Blcktpgsr's '97 transformation
- Thread starter blcktpgsr
- Start date
blcktpgsr
New member
It's been a while....I couldn't believe it's been 7 months to the day since i last updated this build...I have been lurking and checking in from time to time seeing what everyone's been up to...i guess i'm overdue for some of the progress and updates that have transpired over the last months that passed.
Well, back in June, while the group buy and promo was in full swing with ARB, I got on the phone with my local 4x4 shop guy for a quotation on a front locker. The deal was purchasing the air locker thru them and just the actual install of the air locker system on the front diff carrier.
Here goes nothin....
Clamshell out and on the ground
While the locker was being installed at the shop, i asessed for a better location of the air compressor and i came up with a mounting platform that raises it up from being just bolted on the front passenger wheel well section in the engine bay area.
All done...just needed to be installed back...Also, i ran the air locker switches along with the rest up by the headliner where my switch pod is located, that by far had been the biggest hurdle in all of the installation.
Literally a week later after installing the air locker, i woke up one morning to see a pool of power steering/tranny fluid from right under the 4Runner on my carport driveway. I knew it was just a matter of time when i first noticed the fluid started dripping slowly back in 2012 when i went to California/ Hollister Hills wheeling trip.
After careful and long consideration reading up the reviews and comments from fellow members, I contacted Colin @ Safari Ltd. and got their steering rack. It seemed like a no brainer since i'm getting a unit with beefier components more or less at a better price than the counterpart OEM. A long time friend who works at Toyota offered to install and align the truck so i obliged..
Along with a new OEM outer tie rod, the difference in how the steering responses and it's overall feel in drivability is tight and more controlled.
This also prompted my decision to order a set of Bilstein replacement shock bushings as well as a set of Whiteline lower control arm bushings and ship them with the Safari rack for a one stop pick up at the shipping location in Washington.
The lower bushings on the Toytec Ultimate shocks practically disintegrated and so i ordered 4 new ones from Bilstein and while the uppers weren't in as bad of a state compared to the lowers, i figured it's futile not to do a full replacement while im at it.
Well, back in June, while the group buy and promo was in full swing with ARB, I got on the phone with my local 4x4 shop guy for a quotation on a front locker. The deal was purchasing the air locker thru them and just the actual install of the air locker system on the front diff carrier.
Here goes nothin....
Clamshell out and on the ground
While the locker was being installed at the shop, i asessed for a better location of the air compressor and i came up with a mounting platform that raises it up from being just bolted on the front passenger wheel well section in the engine bay area.
All done...just needed to be installed back...Also, i ran the air locker switches along with the rest up by the headliner where my switch pod is located, that by far had been the biggest hurdle in all of the installation.
Literally a week later after installing the air locker, i woke up one morning to see a pool of power steering/tranny fluid from right under the 4Runner on my carport driveway. I knew it was just a matter of time when i first noticed the fluid started dripping slowly back in 2012 when i went to California/ Hollister Hills wheeling trip.
After careful and long consideration reading up the reviews and comments from fellow members, I contacted Colin @ Safari Ltd. and got their steering rack. It seemed like a no brainer since i'm getting a unit with beefier components more or less at a better price than the counterpart OEM. A long time friend who works at Toyota offered to install and align the truck so i obliged..
Along with a new OEM outer tie rod, the difference in how the steering responses and it's overall feel in drivability is tight and more controlled.
This also prompted my decision to order a set of Bilstein replacement shock bushings as well as a set of Whiteline lower control arm bushings and ship them with the Safari rack for a one stop pick up at the shipping location in Washington.
The lower bushings on the Toytec Ultimate shocks practically disintegrated and so i ordered 4 new ones from Bilstein and while the uppers weren't in as bad of a state compared to the lowers, i figured it's futile not to do a full replacement while im at it.
blcktpgsr
New member
I was in the whole front end overhaul mode and so for good measures, i decided to also replace my LCA bushings. I ordered a set from Whiteline Suspensions and went to work. Fortunately, the bushings, sleeves and alignment cam bolts weren't seized up bad, i was able to just use my impact gun and ball joint removal kit to press them in and out.
Being it was summer and all, and while the front components are off of the truck, i went all out and gave the frame, crossmembers and rear axle a good refinish by sanding the surface down thouroughly. The rear axle showed the worst amount of rust, but at the very least, i only needed my mini die grinder suited with sanding discs and pneumatic 1/2" mini belt sander to completely get down to the root of the problem...easy piecy!
All done! Washed, dried and wiped down with acetone solution to prep it. I also selected using some Tremclad oil based products for rust paint for better durability. I should treat the insides of the frames next!
I almost forgot, i also gave the OME 861 coils, the panhard bar, and the Tokico shocks the same treatment.
Whipsaw pics....
Being it was summer and all, and while the front components are off of the truck, i went all out and gave the frame, crossmembers and rear axle a good refinish by sanding the surface down thouroughly. The rear axle showed the worst amount of rust, but at the very least, i only needed my mini die grinder suited with sanding discs and pneumatic 1/2" mini belt sander to completely get down to the root of the problem...easy piecy!
