Toyota 4Runner Forum - Largest 4Runner Forum - Ryan's 1996 5SPD Build Thread

Apparently I'm able to start new threads now, so build thread incoming!

I'd been wanting a 4runner for a while and then last year a semi-truck rear ended my poor Mazda3 (tough little thing, I kept driving that Mazda for a month while insurance caught up with it and the semi that hit me had to limp to a repair shop). Insurance payout was just enough to pay off the Mazda and $4k for a replacement car, so I knew exactly what I was going to do

Enter my 1996 SR5 5-speed 4WD w/ factory e-locker and about 275k miles. It was originally from Canada and so everything is in metric, but thankfully it was brought down to Austin pretty quickly so there's zero rust on it. Plenty else was bad, though. I bought it for exactly $4k and set to work. I'd never done more than change the oil and spark plugs on any car, so this has been a fun (read: terrifying and exhausting) experience.

This is her on the day I brought her home. In need of some good maintenance and the only non-stock item being the mudding tires, which unfortunately I had to get rid of.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Fo...=w1250-h937-no

And this is her as she stands today after a lot of work, more money than I'll admit to myself, and no plans of stopping. Right at about 298,500 miles.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/f8...=w1250-h937-no

Maintenance

Replaced all fluids
New timing belt/water pump/thermostat
New CV axles
New clutch and replaced rear main seal (paid shop to do)
New radiator
Replaced rear axle seals/bearings/drum brakes
Replaced throttle body and cleaned MAF sensor
New front sway bar links
New bushings for front and rear sway bars + steering rack
Replaced evap cannistor

Mods/Upgrades

199mm Tundra brakes
Deckplate mod
Blue silicon vacuum hoses
Budget HID retrofit
Extended rear diff breather mod
Painted exterior with OD Green Monstaliner
Installed aftermarket head unit (ATOTO A6) connected to bluetooth OBDII
Painted everything that was chrome to black or bronze
265/75/16E K02s on factory spare steel wheels painted bronze
99 tall springs with KYB struts and shocks

To-do/Wishlist

ARMOR EVERYWHERE!
Full length roofrack
3" lift to handle the added weight
Winch
Come up with some catchy name for this build
Hood lift struts
Rear sleeping platform/storage
Other things when I think of them

Bonus family photo. Left to right is my uncle's 5th gen 4runner, my younger brother's 2019 Tacoma, my mom's 2014 FJ Cruiser, and finally my own 4runner.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Y3...=w1250-h937-no

Finally I'd like to give a big thanks to everyone that's created how-to threads and videos. You all have been life savers!