1997 SR5 Father/Daughter “Build”

[jason275]

This will not be a over the top rock crawling beast. More of a reliable daily that can hit some trails on weekends type of build. (So much for a build thread right!? [emoji23])

Here’s the back story.

My first ever Toyota was a ‘99 Limited 2WD. Picked it up with 190k on the clock. Needed some tlc, did the valve cover gaskets along with timing belt/water pump job. Runs like new!

Then I got a 2nd Gen Tacoma 4x4, started to get into wheeling, at the same time my daughter was just staring to learn to drive. We try go out about once or twice a month to hit some trails, she loves it!

She’s now a licensed driver and behind the wheel of the “2Runner”. When we had a family member who lost their job and got their car repo’d, my daughter willingly gave up her truck to said family member, without hesitation.

Knowing she likes to get outdoors, how much she loved her T4R, I searched and searched until I found a potential candidate. Now I’m not rolling in money so my choices were very limited. But I found a ‘97 SR5 4WD for cheap and bought it.

Trying to kill multiple birds with one stone here; helping loved ones in need, getting to spend time with my daughter as we work on her truck, teach her some things about cars, and ultimately go on adventures together [emoji1]

So far, here’s the issues with the new truck:
Valve Cover Leak (Currently working on that now)
Driver Seat Bolt (both front bolts)
Sunroof Motor Bad
Bald Tires (Got new Wildpeaks on now)
Needs Paint

Future Plans:
Mild Lift probably Bilstein 6112/5160 (Don't know which rear springs yet)
Skids
Sliders
Misc Cosmetic stuff, LED Dash, Seat Covers, Center Console Swap, Stereo, Alarm/Keyless entry


As the truck sits now:

Thanks for reading


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Serge627]

Looks like a good base for the build you want to do. Even cooler that you and your daughter are getting the bonding time together working on the project. Keep us posted on the progress!

 

[Hepar]

Sometimes a lack of money can be infinitely more rewarding. Just think of the priceless time you're getting and going to get spending with your daughter.

Plus, you're keeping another runner on the road!

 

[ThySenteth]

Ugh, I hope I can get my daughter into the whole DIY thing in the next 6 years.. Currently, at 10, she says she want's to help in the garage.. but quickly changes her mind when I actually put her to work lol.

Good job Dad!!

 

[rockdaddy80]

Awesome story... keep us posted. I'm on my 3rd Runner, a '97 high mileage Limited for cheap. Leaky valve cover gaskets, and also sunroof motor fried. Let me know if you decide to fix that sunroof and how you do it. My goal is to get to 300k for about $3k. If I make it to that in a few years, then we'll see.

 

[Reinout]

This is RAD!!!! Looking at the pictures... Depending on how much time you are going to be driving on the new tires, get an alignment: that tire looks like it's wearing on the outside so the chamber is most likely off.

Have fun!!!

 

[SantaCruzRunner]

Awesome story and adventure you are on! That's what these rigs are all about! excited to see how it goes.

 

[mesooohoppy]

this is awesome!!!

 

[gamefreakgc]

This is so awesome to see spending quality time together. In today's fast paced world I see more and more families forgetting about doing things together and instead doing things individually. Even the "boring" things like fixing a car together can make lifelong memories.

My bet is that when she's older she's going to have very fond memories of this time with you and the 4Runner that the two of you worked on. I can only hope I can share the same time with my daughters someday when they are older!

 

[nissanh]

Extremely happy to see a father and daughter working on a truck. I am a father of two and both are girls and I too in the same path in a few more years. She is helping me when I do oil changes and sometimes, she takes the creeper and slide under the truck!

Make sure she places jack stands properly before crawling under the truck.

 

[jason275]

Thank you all for the positive support! We really do appreciate it! It's a slow and sometimes aggravating process, but we are enjoying it... so far at least lol

Quick Update.

We gave her a valve cover gasket job along with timing belt / water pump.

I read about this on the forums lol, It barely moved, but enough for me to use a cheater bar with the breaker to fully break the bolt free.
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Got 'em:jump:
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Gave it a little cleaning
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So much gunk It's hard to tell what's actually leaking, So I went under for a good hour it felt like trying to clean everything off, so I can get a good assessment of what's actually leaking and from where... who knows what kind of issues I'll find.
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Like Father, Like Daughter? :lmao: Snuck in the Tacoma for LBJ replacement
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Got her buttoned up, topped up fluids (Will do a drain/fill next) Test drove, No more oil leak, but there is what seems to be an exhaust leak coming from the Crossover pipe It was late, so I'll have to put that on the list of things to do/check

Next to the trusty 2Runner
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Thank you all again for being such a great community :rockon:

 

[habanero]

Here's to good times and skills learned to make and drive an incredible ride she'll be proud of. Looks like you're well on your way already.

