AZ4FNER's Build Thread

[AZ4FNER]

1998 Desert Dune Limited

Today:

Day One:

Purchase price in August 2011: $5800 with ~198K miles (TB/WP done at ~147K)

Updates and modifications:
+ K&N filter - $65
+ Koyo 1998A Radiator - $125
+ B&M 70264 SuperCooler - $66
+ Optima Red Top Battery - $230 - too much $ I know...
+ Toyota Red Antifreeze - $35
+ Toyota ATF - $35
+ Brake Fluid - $6
+ Fuel injector cleaner - $20
+ Transfer case seals (Inner & Outer) - $20
+ OEM LBJ's - $180
+ OEM Fuel filter- $30
+ Misc interior/exterior trim pieces - $100
+ Sport Edition wheels (6 Total) - $210
+ Goodyear Dura Tracs 265/75/16 - $1200 for 5 (after DT rebate)
+ HD SKO sliders - $325 + $100 for install
+ Bajarack w/ Axe/Shov/Gas Can holder/locks - $725
+ Gas & Water cans - $50 (Gas can was a gift)
+ Axe & Shovel - $60
+ HL484 48" Hi-Lift Jack & accessories - $115
+ Cobra 75WXST CB, hardware & SWR meter - $250
+ Clarion CX501 radio head unit - $220
+ Cabela's Rooftop Bag - $150
+ TJM air compressor & TJM snatch strap - $215
+ Floor mats - $15
+ 2 Oil changes - $75
+ Alignment - $70
=============================
= $10,492
=============================
- Sold stock 6 spokes with bald tires - $250
- Need to sell stock running boards!...ha.

So, I've got ~$10K into my rig at this point. This was my target when I started...

Over budget already and still have Sonoran 1.2 system, some KC aux lights, Tundra brake upgrade, differential breather mod, plugs/wires and leaky transfer case to do...hopefully this summer...

Project was NOT a budget build, but tried to spend money in the right places. Bought a high mile-great condition stocker with updated maintenance.

Expect I will have $12-13K invested when I'm done.

First Impression and build progress:

It took me 6 months to find the right 3rd GEN, but SO FAR it has been worth the wait! It is so clean, the miles seemed less important. It was evident that this one had been well taken care, and I later verified on toyota.com the dealer maintenance history which included the timing belt @ ~147K. It does have a slight leak at the transfer case but I will get to that in due time.

This is not a daily driver, and my intention is to build an expedition/crawler rig to have fun with the family. After purchase, I drove it to work everyday for a week (to check for any issues) and proceeded to take it camping for it's initial road trip once I was comfortable it road worthy.

7 days after purchase...

Since then, I put on some Sport Edition wheels with some new meats (Good Year Duratracs 265/75/16). Love them if anyone is tire shopping!!!

I Plasti-dipped the original 6spoke wheels in black and am trying to sell to save up for Sonoran Steel 1.2A lift.

We like the outdoors so we took the truck up to the mountains for a pic-nic day trip after we got the new rubber...

The family and I are looking forward to many new adventures in the new TOY!

Thanks for looking and I will try to participate more in the forums now that we finally have the truck!!!

 

[josh.bunch]

Let me be the first to say good start. Keep it up. That is a very clean looking 4runner.

 

[awdjunkies]

Congratulations on the purchase and the color :hatsoff: Very clean inside and out. Also let's not forget to commend you on the house, Very nice!!!


PS: I love the family pictures, as a family man myself, I know how important it is for family time, and the word "4RUNNER" to be in the same sentence lol ...

Looking forward to a build, and more pictures.... :cheers:

 

[liv2bike]

congrats and welcome dude. let the addiction begin man!

 

[liv2bike]

congrats and welcome dude. let the addiction begin man!

 

[AZ4FNER]

Well, it's been a while since I updated my thread...here it goes:

I asked for some advice on some preventative maintenance before the holidays...
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-g...ventative-maintenance-some-advice-please.html

Thanks to all that gave their 2 cents!

I found the time to install a new Koyo Radiator 1998A, added B&M 70264 Tranny Cooler, replaced OEM LBJ's (almost did the Tacoma upgrade, but didn't want to buy the OTR's), replaced the fuel filter, and upgraded to an Optima Red Top battery.

