Build Thread: 2000 3rd Gen SR5 Mountain/Desert Rambler

[hodolla]

Celebration trip! Was able to test out the new lift and tires on a couple steep dirt roads in Star Valley, WY and near the Tetons. Met up with my cousin and his GF who were traveling from North Carolina and guess what they were driving? Yep, 4runner!

If you're ever out near the Tetons, be sure to stay a night on Shadow Mtn. BLM land with KILLER views.

And of course, in leaving through Jackson I encountered my favorite color of 4runner. Chatted with the dude for a second and he said he originally hated the color but now loves it as it's the only one he's ever seen (must not spend any time on T4R.org haha).


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[hodolla]

Thought I might be able to get around an alignment but had some serious positive camber going on. Brought the whip down to the Alignment Specialists here in SLC and it's a good thing I did! Turns out I had almost an inch of toe as well, LOL.

Before

After

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[hodolla]

This has its own thread but I'd like to document a little of it here - did some photoshopping of my planned painting and got a little...hmm explorative. Here's a few of the designs I was thinking about.

I'm planning on doing the first one I posted there - lightweight spray bedliner for the door panels. Got some flak on the other thread for wanting to paint my color matched fender flares...making me a bit more cautious about this whole decision.

Here's the link to that full thread: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/239622-vinyl-decal-opinions-needed.html


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[wyattam95]

I'm in SLC as well, and just picked up my '99 limited! Looking to do almost the exact same setup from cruiser outfitters, do you have any advice for installing that OME stuff, and also would you mind sharing pricing info for them?

 

[the walrus]

Looking good. Be sure to pile on this thread for Utah locals:

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/239625-utah-peeps-roll-call.html

 

[hodolla]

RACKTION. Check this out - sold my cargo area cover for 70 bucks and picked up the bike rack for $75. Grabbed the Rola Rack off of a local high schooler with a dope 2000 SR5 (go figure) for a steal as well. Did some sticker removal and application.

Already had some bikes on there (forgot to take pics) but dang it looked badass.

Stoked on the cargo rack because now I can get my jerry can and firewood out of the back and keep my interior smellin' less like a gas station and lookin' less like a lumberyard.

My personal brand, Arua Visual. If you need any graphic design work - hit me up! (Shameless plug but any 4runner enthusiast gets the friends and family discount)

Anyone in SLC need stickers? LOL

Bonus image: bad shot but the finished stereo is in there.

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[hodolla]

I'm in SLC as well, and just picked up my '99 limited! Looking to do almost the exact same setup from cruiser outfitters, do you have any advice for installing that OME stuff, and also would you mind sharing pricing info for them?

Yo congrats! Cruiser Outfitters hooked it up with just the front shocks for $160 a piece if I remember correctly. It was rare that they just had the individual pieces laying around as most of their sales are full kits. I'd say that you are definitely taking the best route by going with them. Not only are you able to support some local homies but also a relationship with them could prove very beneficial down the line. Opt to pick up your stuff from their store - guarantee you'll enjoy stopping by.

As far as advice... depends on your rig's history. The previous owner of mine told me that he had all of the shocks replaced 4 months prior to my purchase and his mechanic threw on some of the "top of the line" goods. Upon taking all that stuff apart I found that the front shocks were totally shot - not to mention that I couldn't even find a name brand on them (sketchy IMO). That's where Cruiser Outfitters came in clutch with the spur of the moment parts request. My two cents - buy a full set with the intention of installing everything (shocks, coils, diff drop, etc). Then if you find something that doesn't need to be replaced you can just return it...although it would probably be best just to do it all to start with a clean slate.

Also, http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/239625-utah-peeps-roll-call.html

Good luck with the build!

 

[hodolla]

Bed Build

Had access to free wood and a table saw for the weekend. Dropped $17 on hardware and now I can sleep in the back of the 4runner!

Requirements:
-Still need my back seats to carry the homies
-Can't be too heavy
-Needs to be longer than I am tall (6'3")
-Needs to be secure

Those things in mind I got to work.

Basic frame - 4x4"s for maximum support.


Hinged lid because I don't want to have to dig around stuff to get to the deeper goods


Fully folded out



Fold action here (basically makes a Z shape as it folds back) You can also see here that I have some arms that come out for the folding piece to rest on. These are removable and just fit the tolerance between the back section and the flat divider there. They are modular and stored in the back when not being used. Albeit not the most elegant solution but it works so far.


All folded back and tidy



All in all pretty simple build... not worried about making some big fancy thing with a fridge yet, just nice to be able to sleep in the back for quick trips and pit stops.

 

[hodolla]

Haven't updated the 'ol build thread for about 6 months (oops) but not a whole lot has happened on the upgrade side of things.

