Better Late Than Never Build Thread

Speedy · 2023-01-26T17:14:02+00:00

Are build threads still a thing? Anyway, I recently went through several and they were a big help so figured I'd throw one up on my 3rd gen. I've had it 20 years now so I'm probably forgetting some stuff. I call it Project SportRunner. It has been one of my all time favorite vehicles and in the 20 years I've owned it I have only had to make two repairs - one oxygen sensor and one rear axle seal leak. A lot of the work I've done is on my Youtube channel: Speedy's Garage - YouTube and my website: Speedy's Garage To keep it short: Bought a 2002 Xterra brand new. Nissan is local and through friends and family I got a huge discount. I wanted a 3rd gen 4Runner but couldn't really afford it at the time. I hated the Xterra and looked for a 3rd gen after a year of ownership. Found a low mile (10,000) used 2002 SR5 4WD 4Runner at a local dealer and traded the Xterra in on it. I couldn't believe this SR5 had leather. I loved it from the first drive. It was a Certified Toyota which came with a 100K mile bumper to bumper warranty if I remember correctly. Never had to use it though. I've had it 20 years, so I'll try to remember all I've done. How I got it in October 2003 with 10,248 miles How it sits as of January 2024 with 158,246 miles Performance Detroit Truetrac installed in the rear TRD Supercharger Stock Pulley, 2.2 Pulley, 2.1 Pulley URD 7th Injector (only used way up in the boost range due to water/meth) Kept stock fuel pump Water/Meth Injection (highly recommended) custom mix using -20 washer fluid and HEET Tuned by yours truly Deck Plate Mod AFe dry air filter ISR Removal Addco Sway Bar front and rear Tundra Brake Upgrade with Power Slot rotors Stainless brake lines Transmission Cooler (no valve body changes, no converter changes, stock fuel pump, etc) Trans has been fine for 15 years and over 100K miles on this setup This is BEFORE the 2.1" pulley or water/meth injection that allows me to run around 7° more timing :cool: Suspension Bilstein Tundra 5100 shocks front/rear Tundra TRD Coils up front on the first second shock perch OME 906 Rear Gave right about 2" 2.5" of lift on my 2002 SR5 4WD on the front and 2.5" in the rear Hub to center front 21.5" 22" Hub to center rear 22.25" Tires Bridgestone Revo 2 265/75R16 (that are shot with 60K miles on them) Toyo Open Country AT3 265/75R16 No diff drop, no torn CVs in over 100K miles with this setup Exterior Ivan Stewart TRD Wheels Level 8 MK6 16x8 0 offset Gunmetal Wheels Factory Sport Hood painted to match Sport skid plate Removed factory running boards Installed aftermarket tube steps custom powder coated gun metal Satoshi Grill Supercharged badging Factory fog lights with factory stalk on the column (wiring was already there) rewired to work with parking lamps. Motorized antennae failed (twice) replaced with Tacoma fixed antennae HID retrofit headlamps with amber LED bezel rings and strips, bezel rings and strips wired to parking lights All bulbs replaced with LED with adjustable relay for turn signal speed LED Updated tail lights Interior Custom gauge panel and bezels for water/meth control and boost, AFR, trans temp. I had Autometer put green LEDs in the trans temp gauge to match factory dash a long with a dimmer to match illumination. Gauges have bezels that aim them 10° at the driver Green LED illuminated cup holders wired to come on with parking lights Front/rear foot well lighting when doors open (bright) Front/rear foot well lighting when parking lights are on (dim) Updated head unit for bluetooth connectivity with mic for phone calls Hard wired radar detector currently Uniden R3 Major Maintenance Lots of oil changes Spark plugs replaced 3 times currently running NGK Iridium 48,000 Miles 4/2006 - Lower ball joints replaced under SSC 50J Recall 60,000 Miles 1/2007 - trans fluid exchange service with Mobil 1 ATF, diffs/xfer case drained and filled with Mobil 1 75W90 synthetic, fuel filter changed 95,000 Miles - 10/2013 flushed brake fluid and replaced with Valvoline synthetic 148,000 Miles 3/2022 - Rear axle seals and rear wheel bearings replaced, rear brakes replaced, and axle retainers installed inverted to avoid future axle seal leaks. 