Ace's 1998 4Runner Build Thread

[_Ace_]

I decided to get a 3rd Gen 4Runner as my daily driver and occasional mountain exploration vehicle so I searched for a western states truck.

Requirements were little to no rust, a 5 speed manual and an E-locker. Factory leather seating was also on my list.

A nice looking 1998 SR5 popped up on Craigslist and after talking to the owner I decided to make the deal. We agreed upon a price and date for the sale and I reserved a Uhaul trailer to pick it up. It was in the western side of Colorado so that meant towing it up & over 2 high passes in the Rockies to the eastern side of the state- my 2003 Suburban should be able to do it.

The 1998 T4R had 226K miles, a 5 speed manual, 4.30 E-locker rear diff, leather seats, OEM floor mats in perfect shape, premium stereo with CD, rear cargo cover, new tires on 16 inch wheels, black OEM fender flares, running boards and an older Yakima roof rack. It also came with maintenance records from day 1, the owner's manuals and the window sticker. The vehicle was is great shape and had been well cared for.

From the listing -

 

[_Ace_]

a few more pics -

 

[_Ace_]

After completing the sale I loaded it up on the trailer and headed east -

 

[_Ace_]

It was beautiful day for the trip -

 

[_Ace_]

Some pics once I got it home -

 

[_Ace_]

List of Maintenance, Mods and Upgrades to do-

- <s>install 17 inch OEM Wheels
- install 17 inch tires
- replace lower ball joints
- remove running boards
- 13WL Tundra Brake Upgrade
- flush brake & clutch fluid
- 1999 - 2002 Center Console swap
- Complete Stereo upgrade
- install new front seat leather
- install Weathertech floor liners
- LED interior ceiling lighting
- upgrade Anti Sway bar bushings to polyurethane
- upgrade Steering rack bushings to polyurethane
- install magnetic oil drain plug
- replace upper & lower radiator hoses & flush coolant
- install Airaid intake tube
- service axles, manual transmission & transfer case
- replace stereo antenna mast
- install Weathertech hood deflector
- replace fan clutch
- replace liftgate struts
- install rear differential breather mod
- install rock sliders
- install roof rack</s>
- tint front door windows
- install 1999 tall springs & new shocks
- replace all suspension bushings

 

[_Ace_]

Status of the 4Runner when I brought it home -

- Timing belt/water pump/pulleys - completed at 187K miles (39K miles back)
- Shocks - Billstien, R&R at 151K (75K miles back)
- Clutch - R&R at 160K (66K miles back)
- most normal maintenance items up to date

 

[_Ace_]

1st thing - wheels and tires :nod:

I needed to go to 17 inch wheels to make room for the Tundra (13WL) brake calipers and I liked the OEM wheels on the newer 4Runners.

So I bought a set on Craigslist for $300 and took them to Discount tire to get the new General APT tires mounted-

 

[_Ace_]

I also bought a 5 year old OEM 17 inch Tacoma spare steel wheel + tire in the same size.

I like the General APT tires as a good all around snow rated tire. For my use they will do everything I need them to do.

After mounting -

 

[_Ace_]

Next - remove the running boards -

 

[_Ace_]

I installed the rare front mud guards that I picked up at a local salvage yard.

 

[Silver.T4R]

Nice build! What are your thoughts on the alpine ilx-507? Been thinking of switching to it, and remember you had posted about installing it in another thread. Looks like a super clean truck and look forward to seeing whats to come.

Sent from my Pixel 7 Pro using Tapatalk

 

[_Ace_]

I really like the Alpine iLX-507!

It works great with my iPhone 15, connects to Apple Carplay wirelessly and so far it's been flawless. I responded to and created text messages via voice and it was amazing how well it worked.

The audio settings for the equalizers are different than I am used to but easy to learn.

I bought the head unit from Crutchfield as well as the Kicker speakers and JBL BassPro Nano subwoofer that I put under the drivers seat.

I bought a Kenwood KAC-M1814 4-Channel Compact Bridgeable Marine/Motorsports 400W Max Power Digital Amplifier from Amazon (it was $50 cheaper than Crutchfield) and installed it in the same place the OEM amp was installed.

Sound is very good though I do wish I had steering wheel controls. Alpine does sell a bluetooth volume knob and I'd buy it if it also allowed you to go forwards and backwards when listening to a file on the USB.