Snagged some new tires - REAL stoked about em. Falked Wildpeak AT3 285/75/16's - pretty wide but my mpg is still manageable with the 32.8" tires. Found out they have the deepest initial tread depth on the market. Rubber is a little harder than some but a good compromise in my opinion. The 33's look so much better than the 30's!

Did the deckplate mod - seems to help a little with gas mileage but not super noticeable. Probably the most significant thing is the nice subtle roar the engine has now around 3000rpm [emoji4]

Took a trip out to northern California (Sea Ranch) to celebrate - three gas stops in I vowed to never take a trip that big again unless the roads are more than 50% dirt. Managed to find some fireroads still and ended up at some remote wineries.

EDIT: Found some pics on my phone from a few camping trips around northern Utah worth documenting here.

 

[hodolla]

First Crash Ever

Got in my first accident - on the freeway of course! While making a headcheck to change lanes a rear ender happened in front of me and I couldn't stop in time. Minor impact - airbags didn't go off. Small damages to both vehicles so we just decided on a small cash trade to fix each other's damages. Pocketed the cash and used it as an excuse to paint my front bumper. Eventually going to be making my own so I'm not too worried about it.

Ended up using plastidip because I had some laying around. Surprisingly has held up quite well for the past 4 months.

You can see here the small ding in the front.


And plastidipped black...

 

[hodolla]

Shade and Some Desert Action

Friend of mine hit me with an awesome Christmas gift - his ARB awning off of his 100 series Landy! It's quite long and I couldn't mount it every three feet like ARB suggested so I snagged a Yakima Q tower setup and made a quick trip to Home Depot to get it mounted before a trip to the desert. Pretty quick and dirty solution but it is getting the job done - looking to make a full rack in the future so this will do for now.





My buddy even tossed in a Hi-Lift mount... no more bungee straps!


Next project - rear bumper! Tire swingout and all, weighing options at the moment but it seems [MENTION=55891]Bandit Runner[/MENTION] might have what I'm looking for. Time to get those jerry cans off of the roof!

 

[Kotrin]

I may have missed it reading and ogling over pictures, but you said you couldn't fit 33's?

I have Toytec ultimate lift currently (looking to switch it out soon I hope (sorry Toytec..)). I'm running 285/70/17 with no rubbing fully flexed or locked. I have modified my pinch welds but other than that never experienced an issue yet. I'm even planning to go to 305/70/17's as they still measure around 33" 's roughly. I didn't have spacers on for the first few outings but decided to put spacers on all my wheels after wanting a slightly wider stance and I love the look more.

I had a 97 before my current 4Runner with no spacers and could clear the 33's without a problem also by just doing a little soft talking to the pinch weld and it didn't rub the front bumper either. I have a picture of it if you were interested in seeing it on 33's with no aftermarket bumper or spacers.

Love the sense of adventure, I still make sure to try to go out once a month and hope to go a lot more soon

 

[hodolla]

I may have missed it reading and ogling over pictures, but you said you couldn't fit 33's?



I have Toytec ultimate lift currently (looking to switch it out soon I hope (sorry Toytec..)). I'm running 285/70/17 with no rubbing fully flexed or locked. I have modified my pinch welds but other than that never experienced an issue yet. I'm even planning to go to 305/70/17's as they still measure around 33" 's roughly.

Heyo thanks for the advice! I’m not having very many issues fitting them at the moment, but there are a couple. Since my small front end crash buckled my umm, D-shaped bumper shock absorber/crumple thing (or whatever it’s called) I’m getting some rubbing on the drivers side front wheel because the bumper is pushed in closer to the wheel on that side...only notice it at full flex and I don’t really care about the bumper too much. I do notice my rear tires rubbing on a bolt in the wheel well at full tuck but am putting on a 1” body lift soon to help with that.


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[Kotrin]

Heyo thanks for the advice! I’m not having very many issues fitting them at the moment, but there are a couple. Since my small front end crash buckled my umm, D-shaped bumper shock absorber/crumple thing (or whatever it’s called) I’m getting some rubbing on the drivers side front wheel because the bumper is pushed in closer to the wheel on that side...only notice it at full flex and I don’t really care about the bumper too much. I do notice my rear tires rubbing on a bolt in the wheel well at full tuck but am putting on a 1” body lift soon to help with that.


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Glad you got it figured out and yeah when you hit stuff sometimes changes everything (been there..).

I have done a few body lifts and refuse to do one on this 4Runner, but from personal experience you're doing it right. My first body lift was 3" 's and regretted it VERY quickly. If I was going to do one it would be a 1" and possibly 2" (if I could make it look beautiful, 1" is perfect in my eyes )