 

[4x3Lander]

REALLY cool to see jason275! Having your daughter part of the building, cleaning, working and then eventually enjoying the 4Runner will make for so many positive outcomes in her life and of course yours.

Where in Cali are you?

 

[DAWG NATION]

Nice... Nothing like spending quality time with your kids...

 

[2TH4IST]

Awesome! That cleaned up nicely! Good thing about oil leaks: no rust and all bolts under the leak should* not be seized due to oil. But I'd recommend replacing the rack bushings as the oil kills them quickly.






*some still might be rusted tight ie alignment cam sleeves.

 

[jason275]

REALLY cool to see jason275! Having your daughter part of the building, cleaning, working and then eventually enjoying the 4Runner will make for so many positive outcomes in her life and of course yours.

Where in Cali are you?

Torrance, CA

Awesome! That cleaned up nicely! Good thing about oil leaks: no rust and all bolts under the leak should* not be seized due to oil. But I'd recommend replacing the rack bushings as the oil kills them quickly.

*some still might be rusted tight ie alignment cam sleeves.

I ordered some Polyurethane bushings for the rack and rear sway. Front sway is going away, Going OEM LBJ and JBA UCA's.


Been driving it around, here's some observations:

• It feels like the suspension bottoms out too frequently and struggles to keep the truck stable. Under hard braking she nose dives hard to the driver side, once off the brake, she recollects herself and recenters lol, totally sketchy. Bilsteins/Springs, LBJ, UCA ordered to hopefully remedy this.
  
• It came with two keys when I got it, I dont think there are any OEM locks on this truck at all. I'm going to replace the ignition cylinder temporarily until I can get a set of OEM keys/tumblers set for the whole truck
  
• Gauge cluster lights are so dim, can't see anything at night on the dash. SuperBrightLed's to the rescue!
  
• Radio works, but the speakers are blown, there might be one speaker in decent shape. Headunit / Speakers on the way for these issues.
  
• A/C & Heater work great, but the vent closest to the driver door has very little air flow, like its clogged. I'll have to keep this in mind when I rip into the dash to install new things.

and Thanks to [MENTION=68460]Dezert4Runner[/MENTION] for the super fast shipping on the arm rest!
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I found these on CL:
4.30 Front Diff
4.30 E-Locker Rear Diff
Only if I didn't need to replace so many things, I would have gotten those instead

Have a great Labor Day Weekend everyone

 

[jason275]

Weekend Update, Kiddo wasn't around this weekend, Had too much homework unfortunately

Started by replacing the IACV, I did try to clean it out first, didn't work. Went cheap aftermarket on Amazon.
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Then started to replace the worn/cracked suspension bushings
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I kinda wish I hadn't, but then again I'm glad I did...
Noticed an oil leak...
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Yup, Rear main :doh:

So I began the teardown right away, overnighted the parts so I can knock it out on the weekend (that was the hope anyway)
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Got all the bits out (Kinda like legos! Except I dont wanna play)
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A view I'd rather not see, unless fun modifications call for it:
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All for this little guy
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I failed and did not complete the task, Still have to put everything back together. :faint:

 

[4x3Lander]

Wow, that's impressive jason275! You go all in when you start digging through it all. Really cool work to see.

I too, will replace all my rear end bushings in the next two weekends. Mine look about like or worse than yours.

 

[JZiggy]

[MENTION=140861]jason275[/MENTION] Are you planning to speedi-sleeve the crank where the seal rides? Or just R&R the seal and call it good?

 

[jason275]

Wow, that's impressive jason275! You go all in when you start digging through it all. Really cool work to see.

I too, will replace all my rear end bushings in the next two weekends. Mine look about like or worse than yours.

Thanks, I like to be thorough. As much as possible, I try to do it right, and do it right the first time (but we all know shit happens lol)

[MENTION=140861]jason275[/MENTION] Are you planning to speedi-sleeve the crank where the seal rides? Or just R&R the seal and call it good?

I have not even heard of this speedi-sleeve you mention, I seems interesting though. I just replaced the seal.