All done! Washed, dried and wiped down with acetone solution to prep it. I also selected using some Tremclad oil based products for rust paint for better durability. I should treat the insides of the frames next!
I almost forgot, i also gave the OME 861 coils, the panhard bar, and the Tokico shocks the same treatment.
Whipsaw pics....
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blcktpgsr
New member
Back in August, the ARB bumper went under the knife again with just the intention of replacing the provided bumper brackets. I wanted to simplify the design and accessability of the hardwares if and when i need to re-adjust the bumper. The gap between the filler plates under the headlights and the bumper was quite noticeable and the adjustments were maxed out...i needed to address the issue, albeit insignificant in the grand scheme...it's something i see and notice evertime and it bugs the heck out of me.
Using a 1/4" plate and 3/16" u-channel for the pair of new brackets..With the modified brackets, i was able to gain at least another 2" of approach angle clearance on the lowest frontal part, since the brackets got pushed further back in.
PIAA also released an auxialliary LED in the 530 series and i wanted to incorporate them as a supplementary driving lights and since they're supposedly DOT approved, they're legal to use on road..
Say bye bye to the last identifiable mark of ARB on this bumper
The latest addition to the arsenal would be the sought after TRD Supercharger. I purchased it used from a forum member claiming it had around 50K miles of use, new nosecone and recently oil changed. We spoke quite a few times over the phone and exchanged messages.. He was cool to deal with and even gave me even more discount so we made the deal..I'm ecstatic to just get my hands on it as the rarity of such unit was becoming widespread.
Confirming with Robert(SCRunner12) the amount of hardware the SC came with revealed that I was short of just a few and not so hard to find ones. Thanks bro, i easily found the necessary pieces to complete the install.
Painted the logo racing red already...:reddance:
Vroom vroom! In addition, i also replaced the spark plugs with the IK22's and Stant 170* t-stat.
Using a 1/4" plate and 3/16" u-channel for the pair of new brackets..With the modified brackets, i was able to gain at least another 2" of approach angle clearance on the lowest frontal part, since the brackets got pushed further back in.
PIAA also released an auxialliary LED in the 530 series and i wanted to incorporate them as a supplementary driving lights and since they're supposedly DOT approved, they're legal to use on road..
Say bye bye to the last identifiable mark of ARB on this bumper
The latest addition to the arsenal would be the sought after TRD Supercharger. I purchased it used from a forum member claiming it had around 50K miles of use, new nosecone and recently oil changed. We spoke quite a few times over the phone and exchanged messages.. He was cool to deal with and even gave me even more discount so we made the deal..I'm ecstatic to just get my hands on it as the rarity of such unit was becoming widespread.
Confirming with Robert(SCRunner12) the amount of hardware the SC came with revealed that I was short of just a few and not so hard to find ones. Thanks bro, i easily found the necessary pieces to complete the install.
Painted the logo racing red already...:reddance:
Vroom vroom! In addition, i also replaced the spark plugs with the IK22's and Stant 170* t-stat.
blcktpgsr
New member
Fast forward to September 15, after driving the 4Runner for awhile and enjoing the added benefits of the SC, i noticed an audible gurgling sound coming from the unit at idle, i felt uneasy about it since the SC was supposedly semi-serviced..Turns out it was just the phenolic coupler, the plastic disc with holes in it that connects the shaft in the cone to the gears inside the unit.
I also ordered a new dynamic tensioner from TRD for peace of mind.
New phenolic coupler in place
Put it back together and pour in a bottle of AC Delco SC oil in, test drove it and observe it at idle and the noise was gone.
Pretty good feeling like i achieved something monumental.....lol
Now the search for the TRD boost gauge was abit disappointing and i expected it as i called around dealer upon dealer nationwide across the US. I found a company thru google research that does custom gauges and the company name is SpeedHut. Basically, the can customize any logo you want and more.
While they're customizing the gauge as per my request, i was busy making my own gauge pod from scratch.
Last month....
I also ordered a new dynamic tensioner from TRD for peace of mind.
New phenolic coupler in place
Put it back together and pour in a bottle of AC Delco SC oil in, test drove it and observe it at idle and the noise was gone.
Pretty good feeling like i achieved something monumental.....lol
Now the search for the TRD boost gauge was abit disappointing and i expected it as i called around dealer upon dealer nationwide across the US. I found a company thru google research that does custom gauges and the company name is SpeedHut. Basically, the can customize any logo you want and more.
While they're customizing the gauge as per my request, i was busy making my own gauge pod from scratch.
Last month....
blcktpgsr
New member
And to top it all up, i ordered these from URD..
7th Injector kit, 2.2 Supergrip pulley, plug & play ECU harness
With the plug & play harness, the install went even smoother and real quick..i breezed thru everything with the exception of the Walbro 190lph fuel pump which i left last..Just last friday, i dropped the fuel tank for the new fuel pump install.
New pump installed...
Inside the tank lookin brand new. Peeking through the fuel cut off valve assembly with the new fuel pump in place....
With a new fuel filter to go with it as well..
