BACK ON THE ROAD! 271,000 mile rebuild.

[BuffaloBass]

First off i want to thank the forum for handling some pretty dumb-arse questions when i was re-assembling this little buggy. THANK YOU ALL!

Kid's truck blew a head gasket and i decided to buy it off him ( for too much) and rebuild it as my retirement vehicle.

WHy? New vehicles are expensive and much too automated for me. As i told my wife, " if i drove this until i couldn't, id be happy".

CAREFUL WHAT YOU WISH FOR! The reconstruction was a real challenge for an old guy used to working on super simple muscle cars.

New GEARHEAD 3.4 5VZ - runs good, great oil pressure. Replaced the many sensors, rebuilt starter, alt. Even had the manifolds and crossover JetHot coated. ( is this why the new SS muffler is changing colors on me!> )

Rebuilt transmission - new driveshaft ( the double Cardon joint was messed up ).

Utah truck did have some frame issues. A pro welder in the family and Safe-t-Cap came to rescue with new frame pieces with lower control arm mounts.

Frame is completely sealed and painted. Have yet to take the 3M Cavity Wax and Fluid Film to the under belly. Will do before winter. Skid plates have been beautifully powder coated.

Just finished chasing codes Evap etc and have it running ok. Still idles a bit high, i may need to look at the IAC again.

Still have front axles to replace, and i want to pull the rear axle apart and put new backing plates on her + new Ebrake elbows.

I TRULY like it's small size as compared to today's 4RNR/Hummers. Geez, where's the .50 cal mount soccer moms!?
Still it has what, 225 hp running on oversized tires?> so it doesn't feel particularly peppy. NEEDS BOOST!

Cute little truck seems to get more looks than my 67 Chevelle or 09 G8 GT. Not expected!

Retirement vehicle or soon to be passed off to someone else? Don't know. For now, I'll enjoy it.

PS rambled down a woodland hunting path and this buggy LOVES THAT SHIT! Glad 4H/4L worked with all that wiring and medusa vacuum lines. ( had to replace that vacuum can in the drivers fenderwell as it wasnt holding vacuum)

THNX T4R.ORG!!!

 

[rdruss]

Good lookin' ride!

 

[phattyduck]

Still it has what, 225 hp running on oversized tires?> so it doesn't feel particularly peppy. NEEDS BOOST!

My god, no. 180hp on a good day. 220ft.lbs. of torque though. Boost does help!

-Charlie

 

[BuffaloBass]

The only downside phatty. OEM power and so far, oem milage! Well it is a brand new engine so hopefully it sees better than 17 mpg soon enough.

IMHO 6 speeds would be better than 4, especially with a 4:1 1st gear.

Still have 10-30 dino oil in her, maybe it will gain +1 mpg with 5-30 synth.

Yet it runs flawlessly. No squeaks, no rattles. Still needs new rear backing plates, new front shafts and backing plates.

Two of the employees at the muffler shop who put the tailpipe on yesterday wanted to BUY IT!


PS need to replace the BFG k02..... RWL out or in? My kid chose in last time, yet i am old school. What say ye?

 

[phattyduck]

Top gear would be about the same with 6 vs. 4 speeds. You would get a bump in fuel economy around town with a modern 'lock the converter in every gear' transmission and have a few more gears mid-speed acceleration - but it wouldn't get you much.

You'll get an MPG or two once the rings are fully seated - but it is also high dependent on driving conditions, load, etc.

As a 2WD auto with small tires, my 4Runner got as high as 26mpg when near-new. Now I get 18 highway... 4WD, big tires, gears, roof rack, skids/bumper/winch will do that to you. Oh, and I still generally keep it in the 67-68mph range on the highway - so I do much better than many on here.

-Charlie

 

[BuffaloBass]

The big tires also knock down the effective gear ratio. This 185 hp buggy could use more gear!

I measured 16.x, and i suspect Charlie that 18-20mpg is all it will do given the setup is like yours.

PS you all know what my boyz and i like about the 3rd gens? WE all dig the small cockpit. Its like a Cessena!

If i keep the truck and not B_A_T it, i think a Magnuson is in its future. Especially if i go out west @ 7000' again.

 

[phattyduck]

i think a Magnuson is in its future. Especially if i go out west @ 7000' again.

A Magnuson TVS1320, 70mm pulley and a 7th injector wakes it right up... Ever wanted to to real (2 wheel) burnouts in a 4Runner? Haha...

-Charlie

 

[BuffaloBass]

Charlie, i am so overbudget on this one, i am almost OBLIGED to drive it until i die. ( i am an old fart, so its not that long) Admittedly it was supposed a resto that got put on B-A-T. Way , way too much time in it for that now. Mostly as i SUCK as a tech.

Although i like the JetHot coated exhaust!

So i reckon gee, what's another $4500 for maybe 300 ft lbs! Fresh tight engine, rebuilt trans, SURE it wants a MAGNUSON!

We will see next year when my savings account is back up to where it should be.

The truck would be much cooler with another 100 ft lbs of TQ at the ready. Although, stock form is fine here at 800' altitude.

 

[diverscale]

congrats on the rebuild. You should surely keep it. This vehicle is so good when you get it into a trail because of its size and clearance.

I get 23mpg on long road trips with my 4X4 V6 with 300 000+ miles on the original engine, but don't get your hopes up in the city with the 4 speeds or with bigger tires, it's just the nature of the beast. I don't see the point of saving a few dollars a week in gas where with this vehicle you can save a shitload on insurance, maintenance, cheap and uncomplicated parts... you also don't care about repairing that new ding or scracth you just did like you would if you had that 2025 100K$ vehicle that uses a bit less gas.