Brian's Build Journal - All Purpose, Overland/Expedition 4Runner

[TheFriZ]

and LASTLY... LOL (one day ill post up pictures of my 240sx... it was a really sick car)

This is the new toy, I call the build "Dazed and Confused"

1969 Pontiac Firebird Coupe
PHS Documented, Originally Verdoro Green, Now Black.
67,000 Original Miles
Original Numbers matching Motor, Non HO Pontiac 350
Muncie M20 4 Speed (Originally a 3 speed Column shift Manual, one of 8464)
Hurst Shifter
Edelbrock Intake
Edelbrock 4 Barrel 600CFM carb (originally a 2 barrel)
Crane 272-2
New Seals
Ram Air III Exhaust Manifolds
Dual 2.5 Aluminized Exhaust Piping
Flowmaster 40 Series Mufflers (x2)
New Radiator
Dual PermaCool Electric Fans
10 Bolt Rear end
Eaton Limited Slip
3.08 gears (allegedly, now this I need toconfirm, It's cranking awfully high at highway speeds)
Front Heavy Duty Sway Bar with Poly Bushings
Rear Sway Bar
New Springs Front
New Springs Rear
New Ball Joints
New Tie Rods
New Subframe Bushings
Subframe Connectors
IROC Quick Ratio Steering Box
Stainless Steel Brake Lines
Disc Brakes Front Conversion (orignally nonpower drums)
Power Brake Conversion
Stainless Fuel Lines
New Seats
New Door Panels
New Carpet
New Dashboard
New Headliner
New Dash pad
New Visors
New Wiring Harness for the Entire car
Hushmat ExTreme From the Firewall to the rear seat.
Gauges Rebuilt,
Volt, Oil Pressure, Water Temp, and Tachometer
Original Floor Pans completely Solid
New Rear Quarters, done very well
American Racing Torque Thrust Wheels (FOR SALE SOON)
and I'm sure I'm forgetting stuff...

 

[tre9er]

Hard to beat American muscle with a 4-speed on the floor :rockon:

 

[TheFriZ]

Suscribed.

How'd you like owning the Landcruiser?
I was torn between a fj62, 100, and the 3rd gen when I was shopping around last.

I LOVED The Land Cruiser, but I also hated it at the same time. Obviously it was a tank, felt very solid, and I had 100% trust in it that it would get me where I needed to go. I owned it for about 2.5 years. Obviously, you saw the list of what I replaced on it; well, in the 2.5 year I put about 45,000 miles on it and after that mileage, it would have cost me another significant chunk of change to keep her nice. Being as heavy as they are, 6500lbs+, the new shocks were already getting tired, the tires were wearing out (heavy weight plus full time awd), It literally ATE brake pads for breakfast (although the rotors never wore out), and it needed other maintenance items like timing and other misc. items at that point. It was a GREAT vehicle, and it was extremely capable, even without lockers. They have a nearly perfect weight balance, which you could really feel while wheeling. I could take it places that I could take my little, crazy jeep without problems.

My BIGGEST beef with it, aside from the fact that they are EXPENSIVE to keep on the road (they are STONE COLD reliable, but parts are still expensive and wear fast), I was never comfortable in it. Even though they are super big vehicles, the interior is actually pretty small. Im only 5'10, and I still had to have the driver's seat all the way back to be comfortable, and then anyone who sat behind me would have their knees jammed in the back of my seat. The knee room for both the front and rear passengers is pretty dismal. My 1998 4runner has WAY more interior room. I also despised the seats, they weren't very comfortable. Lastly, the driver sits offset from the steering wheel; in other words, the steering wheel isn't centered for the driver. Something about this made me hurt...lol I have a ruptured disc in my back, and I believe the slight twist in my driving position caused me to be really uncomfortable.

