1994 4Runner SR5 3.0 5 Spd "Slo-Runna"

[Joex481]

Thought I'd start a build thread since I'm starting to get very interested in mods to this truck.
I bought this truck in April on somewhat of an impulse, it had a solid frame, updated suspension, and front bumper already installed, as well as some other minor mods.

Have a couple trail rides in, only thing I regret really is that it's the 3.slo... Perhaps that will change in the future.

Armor:
Addicted Offroad Front Bumper

Suspension:
OME Front and Rear Shocks
OME Rear Coils

Tires:
General Grabber AT2 33x12.5x15LT

Immediate Future:
Looking to add a winch
Probably add ball joint spacers in the front, and then maybe 35s next year
Needs a new radiator

Lockers:
Spartan Rear

Big wants:
Re gear to 5.29, add actuated locker and dual transfer case
3.4 Swap
Coastal Offroad Rear Bumper
Skids
Sliders (Rocky Road?)

 

[Joex481]

Today I swapped my speedometer with a working one from another cluster. This was a 3 month ordeal, starting with the speed sensor which ended up not being the issue.

I then ordered a replacement cluster, which was rather hard to find, (electronic vss). That one was DOA.

Bought a 3rd cluster, finally got a working speedometer but the Tach was off so I swapped the speedometer into my other cluster. Truck was at 245k when it stopped and I have no idea how much it was driven since, so I set it to 250k so I remember where I started...

Also swapped in amber LEDs for dash and AC control lighting.

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[Hyde802]

Truck looks great. The 3.0 isnt too bad with a 5 speed. Just dont let it over heat. Youll love the 3.0 "low end chug" that the 22re doesnt have if you ever ad a doubler.

 

[Joex481]

Truck looks great. The 3.0 isnt too bad with a 5 speed. Just dont let it over heat. Youll love the 3.0 "low end chug" that the 22re doesnt have if you ever ad a doubler.

Trust me I keep my eye on that temp gauge... It does eat or leak coolant so I'm not sure how long it's going to last. I'm gonna replace the radiator and hopefully reduce the amount I have to add...

I'm more worried about low oil pressure, though. I upped the weight to 10W-40 with improvements but I might go another step up yet.

The power isn't the worst between 0 and 65. It just can't hold it's own on hills when I'm on the highway. I really shouldn't make a habit of highway driving anyway because of the lack of airbags...

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[truckinn]

Sounds like my ole 94 Ranger with the 2.3l and 5spd. Well actually, it sounds better. I was limited to 45 on any sort of hill, in 3rd gear, while on a highway.

 

[ATGParker]

DT header Upgrade

Shortly after I purchased mine in the summer of 2018 with 235K the HG let go and thus a rebuild was in order. So I installed MLS gaskets lapped the deck and heads and loaded the heads with ARP head studs. Putting in a set of DT headers and punching out the exhaust to 2-1/2" with a set of FlowMaster mufflers is what I did on mine. I also installed the Summit racing version of the K&N FIPK with a custom made aluminum air box to keep it sucking cold air for the intake. I port matched the entire engine when I did the rebuild and opened up the heads a bit and the intake as well as the plenum. The OEM oil pump pressure at idle is like 10PSI and was below the first line before the rebuild even with a fresh oil change. So when I went through the oil pump I added a washer to the pressure relief spring plunger and I run 20W-50 oil. The output from the oil pump goes straight into the oil filter so I remote mounted that inside the front wheel well and run a 40 micron Wix 51515R filter. The oil pressure gauge never goes below the first line and usually hovers between the two upper lines when its buzzing along and warmed up. I'm running the stock 4.56:1 gearing with 31's and it will pull 85 MPH all day long and easily pull to 90 MPH at around 4K in 5th gear. I struggle to get 200 miles out of a tank full. But that is usually because I am often doing more than the basic speed on the freeway. Even with a Marlin Crawler short throw shifter the 3VZ-E is never going to win any dead start drag race but once I get it buzzing up over 3,500 RPM the roll-on is decent. So knocking it back and forth from 4th to 5th gear is a lot of fun! The EGR delete seems like it would help with getting that ruddy tube out of the plenum for a bit more air flow in there. But I haven't done that yet!...

 

[Joex481]

I like your dedication to the 3.0. [emoji106]

Me not so much, looking forward to a swap so I can learn.

Until, though, gotta keep it running. Tuneup today. Old wires were dated 2009...

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[Joex481]

Winch, new radiator and new belts installed this weekend. Still have to figure out if the grille will fit with the control box installed. This is an addicted off road bumper... I bought the Smittybilt 10k X20 and it's a little too big. With help I could fit it in there but I had to remove a bolt for the radiator fan, and pushed the a/c line out of the way to fit it in. It's a really tight squeeze. I will probably be switching to synthetic line sooner than I thought. Couldn't fit the control box how it was supposed to be so I mounted it backwards.

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[Joex481]

I needed some more power, so I added a couple of decals. Please ignore the dirty tire, I forgot to spray it at the carwash...

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[jsabowabo]

I approve of the stickers. Worth at least 10HP. Looking good.

 

[Rodnic]

I’m thinking of adding 8 stickers as I could use another 40hp!

 

[nicakasper]

Those are sweet stickers, where did you get them?

 

[Joex481]

Those are sweet stickers, where did you get them?

RETRO STRIPES 70's 80's BEDSIDE DECALS FITS on 4RUNNER TACOMA FJ CRUISER TOYOTA | eBay

 

[nicakasper]

Thanks! On their way.

 

[Joex481]

Well I've been updating on instagram, but lacking updates here. So, here goes:

Added a Teraflex thumb throttle cable, ran it alongside the cruise control cable. Pretty easy to get the hang of it. The kit is meant for Jeeps but with a little bracket modification it works great. Throttle does stick sometimes with the gas pedal, but it's typically brief and I am able to remove it for highway driving. If anyone has suggestions let me know!

Was able to get up on some rocks without too much effort or white knuckles

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[Joex481]

Another trail pic

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[Joex481]

And, this last weekend, I picked up a 1992 rust bucket for the interior. It "runs" but needs a battery, exhaust, fan, functioning wheels/tires. 177k miles, frame is actually still kind of there. Gray cloth seats, just what I wanted and they are in great shape.

I gotta say, it looks bad, but the 4th gen tows like a champ.

It was a little iffy at first but the ride improved infinitely with additional pressure in the rear tires.

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