2003 4runner build thread

[AngieJ]

The time finally came to make the decision if I should put anymore money into my truck to keep her on the road. I have a 2003 4runner with 245,000 miles, I cant let it go, so I figured go big or go home.

OEM Toyota 4runner frame
New Core support
OEM Rear end
OEM loaded diff
OEM front and rear stabilizer bar with links
OEM brake lines and gas lines
Gas tank straps
Body Mounts
RT, LT Bracket crossmember 4.0
RT,LT splash shields
Front, rear, LT,RT brake hose and brackets

I found a used half of frame out of junk yard and the rear panhard bar and upper control arms where both intact and barelly rusty. I sanded them down and currently have 2 coats of por15 paint on them. They need couple more coats and they will be good as new. They are turning out awssome.

I went with the toytec ultimate 3 lift. I ordered them silver to match TRD FJ 16's

I put SPC front upper controls arms on and rear lower spc control arms.
I bought OEM lower control arms front the front and painted them silver in the paint both. hard to keep clean adn free of rock chips but they are holding up well.

Factory Skid plate

 

[cpark_12]

Holy crap! So, you're pretty much building your 4Runner from the frame up?! How bad is the rust you have now??

 

[AngieJ]

cpark_12

Ive been trying to rehab my frame for years but its pretty bad. Im from cleveland and the salt is out of control its going to be hard to put it in the snow once im done with it.

I got rust holes every wear. front support where the skid bolts to is hanging on by nothing. my rear upper control arm completelty detached is banging on the gas tank. and where the coils lay on the rear end is so bad. Ive used all the paint and por15 to paint it black to not see the rust and to hold it together as well as I could.

I welded ned brackets on the rear end for the lower control arms, and tried to weld my upper control arms in the rear but there is nothing to weld to anymore

I got my truck paid off a couple years ago and it didnt make sense to me to find a used one in the 10K range and have to start all over.

 

[DEF4Runner]

Gonna build another 2003 year model?

 

[dta1984]

Ive been trying to rehab my frame for years but its pretty bad. Im from cleveland and the salt is out of control its going to be hard to put it in the snow once im done with it.

I got rust holes every wear. front support where the skid bolts to is hanging on by nothing. my rear upper control arm completelty detached is banging on the gas tank. and where the coils lay on the rear end is so bad. Ive used all the paint and por15 to paint it black to not see the rust and to hold it together as well as I could.

I welded ned brackets on the rear end for the lower control arms, and tried to weld my upper control arms in the rear but there is nothing to weld to anymore

I got my truck paid off a couple years ago and it didnt make sense to me to find a used one in the 10K range and have to start all over.

Definitely subscribed to this and will follow along!

I've actually seen your 4runner out a few times.....chesterland giant eagle a few weeks ago and driving on Wilson mills. I'm pretty close by!

 

[AngieJ]

haha that's awesome. The runners are the best

 

[BOFFROAD]

This is awesome. Never thought I would see something like this with a 4th gen on here:shocked:.

 

[Wavesport]

oh my. In love with this thread - from such a non-descript title... You cheeky bastad

Please - where does one find an oem 4runner frame. This seems like an oasis somewhere in the simmering desert of rusty garbage polluting my junkyard. Did you spray the POR or brush coat? Much much kudos!

 

[AngieJ]

Disconnecting everything from the body

Started with the hood, then disconnecting all wires and lines from the engine block. it seemed that removing the front bumper would allow me more room and easier to get to small places

A lot of PB Blaster haha

 

[AngieJ]

2003 Runner

Finished about a month ago, have been fine tuning still. runs beautifully

 

[Tony_SS]

What size KO2's do you have there? I'm drooling...

 

[Sisente]

Damn. Now that is a project. Wish I had the time and money for an project like this. My frame is great, but with just the time and money, I could make mine pretty bad ass.

 

[dta1984]

Wow awesome! Great work!

 

[hobosapien]

Any chance you'll post more process pics?

 

[dkyleb]

This build reeks of effort.


But damn, I am impressed.

 

[Morphyne]

yeah but he works at/owns a collision center. Right up his alley. this is weekend DIY for him.

 

[djtc]

The frame did not look bad at all. I do not think it warranted a whole frame replacement.

 

[Bishops]

Absolutely Subscribed. This is awesome. Can't wait to see all the steps along the way. Good luck, Brother!

 

[dkyleb]

Ive been trying to rehab my frame for years but its pretty bad. Im from cleveland and the salt is out of control its going to be hard to put it in the snow once im done with it.

I got rust holes every wear. front support where the skid bolts to is hanging on by nothing. my rear upper control arm completelty detached is banging on the gas tank. and where the coils lay on the rear end is so bad. Ive used all the paint and por15 to paint it black to not see the rust and to hold it together as well as I could.

As someone with a rusty '04, what are some preventative measures I can take to keep my frame for from processing more? Besides washing lots in the winter and using fluid film, is there anything else I can do?

Wire wheel and POR15 in very rusty areas?

 

[ry_034Runner]

As someone with a rusty '04, what are some preventative measures I can take to keep my frame for from processing more? Besides washing lots in the winter and using fluid film, is there anything else I can do?

Wire wheel and POR15 in very rusty areas?

I used chassis saver on mine (better than por15 imho) its flexible so you can do everything except your exhaust but the stuff is amazing. A gallon covered my whole frame and underbody 4 coats worth. Make sure you let down your spare tire to get everything. All you gotta do is get off the lose rust.