Brian2sun Build Thread

[brian2sun]

Brian,

build thread looks great. thanks for the advice on my truck issues.

I am glad to hear you like the TRD exhaust. If I could get one cheap I would grab it.


-Brian

Thanks! I'm very pleased with the TRD. I wouldn't pay $800 for one from Toyota but it was well worth the "buddy" price I paid from Driffter33!

Hey Brian,

Our trucks seem to be quite similar. I am (now stuck) at 199k, my tranny is great with no slipping, I have meticulously maintained my truck and now I am looking at head job. I hope to get this over with and back on-track soon.


what did they do in the rebuild for the $2200, what ALL did it entail?


Is there anything you would do different, recommend?



thanks!
.

And what I thought was a HG ended up being cracked heads. Well, the HG might have been leaking too, but who cares at that point. I didn't even ask. The engine rebuild totaled out at $2,236.00. That included:
Removal, rebuild, and installation labor
Hot tank
Main bearings
Rod and cam bearings
Timing belt and idlers
Water pump
New-to-me (used) heads that they resurfaced - because both my heads were cracked
Spark plugs
Oil, filter, and all fluids
Freeze plugs
All gaskets
Regrind valves/seats
Rings
Oil pump
New crankshaft (not reground)
New camshafts
1 year/12K warranty

So far so good. My mpgs were pretty horrible (~13) for the first 1500 miles or so which is pretty normal during the break in process after a rebuild. But I'm averaging over 16 now so that's pretty good for my heavy, lifted truck. No regrets on the rebuild. I figure if they screwed anything up, I should see some signs within the 1st year.

 

[brian2sun]

A little update..

I put my front sway bar back on this weekend. Driving around with no sways in the mountains with all the curvy roads just got to me after a while. The 4runner is my DD again (I sold the CR-V a couple months ago after I got the 3.4 rebuilt) so I want it to handle nice on the road again. And man, it makes a difference after driving without them for so long.

I think my mpgs will even improve because I was having to slow way down around every turn and then gas it afterwards to get back up to a decent speed. Now I can hold the throttle a little more and keep my momentum up through the turns. I'm leaving the rear sway bar off still because I get enough control out of just the front and I like having the extra flex back there.

I've been thinking of getting some WabFab quick discos, but in all reality, it took me about 1.5 minutes per side to take off/install the stock endlinks. So I think I'll be sticking with those for now. They are a little short with my lift, but they'll be ok on road.

I washed the truck this weekend too and also repainted my sliders and rear bumper. I must say, she still cleans up pretty darn nice for a 15 year old truck that wheels about once a week. I still need to clay bar this thing and give it a proper detail and wax soon though. Now on with the glamour shots..

Before and after..

 

[Gerdo]

I do like my swaybar for on road. I do take my endlinks off for wheeling. It's pretty easy with a couaple of ratcheting box wrenches (14mm & 17mm). I also modified my endlinks. I welded on some tabs. Just watch the heat. The tabs keep the ball from spinning. I tried two versions, one long and one short. The longer one works better.

 

[brian2sun]

That's a good idea^^. And yes, ratcheting box wrenches make life so much easier. I got a set not too long ago that has every size between 8 and 19mm and I use them all the time.

 

[4-Ripcord]

Truck is looking great as usual, Brian.

I just recently replaced my sway bars too, after nearly a year without them (F+R). Is it a substantial difference with just the front in? Enough to justify running without the rear bar and still being stable? I don't want to have to remove the rear bar every time I go to the trails. I usually just unlink the front and leave it in.

 

[brian2sun]

Truck is looking great as usual, Brian.

I just recently replaced my sway bars too, after nearly a year without them (F+R). Is it a substantial difference with just the front in? Enough to justify running without the rear bar and still being stable? I don't want to have to remove the rear bar every time I go to the trails. I usually just unlink the front and leave it in.

Thanks! Yeah, having the front makes a big difference. I'm so used to no sways, any stability is nice, but I'm not going to put the rear on because the front is enough for me. I don't want to mess with disconnecting the rear either.

 

[fightman80]

The truck does clean up nicely! Good to see that she not only runs great, but looks great too!

 

[4-Ripcord]

Hmm. Thanks for the input, I think i'll take the rear bar off and go for a test drive this weekend. :thumb3:

 

[brian2sun]

With a suggestion from my buddy Jason, I also painted the body black underneath the front SR5 flares (where the mudflaps/running board trim pieces go). It makes it less noticeable that the SR5 flares end too short since it at least doesn't go from black to white. I would tear mudflaps off in a day so those weren't a good option for me, so this is the next best thing to spending hundred$ on Bushwackers or limited flares (that require drilling into the body.

 

[fightman80]

Looks good man! I know what you mean about the mudflaps too....I can't even run any right now.....thinking of hammering the pinch welds, so that I can hopefully clear some flat mud flaps at least!

 

[J-money$$$]

I like my idea That looks good. Next up: ARB CUTTING!

 

[steezemcqueen]

Check out what is in the CBI ad in 4WD Toyota owner!

 

[proudrunner]

Hey I know that 3rd gen:wink2:

 

[brian2sun]

Check out what is in the CBI ad in 4WD Toyota owner!

Hell ya, I didn't even know about that!! Thanks for showing me Dylan! I'll have to get me a copy of that mag now!

Hey I know that 3rd gen:wink2:

Haha, congrats on your new rear bumper Edwin!! Just in time for the ttora run this weekend!

 

[SoCal]

That is awesome. I can't wait to get my copy. Congrats! Now you need to submit for a reader's ride article.

 

[brian2sun]

That is awesome. I can't wait to get my copy. Congrats! Now you need to submit for a reader's ride article.

Yeah, that's a good idea! I think I will.

 

[4-Ripcord]

Thats so cool. Congrats! Didnt even notice it when I read it last week.

 

[LINY4Runner]

Brian! You're famous! haha that's cool :guitar3:

 

[brian2sun]

Thats so cool. Congrats! Didnt even notice it when I read it last week.

Brian! You're famous! haha that's cool :guitar3:

Haha, thanks guys. Yeah, it's not easy being famous.. everybody swarms me in the grocery store now and wants my autograph and sh!t. It's crazy! Lol.

 

[tinman]

everybody swarms me in the grocery store now and wants my autograph and sh!t. It's crazy! Lol.

For real??? I gotta get me one of those bumpers!! :thumb3:

I really like the idea of painting the body--I almost did it to mine a couple weekends ago! I think I'll do it now. Makes it MUCH less noticable. Looking very nice Brian...cleans up well, but always ready to hit the trail!