149,000 Miles 4/2022 - Timing belt, water pump, all associated pulleys, radiator, t-stat, upper/lower radiator hoses, coolant flush/fill, all drive belts replaced including supercharger using all Toyota OEM parts. 153,000 2/2023 - Lower Ball Joints replaced for the second time 153,465 2/2023 - Diffs, Xfer case, Transmission, and power steering fluids all changed and cleaned power steering reservoir. 153,804 4/2023 - Valve cover gaskets, half moons, cam plugs, spark plug tube seals, and PCV grommet replaced. Painted valve covers wrinkle red. Cleaned AFE air filter. Changed supercharger oil. Cleaned throttle body. 154,443 5/2023 - Detailed cleaned and painted all undercarriage items, skid plates, spare wheel, suspension, and chassis and replaced any bolts that didn't look great with new ones. Used anti-seize on new bolts. 155,720 8/2023 - Custom Katzkin leather installed with heated seat elements. 157,248 11/11/23 - Full detail, decon wash, fallout remover, clay bar, paint correction, ceramic coating applied, restore and repaint fender flares Upcoming Projects Rear axle seals, rear wheel bearings, rear brakes Complete 3/2022 148,359 miles Timing belt, water pump, associated pulleys/idlers, and all accessory belts including supercharger Complete 4/2022 148,632 miles Replace radiator, thermostat (170°), upper/lower radiator hoses, coolant flush with Toyota coolant Complete 4/2022 148,632 miles Replace lower ball joints Complete 2/2023 153,285 miles Adjust TRD/Bilstein suspension Complete 2/2023 153,285 miles Replace rear sway bar end links Complete 2/2023 153,285 and reused original front end links which worked great with the lift Alignment Complete 2/2023 153,340 miles New tires Toyo Open Country AT3 Complete 2/2023 153,403 miles Diff/Xfer case fluid change with Mobil 1 75W90 / upgrade front diff plugs to Lexus with nut instead of hex Complete 2/2023 153,465 miles Trans fluid exchange with Mobil 1 ATF Complete 2/2023 153,465 miles Power Steering fluid exchange with Mobil 1 ATF / clean PS reservoir Complete 2/2023 153,465 miles Replace fuel filter Clean AFe air filter Complete 4/2023 153,804 miles Valve Cover Gaskets Complete 4/2023 153,804 miles Paint Valve Covers Complete 4/2023 153,804 miles Change supercharger oil Complete 4/2023 153,804 miles Clean throttle body Complete 4/2023 153,804 miles Detail engine bay Complete 4/2023 153,916 miles Paint frame and chassis Complete 5/2023 154,443 Recondition bumpers Complete 5/2023 154,443 Recondition trailer hitch Complete 5/2023 154,223 Recondition spare tire wheel Complete 5/2023 154,223 Recondition all skid plates Complete 5/2023 154,223 Recondition arm rest/console cover Complete 6/2023 154,989 Install new leather steering wheel cover Complete 6/2023 155,078 Replace Gauge Cluster Lens with new OEM Toyota Complete 7/2023 155,680 Recondition leather seats (maybe custom Katskinz?) Complete custom Katzkins with heated seats installed 8/2023 155,720 New OEM 4Runner Carpet floor mats Complete 8/2023 155,720 New OEM rear hatch struts Complete 8/2023 155,720 New Front Extended Sway Bar End Links Complete 9/2023 156,940 New Steering Rack Boots Complete 9/2023 156,940 Fresh Paint in Solar Octane or Inferno Orange? Cost prohibitive, re-paint was more than vehicle value. Going with plan B. Full Detail, Decon Wash, Fallout Remover, Clay Bar, Paint Correction, Ceramic Coat Complete 11/11/23 157,248 Restore and Repaint Fender Flares Complete 11/11/23 157,248 Some Kind of Graphic Complete 11/11/23 157,248 Black out badges Complete 11/11/23 157,248 Extended Rear Diff Breather Complete 11/11/23 157,248 Install TrakMotive extended travel CV axles and OEM axle seals Complete 4/26/25 165,221 miles .

N

FS 2000 Limited 4wd w/E-locker $5k Chambersburg, PA

Replies: 4

Views: 679

Aug 17, 2026

Novashards

N

T

FS - 2006 4th Gen - Sport Edition, Black, $8,500 - Tupelo, MS

Replies: 1

Views: 6K

Jul 2, 2026

69desertdog

6

B

2005 4Runner Sport V8 - 191k - rust free - $15k - Ohio

Replies: 2

Views: 3K

Aug 7, 2025

BostonJon

B

M

King Shocks & Lift Advice: Springs, Sway Bar Links, and anything

Replies: 0

Views: 11K

Apr 14, 2026

MtnClimbr

M

Dobinsons Suspension options for 2025+ 6th Gen Toyota 4Runner

Replies: 0

Views: 10K

Aug 7, 2025

Crikeymike

Better Late Than Never Build Thread

brillo_76

Elite Member

Similar threads

Members online

Forum statistics

Share this page

Trending content