4Runnin2000 "FAM4RNR" Build Thread

[4Runnin2000]

4Runnin2000 "FAM4RNR& amp;amp; amp;amp; amp;quot ; Build Thread

Well I think it's about that time. I have been looking through build threads on this forum forever. Time to post mine I guess. When I first bought the 4runner it was for my wife. She wanted an suv and really liked the body style of the 3rd Gens with the "painted flares that match the body." After looking everywhere and test driving this one in July 2010 she fell in love and we bought it for 8900 out the door. It had 107k on the odo was in near new condition and had a clean carfax. Couldn't beat it! I never thought I would want to start building this thing up. I was a car guy! Owned a couple Subarus and knew absolutely nothing about trucks or lifts. Always lowered my vehicles. So let's just say it took a long time for me to realize how awesome these things were! Didn't really start modding it til maybe a couple years ago.

Here it is when we first bought it. July 2010

How it sits now

Interior:
JVC double din head unit
Pioneer 6.5" component front speakers
Sony Xplode(don't do it) in the rear
Garmin gps
LED interior light kit(dome, map, cargo)
15% tint all around made it limo on back
Limo tint Windshield strip

Exterior:
Reese cargo rack
Nilight led fog lights with diy mounts
Trimmed mudflaps
Limited nerf bars
Monroe rear door lift supports

Suspension and tires:

Front: Tacoma Bilstein 5100s on second perch, OME 881s, revtek front diff drop
Rear: Tundra Bilstein 5100s and OME 890s, toytec panhard drop kit
265/75/16 Firestone ATs

Engine:

Deck plate Mod
Air Raid intake and oem filter
New Denso MAF sensor
New plugs from dealer with ngk blues
New denso a/c compressor and dryer
New OEM drive belts



Misc maintenance:

OEM Lbjs
OEM outer tie rods
reman steering rack
New rack bushings
New Denso front O2 sensor
OEM fuel filter








Hot in Arizona. Had to tint the windows first. A before and after

Went 15% all around which made the rears basically limo. And had the limo windshield strip put on.

The tires were pretty worn when we bought it so that was first. Like I said, didn't mod it yet. And the wife wanted comfort. So highway tires it is... Looking back smh Big o tires installed.

Had a buddy of mine show me how to get her dirty for the first time! Loved it!

 

[4Runnin2000]

Next was the usual running board removal

Which led to a little more fun with my buddy and his 2nd gen. Headed out to Saguaro Lake through the Butcher Jones Trail. first time getting her on 3 wheels. All stock setup and highway tires.

But my wife is pretty little so I found some limited side bars on Craigslist for cheap and put those on

 

[4Runnin2000]

We took a break for a while on the fun. Ran into some financial stuff. Lost my job in the economic crap that went on in 08. Got back on our feet. Got married in 2011 and in 2012 we added this mod to the Runner

So needless to say the money started going towards that and not so much into the fun stuff. But still did a few things to it. I did the isr mod with the air raid that I got in exchange for a wax job on my step dad's truck. Good deal! And I did the deck plate mod! Wish I did it when I first bought it! Nice difference.

And you can see in the picture that I also did new wires and plugs. Ngk blues. Dressed up the engine a little bit.
After this I did some maintenance on it. Did the drain and fill on the tranny. Changed out all the differential fluids.

 

[4Runnin2000]

Just little things here and there for a while. I wasn't very good at documenting because I didn't have a build thread at the time. Wasn't even sure what that was! Lol. Couple years went by and about a year ago, the AC compressor started making a lot of moaning noise. I thought it could be the belts. So I replaced all of the drive belts with oems. Too much money. Looking back now I would have just gotten the Gates belts.

But that didn't fix the problem. Was hoping for the cheap resolution. Guessing it was the bearings on the clutch? Wasn't sure. Didn't wanna mess with a rebuild so I got a new denso unit on amazon and installed that. Along with a new denso dryer.

Put it all together and took it to an auto shop close by to vacuum and recharge. No leaks. This was my first major wrenching job on this thing. It was nice to see it turn out ok.

Added a new stereo. Wanted the double din so went with a jvc (which will probably be replaced soon with newer technology) and mounted the Garmin next to it.

 

[4Runnin2000]

The highway tires finally wore out and I threw on some 265/75/16 Firestone ATs. One size bigger and the all terrain made it look a lot better!

I was bored one day and decided to plastidip the grill and bottom of the bumper. Not sure why I did it but I ended up liking the look. Going to do the Satoshi Grill in the near future so I'll just leave it for now.

And a little before and after

Made it look a little sportier up front. And a little like the 5th Gens.

 

[4Runnin2000]

I also went through and painted all the black trim and roof rack with a high heat rustoleum engine paint. Works great in the hot desert. Sorry the rig was a little dusty in these pics.