Ofcourse, with the addition of the 7th injector kit, i need to somehow monitor the air-fuel ratio the new system outputs.
I got the AEM wideband to stay consistent with my AEM voltage & tranny gauges.
I attempted to weld on the sensor bung with the exhaust pipe in place, i got 3/4 of the way until the welding gun got trapped and with the trigger squeezed, i somehow lost control and welded part of the flat & threaded area of the bung and that was that. despite the incident, i was able to dismantle the flanged connection 3 hours later. With the exhaust pipe on the table
though, i managed to clean the weld off and finish welding the rest of the bung..the finished weld isn't the best but it got the job done..
Here's the modified gauge pod holder that is in my passenger side headliner- now holds the wideband, transmission and volts gauge. Also, instead of re-upholstering it with pleather, i re-finished it with spray can with a matte clear.
7th Injector kit, 2.2 Supergrip pulley, plug & play ECU harness
With the plug & play harness, the install went even smoother and real quick..i breezed thru everything with the exception of the Walbro 190lph fuel pump which i left last..Just last friday, i dropped the fuel tank for the new fuel pump install.
New pump installed...
Inside the tank lookin brand new. Peeking through the fuel cut off valve assembly with the new fuel pump in place....
With a new fuel filter to go with it as well..
Ofcourse, with the addition of the 7th injector kit, i need to somehow monitor the air-fuel ratio the new system outputs.
I got the AEM wideband to stay consistent with my AEM voltage & tranny gauges.
I attempted to weld on the sensor bung with the exhaust pipe in place, i got 3/4 of the way until the welding gun got trapped and with the trigger squeezed, i somehow lost control and welded part of the flat & threaded area of the bung and that was that. despite the incident, i was able to dismantle the flanged connection 3 hours later. With the exhaust pipe on the table
though, i managed to clean the weld off and finish welding the rest of the bung..the finished weld isn't the best but it got the job done..
Here's the modified gauge pod holder that is in my passenger side headliner- now holds the wideband, transmission and volts gauge. Also, instead of re-upholstering it with pleather, i re-finished it with spray can with a matte clear.
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blcktpgsr
New member
thanks..yup I only have the carport driveway to perform all the magic on..
blcktpgsr
New member
blcktpgsr
New member
well..back pedal a little bit and read on the latest of updates..thanks for dropping by.:rapture:
D Farms
New member
got your self a skookum choocher right there.
GreenbowCounty
New member
Raising the bar as always
Welcome back, between the mods and fab work this thing just gets better and better.
Welcome back, between the mods and fab work this thing just gets better and better.
SRQ-Runner
New member
This is exactly how i see the gauges sitting at the drivers seat...
...and from a slightly different angle
Thanks for lookin!
All I can say is WOW!!!!! :clap2::clap2::clap2:
1985taylor1925
Senior Member
Been a while since Ive checked in with your thread Ervin. As always, everything you do with this truck is awesome. The above picture brings to mind an aircraft cockpit! very cool. The supercharger must make a MASSIVE difference for turning those tires huh?
white_n_slow
Senior Member
Haven't checked this thread in a real long time. For some reason I had it in my mind that you sold the truck. This has got to be the coolest 4runner build out there. Off road Knight Rider.
blcktpgsr
New member
Thanks......I hope that means something awesome:naughty:
Gotta keep on keeping on, right? Thanks for the warm welcome!
Glad to hear that I made a good impression on you..Thanks for liking it!
Hey Phillip, see you're still rocking that bumper on that sick rig...hope you're doin' well, man.
The additional HP and Torque with the SC is quite something for sure..It hasn't completely sunk in on me yet..but I'm loving every moment I get on the 4runner and drive it..Such FUN!
Haha, must've have been some other rig mixed up in your mind..Guess my inactivity had something to do with that conclusion.
I will be poor soon with all the extra expenditures towards the 4runner....but I will never ever ever sell it...:boxing:
Thanks for checking in amigo!
I appreciated that...Thanks!
4-Ripcord
New member
It is so good to see you updating this thread and taking care of the 4runner, as you always have. :canada:
So many times you see a neat build (epic in your case) and the owners get done modding and stop doing anything even maintenance related on their 4runners.
That is really disappointing to see. Can I ask how long or how many miles you had on them?
So many times you see a neat build (epic in your case) and the owners get done modding and stop doing anything even maintenance related on their 4runners.
The lower bushings on the Toytec Ultimate shocks practically disintegrated and so i ordered 4 new ones from Bilstein and while the uppers weren't in as bad of a state compared to the lowers, i figured it's futile not to do a full replacement while im at it.
That is really disappointing to see. Can I ask how long or how many miles you had on them?
blcktpgsr
New member
Hey Jim, although my presence hasn't been as frequent as before, i'll always come back here sharing and learning valuable lessons in return.
I've never piled up so much update and dump them all at once like I just have. Life's busy or lazy....lol!
I keep sayin to myself... the 4runner takes care of me out there..it's only appropriate that I return the favor.
I must have well over 20k kilometers on these coilovers. I've had them since December of 2011.
MattJakobs
New member
Please borrow my 4Runner and make it awesome!
