Alaskaflyer's Build Take-Over!

alaskaflyer

alaskaflyer

New member
I bought Mellow77's 1999 T4R Limited last month, picked it up in Dallas and drove it to Cape Cod, MA. Instead of copying everything that he's already done I'm going to post a link to his build thread and just continue on with his work.

Here are a few shots from Mellow77's gallery before it became mine.

Toyota 4Runner Forum - Largest 4Runner Forum - Mellow77's Album: Glamor Shots

and here is a link to his build thread.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/106946-mellow77s-build-thread.html

as you can see, a lot of the work has been done already.

I will be updating this as I complete some of my future projects, completed my first upgrade today.



JVC KWAV71BT

I missed the Bluetooth my Tundra had, after some research and coming up with a budget I found this unit. Bluetooth, Satellite and plays iPod apps like NAV. So far I am very pleased with it.

Will be coming up with a list of future mods/projects in the next day or so.

Gary
 
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After spending the last month getting to know my 99, the list is getting longer and has changed from what I would like to do, to what I need to do.

So far problems found:

1. Head gasket and Valve cover gaskets have been leaking for some time based on the amount of caked on oil. My first clue was the smell of burning oil which was easier to notice once I started parking in the garage.

All parts ordered from Camelback Toyota

2. Sway bar mount (RH) broke away from frame.

All new parts ordered along with sway bar relocation kit from 4Crawler

Removed Sway bar, cleaned up corrosion and painted sway bar red to match Toytec Ultimate lift coils!

3. Stance.

LF-37 1/2 RF-38 1/8
LR-38 5/8 RR-39 1/2

4. Exhaust leak and Muffler. The exhaust leaks at CAT, and the muffler needs to go, coming from a V8 Tundra where the exhaust sounds mean, a loud exhaust on the 3.4 sounds almost comical and not to my taste, could be just the brand of muffler (magnaflow) but that is going to be cut out and a new one welded in. I like a deeper than stock sounding exhaust but when it's so loud you can't hear potential issues it becomes a problem.

5. Grille mounts broken off. This will require a new grille, the mounts are broken off and the coating is bubbled and peeling.

On Hold, cosmetic repairs can wait. Also thinking real hard about the Taco front end swap.

6. Radiator prevents Skid plates from being mounted properly. PO replaced the radiator, and tried an electric fan conversion, the radiator sits lower than stock from what I can tell and does not allow proper seating of Skid plate mounting hardware, impact to the skid plate would cause the radiator to be pushed up which kinda defeats the purpose of a skid plate!

OEM radiator and new hoses ordered from Camelback Toyota (are you seeing a trend here? my local dealership can't come close to the prices from Camelback! Sad!

7. Engine Stutter/Misfire? At highway speed, any kind of incline causes the engine to stutter, I'm thinking it's a misfire. I have new spark plugs and wires ready to install but will do that while putting everything back together from the head gasket/valve cover job.

I decided to take some time off of work this summer and do all the engine work at once. Head/Valve cover gaskets/Injectors/Spark plug wires/Spark plugs/assorted gaskets etc... going to send the injectors off to Witch hunter for testing/cleaning.

I figure this is a good place to start and should keep my busy for a bit, kids will be vacationing in SoCal this summer so I will have loads of free time.

I know that a lot will say just run without the sway bar, the problem with that is, this is only going to be mine for a year, then I'm giving it to my daughter for her first car! I'd feel better with the sway bar in place.

While I've got this torn apart I plan on doing some corrosion control and take care of the frame rust etc...

I'm an aircraft mechanic by trade, could explain why I'm so anal about leaks, limits, proper adjustment. It's a sickness!

I will try to keep this updated as I make progress and will post anything else I find along the way.
 
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Starting to regret purchasing this 4Runner! Word of advice when buying off a forum or the internet, be willing and factor in the price of walking away. It's hard to do when you travel so far, when you think you've asked every possible question and gotten every answer, and you trust the person on the other end of the deal. Your standards may be different from the other person involved. I should have walked away! I don't mind doing some work but the amount of work that I'm going to have to do just keeps building, and it's none of the fun stuff! no mods all maintenance related work. I'd like to think I have rotten luck and the PO disclosed everything to me. I understand the risks of buying a used car, it just seems every time I buy used I have to dump a ton of money into them.

Done complaining, going to tear the engine apart! and see how much I am looking at.
 
Damn that sucks. I thought Mellow had a well built rig, but I guess he let some things slip. Hopefully you can get everything back together and start the modding.
 
Just for the record, I'm not accusing him of ripping me off. I'm not going to drag him through the mud here. It is what it is. Just frustrated because this is my DD. And I have to get pretty deep into this thing. If I didn't just have surgery on my back I would ride my bike to work, it's only 1.9 miles, walking will be no big deal.
 
