable. Unfortunately it failed 2 of my 3 goals for the truck: Goals:As such I placed an order for full skid plates, including the gas tank. :boxer: |
On the truck front, I haven't uploaded pics yet, but there are updates:
-After what feels like a year on the healing bench, I started putting my used Warn winch back together. I'm not sure which way to clock it just yet for the bumper, gotta sort that out yet. -Got used front lower control arms to upgrade to poly bushings. I was unable to remove them with a ball joint press and propane torch, so they're at the shop right now. -Ordered plenty more parts for the suspension project, which feels completely overwhelming at this point, hopefully tackling that this weekend with my buddy. -Going to pick up the skid plates tomorrow at the UPS depot. They didn't seem too keen on delivering a 200lb pallet on a dead end street. |
Quote:
Sounds like you're off on the right foot to building out what you want, thought! |
I'm still here. I've done a terrible job of keeping this thread up to date.
A ton has happened since I last updated: -Quit my job, went back to school full time to finish up my mech eng degree. With any luck I've got a year or so left. -Finished the full suspension upgrades -Designed and built (aka I watched and got in the way while my buddy welded) a fully custom rear bumper based on the CBI plate bumper, with an integrated swingout -Got the front bumper properly mounted and installed the winch -Finished rebuilding the winch -Full skids -Weld on sliders -Solar panels -Took the truck out and actually used it a couple of times on trips -Rolled 226k miles -Lots more I'm forgetting Hope everyone's been well! https://i.imgur.com/HWh1qE3.jpg |
In the spring of 2019 my best buddy and I hit the George Washington National Forest on the way back from a work event. There isn't a whole lot of awesome overlanding stuff in Ohio, as a surprise to no one.
Packed up and ready to head out https://i.imgur.com/OXWLr1qh.jpg By the time we got there it was wet, overcast, pitch dark, and foggy, which made things quite eerie. Plus all the trees looked evil. https://i.imgur.com/xFt0u6eh.jpg The sounds of nature were quite loud at night, especially with the limited visibility, and more than we found a spot, we just gave in and pulled off the trail for the night. We had no idea what the spot even looked like that night, as shining flashlights around just illuminated the moisture in the air. Upon waking up https://i.imgur.com/f2aqJr8h.jpg Evil trees https://i.imgur.com/z44jJcoh.jpg My first piece of trail treasure I found!! https://i.imgur.com/rtB459Bh.jpg Sleeping arrangement. My buddy was able to fit his entire tent cot inside the ARB annex, though it was a tight fit https://i.imgur.com/kSUIuA0h.jpg As I was trying to fall asleep, there was this dull "tinging" noise I kept hearing. Part of me said I should get out and look, but the smarter part of me said that's a really good way to get murdered by a crazy musical killer. I noticed the next day that it was the zipper pull tapping against my fuel door as the wind moved the annex. Haunted by the ghost of ARB himself. https://i.imgur.com/5OgP5lsh.jpg Testing out the new tablet mount for the GPS https://i.imgur.com/xzwrIgwh.jpg Of course we discovered that had we just continued up the trail 5 more mins we could have camped on top of this really cool bluff up on top https://i.imgur.com/rqOT0ZNh.jpg Guess I need to clean my camera sensor https://i.imgur.com/DTGJ3aih.jpg ETA: spaced out the other night and forgot the second half of the pics... The trail forked, and the GPX file we were following continued down the trail ahead. The trail ahead started descending and had several steep (it's relative, lol) descents that we collectively agreed we didn't feel comfortable tackling alone. We just had one truck, were hundreds of miles from home, didn't know the area, and we didn't feel confident that if we did head down the descent and then came upon an even more challenging obstacle that we for sure couldn't cross, that we would be able to climb back up later. A lot of excuses, but we both thought it was better to play it safe. Taking pictures from the beginning of the descent, of course it looks very flat in the picture, lol https://i.imgur.com/EZ9k8YRh.jpg After we had made up our minds, moved the truck, and started back for the other fork, a group of locals came through in four Jeeps and made it look easy. They also seemed far more experienced than us. Heading down the alternate route we decided to take, based on the topography on the GPS it seemed like a more mild choice. https://i.imgur.com/Tr0fCJ1h.jpg Pulling over to take some pictures https://i.imgur.com/XMIJay6h.jpg https://i.imgur.com/l7rbeYUh.jpg https://i.imgur.com/VGowPXvh.jpg A bit further down the trail it was snack time https://i.imgur.com/TruW1P0h.jpg As the trail ended we came across this neat lake, and hiked down to take some pictures. One or two people had kayaks and were fishing. https://i.imgur.com/3Ccyamlh.jpg We pulled over a few times to take pictures of the Appalachian Mountains at the scenic overlooks before we got on the highway home. https://i.imgur.com/pIyhbRNh.jpg https://i.imgur.com/q1wUay1h.jpg https://i.imgur.com/jZ0WOPsh.jpg |
Suspension upgrade time!
