And so it begins...4runner revamp!

[MT Tatman]

Well, today I committed and went past the point of no return. Spent about 6 hours removing 30 years worth of grease barnacles, removed shocks, a bunch of other stuff as well. Here goes nothing. Odd time to start, as both my buddy and I are going away for the 4th, but hey, it's going! Next time I drive it, it will be a new beast.....

 

[MT Tatman]

Gotta clear the lift, helps motivation sometimes.... Got the axles out, springs off, drivelines out, and several beers drank in a few hours after work,.....I work til 9pm, so we were done by 12:30am. More tomorrow night, and keep going until it is done. Very exited to do the work right, and get back on the road. My only worry is that by launching the "S.S. Can-o-worms, " my 31" tires may look a bit too small......

 

[MT Tatman]

Another bit of progress. Front spring mounts removed, new ones welded on, front springs in place. A pic of the simulated ride height with 33" tires on 16" wheels rolled in front, to get a rough idea of how it will look. We worked yil about Midnight tonight.

 

[MT Tatman]

We put in a good 12 hours today. the front end going well. Cut off old brackets and shock mounts, got the front axle all gussied up. 2 more days off, hoping to have rear end and steering box done. Make it roll and clear the lift. Then chip away, before and after work. Be back on the road before I know it.
And finally a pic of a Jeep axle next to my 4runner axle........I am glad I have a Toyota, eh?

 

[MT Tatman]

We had to swap out the rear springs for something just a bit beefier, and try 6" shackles instead of 5" ones. The axle center line was about 2" foreword of where it needed to be, and the rear sat way too low in relation to the front. We are hoping to get the rear end moved back and up 2" each way.
All Pro offroad has been an A+ company to deal with. they swapped out springs and shackles, no questions about it. Very helpful team of guys down there. I would send my friends there. Being in a rural state like Montana, and having those fellas just an hour away, is really a great thing. about a half day behind, the rig is still on the lift.... no good there.....but we are still making steps forward. Haven't touched the steering box yet. This is a lot of hours. I love my rig, I love my rig, I love my rig.....it will all work out. Whew!

 

[MT Tatman]

Still sits too low in the rear. By almost 2" still. Tuesday was a total loss. whole days work and we still have to get the biggest springs available...... one more trip, when they get the springs in. We have well over 50 man hours in this so far, and frustration is taking its toll. Taking a few days off to clear the mind. Back at it on Sunday.

 

[MT Tatman]

We installed the IFS steering box today. I also removed the Newer Hyundai seats I put in, and put in a Swanky new/old set of Toyota bucket seats from an old Dolphin camper with only 120,000 miles on it. The seats had covers on them, and they are in really great condition. Soft and springy, BUT, the upholstery is like Grandmas couch. Hello 1982...I'm stoked on them, but they smell like old junkyard interior, if you know what I mean. Thank goodness for open air half doors.

 

[OliverBox]

I am very new to this forum, but I just wanted to say that when I found your thread, I stopped and read all of it. This is amazing.
Your truck is fantastic.
It makes me believe that there is hope for the future of America.
It's a Freedom Wagon.

Thank you for sharing this journey with us.

 

[santanvalleydirt]

"That soft top looks nice.. maybe I should get one for my truck!"

"It's 115 degrees outside you moron."

"Oh yea." :wacko:

 

[MT Tatman]

Fuel tank needs to move in order to weld in new spring mount. So, I scraped off another pound of greasy dirt barnacles from the skid plate....in addition to the many pounds I have already scraped and scrubbed off. In keeping with the standard of "Good God, someone take the camo paint away from him!", I painted the skid plate camo.

 

[MT Tatman]

Still waiting on rear springs from All Pro Offroad, to finish the suspension.....so I tried to spend time chipping away at the little details on my 4runner.
Cut and stained the final interior wood panels. The ones directly behind the seats. One looks a lot like my state, Montana...weird.
Got my oil and water gauges located...just cut out the ash tray and they fit perfect. Altimeter, inclinometer, climate control, shifters, pistol holster. Good to go.
Also installed All new head lights. New halogen set up with the standard PIAA bulbs, and going to install LED blinkers in the '87 style grill I have. They fit perfectly.

 

[MT Tatman]

All Pro called at 4pm, and I jetted down there and picked up my rear springs as they were closing up for the day....WHEW!!!
We got a few little, but important things buttoned up. Containment of crap. My rear deck that replaces my back seat, now has an access hatch to use the space for jumper cables, tarps and junk.
I also bolted down 2 ammo cans to hold other stuff, like straps, bungees, and fluids.
I can honestly say, I THINK I am 2 weekends away from being done with this part of the revamp. Next year is lockers.

 

[MT Tatman]

A picture of the plastic bits in my engine bay, painted camo during engine rebuild. 5,000 miles, lots of puddles and dirt, no washing. Still doing well, and not showing many signs of wear, except for the one rub spot.

 

[MT Tatman]

Rear spring on!! She's sitting pretty, now. Shocks and front driveline next.

 

[MT Tatman]

I got my 2 Zombie Tools mounted on my half doors. also, after all of the spring swapping and re mounting of rear springs, here is a level, on my bed rail.......pretty effin level and worth the time and effort.

 

[MT Tatman]

Rear driveline was just .45 of a degree out of spec. I think once it settles in and drops a bit in height, it'll be great. No vibrations at town speeds. Hoping to get front shocks mounted tomorrow night.

 

[MT Tatman]

Front shocks will have to wait til the weekend. The Jeep bumper looks nice on the rig. Fabricated a mount using the side steel panels from an old floor jack. Worked out great. Oh, and by the way, after this much work on my rig........I HATE THE DEATH WHEELS!!!!!! I can't believe I am still alive!
Also moved the kill switch to a better spot for me............that is to say, if there is a kill switch......

 

[MT Tatman]

Got the rear bump stops done today, until the power went out due to a nice wind storm. So, I got my front bumper painted....

 

[MT Tatman]

The 4runner is taller than the Suburban.......weird.

 

[MT Tatman]

I put the BFGs from the 4runner, on my old Suburban. They ride nice with the stiffer sidewalls in the heavier rig.