Not 100% on the head gasket, I need to clean up the engine compartment. With my flashlight and a mirror it certainly looks as if there is a leak. Once I get the valve covers off and the area cleaned I will be able to take a better look.
 
I guess I'm in a committed relationship now with my 4Runner. I'm all in! I'm replacing anything and everything that looks even remotely old, worn or just for because I can. This is going to be my daughters first car, I don't want her first car experience to be like mine ('72 VW Super beetle) which broke down religiously on Friday nights! if we had cell phones back then the tow truck driver would have been my #1 speed dial contact!

Just want to say thanks to all the many members here and the write ups including parts lists, saved me a ton of time. Thank You! :bravo:
 
I think I have all necessary items ordered and on the way. I've also ordered a 1" body lift from 4crawler. I am going to get rid of the Sequoia rims and get the SCS 5 star in matte black. Need new tires before winter so once all the work is done I will order some Treadwrights, thought I would try those out. Can't beat the price.

Not starting the work until middle of August, I took a week off of work and kids will be gone so I should be able to start and finish during that week.

If anyone is looking for some Sequoia rims and can wait until September let me know. I have 5 rims.
 
All parts are in. Heading to San Diego for a week, when I get back I will start with the engine work.

I ordered a 1" body lift from 4crawler for better clearance. I pulled the trigger and bought the SCS 5 star in Matte black.

Took the skid plates off today and cleaned all the oil and grime, completely rusted through in a few spots. For now will just paint with POR15 and call it good.

Decided to cover the leather seats with some nice padded seatcovers, the leather isn't in the best shape anyways. I'm also toying with the idea of gutting the interior and getting new carpeting (right around 200 bucks, not bad)

Once I get started I will start a photo journal of my progress.
 
I feel your pain. My 97 is sucking up much more resources than I thought but a huge chunk of it came from general maintenance and refreshing worn items. If you see it through though you will have a terrific truck to last you a long time.
 
Hello and welcome. Post some exterior pics of your new truck. The other build is just that; a different build. Put a few more cool pics in -this- thread.
 
BrianSD_42 said:
Hello and welcome. Post some exterior pics of your new truck. The other build is just that; a different build. Put a few more cool pics in -this- thread.
Click to expand...

Thanks BrianSD, been on here a while, this is my 3rd 4Runner (3rd gen) first build thread though.

Once I start the work that is exactly what I will do. I think I have everything ordered that I am going to need and most of what I "want" is ordered as well!


Thanks

Gary
 
Before



After




I brought the front end up another inch to level it out, new wheels (SCS) and tires (Duratrac 285/75/16) The ride is way better and the Duratracs are much quieter than I imagined.

All the maintenance on my original post is almost complete. While getting the tires installed I noticed my tie rods are shot and need to be replaced.

I have some new seatcovers coming to cover up the cracked leather seats and a complete set of Weathertech's.

This thing is really coming together, I'm glad I stuck with it, invested the time and money required to make it right. Now I need to start saving for front and rear bumpers, sliders.

More pictures to come soon.

Gary
 
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My ITRE and OTRE and ball joint were originally installed by PO in July 2012. These have all failed, I'm not sure if it was because Tacoma parts were installed or what, but several hundreds later all new 4Runner parts are on the way. I didn't really care for the Tacoma tie rod ends and ball joint set up, turning radius was diminished severely, so just a note to anyone considering the Tacoma tie rod/ball joint install, get good at 3 point turns.

My new tires rubs at full lock, I have a 1" body lift in the garage I've been thinking of putting in. I'll most likely trim my fender/flares and see how that works out before I decide to slap on the body lift. My old tires were 285/70/17 and with the installation of the 285/75/16's the truck doesn't look lifted as much as it used to, the tires fill the wheel wells more. Body lift would give me the look and the clearance I like I believe.

This tie rod issue has put my bumpers on hold even longer :frusty:
 
Nice looking truck, sorry about your luck (i'm no poet...)

I do love the sequoia rims on a silver truck (I keep searching for a set locally!).


I thought I made a bad buy when I bought a truck that -still- hasn't had the timing belt and water pump done. Just when I start saving for that, the fuel pump dies!

I can host the pity party if you bring the beverages. :pout:
 
THatfield said:
Nice looking truck, sorry about your luck (i'm no poet...)

I do love the sequoia rims on a silver truck (I keep searching for a set locally!).


I thought I made a bad buy when I bought a truck that -still- hasn't had the timing belt and water pump done. Just when I start saving for that, the fuel pump dies!

I can host the pity party if you bring the beverages. :pout:
Click to expand...

No pity party, all part of owning and loving a 4Runner, no matter how dysfunctional the relationship may be!
 
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