Build thread

TheHoneyBadger

TheHoneyBadger

New member
Part time wheeler build thread 4x4 swap


I got a Jeep cherokee in highschool, 4.0 5speed 4x4. The Cherokee brought a new meaning to the term "Heep". Although frustrating that I could never get it to be reliable, it got me into wheeling. Got tired of wrenching on the jeep, ended up in a 1999 4runner, 2wd, 3.4, desert dune, 180k. Guy wanted $3500 for it, but I was able to talk him down to $2500 due to a "bad oil leak", aka a bad oil filter gasket [emoji9]. I began falling for the yota. It was and still is ultra reliable and fun to drive. I didn't do much to it at first, I got some 2015 fj cruiser trail edition wheels with bridgestones on them, got some weathertech's, ISR mod, and did the tundra brake upgrade. I love to hunt, camp and wheel, so not having 4wd had been eating at me for a while, so now begins the serious mod list, including a 4x4 swap

Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk
 
Last edited:
Register to hide this ad
picked up a 4.10 front diff complete with mounting brackets and ADD from ebay to finish out the 4x4 parts i needed. This past weekend however, i found a elocker rear on cl, ended up getting it for $400. Guy i bought the elocker rear off was cool, had a first gen taco that was lifted, armored, tube doors, and 35's. He gave me some rear coil springs, coil spring spacers, and the factory elocker dash switch for free.[emoji1] Guess I'll have to look around to re-gear or get a 4.30 front diff now . Oh well, elocker!

Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk
 
Last edited:
Couple pics of the heep and "wheeling buddies" from highschool. and a shot of the 4runner. Didn't realize how few pictures I have of the runner, don't even have any of it with stock wheels and running boards. I'll have to fix that.
7d53f383d9049f71d5b8d910449df97d.jpg
07778eceb501fa02b053712bb4ed7ca3.jpg
b698c71bc231216a80a693467ccf6b03.jpg
4baebc8ab7f6f74d0b6cba35cccdad25.jpg


Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk
 
Last edited:
Future plans; getting my 4x4 swap done, transgo shift kit, retrofitting my elocker rear, possible full float conversion, 2inch body lift with 1inch drive train lift, tundra coils with tundra 5100's, 35's or 33's, clownmeat inspired rear turbo, armor, sleeping platform/cargo drawers, PIAA headlight upgrade, and way more as I go, I'm sure.

Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk
 
Last edited:
So, no mod progress yet. I did however do my water pump and timing belt @207828. Drove up to my uncle in-law's shop to do it. Snap on tools, a few mechanics with experience to show me the tricks, and the shop discounts made it way less painful of an experience!

Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk
 
Last edited:
Glad to see you enjoying the 4Runner. You will get hooked as it sounds like you already have. My one regret is not taking enough pictures as my life goes on, especially as i'm not as lucky to get pictures of three girls covered in mud!

I'll keep checking in on this thread as it progresses.
 
Kotrin said:
Glad to see you enjoying the 4Runner. You will get hooked as it sounds like you already have. My one regret is not taking enough pictures as my life goes on, especially as i'm not as lucky to get pictures of three girls covered in mud!

I'll keep checking in on this thread as it progresses.
Click to expand...
Thanks! I am definitely enjoying my 'runner. Yeah, that was a fun day, I was dating the one in the middle and she convinced her friends to come along. we got stuck, with no trees in sight to winch from... none of them could drive stick. so, they had to get pushing! [emoji23]

Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk
 
UPS guy dropped off some goodies! [emoji16] uploadfromtaptalk1464758754311.jpg

Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk
 

Attachments

  • uploadfromtaptalk1464758754311.jpg
    uploadfromtaptalk1464758754311.jpg
    106.3 KB · Views: 1,521
Luckily, no serious mechanical damage! Front clip was pushed in a little where the headlights mount, pulled it out and got it pretty straight. Replacement fender, replacement grill. Plastic welded the headlight buckets where the mount tabs broke off, and put new bulbs in while i was at it. Pulled the old bumper off, and decided since I now NEED a new bumper I might as well save a little and drop some cash on a tube bumper (coming soon). Since my turn signals needed to be replaced and I would be going with a different bumper I decided to make some custom LED signals to go in the headlight filler panel. My girlfriend was kind enough to make templates for me to follow for LED placement.
ac6ffb5c9b2fb68f7ee962e3180fcf5c.jpg