And a little cheesy but I didn't want to drill holes so I zip tied a holster under the steering wheel. Gets the job done and you can't really see the zip ties

 

[4Runnin2000]

Then the fun stuff started coming in

After A LOT of research mainly on this forum I went with 4runner 5100s and ome 881s up front with topout spacer and front dif drop, 5100s in the rear with ome 890s and Panhard bar drop bracket.
When I got the lift I was working a crazy amount of hours and honestly didn't have the time to install. I also wasn't sure if I could do it. So I gave all the parts to Desert Rat in Phoenix and had them install it all about 6 months ago. Sucky thing is that while doing the lift they noticed the rack was leaking pretty bad and had a lot of play in it. Showed me also. So to save the labor I had them throw a remanufactured oem one in while they had it up in the air. The finished product was awesome!

I liked the way it looked. But after a few months the back really started to get lower than the front. So I took the topout spacer out of the fronts. On my own. And I realized I could have easily done the lift myself! Ugh! Now I know I guess.

 

[4Runnin2000]

After lurking around this forum I figured Lbjs and OTREs were next on the list.
This job was a lot easier than I thought it was going to be. Took maybe a couple hours start to finish. They really didn't look too bad but it was worth the piece of mind with the wife and daughter in it all the time.

The new and old

And all installed and good to go!

We were getting ready to go on a camping trip soon and needed the rear cargo area for the dog mostly so I needed a roof basket now. I really wanted the Rola but I took too long and it wouldn't have been in in time. So I went to Walmart and got the Reese one. It was on clearance for 79. Good enough for now! Actually like how it looks. Not too small like I was afraid of! And it holds 150 lbs. Enough for some firewood and bags and chairs and the tent. And I wanted to get some lights for camping back roads at night so I got some cheapie led fog lights with great reviews on amazon with prime shipping had them the day before we left! And installed those too! And again. Didn't really photograph the install. Eh. Here it is all installed in the garage. I didn't even check to see if it would fit in the garage before I installed everything. Lol. Luckily it did. Clears by about an inch. Whew!

And some photos of the excursion. Went up to Coconino national forest. Just north of Sedona past oak Creek Canyon. Nice country out there!

And a shot of the lights on.... Need to do a retrofit soon I think. Make the headlights look real yellow!

 

[SLO_Rob]

::thumbs up::

Looks great, man!

 

[4Runnin2000]

Looks great, man!

Thank you

 

[Cuco]

[emoji106][emoji122]

 

[4Runnin2000]

I got some TRD stickers in yesterday. I know some don't like them but I've always liked the look of them on the 3rd Gen. I got them on eBay for $12.50 shipped. Why not? I couldn't wait and threw them on yesterday. I used the paper method to line it up thanks to SURF RUNNER.
Line a piece of computer paper up with the body line above the bumper. Then line the sticker up with that.

Turned out great! They are about 1/2 off of the Tail light.

 

[habskater11]

truck looks great. I was thinking about grabbing a walmart rack because I only need it every once in a while. Looks great.

 

[4Runnin2000]

truck looks great. I was thinking about grabbing a walmart rack because I only need it every once in a while. Looks great.

Thanks you! Yeah. I mean at first I was nervous about it. But it comes with rubber sleeves and rubber washers to seal all points that water can get in. And it actually is really sturdy for what it is. And that sticker peels right off. Like you said, We don't use it enough to spend the money on a gobi or anything. It does good for what it is.

 

[habskater11]

Thanks you! Yeah. I mean at first I was nervous about it. But it comes with rubber sleeves and rubber washers to seal all points that water can get in. And it actually is really sturdy for what it is. And that sticker peels right off. Like you said, We don't use it enough to spend the money on a gobi or anything. It does good for what it is.

me only plan in the future is to buy an awning I wonder if it will mount to it. I haven't done the research yet since it's not happening that soon.

 

[4Runnin2000]

me only plan in the future is to buy an awning I wonder if it will mount to it. I haven't done the research yet since it's not happening that soon.

Yeah I haven't checked into that. It Might not because the rack isn't very long. But maybe the mounts can be moved on the awning? Not sure

 

[Jhelms]

Looks good - good to see another local!

 

[AZBub]

Now you guys just have to keep an eye on the posts in the Southwest clubs section. I think we are going up to Sedona the end of this month.

 

[4Runnin2000]

Now you guys just have to keep an eye on the posts in the Southwest clubs section. I think we are going up to Sedona the end of this month.

Yeah I saw that in there. I start call that Friday the 1st for a week at work. So I'm not going to be able to get out there. I think I'm gonna get up there the end of April though.

 

[AZBub]

Montana mountain is apparently recommended in June due to all the desert flowers in full bloom. Keeps the wives pre-occupied. Just an FYI for an easy day trail.

I think there is a group doing some sort of camp trip up north the end of April. Don't forget the Overland Expo up at Mormon Lake in May.