All of these complaints said, I really miss the truck. My wife LOVED it, and that was her vehicle of choice when she drove anywhere. I didn't hate the cons so much that I wanted to sell it, it really came down to the fact that it only got an average of 13mpg.... The only way I'll ever own another 80 is if I bring over a Turbo Diesel under the 25year law, which you will be able to do VERY soon.

I like the 4runner because it is much more comfortable inside, it has more passenger room(literally, tons more), it gets 20mpg on average, and it all around just feels better to drive. It is lighter and more nimble. I do miss the solid axle front end though....

I used to work at an Outfitter(for 4years) doing kayak and rafting trips. Sometimes people would pay us to move their vehicles while they were on the river. On multiple occasions, I got to drive some VERY NICE, all original FJ60's.... me personally, a nice 1983-1984 4Speed FJ60 is more comfortable than an 80 I like the looks better too. I'm also a BIG fan of the Hundys... 1998+ Land cruisers with the v8.... I love them.

:welcome:

That cherokee is sick.

Thanks man, it was a GREAT rig... she had just gotten too far gone... It would have cost me another 3 grand to make it a vehicle that I needed in terms of being ready to hop in and trust 100% to drive across the country and back... so she had to go.... SAD day... I met my wife in it, brought my daughter home in it... went and picked up my trust dog in it... lots of fond memories... but it was just too impractical to keep...

fftopic: My other car is a Foz too! 98, just bought it. Did rear brake pads, Pioneer double-DIN HU, Weathertech mats, new Michelin tires (got sweet deal on these), and about to put in keyless entry (didn't have for some reason).

LIFT IT!!! My forester is extremely capable get some 2003+ suspension(03+struts allow for more tire clearance) and some 1" coil spacers and you will be able to clear 28" tires! I like subarus, I actually founded and manage a HUGE Subaru club... Triad Subaru. There are almost 850 members.

 

[TheFriZ]

I'll post a pic of my other three "rigs" soon too, especially since they are integrally related to my 4runner.

2009 Ocean Kayak, Trident Prowler 13 Fishing Kayak
2011 WaveSport Diesel 75 Down River Whitewater Boat
2010 Jackson Kayak Allstar Whitewater Play boat

Kayaking is my second passion, first is obviously anything with compression and gears

 

[tre9er]

LIFT IT!!! My forester is extremely capable get some 2003+ suspension(03+struts allow for more tire clearance) and some 1" coil spacers and you will be able to clear 28" tires! I like subarus, I actually founded and manage a HUGE Subaru club... Triad Subaru. There are almost 850 members.

It's the wife's car, and c'mon now, I need to allocate fundage towards MY mods here

 

[T4R2014]

CSF 2517 Radiator | Auto Parts Warehouse

This is the Radiator I put in my Land Cruiser, in the description it says it was a plastic tank unit, but I really wasn't. I searched high and low for it. I do believe I'm going to look for the same for the 4Runner

EDIT* it doesn't look like CSF makes an all metal one for 3rd Gens, I found some all metal CSF 3 rows for 4Runners, but apparently they are for different model years.

I think that LC Engineering might have an all metal, but it is $$$$$. I would personally go for the OEM route for the radiator. Also, I found out that Toyota has two part numbers for radiators. One part number is for a cheaper Chinese-made radiator that you can pick up for much cheaper on Amazon which is sold on there under the Denso name. The other part number is for the more expensive Japanese-made radiator (Also a Denso) which is what your 4Runner rolled out of the factory with. I figure that since my factory one has lasted so long, I will replace it with another Japanese-made OEM. However, I can't say that I have heard about the Chinese Denso being bad.

Also, I would run an external transmission cooler inline with the factory. The milkshake issue is only on old and worn radiators, not new ones. Forums tend to turn issues caused by time and wear into a design flaw. I see no point in bypassing the factory cooler if the radiator is new. B&M coolers are good.

 

[RicMan]

Good to see a fellow paddler

 

[TheFriZ]

So, I'm trying to decide whether or not I need a new fan clutch, and I'm trying to find out ASAP before my store sells out of them at the price im looking at.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rSYA5boc8bw&feature=youtu.be

there is a video.

