Brian2sun Build Thread

[brian2sun]

Sounds great. I think ill give this a try today. If I did remove the strut I would need to have an alignment done though right?

No, you shouldn't need an alignment. The rest of the suspension will just travel up and down without the resistance of the strut in there. Nothing should change as far as camber, caster or toe when you reinstall the strut because where everything sits at rest will be the same.

 

[mcaz5]

You the man Brian, pounded mine back about 1'' and it looks like i can finally hit some trails.

 

[NateMob]

Man thats awesome, i know what i will be doing over my Independence Day weekend! Sledging my firewall.

Congrats on the 100k views.

 

[mcaz5]

Man thats awesome, i know what i will be doing over my Independence Day weekend! Sledging my firewall.

Congrats on the 100k views.

Have fun! I didn't have a sledge so I just used a normal hammer and my forearm was on fire hahaha, took a bit longer but got the job done. Also Brian mentioned the ABS module on the passenger side, I'm assuming the 01-02s are different than the earlier ones because I had nothing there. On the drivers side I did have the 4x4 ECU to worry about.

 

[brian2sun]

Have fun! I didn't have a sledge so I just used a normal hammer and my forearm was on fire hahaha, took a bit longer but got the job done. Also Brian mentioned the ABS module on the passenger side, I'm assuming the 01-02s are different than the earlier ones because I had nothing there. On the drivers side I did have the 4x4 ECU to worry about.

That must have sucked with a normal hammer, lol! I guess they are different, cuz I had the ABS module on the pass. side, and I don't remember anything on the drivers side. And when I put it in 4x4, it clicks from the pass side too so I assume my 4x4 module is over there. I never knew they changed those things around in the later 3rd gens.

Man thats awesome, i know what i will be doing over my Independence Day weekend! Sledging my firewall.

Congrats on the 100k views.

Thanks!

 

[NateMob]

[MENTION=69032]mcaz5[/MENTION] good to know since i also have an '01. Thanks for the tips!

 

[downpour11]

Man thats awesome, i know what i will be doing over my Independence Day weekend! Sledging my firewall.

[MENTION=69032]mcaz5[/MENTION] good to know since i also have an '01. Thanks for the tips!

Are you hinting at something here?..... I seem to remember us discussing tires a few weeks back You got 35's on order or what?! Time to come clean!!!


Brian, it was me... I've been trolling this thread for three years stacking up views for you :lol: Congrats man! It's a valuable thread sir.

 

[mcaz5]

Congrats man! It's a valuable thread sir.

It's definitely a valuable thread. I've used it many times. Congrats :llama:

 

[brian2sun]

Thanks fellas!

 

[T4Rex.]

from the first to last page this is an awesome build!:thumb:

 

[4WLO]

from the first to last page this is an awesome build!:thumb:

x2!

Thanks for taking the time to show us your build.
I recently joined this site while doing research for my build. Hopefully I can get my 4Runner close to being as trail worthy as your rig. But I got to wait for a new DD before I go too big on my current "toddler taxi".

 

[brian2sun]

Just an update.. I haven't done shit to my 4runner in a long time.. Haven't needed to until now. It runs perfect, but it needs a new steering rack, front control arms bushings, LBJs, UBJs, TREs, my front diff seal leaks where the pass. side CV goes in, my tranny leaks a little too.. and my ARB compressor stopped working for the time being and I haven't had a chance to figure out why yet. So my lockers are out of commish at the moment. But I hope to get all that stuff taken care of in the next 2 months before winter hits and she'll be tip top again! It kinda stinks in there too, haha. The old ***** needs a good, deep cleaning.
Cheers T4R!

 

[t4r4life]

Just an update.. I haven't done shit to my 4runner in a long time.. Haven't needed to until now. It runs perfect, but it needs a new steering rack, front control arms bushings, LBJs, UBJs, TREs, my front diff seal leaks where the pass. side CV goes in, my tranny leaks a little too.. and my ARB compressor stopped working for the time being and I haven't had a chance to figure out why yet. So my lockers are out of commish at the moment. But I hope to get all that stuff taken care of in the next 2 months before winter hits and she'll be tip top again! It kinda stinks in there too, haha. The old ***** needs a good, deep cleaning.
Cheers T4R!

