Bump's '90 4Runner

Well I'm almost done grinding the brackets off the frame. Plan is to finish that tomorrow and hopefully get the axle under it.

I did pick up something for the 4r today... TIRES!!! I picked up a set of like new 36x12.5x15 TSL Super Swampers. I wasn't looking to spend the money right now but it was a really good deal that a friend posted on Facebook this morning, so I jumped on them. The wheels aren't right bolt pattern but they should sell easy and for more than enough to buy some steel wheels. Here are a couple pics.





Hopefully I'll have something good to report.
 
Well finally made some progress. All unnecessary brackets are gone off the front of the frame rails. And then this happened...







The springs are hung! I used a piece of 1" EMT to square the two frame tubes up with one another and to get the distances set right.
 
I finally stopped being lazy and got this done...









Its finally sitting on all fours again. Its really tall in the front right now mainly cause there isnt any weight up there. After I get the drivetrain in, I will be able to set the front hanger to its correct position. Next is the gettin the new motor/trans out of the donor rig and prepping it to go in. Id like to get the drivetrain set, then finish welding the front spring hanger, then do the back suspension. After that will come the fun part of wiring the 4.3 lol.
 
I like this im subscribed for sure I'm going to be doing this with a 90 and 95 good work bud.

Thanks.

Not much of an update, but the donor and donee did meet yesterday.



I dont think I will get to pull the motor this evening, but if not it will definitly happen tomorrow. I also ordered some seals and gaskets for the 4.3 today.

My new wheels should be in today and I will get those mounted sometime this week.
 
Well the 4.3/4l60e is finally in the shop. Me and buddy pulled it yesterday.







I also dropped my tires and wheels off yesterday to be mounted. I went to pick them up afte work and he was closed already (after telling me he would still be open). And just because I like pics...



This is 8.75oz of BBs for each tire for balancing(Thats a 5000 pack split evenly between the 4)
 
Slowly but surely making progress. Pulled the harness off the motor. I labeled the majority of the connectors to help remember where they go.



I also got the tires back and mocked them up in front of the 4r. Can't wait until they are actually mounted on it.

 
pics are looking good! Those tires look brand new! The lugs are still square!

Thanks. And yea the tires are basically new. You can still see all the nipple spots and mold lines. Crazy thing is I only have $500 in the wheels and tires now lol.

Tomorrow's plan is to seperate the motor/trans and start cleaning up the motor to change the main seals and intake manifold gasket.
 
I got the motor/trans seperated Thursday evening but didnt have long enough bolts to mount the motor on the stand, so I picked up new bolts and done that Friday night. Saturday I pressured washed the motor and starting pulling more stuff off of it.

The motor looked like this when I quite Saturday


I pulled it down to change the intake manifold gasket and I have since picked up head gaskets. I figured I might as well change them while I have it this far apart lol. I should get that knocked out tomorrow evening. Then I will just have to change the main seals and the motor will be just about done. Plan is to change out the output shaft on the trans next week and pull the tcase from my parts frame. Hopefully I can get the motor/trans/tcase in the mocked up in the 4runner by the end of the month.
 
Decided not to work on the motor yesterday since Im waiting for a little tool to help with head gasket removal (that stuff is on there). I did decide to break out the grinder and work on the rear axle. I got all the welds from the several link brackets off. Now I just need to patch up a couple spots where I hit the housing with the torch and it will be ready.

 
Guess its time to update. The motor is together (just needs rear main seal and pan gasket changed) and the trans is rebuilt. I hadnt planned to rebuild the trans, but when I pulled it apart to change the output shaft I discovered the 3-4 clutches were worn. So I picked up a rebuild kit and shift kit from a buddy at work and rebuilt it. Ive also cleaned up the tcase and installed both trans/tcase adapters. Next on the list is to get the motor and tcase mounts built and get it all installed.

Now on to the pics




















 
Awesome build man! Did you upgrade your birfs or did you keep the stocks in there? Just curious considering your tire/engine combo.
 
Awesome build man! Did you upgrade your birfs or did you keep the stocks in there? Just curious considering your tire/engine combo.

Thanks. No I haven't upgraded the birfs yet. I will worry about that later. I'll also add a locker upfront when I do.
 
I did a little more work today. I should have time to work on it this week and next weekend so I started prepping to install the drivetrain. Goal is to have it in by end of next weekend.

I cleaned up the engine bay some more and gave it a fresh coat of paint. I thought I had a pic of it after pressure washing but I don't. So here is a before any cleaning and after.









I still want to put one more coat on but I ran outta paint. I'll do it tomorrow

I also started building a motor mount before I called it quits.

 
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The drivetrain is in, well kind of. The motor mounts are tacked in place and I have most of the crossmember parts cut out and ready to be welded, just havent done. it. Hopefully have time tomorrow to weld up the crossmember. I did most of the work by myself, so it took way longer than it should lol. The motor is resting on the mounts so that is a good feeling. Its sitting a little lower than I like and have seen when most ppl do this swap. I think its from not having a body lift and running the gm auto trans.

Heres a couple pics. Ill get some more after I get the crossmember built.



 
Guess I should update this a little...

I bought some Summit headers for a s10 2wd. They will have to be modified a little, but I think they will work good.



Driver side




Pass side




Had some clearance issues with the power steering pump and steering shaft, so I removed the rag joint. It will also get better when I relocate the steering box




I built the crossmember. Still need to add some gussets to it, but I will do that when I take the drivetrain out to finish welding the motor mounts.










I also got the rear axle housing cleaned up and primed. I cut down the rear brake backing plates to get ready for a disk brake swap. I borrowed another set of 63's from from my buddy incase I need them to add leafs to my pack. I think I will end up ordering a AAL, but Im going to wait until I get the leafs underneath the 4runner.








Im on call for work this weekend and my wife is taking the kids and going to stay a few hours away with her dad for labor day weekend. So as long as I dont get called into work (knock on wood), I plan to get the rear sitting on the leaf springs this weekend.
 
Time for another update. I spent alot of time cutting out the rear suspension this past weekend. Im glad that is over. Ill let the pics do the talking for now....













AND FINALLY...





The rear shackle angle is too lazy and the rear axle is too far back. So Im going to move the springs hangers forward some. I also think Im going to order a AAL to pick up the back end some more. The front still has to come down tho. Im hoping the weight that I need to add to the front will help, if not I will be move the front spring hanger back some.
 
Nice to see the tires on it!! Whats your frame height under under the drivers door? How low does the drive train hang below the frame?
 
Nice to see the tires on it!! Whats your frame height under under the drivers door? How low does the drive train hang below the frame?

Thanks. It felt great to finally see the tires on it. Right now the frame height under the passenger door (just a random spot I measured last night) is 29" I think. I didnt get a measurement for the drivetrain yet for some reason. Ill get some measurements this evening.
 

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