And it begins- 98' build up - 5280nrg

[Gerdo]

Welcome.
If you are replacing the rear swaybar links, buy replacements for the front and mount them out back. They are 1" longer and won't limit rear wheel droop like the stock length will. (One inch longer is the magic number, if you went longer, they will hit the lower control arm when stuffing that wheel)

Looks like you went Bilstein. Much better choice than the M brand.

 

[shadow247]

Nice build you got going on.

I am running rear sway links off of a 94 4runner. They are close to hitting the lower links, but I haven't had them hit yet. I haven't tried "stuffing" my tires, but I have taken it to the beach a half dozen times since lifting and there is not one mark from them hitting. I do need new front links though, so I'm thinking to bolt up the rear links I have now to the front and putting some 99 Fronts on the rear sway bar.

 

[5280nrg]

Very glad I finally got around to doing the spark plugs this morning as every single one of them was not even close to being tighten down. All of them were hand tight, and the washers were never even compressed. They all looked fine, but replaced them anyway, just in case there was any kind of "detonation" that may have cracked the plug. one of them was so loose that there was oily black carbon specks around the rim of the plug. Should have better compression across the engine now.

Also cleaned the MAF sensor really good as well as the throttle body.

Did a partial opening in the air box, about a 2" x 6" rectangle, 2/3 of the way up the box at the front. Installed a K&N a week ago as well.

Started it up and it is running amazingly quiet. I will unplug the battery for a few hours tonight to do a "reset". Fill it with gas and see what we get.

With the last tank, I averaged 20.5 MPG, 50/50 city & highway.

 

[rajuncajun]

Rig looks good. I got the same lift setup - what notch do you have your perch set to on your 5100's?

I think it's awesome you got your kid involved. Not enough kids know much about cars nowadays. Even better that he enjoys it.

 

[Fishwerks]

How is school treating you? And what is your degree by the way?

School is school. Much better than the working world if you ask me.

I'm studying geology, with a concentration in geophysics. Probably off to grad school next year for a couple more years of no money and education.

:cheers:

 

[5280nrg]

Rig looks good. I got the same lift setup - what notch do you have your perch set to on your 5100's?

I think it's awesome you got your kid involved. Not enough kids know much about cars nowadays. Even better that he enjoys it.

I have them set on the second notch. My son helped me rebuild a 68 convertible mustang we just sold. He learned so much a about mechanics, money and patience most of all. We camp all the time and he always loved my Jeep, so when I sold it he was bummed. Now that he knows he will have a 4Runner of his own that he is now helping to build, it means so much more to him... though he wants to spend way too much of my money on it. LOL So do I, but logic and finacial stability are way too important. In time it will be as nice as many of the rigs on this forum. I just keep dreaming.

 

[5280nrg]

School is school. Much better than the working world if you ask me.

I'm studying geology, with a concentration in geophysics. Probably off to grad school next year for a couple more years of no money and education.

:cheers:

Good to hear! You will not be short of a job when you get out, thats for sure, and I completely understand the "no money" part. I got my two degrees in 6, and when I was done, my wife went and got her Masters. All I can say is OUCH for many years of eating Ramen, and working two jobs. Totally sucked! But would not change a thing; can't beat education.

 

[5280nrg]

The 18" Magnaflow muffler is finally on its way along with a Purilator Fuel filter. Should be able to clean up a bunch of the underside this week. In addition to replacing the diff fluids. (judging by the look of the drain plugs, it most likely has not been done in at least 100K. The transmission had been flushed about 20k ago)

I am also having the Midas shop that is welding on the muffler and the new tip, run thru the drum brakes to make sure everything is solid back there too.

When complete, I should have everything buttoned up for the winter. Any suggestions for additional items to look at?

 

[5280nrg]

Started painting all the emblems, rear window deflector and center wheel caps today. I did them in Gun Metal Grey. I will be painting the wheels the same color throughout the rest of the week and weekend. I will also be painting the grill parts that are faded black.

Will have Front and Rear Plate bumpers by spring painted the same. I also painted the License plate trim to match the rockers and wheel flares. I thought it would look better than the totally mismatched dark grey. It will also help the "4Runner" emblem which I did in Gun Metal as well to stand out. Here is the results:

I will end up repainting the wheel flares and rocker molding as well to brighten it up... Now the question is, the B pillars are faded and scratched, should I paint them the same color? Or just repaint them Matte Black? Opinions?

Its raining now but when the rain/snow clears up I will shoot some pictures.

 

[5280nrg]

Found my rear heater lines were leaking and just about to burst. Had to do the loop back on the lines for a temp fix. I will replace the lines as soon as I can.

