Bama16's Build Thread

[bama16]

I purchased this 1997 4runner wrecked back in spring 2010. The front end had been hit, fan clutch bent, fender aprons crumpled, but it only had 120k miles and I was up for a project.

I replaced most of the front end, and did all of the painting in my garage. It was a solid stock 4runner for a little while.

At the time it wasn't a primary vehicle. I had a 2008 legacy gt, but it was hit in the door, pushed the B-pillar in an inch for so.




Insurance poured $13k into the car, and then gave her back. She went to the dealership a few days later and we traded it for an OFF-ROAD Xterra. We sold my wife's civic, and I took over the 4runner.

 

[bama16]

I can't leave anything I own in stock form. April of 2012 the 4runner received a toytec ultimate lift.



I'm not very good at documenting through pictures. This is the only picture I took. At the time i had landcruiser wheels with 285 75 16 BFG AT.

Around this time, the old Anthracite was showing its age. There was also some bondo work on the hatch and driver rear door that was coming undone. I didn't want to match anthracite, and really didn't want to paint the whole car with a two stage paint. I purchased a gallon of John Deer Blitz Black, and went to town. I disassembled the car and painted inside the door jams. I've always liked the matte black look, plus it's an extremely durable paint and easy to repair if needed.

Again, I am really bad at taking pictures, plus the 4runner wasn't at a stage where i would be showing it off to anyone.

Am at the point now where i am building armor. I just finished (used loosely) the rear bumper. I have the parts to build my tire carrier, which will probably be worked on over the winter.

Last month I installed a set of trailgear 67" sliders set at 15 degrees. - bad at taking pics.

 

[bama16]

I needed a place to put my spare, and had always wanted a rear swing out. I started with a 4xinnovations double sheer hinge, some 2x2 .120 square tubing, and a de-sta-co double locking latch

My original plan was to offset the tire on the passenger side, but the location of the hinge required the wheel be centered.







The license plate will go on the lower right. I have some rubber bumpers on the way, which will be sandwiched between the swing out and rear bumper. Last step will be paint or powdercoat.

 

[bama16]

Goodyear MTRs on level 8 mk6 are getting low. replaced with level 8 bully pro with cooper stt pro. same size 285 75 16

also picked up steel so I can start building the front bumper

Sent from my SM-G935V using Tapatalk

 

[bama16]

I recently got a new daily driver. It's an 03 FX45, and it sounds incredible. This has given me time to finally work on the 4runner, and complete some projects.



I finally got around to swapping in the 4.30 elocker axles and 4.30 front differential. I used 12voltguy harness, which worked well. I ended up using the factory axle harness, and plugging the 12voltguy harness into that. The extra traction with the locker is well worth the work.

The OME890s could no longer support the swing-out, family, and camping gear, so installed some ome2861s. They were quite a bit taller, and far more robust than the 890s. With the 890s, I maintained the factory pan-hard bar without issue .Under the 861s, the axle was pulled out the passenger side by a good amount. I read about drops from the frame, and the option to raise it on the axle, but I ended up with a longer bar. Total parts came to ~$130, and that was with heims and DOM 1.5" .250 wall tubing.



I also finally started my front bumper build. I tossed around buying skids pans, but I had the steel and the tools, and wanted to save the money. The tubing is 1.5" .120 wall, and should be able to take some pretty good hits. I haven't finished the rest of the bumper, which will have the fairlead mount. I also moved the turn signals into the filler below the headlight, and had to use the gold resistors so I didn't get the hyperflash with the led lights.

 

[bama16]

Finally starter on the front bumper. Its bolted to the winch support with 3/4 bolts. Still needs some finishing touches and additional support for the hoop. im debating on tying the wings into the body mount bracket.

Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk

 

[Flemster]

Liking the DIY style of this build, I have also always loved those wheels, looks great on your rig.

 

[spartacus]

I really like that diy bumpers looks great and the wheels. trucks stance looks great.

 

[bama16]

thanks guys. It looks like you guys are local. Are there any better forums for local meetups? We've been heading up to red cone area lately, but i'd like to meet up with some local guys. I'm in littleton near 470 and bowles.

 

[bama16]

Tried to add some dimension to the bumper. Maybe some old school pencil beam KCs down lower.

Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk

 

[bama16]

I think I finally found the extra that completes the look of the bumper. I angled the outside of the bumper with some 1/8 plate. It seems to give it a more complete look.

Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk

 

[bama16]

Finally got an opportunity to get some paint on it. The bumper came out pretty stout. I'm probably going to end up with some d ring mounts on the front, but I'm going to have to get creative with the mount location/design so that it will support pulling forces.

Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk

 

[bama16]

Made a run up redcone. Had a great time and ran into some super friendly people on the trail. Trail would be pretty difficult without a locker. Learned that I rub on the rear bumper when the driver side is tucked. I need to trim roughly a 1/4" off.

Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk

 

[bama16]

I spent the last month making a new tank to mount behind the axle. I was getting terrible gas tank rub, and it seemed like it would take an equal amount of effort to eliminate the rub. At that point id also still have the stock tank handing below the frame. Here's what i came up with.

I'm going to add some tub to the rear bumper that will protect the tank. It's made of 1/8 plate, so it's pretty stout.