I ran out of time and $$, so I didn't tackle the transfer case leak. I'm not sure where the source of the leak is yet, anyways. TBD...

I also installed a new switch for the fog lights. Yea, they work but they are yellow... They did not work when I bought the truck. I plan to upgrade to some KC's eventually, so now at least the switch works and the electrical can be re-used...

The most exciting event was turning 200K on the truck last week. Now that I've invested into the long term health with the above, now I can focus my attention on the FUN stuff!!!
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/106564-200k-club-member.html

Something cool is a buddy of mine gifted me a 2nd GEN altimeter for Xmas, I'm still not sure where to install. I guess I'm in no rush. If anyone has any ideas, let me know!
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/106568-altimeter-need-your-opinion-install.html

I've been enjoying the truck a lot, and have gone on two lite offroad trips...

First one was with the wife and daughter to local spot close to home called Table Mesa:

Wify drove a little and got a little offroad 101 training...

Then, I took a solo trip in the truck for another drive thru Castle Hot Springs:

An oasis resort that was frequented by movie stars in the 40's & 50's. It's closed to the public now. It's weird to see this place in the middle of nowhere!

That's my update for now! Thanks for looking.

If anyone in the PHX area wants to do some WHEELIN, drop me a PM anytime.

 

[Hepar]

Lookin' good! :thumb3:

 

[AZ4FNER]

Lookin' good! :thumb3:

Thanks Hepar! I'm so jealous of your miles. You and your truck can grow old together!...ha.

 

[Hepar]

Thanks Hepar! I'm so jealous of your miles. You and your truck can grow old together!...ha.

Lol. Naw. I'm catching up fast. I put 20k on it on the first year alone.

 

[Dagobah]

Hey lifted, did you prep those split spokes at all before you plastidipped them? or did you just pull out the can and start spraying? Ive been thinking about doing this to mine, and really like the way yours look in that picture.

 

[awdjunkies]

Again, Congratulations are in order, You know exactly where to attack the hobby, maintenance before anything major, I commend you on that. Again I have to also say, "Good Man" for including your beautiful family in the pictures and your adventures. Not a lot of guys nowadays do that. I can see Family is a very important part of your life. Very mature of you to do that.. :trophy:

 

[AZ4FNER]

Lol. Naw. I'm catching up fast. I put 20k on it on the first year alone.

I put 20K on my Scion tC commuting to work every year. I wish I could drive the T4R daily, but I need it to last. Especially if I'm investing $$ into this w/ 200K on the od. Hope my truck looks half as good as yours someday.

Hey lifted, did you prep those split spokes at all before you plastidipped them? or did you just pull out the can and start spraying? Ive been thinking about doing this to mine, and really like the way yours look in that picture.

I did cleaning prep only. No sanding. I wasn't sure how it would turn out and wasn't sure if the next owner would want to keep the plasti-dip. Turns out the new owner liked the plasti-dip. I would only recommend the plasti-dip if you understand it is sort of delicate. If I was going to take the time to sand, I would go the extra mile and paint. There are a few other pics of the wheels on the classified I posted a while back if interested.
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/sale-...rd-gen-limited-wheels-running-boards-phx.html

Again, Congratulations are in order, You know exactly where to attack the hobby, maintenance before anything major, I commend you on that. Again I have to also say, "Good Man" for including your beautiful family in the pictures and your adventures. Not a lot of guys nowadays do that. I can see Family is a very important part of your life. Very mature of you to do that.. :trophy:

Thanks for the kind words awdjunkies. Family is important to me, and I enjoy spending time with them. However, I don't plan to take them on any dangerous outings. I'm gonna have to make a few friends on the site to go with... And, now that the maintenance is done...time for the lift, sliders and bajarack...yippee! Wish I could have it all now, but gonna have to keep saving my pennies...ha. PS - My wife loves your avatar, she cracked up when I showed her.

 

[fightman80]

Looks great man! I really like the color scheme...and those Duratracs look pretty good!

 

[masphx]

Looking good. Congrats at your 200,000 mark. PM at you.

 

[kman55]

Looks awesome congrats on the runner! Very clean, great pictures! I really like the wheels. Thumbs up!