Man, it seems that everything on this vehicle is corroded. I thought a Toyota would be made with better corrosion protection??? I realize that it was my mistake to not inspect it closer, but this will be the last vehicle I every buy that has been driven outside of Colorado.

Oh well, I should have everything fixed/replaced/modified by the spring/summer. I have to admit, it is a great looking 4WD!!!

Up next: Painting the wheels, muffler and tip install on Sat, security system install, and I'm building sliders

 

[5280nrg]

Was able to get two wheels painted yesterday afternoon/evening. I think they turned out pretty good! I used Dupli-Color Etching Primer (two coats), Gun Metal Gray (3 coats) and the gloss Wheel Topcoat (3 coats) My hands are aching but it was worth it.

Here is a closeup

 

[Gerdo]

The wheels look awesome. I like the color.

 

[5280nrg]

The wheels look awesome. I like the color.

Thanks! They will look even better when I get the 285's on there!! Just have to do the other two today. Weld on the Muffler tomorrow, and then relax on the mods for a while... well at least while Im building my sliders. LOL

I can tell this will be a never ending story...

 

[Volley]

Those wheels turned out great!

 

[Scotty_h]

Nice looking ride there brother. Nice to see a fellow geologist cruising in a proper vehicle. :thumb3: Lift and wheels both fit the truck well. Don't be too hard on your rust issues. It looks like your body is in great shape. Mine is the other way around where the body has cancer here and there ( rear bumpber and wheel well) while the underside is clean. All about how someone cared for it. Kudos on the truck.

 

[5280nrg]

The second two wheels turned out far better the first! I will need to go back and reshoot the clear on the first two. This is the difference in painting at night in a poorly lit garage and full daylight. I'm being picky, but I can see the diff. and it will drive me nuts.

Started designing the sliders tonight. I will be doing square tube with rounds for the step/door protector as this is the metal stock that I have from a previous project; won't need to buy much. I might have also lucked into to some 1 1/4" round stick for a roof rack I want to make, which will mount directly to the rails to keep it LowProfile. I also found a resource for mandrel bends for the rack that are pretty cheap (well just a trade for a painting I did).

And I thought I would be done. Haha

Thanks for the compliments on the wheels, my bleeding finger tips appreciate it. :cheers:

 

[5280nrg]

Picked up a 99 center console today and got it installed. Just have to extend the wires a bit and install the rear window switch and the "go go" button. I may just put them on the lower panel below the ignition switch???

BTW, what is the weird pocket for? the one right beside the brake lever? Has anyone just put a plate in there for the switches to mount to?

I also grabbed an extra 12V plug and cap from the rear of the 99, I want to replace the cig lighter with it. Will try to clean up the electrical this weekend, along with new bulbs for the shifter and various dash areas.

 

[5280nrg]

I saw a 2005 Sequoia that had my same rims??? I thought they were from a Tacoma but I guess not. Anyway, finally got a few more items finished up. I pulled the wiring from a CD changer that was mounted terribly at the back of the storage area. I was also able to get the section of the lower dash below the ignition coated in rubberized undercoating to stop the wicked annoying scraping of the keys. Cheap easy fix.

I also reattached the rattling heat shelds, lubed all the drive shaft zirks, and picked up some power steering fluid to do the "turkey baster" flush. Should be able to get that and the transmission flush finished this weekend.

Its cold and raining/snowing this weekend so I might just wait until mid week to do it. At least that is my excuse for being lazy.

Or I could just go find some mud and goof around. :biggrin2:

 

[5280nrg]

I've been posting some of the stuff I did in other threads, so I thought I would keep a running history on this tread.

Some of the things I did over the last 3 weeks:

I had to replace the entire exhaust system from the CAT back. Spent way too much money on a Walker Ultra Fit Cat (complete unit from the exhaust manifold to the muffler collector). It turned out to be a piece of garbage, so I cut the OEM pipe just after the forward O2 sensor plate, cut the new pipe in the same spot and just married the old with the new. I then connected all the "new" pipes using new exhaust gaskets and bolts/nuts.

I also discovered that the rear O2 sensor was broken so I replace it with a Bosche unit. Left the battery off over night and then started it up in the morning with a fresh ECU.

Overall, it has better throttle response, less smelly exhaust, and I can already tell I am getting better MPG. Its quiet, as the "new" muffler was stock, but I am fine with that.

Ill run down and snap some pics and post them in a few.

 

[jmildoc]

looks good man! Really like the tail lights and how you painted your rear bezel.