I can spin it by hand, but if I try to give it a good spin, it only moves a few inches and then stops... so it doesn't spin just freely. I just feel like it is WAY too loud.

Here is a link to my fan clutch thread
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-g...ch-symptoms-how-loud-yours-2.html#post1754317

 

[Jasonredwood]

Thanks for the feed back on the 80. Good to know.

Have you tried the rolled up news paper test on the fan clutch hub?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qUN17UEUWmc

 

[TheFriZ]

Thanks for the feed back on the 80. Good to know.

Have you tried the rolled up news paper test on the fan clutch hub?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qUN17UEUWmc

My understanding is that is to test whether or not it is slipping... I feel like mine is locking up too much. It's not fully locked up, because I can still spin it with the motor off(barely though, like if I give it a good spin, it only moves a few inches and stops)... but it is just LOUD

And you are welcome!

 

[jgue467]

Sounds normal to me.

So, I'm trying to decide whether or not I need a new fan clutch, and I'm trying to find out ASAP before my store sells out of them at the price im looking at.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rSYA5boc8bw&feature=youtu.be

there is a video.

I can spin it by hand, but if I try to give it a good spin, it only moves a few inches and then stops... so it doesn't spin just freely. I just feel like it is WAY too loud.

Here is a link to my fan clutch thread
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-g...ch-symptoms-how-loud-yours-2.html#post1754317

Hey FriZ, my 01 w/242k sounds identical on cold startup or warm for that matter. Does yours quite down after about 20 secs or so? Mine does within half a typical block, unless of course it is really hot out. My definition of really hot is 100+. I recently took mine on a roadtrip from central texas thru NM, Ariz, over sierra madre to SD, up the PCH to Frisco, then east to Tahoe, then more east to SLC and eventually to Colo, nothing like climbing the Rockies between Steamboat and Denver! My engine temps never went above 199 and the tranny stayed under 205 on hard climbs as long as I turned OD off. One tough little beast! I do like the idea of it being quieter and the supposed 8 hp (probably above 3500rpms) gain.

I think your's is normal and fine but would base my decision on "is it cooling well?" Will it stay under or very near 200 under all conditions? Nice reading material you've generated - thanks and Luck! :banana:

 

[Link817]

Cool build man, I'm in the same boat as you in your direction of build. I went to the max on the last on and got out of hand. I just got my first epidural shot into my L5 disc for a rupture, lets see how this goes. I just picked up a 99 with 160k on it and my start up is very loud on the fan. Driving around gets a lot quieter. Hows your gas tank float and dash for fuel level? Mine is shot and that is top on the list, cant figure if it needs a new tank parts or dash parts. My valve covers were very loose too, the gaskets are on the list to change but i was able to tighten them a little

Subscribed.

 

[Schady44]

Hey Friz-

I actually had the same thing going on with mine recently. I never recall it being as loud as it has been the past few weeks, and I've been slacking in power a little bit. Went ahead and swapped out the clutch this morning so I'll keep you posted. I'm pretty positive it was locking up... Really loud through all RPM's , all the time and temps were pretty cool.

 

[Jasonredwood]

Ah yeah your right.

 

[TheFriZ]

Ok guys, Well, I ordered the new Aisin Fan Clutch. Amazon had 5 left yesterday, and only 2 left today, so I figured if I wanted to get it for $96, I better jump on it!

Anyway. I went and checked the fan on my Dad's 2010 Tacoma. While the motor was off, his fan would spin much more freely. I could give it a good spin and it would actually spin a bit. On my 98 4Runner, if I tried to give the fan a good spin, it would only move an inch or so before stopping. This suggested to me that my fan clutch was locking up too much. I drove the 4runner a lot today, and I just feel like something is holding power back, and I feel like I am just hearing the fan WAAYY too much.