 

[AZ4FNER]

Loving this truck!

Went for the third trip this month, this time through New River Canyon. This was only a "moderate" trail, but was really fun compared to the "easy" trails I started out on.

Went with a neighbor/buddy who drove his 1975 Chevy shortbed P/U 4x4. He's lifted on some 33' Super Swampers. His truck is unstoppable in granny gear.

Sorry my "flexing" pics suck. I'll work on it...

The overall climb was ~2500ft. The whole trip was ~5hrs from door to door from my house.

Since I don't have a compressor yet, I only aired down to 25lbs about 1/4 of the way into the trip. It helped a lot, but I knew I needed to get home so I didn't want to air down too much.

I think compressor and rocksliders are now at the top of my list, even before lift! These trucks perform great stock! I'm sure everyone else knows this on this site, but I'm learning and it is FUN!!!

Starting to get some interest from some other locals for some upcoming trips.
Please send me a PM if you want to go.

Working my way up to "difficult"...ie: Broken Arrow and Backroad to Crown King!!!

Anybody?

 

[AZ4FNER]

Fourth trail outing in the truck, this time I invited my father to bring his TRD Tundra.

Traversed Bulldog Canyon to Canyon Lake, hooked up with the Apache Trail thru Tortilla Flats and up to Roosevelt Lake.

BTW - Bulldog Canyon is a BIG tease. There are lots of spots to test your rig, but they are all marked with "No Climbing" or "No Motor Vehicles". I would recommend for someone looking for scenic trail, but definitely an "EASY" trail if you follow the paths. The park is under combination lock in Tonto National forest, but you can apply for 6 month permit at the link below. The combination for the locks (3 gates) come with your permit, and change monthly.

Tonto National Forest - Other Permits

Double BTW - Gen 3 "Short Rack" from BAJARACK now on order!

Sliders to come shortly!!! Still can't decide between Savage and Stubbs?

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-g...pinions-stubbs-vs-savage-vs-4xinnovation.html

Enjoy some pics:

 

[fightman80]

Cool pics man!

 

[AZ4FNER]

Cool pics man!

Thanks fightman, it was a long relaxing drive. No white knuckles...ha.

 

[AZ4FNER]

Hola mis amigos, it's been a month plus since I have updated my build. We have made some forward progress...yee haw!

Baja Rack and sliders now installed. Let the magic begin!

Steve at Sonoran Steel welding on my NEW Stubbs HD-SKO sliders!

I ordered them from Richard at Stubbs Welding back in Feb. I primed, then painted them with Rustoleum "Hammered" finish right away. But, have been busy landscaping the backyard with every spare moment. Until today, called Steve yesterday and sliders were on by 10:30AM this morning.

Thank you Richard and Steve. They look awesome. I just have to paint the plates and touch up where the jack stands took off a little finishing.

I had to do the mock up the day the sliders arrived, here they are bare azz:

Priming went into the night:

Painting was finished the following evening:

Opened up Baja Rack day it arrived also. Plasti-dipped the faded stock frame rails and installed next day:

I bought/installed the Baja Rack back in Feb, but have not had a chance to gloat...I mean post...

Also installed T4R4life's CB antenna mount. But, I have not yet purchased a CB...

No order of priority, but next items on the wish list are...

1) Sonoran Steel 1.2A - confirmed. Will fit in when budget allows.
2) KC lights mounted on top of bumper or round recessed auxillary lights below bumper - not yet decided.
3) CB with Firestik antenna- have not yet picked one out yet.
4) Maybe TRD "Off Road" stickers - black/red?
5) New head unit - maybe w/ GPS Nav?
6) +'99 Headlight upgrade
7) +'99 Center console
8) Wet Okole seat covers
9) Weather Tech floor liners
10) Hi-lift Jack 48"

Have also gone on a couple trails since my last post. Will update with pics later. Got to run to Home Depot and get some supplies. Still workinng on the backyard...cheers to endless projects.

Thanks for looking, and thanks for the great discussions that helped me with my decisions.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-g...pinions-stubbs-vs-savage-vs-4xinnovation.html

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/108449-sonoran-steel-lift-owners-1-2-1-2a.html