Buster - The Stock Wheeler

[LR Max]

Late last year I came into possession of a 1994 Toyota 4Runner. V6 (everyone goes on and on about how horrible this engine is), slush box auto, and 4x4. In all honesty, I bought it to keep myself busy while my girlfriend was away at college.

The vehicle has lived a very, very, very hard life. Previously, it was the daily driver for three teenage girls. It does have some bumps and bruises. However overall, the body is pretty darn straight and the underside is completely rust free. Which I can't believe, but I'll take it.

So on a November day, I took my suitcase, filled it full of tools, a spare shirt, spare pair of underoos, and socks, hopped on a megabus, and made the 300 mile trip to collect me new-to-me 4Runner.

20151108_092903 by Max Thomason, on Flickr

After a quick check over, I called my insurance company, got coverage, and headed home. As I headed home, I thought about what I REALLY wanted to do with this truck. A few years ago, I rented a jeep out west and wheeled it. I forgot what it was like wheeling a stock truck. So I decided that I would keep her stock. Overall, that would make things easier.

Keeping her stock also allowed this to be the "spare" vehicle. Just hand someone the keys and off they go. Whenever my g/f came home, she would borrow the 4Runner for around town driving. While not her favorite, it worked. Also we've been using it for numerous trips and for trips to the hardware store, etc.

As I discovered, I had a bad caliper. During a panic stop sometime in its life, it had caused a flat-spot tire. So I found some second hand matching tires and had them mounted up. New Brakes as well.

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I found a local machine shop. $25. Install new rotors, wheel bearings, pack the wheel bearings, install new wheel studs. I ordered everything else off Rock Auto. Stops A LOT better now.

 

[LR Max]

The flat-spot tire has basically destroyed the passenger front suspension. So I've been going nuts trying to track down all of the issues with that. Also I went ahead and installed new coils in the rear and shocks all around.

20151127_193709 by Max Thomason, on Flickr

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Sitting level is HUGE for me. LOL

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Also did a basic tune up. Despite having a stack of service records...this is what the plugs look like. HOW DID IT RUN.

20151129_174353 by Max Thomason, on Flickr

 

[BigRyan1986]

nice runner

 

[_ExpeditionMan]

Those plugs look like they came out of my 4Runner! I had the same deal with spark plugs and service records. Looks like a clean truck from a distance! :thumb3:

 

[LR Max]

Got my parking spot at 4 Wheel Parts. I love to hate that place...

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Also gives me a good idea as to what actual suspension articulation I have. I can deal with it considering coming from a stiff undersprung leaf suspension truck.

Found a local parts truck. Pulled the sunroof and misc other interior parts. Lots of stupid little stuff, but will make things better. Also learned how to remove the headliner. But more importantly, I think when its time to do the sunroof, I probably need to pull the entire interior. So that'll be a huge undertaking when the time comes. That said, I'm sure it'll make everything much nicer once its done.

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[LR Max]

First wheeling trip. Out to the Talledega National Forest. Few photos, but overall, GREAT place to take a stock truck. We really didn't explore as much as I wanted to, but it was a good first ride. I brought WAY too much crap since we were solo and I didn't know what to expect.

Came across a fallen tree on the trail. No biggie. Happens all the time. What I didn't take a picture of is the brodozer Jeep JKUR coming up the trail. Brand new with like, another $15k thrown at it in lift, tires, wheels, bumpers, and about 40 light bars on it. This little log held them up. However my logging chain and reverse gear saved the day. I mean, the logging chain wasn't totally required, but I had it, might as well use it.

20151121_133817 by Max Thomason, on Flickr

 

[joeynational]

how do you like those shocks?

 

[LR Max]

Next wheeling trip. Quick and easy trail up in the mountains. I've run it numerous times in my rover without much of an issue (usually don't even engage the front axle). Wanted to see what the old 4 Runner could do.

My buddy is new to wheeling. He just put a set of BFG KOs on his LR3.

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Say what you will about the newer rovers, but that thing is a hoss off road. The articulation is so much better than the old 4Runner. On top of that, through the entire section, I did struggle some, getting cross axled. His truck had SO much more traction that I did. On top of that, I saw his traction control kick in once. It was seamless. Just worked.

All of that said, I still liked driving the old 4Runner. It forces me to be a better driver.

 

[LR Max]

how do you like those shocks?

They are fine. Nothing bad but nothing great about them. They work fine with the stock suspension. The front is so stiff anyway.

 

[4runninky]

looks like u had some fun. the places around us to wheel at is more of mud bogs and real aggressive stuff. looking for a more of a place like u have there.

 

[LR Max]

looks like u had some fun. the places around us to wheel at is more of mud bogs and real aggressive stuff. looking for a more of a place like u have there.

I bet the Hatfield and McCoy trail would be awesome in a stock truck. I think they just opened it up to full sized vehicles.

Also the Daniel Boone trail.

But yeah, we have tons of easy trails around here, and some that are just well groomed forest service roads. A good stock 4x4 would be at home on any of those roads.

 

[LR Max]

So, things haven't been progressing well with the 4Runner recently. Just...too much else going on. So it has spent A LOT of time on the street, parked.

Finally got around to replacing the suspension bushings. As you can see, very...very...very...rough. Also replaced a lot of track bar stuff in there as well.

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Yep. Bushings look bad.

Bought some good replacements and my local machine shop installed them for $10/bushing. Better than me screwing around on the garage floor forever with a hammer. Dropped them off on the way to work, and picked it up on the way home. Difficult to beat.

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[LR Max]

Soon afterwards, I had a friend (who is a tech) replace my upper control arm. He discovered the torsion bar bolt was a bit...worn...

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After all of that, took it over, got it aligned. Drives A LOT better. Of course now it highlights my need for new tires. The old tires...they are just done.

 

[joeynational]

Im doing same right now with my truck. Im also taking the control arms to shop to be pressed. I agree well worth the money vs my time and headache

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