sneaky's 3rd gen build thread
 

Hello! I've been a lurker on various car forums for a while, figured I would start my first build thread. I'm currently on my 3rd 4runner, so I will start with a quick history of my 4runner ownership journey.

Spring 2018: I picked up this '97. Originally a green truck, it was repainted white, has a grey vinyl interior (I've never seen another one with this). Had around 235k miles on in, ran like a dream. When I bought it I thought it was rust free, but I soon discovered the rockers were full of bondo. Dunno how I missed that ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Daily drove it for two years doing not much more than oil changes. Decided to sell it to raise some money for other stuff. On the test drive, right after I agreed on a price, the block heater popped out and puked coolant everywhere. This was the only time this truck ever gave me a problem, honestly I'm glad it did because since then this truck enabled me to have a ton of awesome experiences.

After that, I deciding I would put some money into the truck and keep it. Did a ton of maintenance including timing belt, added projector headlights, did the Tundra brake upgrade (well worth it!), and painted up some FJ cruiser wheels to wrap in Falken Wildpeak AT3Ws (awesome grip in all conditions but wearing fast).

Winter 2019: I picked up this '99 for just 2000 Canadian Pesos. 410k km, no rust, drove nice and tight. I fixed up a bunch of small things on it, drove it for a bit, and sold it right before 4runner prices spiked due to Covid. C'est la vie!

nice!

Spring 2021: I decided to pull the trigger on a (budget) lift.

Rear: Landcruiser 7.5 wraps with landcruiser shocks (3.5 inch lift), 3rd gen 4runner front swaybar endlinks (about an inch longer), and then 3 inch square tubing as bumpstop extensions.

Front: 4runner Bilstein 5100s on the top perch with 5th gen 4runner springs (3 inch lift), and 2nd gen 4runner front swaybar endlinks (about an inch longer).

The 5th gen 4runner springs alone should give about a 1 inch lift, but are stiffer than the 3rd gen 4runner springs. When combined with the 5100s on top perch, they rode like my Silvia on Ebay coilovers. They also destroyed the bushings on the top of the shock on my first wheeling trip. I have decided to replace these with Eibach springs with 1/4 inch top plate spacers, and set the 5100s to bottom perch.

For a diff drop I went to a fastener supply store and purchased the following:
- (2) 1/2" x 8" Grade 8 Bolts
- (2) 1/2" Grade 8 Nylock Nuts
- (4) 1/2" Washers
- (?) 1/2" Washers (buy enough so that they are 1" thick when stacked for each side)
- (2) 8mm x 40mm Bolts (for the stock skid plate)
- (2) 8mm Washers (for the stock skid plate)

About a week after I installed my lift, I was browsing through Craigslist on a Friday evening while not quite sober (as one does) and found a good deal on another 3rd gen. Went to go check it out the next day and ended up bringing it home.

1997 in Lavender Steel Metallic, with Moon Mist interior. SR5 with locker, only slight rust, 441k km and running great. Decided this was a keeper so now I get to swap everything (including my new lift) over to the new truck.

It came on dangerously old tires so the next day I picked up some newish tires on Hilux Surf wheels (I have a soft spot for tri-spokes).

I noticed a ticking sound when the engine was running. Tracked it down to an unplugged spark plug wire that was somehow still firing! https://i.imgur.com/4I2vcHQ.mp4

Are u gonna keep both or sell the other one?

Planning to sell the white one once I have transferred some parts over to the new one.

Swapped the grey vinyl interior over to the new truck, and picked up some new front seats off marketplace. They are Mazdaspeed 3 seats, with the rails welded onto 4runner seat mounts. Driver sites about 1/2 an inch taller, and passenger is about an inch taller. Headroom is borderline for me, but I really like how they look.

Also swapped over subwoofer (amp is under the driver's seat), as well as added some new (used) speakers. Had to make adaptors to fit the new speakers - I followed this writeup: 3rd Gen rear door 6.5" speaker upgrade

I thought they were E90 seats at first lol. Either way, nice upgrade to the stock seat!

Those seats look pretty sharp! Do you know what year Mazdaspeed 3 those seats came out of?

E90 seats do seem to be the go-to. These ones are fully manual adjustment which makes it a lot easier to install. I'm not 100% certain if these are more comfortable than the sr5 sport seats, I need to take a long drive to properly test them out.

Thanks! Not 100% sure - I forgot to ask the guy I bought them from. They appear to be from a first gen.

I definitely like those seats!

Sold the white one for a good price. Buyer had a PPI done and the only issue was play in the tie rods and rocker rust. Was a bittersweet moment as that truck had been good to me.

Got the blue one muddy and drove into a old mine. I can't believe I went so long without a locker, it really makes a big difference.

I think it's time for a new exhaust. Unfortunately shipping to Canada is killer, so I might call up a local exhaust shop and see what they can weld in for me.