And so it begins...4runner revamp!

[slowpoke99]

Absolutely not! I'm the same way. Hell, I started building my runner last year in March and I'm still not done. I figured if I was gonna put as much time and money into it, I might as well build it right the first time. I did get it out for last years hunting season but it went right back into my shop to wrap up some other major parts of my build soon after. Some don't understand the pride we put in to our rigs. And personally I don't really care what others think because I hear it to from others who aren't into what we do. But when they're broke down somewhere waiting to be towed or spending all their money to have someone else put in the wrench time to fix their junk, I'm kicking back smiling knowing that my rig is well built and I don't have to depend on someone else to keep it running. Keep doing what you're doing man! :cheers:

 

[KidVermicious]

Talked to a fella today about this project, and he saw the basket of bolts in my pic w/ the toothbrush, and asked about that. I explained that I had soaked all of the hardware in degreased and scrubbed them clean as could be. I also told him about painting "everything" camo, even my exhaust manifold, which will be covered by a heat shield and not really visible...He asked me why I would waste all of this time on stuff that nobody is going to see, and that it will all be dirty as soon as I hit the hills with it. Also, that I could have had this new motor in weeks ago if I wasn't wasting my time on all this stuff.
All I had to respond with was a blank stare.....Maybe some folks approach projects differently, but I always try to do it right, the first time, and have the mentality of, if it's worth doing, it's worth doing right.....when else will I have this opportunity to make my 29 year old 4runner this happy??
Maybe I am a bit OCD, or maybe folks are just different. Am I nuts here, or what??

Screw him. It's your truck, not his.

 

[MT Tatman]

Headed over to my buddies shop now for the final push on this motor!!! Still waiting on the radiator, but we'll get the motor in this evening.....Hopefully! If not, we both have tomorrow to work as well. Wish me luck! here we go!:wink2:

 

[MT Tatman]

Well, we made progress. Didn't get the FI on before installing the motor, but we got the sucker in! Tomorrow we continue, and plan on being able to test drive it tomorrow evening. It's finally happening!:hello:

 

[MT Tatman]

Well, we made progress. Didn't get the FI on before installing the motor, but we got the sucker in! Tomorrow we continue, and plan on being able to test drive it tomorrow evening. It's finally happening!:hello:

 

[jgilk1]

Talked to a fella today about this project, and he saw the basket of bolts in my pic w/ the toothbrush, and asked about that. I explained that I had soaked all of the hardware in degreased and scrubbed them clean as could be. I also told him about painting "everything" camo, even my exhaust manifold, which will be covered by a heat shield and not really visible...He asked me why I would waste all of this time on stuff that nobody is going to see, and that it will all be dirty as soon as I hit the hills with it. Also, that I could have had this new motor in weeks ago if I wasn't wasting my time on all this stuff.
All I had to respond with was a blank stare.....Maybe some folks approach projects differently, but I always try to do it right, the first time, and have the mentality of, if it's worth doing, it's worth doing right.....when else will I have this opportunity to make my 29 year old 4runner this happy??
Maybe I am a bit OCD, or maybe folks are just different. Am I nuts here, or what??

sounds like the kind of response you get from aome one who eithere A. likes making car payments or B. buys a new car every 5years due to the old one being rusty and falling apart

 

[MT Tatman]

Whooop! IT IS ALIVE!!!!

 

[MT Tatman]

Well, I'm driving the 4runner again!!! Runs great.....so quiet, no more sounding like a diesel motor! Silky smooth clutch as well. Super happy with the results here.
Now to save the cash for high steer kit and new shocks......:wave:

 

[MT Tatman]

Drove to work today!! After running for a bit, the little "put-put" sound has gone and it runs very smoothly.
All of that scrubbing seems well worth it. I went through a couple toothbrushes and gunked up a couple of wire brushes, and used my fair share of degreaser...Don't worry, the second pic was taken after my first attempt, I got the rest of that crud out of there!!!

 

[MT Tatman]

Breaking in the new motor nicely. Did my first oil change on it today, after about 100 miles of driving. Planning in regular 5w-30 for the first 3 oil changes (at 2,000 miles each) before moving to synthetic motor oil. Oil that came out looked great, pretty dark due to the break in fluids and junk,( high graphite content) but she runs "Like a Top!"
New speedo cable, and dug out the altimeter/angle/ dashboard thingy from a 4runner we previously salvaged, that will be mounted next time though.
Also got out the scrapped interior panels to use as templates for home-made wooden panels.
Remaining list is, 1st, High steer kit, 2nd, new shocks, Bilstein has some nice ones that I have good recommendations of, for my applications. 3rd is new bucket seats from Summit racing. Saw some that I liked for a decent price.
I have really noticed a much wider range of power in my motor. When going up the mountains, second gear really eats it up now!!! Good from approx., 15mph all the way to 35mph+ with great power!!! This cam seems great. I need to learn to shift later now. Very happy so far.