Days after my last post in 2018, I completed the front suspension with one of my offroad buddies. We met at HamFest, and never really did anything with Ham after that, lol.
A friend with a lift is the best kind of friend. Especially if he wrenches for a living, and is a certified welder. Parts installed: ICON Stage 5 front suspension kit: Coilovers with remote reservoirs and adjustable damping UCAs with heim/ball joint (Iirc the delta joint wasn't out when I initially ordered the suspension) Diff drop Braided stainless hoses Used OEM LCAs with new poly bushings and Wheeler's Superbumps (they are compressed a little even while stationary) OEM LBJs New OEM alignment hardware where needed Lessons learned: This was a way bigger project than I anticipated. Especially when you have to contend with rust. We had over 8 hours in on that day, and were both completely whipped at the end of it. If you plan on swapping out to heavier front springs, order them from Icon this way. It will make your life way easier, as a normal widowmaker spring compressor is too big for the small diameter coilover springs. I had originally intended to do the rear suspension the same day. HAH! New (to me) LCAs with the new poly bushings pressed in. I had to take them to a shop, as I wasn't able to remove them with a ball joint press from the parts store. He said they just about maxed out his 30 ton shop press. https://i.imgur.com/pND3HKnh.jpg Wire wheeled and coated with POR15 https://i.imgur.com/40Zyoy1h.jpg All loaded up to head to my buddy's shop https://i.imgur.com/vX24kZjh.jpg So many parts.... https://i.imgur.com/saLoQAnh.jpg First snag, the spring compressor doesn't fit. You can get one on one side, but can't get two on at the same time. I just left the stock springs in. https://i.imgur.com/6RAKMIWh.jpg Diff drop installed https://i.imgur.com/A2W2z4lh.jpg Original front shocks were absolute toast https://i.imgur.com/gJVTPkxh.jpg After a long fricken day, the front was done. https://i.imgur.com/G8FAbgRh.jpg |
Wait, what about the rear?
I think how I originally got sidetracked from updating was I intended to wait until I got the rear finished, and then post everything at once. But then I decided to return the 4runner rear shocks to Icon and go with Land Cruiser length shocks for extra travel. And then it took like 9 months to get them from Icon because they were a custom order, and they were incredibly busy. Soooo...
I owe credit for the extended travel rear shock mount to Ripcord, A.Wilson013, and maybe a few others. The factory rear shock mounts on my truck looked questionable at best, so going with new beefy AF mounts outside the frame seemed like the way to go. I got 1.5" wheel spacers to clear the mounts, just to be safe. New Parts: Icon 2.5 LC80 rear shocks with remote resis and adjustable damping Sonoran Steel lower trailing arms Sonoran Steel adjustable track bar with poly bushings Stainless braided brake hose New OEM F250 front strut towers (repurposed for my rears) Toytec Superflex rear springs (super impressed with how these are handling my in-excess-of-factory-GVWR load) My buddy's handiwork adapting the F250 shock towers to the style needed by the LC80 shocks https://i.imgur.com/8S7exhkh.jpg https://i.imgur.com/5hgm4nth.jpg Cleaning off the frame to hang the new towers https://i.imgur.com/vESZYueh.jpg Clamped in place https://i.imgur.com/vj1Jc4Jh.jpg Glued on https://i.imgur.com/WcwA9HUh.jpg It cannot be overstated just how beefy the 2.5 shocks are. Optimally the hose would have been routed out the top. I hadn't considered that, and decided to run them as-is, as we didn't have access to nitrogen to re-pressurize them if we disassembled them to flip them. So far I haven't had any issues with rubbing, but I realize this is not the optimal config. https://i.imgur.com/pVpDJhRh.jpg Toytec Superflex springs vs the 4th gen 4Runner springs I had been running https://i.imgur.com/p0dKqqGh.jpg I asked him if he was going to measure, but he just eyeballed it. To his credit he absolutely nailed the first one on the passenger side, but the driver's side was 3.5 degrees off, so he had to cut off the tacks and measure, lol https://i.imgur.com/YCqwhKkh.jpg Everything on! https://i.imgur.com/cbrR3Lwh.jpg Full droop, keep in mind this is with the stock sway bar end links hanging on for dear life. I really need to get those swapped out.... https://i.imgur.com/mgaZebgh.jpg |
Also, has anyone had luck finding a larger master cylinder that works with the 3rd gen? After doing the Tundra BBK I intended to upgrade my MC, but haven't found a good solution. I'd prefer not to have to upgrade the booster as well, but there don't seem to be many options.
I read this thread, but there didn't seem to be much consensus. Master Cylinder upgrade options This page also has this spreadsheet, but the conclusion seems to be that there is no upgrade path due to our brake booster only having 2 studs, instead of 4 like the pickups and Land Cruisers. Toyota 4x4 Brake Master Cylinder and Brake Booster Specs - Roundforge https://i.imgur.com/SW4MTpv.jpg |
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