Good to see you're still around. for some reason my truck stinks too lol

 

[brian2sun]

I just did the steering rack, TREs, LBJs, UBJs, shocks all the way around and new 31" Cooper AT tires on my '98 4x4 regular cab/4 banger/5-spd Taco..

The 4runner's still lookin pretty good..

 

[Jedrattle]

I just did the steering rack, TREs, LBJs, UBJs, shocks all the way around and new 31" Cooper AT tires on my '98 4x4 regular cab/4 banger/5-spd Taco..

The 4runner's still lookin pretty good..

I think I saw you the other day. Early am. I was blasting down the mountain in my runner. Or on my bike. I'm not sure but I remember seeing that taco recently. We'll have to do some wheeling soon.

 

[brian2sun]

Got some much needed maintenance and repairs done to the runner, and now it's ready for winter (and some trails)!..
New steering rack & bushings, inner/outer TREs, upper/lower ball joints, upper/lower front control arm bushings.. also replaced the outer diff seal (pass side), new rear u-joint, new custom fabbed chromoly (heim/bushing) rear upper links, and new rear brake cylinders.

I actually have this truck in better shape than it's ever been in the 13 years I've owned it! My build is about as far as I ever intended to take it - It's a very capable off roader (which it has been for years) but now it drives nice and stable on the highway too! The terrible highway handling kept me from taking it on any long road trips for many years.. but now I would have no qualms about taking it across the country! The engine (donor swapped in 2 years ago w/ ~125K) runs better than ever and everything is great mechanically. All in all it's about as tip top as a 3rd gen gets!

I also removed most of the stickers I had on it, including the TRD off road decals, but I left the TR4 sticker on. I got a chance to take it out yesterday on some light trails and it felt good to have the 4runner 100% back in action. I'm planning on lots of snow wheeling this year.. if we're actually lucky enough to get a winter in CA.. after the last 5 years were more of an extended Fall-straight-to-Summer sorta thing! Anyways here's a few shots of the runner from yesterday..

 

[TCMach]

Love seeing one of the OG 4Runners doing work! Still a beast of a truck!

I imagine my truck is in need of the same steering upgrade you just gave yours. I've got more slop in the steering rack then I want to think about.

 

[1985taylor1925]

I just did a bunch of similar maintenance as you on Jitters. Safari steering rack, oem ubjs, inner/outer tie rods, wheel bearings, cv axels, mstuds front adjustable end links, new front diff oil. My steering rack was garbage like yours, and I dreaded the clunking/wandering/looseness from the front end. Now it just feels amazing. Rock solid.



long live the 3rd gens!

 

[MillerPKA]

Good to see you still on here! This place is definitely different from the last time I was a regular. It's good seeing some familiar faces. I forgot you were around Big Bear, maybe we should meet up sometime.

 

[brian2sun]

Love seeing one of the OG 4Runners doing work! Still a beast of a truck!

I imagine my truck is in need of the same steering upgrade you just gave yours. I've got more slop in the steering rack then I want to think about.

Thanks man! Yeah, my rack had so much play, I could move my steering wheel back and forth like 3" each way and the truck wouldn't even respond!

I just did a bunch of similar maintenance as you on Jitters. Safari steering rack, oem ubjs, inner/outer tie rods, wheel bearings, cv axels, mstuds front adjustable end links, new front diff oil. My steering rack was garbage like yours, and I dreaded the clunking/wandering/looseness from the front end. Now it just feels amazing. Rock solid.



long live the 3rd gens!

Long live the 3rd gens!!

Good to see you still on here! This place is definitely different from the last time I was a regular. It's good seeing some familiar faces. I forgot you were around Big Bear, maybe we should meet up sometime.

That would be cool! Maybe go on a run.. if people still do them on here?? I haven't been very active on the forum for the last couple years either. I miss this place.. ahh the good ol days! You're welcome to ride shotgun in my truck anytime, I'm down to wheel.. or did you get your runner back?