Here is a video comparing the two clutch fans being spun. the 2010 Tacoma fan first, and the 1998 4runner fan(the one I think is locking up too much) second.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rSYA5boc8bw&list=UUJEEwcGNKwZZfG-g9WGyKnA&index=2

On his Tacoma, I can barely hear the fan at all while driving, if any actually.. On my 4runner, I hear the fan more than the motor. It isn't 100% locked up, but I believe it is locking up more than it should.

obviously the truck would be cooling adequately if the fan was locking up more than it should.. LOL

Fans just aren't supposed to be that loud!! If you watch the video I posted a few posts ago, you will see that mine is really loud, from cold start, all the way to operating temperature and at all RPMs...

The video I posted just now shows that mine has a lot more resistance than a newer OEM Toyota fan clutch. I'm hoping this means that mine is locking up too much and that when this new Fan clutch gets here Thursday, I will have a quieter motor and gain a few MPGs

I know on my Jeep Cherokee, when it had the same problem, I gained about 3-4mpg!

Hope this helps you guys. If your fan is really loud like that, chances are, it isn't acting as it should!

Also, in case you missed it, Here is a link to a brand new, OEM Aisin Fan Clutch for only $96!!! Amazon is great!
Amazon.com: Aisin FCT-013 Engine Cooling Fan Clutch: Automotive

 

[TheFriZ]

p.s., thanks for the kind words from all of you!!! I look forward to chatting and following your builds as well!!!

 

[TheFriZ]

BAH!!! I just typed all of this and my computer lost it....

Anyway..

SOoo, Amazon sent me a notification that my new Aisin Fan Clutch and a new OEM Toyota Oil Filter were delivered to my local postal carrier for delivery, so maybe I can go grab them if they will give them to me, and I wont have to wait until tomorrow to fix that fan!

Woohoo!

And... less positive news.

I'm trying to chase down some vibrations I am feeling. I feel them underneath the truck at speeds from 55mph up in to the 70's... Nothing crazy, just a nice, tight vibration.

At first thought, I thought of the Rear Driveshaft, because that is what it felt like. I crawled under the truck with my trusty Lincoln Grease Gun and gave the rear driveshaft a wiggle. I could feel a slight bit of play at the Slip Joint. I put some grease in the slip joint until I could see the driveshaft bump with a pump from the grease gun. I went ahead and gave the Double Cardan Joint a few shots of grease as well in each of the two U-Joints. I also went ahead and greased the Slip Joint on the Front Driveshaft while I was down there.

Test Drive: there was an ever so slight improvement, but the vibes were still there.

On to the next possibilities. As you guys know, when I first bought the truck, the steering was all jacked up and the front shocks were blown. The steering rack had a lot of play in it. Well, now I have replaced the steering rack, Lower Ball Joints, Shocks, etc... I got the truck aligned afterwards. When I first drove it, I could feel a lot of vibes in my steering wheel.
Well, I could see some inside camber wear on the front tires, which are pretty damn new, Goodyear Tracker 2's. Soo, after it was aligned and all fixed up, I rotated the front tires to the back(on the same side they were on). This cleaned up the steering wheel vibes.

SOo, now I'm thinking it could be the tires. Obviously, they need to be rebalanced; One, because tires obviously need to be rebalanced every so often, Two, because I have no idea who balanced them before, and Three, because I feel that the wear on the front(now the back) tires could have worn them out of balance.

However, what makes me think that it isn't the tires is that it only comes around after I get above 55-60mph... I would think that I would feel the vibrations more often if it was tire related. I guess if it is tires, once you are going that speed, the tires change shape from which they are when you are only going 25-30mph....

If it's not tires, Do 4Runners have any idiosyncratic little things that cause vibrations? Going back to my Jeep days, there were lots of things that could change ever so slightly and you would get Death wobble in your steering, or you would get rear driveshaft vibes... Hell, my rear leafs sagged over time and ultimately a change in 1/4 inch height gave me rear d/s vibes.....

