4Running Daily's Build Thread

[BrianSD_42]

post a distance picture .... I bet they will look great.

BTW you just inspired me to visit Sequoia National Park. I've never been to that one although I've seen plenty of giant Redwoods in CA.

About the truck ... if you don't do the work yourself at least go by the Truck Shop and talk to them. Don't go back to the same mechanic as last time.

 

[4Running Daily]

Any night shots yet?

How is the progress coming with the head rebuild?

I'll get a night shot tomorrow. They're sooo much brighter then my headlights. Head rebuild is non-existent. The 4Runner is still drivable because it's a very slow coolant leak. So until my rebuilt engine arrives, it's still my daily driver.

post a distance picture .... I bet they will look great.

BTW you just inspired me to visit Sequoia National Park. I've never been to that one although I've seen plenty of giant Redwoods in CA.

About the truck ... if you don't do the work yourself at least go by the Truck Shop and talk to them. Don't go back to the same mechanic as last time.

I'll post a distance photo tomorrow, I had one on my phone, but I must have deleted it...

For Sequoia, you're gonna wanna see Mineral King, Mystic Cave, Moro Rock, and General Sherman. The camp site I stayed in is called Lodgepole, which is arguably the best one because there is a river that is walking distance, for bathing and such, and there is also a general store there. You can also camp at Mineral King, which I would do for the first night, then drive up to another camp spot farther up the hill.

I'm actually going to order a rebuilt engine from the same company that both your heads were bought from. I'll be doing the motor swap myself.

 

[BrianSD_42]

Sounds good. Just do some research about them before buying. They've got some bad reviews online but my heads seem to still be going strong.

Why a rebuilt engine vs a used one? Rebuilds often cost $3500-$5000.

 

[4Running Daily]

Sounds good. Just do some research about them before buying. They've got some bad reviews online but my heads seem to still be going strong.

Why a rebuilt engine vs a used one? Rebuilds often cost $3500-$5000.

JE is selling their rebuild for about $2,500 out the door. A used engine, that is known to work, is $1,800.

A rebuilt engine from Toyota is only $4,500.

Good to know about JE, I'll check around.

 

[BrianSD_42]

Yeah the Truck Shop says good things and i've had no issues but they do have some vague bad reviews on BBB.

Why do a rebuild?

Why not just by a JE head for $575 and the Toyota gasket kit (which is highly recommended vs other) and try it yourself?

Whatever you do just make sure you have the right tools like micrometer.

 

[4Running Daily]

Yeah the Truck Shop says good things and i've had no issues but they do have some vague bad reviews on BBB.

Why do a rebuild?

Why not just by a JE head for $575 and the Toyota gasket kit (which is highly recommended vs other) and try it yourself?

Whatever you do just make sure you have the right tools like micrometer.

Because it's unsure of the reasoning for the past 3 head gasket failures. No one knows why it's happened 3 times. I could take it somewhere and they could tell me, but at a price. So it's cheaper for me to say screw this entire long block that's in the car now and just buy an engine that is known to work.

 

[4Running Daily]

Night Shots

Low Beams
Untitled by 4Running Daily, on Flickr

High Beams
Untitled by 4Running Daily, on Flickr

Just Ditch Lights
Untitled by 4Running Daily, on Flickr

High Beams + Ditch Lights
Untitled by 4Running Daily, on Flickr

 

[4Running Daily]

Update: just blew a hole in the side of my engine. Passenger side of the engine, the side that has blown head gaskets in the past. I don't know how. I was accelerating onto a freeway at like 3-4k rpm. And then I shifted to 4th and boom

 

[ChildrenOfBodom]

Update: just blew a hole in the side of my engine. Passenger side of the engine, the side that has blown head gaskets in the past. I don't know how. I was accelerating onto a freeway at like 3-4k rpm. And then I shifted to 4th and boom

Wow, it finally committed suicide...

New motor time! Maybe I'm excited too early?

I expect a full documented write up of you installing a new engine.

 

[red-runner]

Sucks about your engine. I went the rebuild route a few weeks back, and it didn't turn out well. I ended up with a JDM engine after the rebuild hydrolocked, but we even took the JDM down to the block (it was filthy), cleaned everything, and put on brand new gaskets. I'd vote for a JDM, if you still haven't made a choice.

Let me know if you need anything. I'm in SoCal too, and have a ton of parts leftover (might even have a long block shortly, since I'm not sure if I'm getting a refund or replacement...)

 

[zgensler31]

Have you looked into the jdm option. Mine has worked out great for me so far, and it was 1200 shipped to my door. Might even be able to get it a little lower since they import straight to cali..

 

[4Running Daily]

I dropped it off at Service Pros in San Marcos. I don't have enough time to deal with an engine swap. I wish I did, but with work and trips soon, I can't do it. Stay tuned for pics.

 

[BrianSD_42]

(Fixed)

Did you see RedRunners thread?

He lives near you and the guys who did his rebuild were a total fraud. Hope its not the guys your paying.

I'm surprised you didn't opt for the used engine swap. Sure it will take a month but you've got multiple wheels

 

[4Running Daily]

(Fixed)

Did you see RedRunners thread?

He lives near you and the guys who did his rebuild were a total fraud. Hope its not the guys your paying.

I'm surprised you didn't opt for the used engine swap. Sure it will take a month but you've got multiple wheels

I am opting for a used engine. The reviews from JE engine scared me off. And I've also seen RedRunner's thread.

 

[zgensler31]

I dropped it off at Service Pros in San Marcos. I don't have enough time to deal with an engine swap. I wish I did, but with work and trips soon, I can't do it. Stay tuned for pics.

come on man. first time doing anything major and I had the motor in and out in less then a week. basically a weekend day, and a couple evenings.

 

[02SE]

Update: just blew a hole in the side of my engine. Passenger side of the engine, the side that has blown head gaskets in the past. I don't know how. I was accelerating onto a freeway at like 3-4k rpm. And then I shifted to 4th and boom

Most likely the headgasket finally let go completely, quickly filling the cylinder with coolant, which hydrolocked that cylinder, breaking the connecting rod, which then knocked a hole in the block.

If I had known you were still driving the truck, I would've suggested not doing so, as what happened was a likely outcome.

Good luck with the engine swap.

 

[Dous]

Sorry to hear that your motor finally crapped the bed. Hopefully they get it righted quickly!

 

[4Running Daily]

My rear main seal was leaking, even though the truck shop "replaced" it in August. And my throw-out bearing was squealing too, again, even though the Truck Shop "replaced" it in August. So at least both those issues are going to be taken care of

 

[LittleCaesar]

No pics? Sorry to hear the bad news Connor.

Well, at least a newer one is on it's way.

 

[4Running Daily]

It still crawls even with a hole in the block.

http://instagram.com/p/phr2LLp0Yi/