Build thread: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?t=219718
 
After that i decided it was time to replace the nearly bald 265/70/17 duelers that came on my trail edition wheels. Went with some 255/80/17 BFG KM2's. I went with a tall skinny tire to avoid rubbing the UCA and to not suffer power loss before regear. So far I'm really impressed with them. For the first 400 or so miles they felt like they rolled/bounced a little more than i liked, but now that they've broken in a little they feel very sure footed. They're quiet (we'll see how loud they get when they wear a little through) and ride good on the highway.
1ca7cd79a5bc546dece7bba62b93bb59.jpg


Build thread: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?t=219718
 
Last edited:
I rolled the pinch welds in the fender wells and did light hammer work on the floor pans (can't even tell with my weathertechs) to make sure i had a fair amount of clearance. I drove on them with no lift for a couple days (just commuting to work) they didn't rub, but obviously would have if i had gone off pavement. So, lift time! Saw a thread on here about using 2007 4wd fj cruiser coils and decided to give it a shot since i wanted to keep it mostly stock for now. It netted me about 1.5" all around and rides pretty good. Feels less like a soccer mom grocery getter and more like a truck. County roads to my deer lease used to beat the sh*t out of me, but not any more!

Build thread: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?t=219718
 
Update time. So, after doing the tundra 231 upgrade i never liked how soft my brake pedal was, Despite bleeding the system and verifying that everything was adjusted and working properly. I then started to get gremlins in my ABS system. On several occasions, on dry pavement, under light braking, my brakes would go into full lock accompanied buy harsh grinding sounds. no amount of pedal pumping would unlock them. Scarry stuff, went skidding though an intersection on one of those occasions. Luckily, no one else was in the intersection. Started checking my system out. Sensors and pump all in perfect order, no ABS light on, ever (yes i verified that the indicator was working correctly also). Several people have had this same problem and the cause seems difficult to pin down. So, being that this was my first vehicle to ever have ABS, I'm used to non ABS and had no problem yanking the fuse and not looking back. This however highlighted the fact that my stock master cylinder seemed to not be able to keep up with the larger front calipers. It seemed like when my brakes would lock, the master couldn't move enough fluid to unlock them. So, after some research, i found a few options for upgrades. I ultimately decided on a master/booster combo from a 97 t100. 1ton. My booster was in working order, but the 1 ton master is a 4 bolt, so i grabbed both to simplify things. The master has a 1 1/16" bore vs the stock 1". This doesn't seem like a huge increase, but i felt like i didn't need much considering my rears are still stock. For whatever reason no one sells the 1ton master with the reservoir locally. After eyeballing it though, i was pretty sure it was the same as the one in the 4runner. I swapped them in today without any issues. The reservoir fit perfectly, the booster pedal linkage rod is the same length and thread as stock, the brake lines are the same thread. Results; much firmer, better feeling brake pedal. I even locked it up on the way home (cat ran out in front of me and it was raining) and was able to unlock and stop the truck with a quick half pump. Very pleased overall with the upgrade, and would suggest it to any one else with the same issues.

Build thread: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?t=219718
 

Attachments

  • uploadfromtaptalk1488678737402.jpg
    uploadfromtaptalk1488678737402.jpg
    107.5 KB · Views: 1,179
  • uploadfromtaptalk1488680394425.jpg
    uploadfromtaptalk1488680394425.jpg
    107.5 KB · Views: 1,183
Last edited:
Nice MC upgrade! I haven't done much reading on the 231 upgrade, but by the reports I've heard of soft- or long traveling- pedals, I knew I would be using a bigger MC when I install my 231's.
Were you able to grab OEM parts from a yard?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Members online

Total: 339 (members: 1, guests: 338)

Forum statistics

Threads
278,239
Messages
3,553,623
Members
247,908
Latest member
Trdoffroad916

Share this page

Trending content

Back
Top