 

[MT Tatman]

I will also be using the rear end from our salvaged 1986 4runner, and using the doors w/vent windows to cut into a sort of Half door. Using snap on windows while still having vent windows for colder/wet weather. This way I can have the windows snapped on and still ventilate. Probably won't be as nice looking as doing a typical half door, but foul weather vent windows, while having the windows on seems like a good thought. Most likely, I will run them year round, even through our Montana winters. Cold-Schmold!!!

 

[KidVermicious]

I will also be using the rear end from our salvaged 1986 4runner, and using the doors w/vent windows to cut into a sort of Half door. Using snap on windows while still having vent windows for colder/wet weather. This way I can have the windows snapped on and still ventilate. Probably won't be as nice looking as doing a typical half door, but foul weather vent windows, while having the windows on seems like a good thought. Most likely, I will run them year round, even through our Montana winters. Cold-Schmold!!!

That's a kickass idea. I'm gonna steal it.

 

[MT Tatman]

Topped off the fuel tank today for the first time since putting in the new motor. Soooo........that means "Gas mileage check" on the new motor. We drove approx. 50 miles today. 20 highway, 20 mountain gravel roads and 10 in town. I'm not trying to get the best mileage, just driving how/where I usually do to see what I can expect from real life driving.
Not sure if it even matters yet, as the motor has less than 200 miles on it and still needs to settle in for a few hundred more miles....but, what the heck.
I took it up to 65mph on the highway today, and was mostly in 2nd gear in the mountains.

 

[MT Tatman]

Well, after a bit more driving, mostly in 2nd gear around town and on the dirt mountain roads, Huckleberry picking, I topped off the tank again. Math shows me that I got 18mpg. Not too bad! Next I'll have to put on the highway miles and see how she does then. Curious to see how much I can get if I go all "tenderfoot" with it.

 

[MT Tatman]

We went for a nice trip today to pick Huckleberries. About an hour each way on secondary highways doing 55-70 mph, and a good 30+ miles up double track mountain roads. We typically go from 3400ft to 7000ft elevation on these little outings. These mountain roads were an even split for 1st and 2nd gear usage, all in 2wd.
Tomorrow is Elk scouting up to 8,000ft elevation or so, and we will be using 1st gear a lot!!! Steep slide rock mining roads and unmaintained forest service roads....Mandatory around here to carry the usual shovel, saw, fire extinguisher type of equipment for these types of roads. Not sure what other places say, but they all seem like common sense items.
I don't want to say "Need" but I need a winch added to my recovery plan....I haven't "Needed" one yet, but it really is smart to have where I hunt.
Anywho, the new motor is noticeably more powerful and "strong" on the uphill mountain roads. On the secondary highways it also has a better range of power/rpm than before. I am trying to get decent mileage on the highway, but I still need to vary my speeds while I break in the new motor, so I think, even with my performance head, overbored cylinders and crawler cam, I can get a steady and typical 18-22mpg with it.
Very pleased so far.

 

[MT Tatman]

Some happy pics. Huckleberries, and our Huckleberry hounds.

 

[KidVermicious]

Mmm, huckleberries. You suck. Berry season here is about a week and there's too many pickers and not enough berries.

 

[MT Tatman]

OK, one of the doors has a vent window that was FUBAR. So I went for symmetry and removed both vent windows.....disappointingly.....anyway, I got halfway done today. I got them cut out and I left the upper trim for future snap-on windows. It will be at least 2 weeks until I have days off to mess with it further, but here are my half doors so far. (from parts rig). I am planning on putting cup holders in them as well.

 

[MT Tatman]

Just saw a good video on making quick release door hinges....so I'll be doing that as well.

 

[MT Tatman]

Today I cut out new interior panels for the rear of the 4runner. I currently have original beat up panels on the doors and immediately behind front seats, where seat belts go through. I have been missing the rear most panels that are above the wheel wells and back to the tailgate for the past 4 years. I have enjoyed using the space inside the rear fenders as storage space. Alas, now I feel compelled to "finish off" the interior. I plan on making the 15" square panel area, closest to the tailgate, behind the wheel well, into an open able/cabinet door style storage access.
Also putting cup holders in the tailgate panel, so that when me and my awesome lady are sitting on the tailgate, watching the sunset from a mountain top....we don't spill our beers!
Having your significant other be supportive of these projects helps a lot! I'm a lucky fella that way, and she sure hates a spilled beer!
Edit: oh, I used thin plywood paneling that I will stain/waterproof and finish/paint the edges, as my Softopper allows water to drip into the rig.
The panels for the half doors will also be wooden.