 

[_Ace_]

Next task was to install a replacement grille that I bought off of Amazon -

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07GLBGXZG/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Before I installed it I found a video where anothe T4R owner replaced his and he had to file the posts a bit to make them fit - so did I. Here is his video -

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/4-F1H0u0dgs?si=7CoTy-wYr0NXoBG2" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe>

After I completed that I replaced the interior bulbs with LEDs -

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09TBGCY3V/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1

I had two of the mini bulbs burnt out behind the A/C panel so I ordered some green LED replacements...but they were too bright and didn't dim well. Ordered and installed OEM Toyota bulbs and that fixed that issue.

I also installed a set of clear turn signals in the front bumper-

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B074QDRC3N/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

They have amber bulbs and work well.

The last thing I did in that day was to install a new air filter.

 

[_Ace_]

My next task was the front leather seat covers.

There were two rips in the drivers seat and upon closer inspection I found the 25 year old leather on the passenger seat to be hard and cracked so I ordered sets for both front seats and a seat cushion for the drivers seat -

Search Results Page | usautoseatcover

I also ordered a some hog ring pliers and hog rings to install the covers -

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0C1MFNWDW/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I watched a few videos on replacing 3rd gen seat covers and found that it was really not difficult at all.

The results -

 

[_Ace_]

Next project was the stereo install.

I wanted a double DIN head unit with wireless Apple Carplay, USB ports for storage of music files and good reviews. Normally I go with Pioneer but I kept seeing connection issues in reviews with them as well as others. One unit that didn't seem to be in that group was the Alpine iLX-507 so I looked for reviews and found this knowledgable pro's take on it very informative -

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/5a_N_70Vx50?si=EFYYz150n1IKJOQR" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe>

I like that it had physical buttons as well as the touch screen -

 

[_Ace_]

I ordered the iLX-507, speakers and subwoofer from Crutchfield. They include the wiring harnesses for the head unit and speakers as well as speaker adapter plates for the speakers. A master sheet for installation was also included.

With the iLX-507 being the center of the system I next decided on Kicker DS series speakers for the doors.

Kicker 43DSC6704 DS Series 6-3/4" 2-way car speakers for the front doors and Kicker 43DSC504 DS Series 5-1/4" 2-way car speakers for the rear doors.

For a subwoofer I went with a JBL BassPro Nano to round out the system. It is a small unit that fits right under the drivers seat.

To help provide a better signal I bought a Kenwood KAC-M1814 4-Channel Compact Bridgeable Marine/Motorsports 400W Max Power Digital Amplifier from Amazon (it was cheaper). This small amplifier fit nicely where the original Toyota was located.

Installation was pretty straightforward. I soldered up the wiring harnesses for the head unit and the amplifier and then removed the old components. Since the OEM amp is no longer needed it was removed and the Kenwood amp put in it's place. I secured it with HD velcro tabs.

The rear door speakers were an easy replacement using the included adapters. The front door speakers required a little more work as the speaker wiring adapter cables didn't take the Toyota tweeters into account so I has to solder those wires into the main speaker wiring.

For a backup camera I bought this Natika backup camera. It can be flush mounted and comes with a holesaw. I installed it in the bumper above the hitch-

 

[_Ace_]

For the USB access I installed this dual USB port in the place of the cigarette lighter -

This connects to the back of the head unit and allowed me to plug in a small Samsung USB drive with all of my music files. The second can be used for charging or data.

I then installed this triple USB/voltmeter/Power outlet in the place of the ash tray. It has 3 USB outlets for charging and one 12v outlet for other accessories-

I powered the outlets by connecting it to the original cigarette outlet wiring. It is switched HOT so will only work with the key on.

Next to that I installed the subwoofer control unit -

 

[_Ace_]

As you can see in the backup cam bumper pic I have a LED tail light plugged into the receiver. I bought this one from Amazon -

When I plugged it in I found that it didn't work so I tested it on my Suburban and it worked fine. I found that the Toyota trailer wiring controller was dead so I replaced it with this Hopkins kit- plug & play and works great.

 

[_Ace_]

With 226K miles and no record of the lower ball joints being replaced I decided it was time to do that job as preventative maintenance.

I used Toyota ball joints and Toyota black bolts.

Good info on the bolts - Choosing Lower Ball Joint (LBJ) Bolts – ADVENTURETACO

When that was done I replaced the front & rear anti-sway bar & steering rack bushings using Energy Suspension polyurethane kits. I found the nut used to secure the vertical bolt on the steering rack had been wrenched free of the frame so I had to weld that back on before finishing that part of the job.

Afterwards I took the T4R to a Toyota dealer and had a wheel alignment done.