I did put 1.5" rear spacers and 1" spacers on the truck when I put new shocks on it.
Being that it is a linked suspension and not leaf sprung, this usually accounts for driveshaft angle in the arc of the suspension, so I wouldn't think it would be rear pinion angle. Obviously the front 3rd member doesn't move with a lift, so the front pinion angle wouldn't be suspect. Would a 1" lift bring vibes to the front C/V axles?

 

[TheFriZ]

Attention: Anyone from the Mid-Atlantic Region, Join my Facebook group. I would love to have a good, social platform to get to know some of you guys; not to mention we could use it to organize some wheeling events, camping trips, cookouts, etc.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/MidAtlanticToyotas/

I did this with Subaru when I lived in Greensboro, my group now has over 800 members of which about 400 were local.

EDIT: 100 POSTS!! WOOHOO

 

[TheFriZ]

Well, I got the 4Runner Aligned, and Inspected yesterday.

Two of the Tires were perfect, two were only slightly out. I still feel some slight vibrations once I'm above 55mph.

Hmmm...

AND

The Fan Clutch arrived today. I'm happy to say that the fan roar is GONE
Easy Install.

All you need is:
New Fan Clutch - Aisin Part Number FCT-013
12mm Wrench
10mm socket
Box Cutter (to open your goodies, duh!)
Door Panel Clip Puller (Something Small to Pry with)







I Also picked up a New OEM Toyota Oil Filter in the process, so I can get this oil changed.


Take the 4 Fan Bolts off with you 12mm Wrench. They should be pretty easy to break loose; They are not torqued on with much gusto. Remove the fan to the driver's side of the engine bay, you may have to bend on the blades slightly to pull it out.

I had to slightly pry on the Assembly to get it pulled off. I took a Door Panel Clip puller and put it on the hub of the fan clutch and used it to pry off.
You will have this..







Now, Remove the 4 10mm bolts that hold the fan to the Fan Clutch.



At this point, I took the Fan inside and Cleaned it up. I took a scrub brush and some steaming hot water and just scrubbed the blades and got all of the crud and grime out of the inside of the hub where the fan clutch mounts.



Now, I used a very small dab of Anti-Sieze doing this; It is time to install the new fan clutch in the fan. These don't need to be torqued on much, just good and tight!



Now, it's time to reinstall!!!

Work the fan back in there the same way you took it out, reinstall the 12mm nuts(again, I used just a small dab of anti seize here as well. Tighten the nuts to where they are good and tight, compare to how tight they were when you disassembled.

Now, ENJOY Your quiet fan!!!! The fan will be loud when you first start it, and then it gets quieter. After the initial startup, the fan should be so quiet that you don't hear it Yay! for a vehicle that doesn't sound like a turbine is under the hood!

Here is how the fan will spin when it is properly working. You can give the fan a good spin and it will turn a little bit before it stops.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VOManBVC5Oo&feature=youtu.be

Here is how man fan spun before, as you can see, the fan clutch was giving too much resistance. you can give it a good spin and it basically stops instantly.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uxT0xRY0JVg&feature=youtu.be

Hopefully this helps some of you!! I know I see and hear WAY too many Toyota's running around with Loud fans. This will make the ride much more pleasurable and also help a bit with your Gas mileage!

 

[TheFriZ]

A Few Quick Pics of it with the Center Caps Reinstalled.

I will be painting the wheels soon, Either back to the stock bright silver, or a nice metallic graphite/charcoal color.. I'm still torn between the two.





Wow, I want some SR5 flares bad!!! LOL

Also high on the to-do list, I'm going to make a custom Grille for the truck. I really like Older Toyotas with "TOYOTA" spelled across the grille instead of the emblem. I have an idea in mind to make it look nice and OEM, so we'll see if I can start gathering the things for that project soon!