Cleve's 98 4Runner

88Cleve4runner

88Cleve4runner

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Not to be confused with "Cleve's 97 4Runner"...
And I like having 1 thread about it instead of multiple so I'll compile it all here. Hopefully this one hangs around for a while and isn't sold to get me out of a hole ha

Picked this up about a month ago.


1998 4Runner 4x4 auto w/ 158k miles
255/85/16 Maxxis Bighorns
4xInnovations Sliders
PO's rear bumper
Toytec coil overs
OME 890s
Aussie Locked rear

Immediate needs are a DD from Cleveland to Chattanooga which this isn't quite a good option for currently. But since it'll only have to serve for 1-2 years I picked it up with intentions of modifying it for DD life a little

Plan is to crank the coil overs down to 0" and swap out the rears with a factory set I have access to. Then trade the 255s for a set of 265/70 for daily driving. Then the maintenance to get it reliable starts...
Lower and Upper Ball Joints, replace busted CV, front brakes, sway bar end links
Rear axle seals, bearing, rear brakes
Engine Tune up with plugs, wires, etc.

 
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Finally got it finished and running the way I want. Got the gas mileage up from 12 to 20 mpg after it was all said and done.

Had to add a radiator to the list since it fell off the jack stands while trying to swap out the rear coils and one of the jack stands bent the front cross member and put a hole in said radiator.... Yeah that was a fun evening...

Next few steps are pretty simple and aren't near as important as the maintenance I did, so they're not being rushed...
Some AT tires, the ones I picked up should last me till winter
New hood, this oxidation is getting on my nerves
Cut off and weld in a new front cross member
Cut the rear bumper off
99+ Center Console



 


Finished up a new phone / GPS mount last night. Was pretty simple and easy. Time will tell if I like the location or not.

**Update** Maybe if I had a bluetooth radio I would like this location more but having to run the cable over is a pain. I guess I could always route one behind the dash and up the pillar, but instead I'm currently looking for a different location. Somewhere in the middle.


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4flyer said:
Very neat rig. Did you install the locker? If so, how hard was it to install?
Click to expand...

I did not install this one. I did install a Spartan Locker into my 97 though. The install was fairly easy. But I still had to take it to a shop after I was done because I couldn't get the backlash set up correctly. Other than that it was easy.

I'll take it to a shop from now on though.
 
I didn't know you were on here! So I might be interested in that bumper again after bending mine up this past weekend :biggrin1:
 
Chuckles89 said:
I didn't know you were on here! So I might be interested in that bumper again after bending mine up this past weekend :biggrin1:
Click to expand...

haha it's your call man. It's still on mine just cause I haven't had much free time at all. If you decide you want it let me know, I think you've got my phone number in the FB message, and I'll pick up some cut off wheels and sawzall blades and get it off one weekend.

Once it's cut off, spending a few hours to clean it up and making sure it's lined up perfect before welding it back on shouldn't be a problem at all.
 
A few things have changed, I ditched the rear bumper and put the factory one back on. Planning on adding a plate bumper in the future.

I also found a set of 235/85/16 Goodyear Duratracs. Had them on for about a week now and I love them. Slightly louder than I anticipated, but it's awful hard to complain about noise at the price that I found them for.



Planning on putting the OME 906s on and cranking the coilovers in a week or two when the Christmas season slows down for me and I get caught up at work.
 
Nice looking rig. What all did you do to get your MPG from 12 to 20? My new (to me) 98 runs great but gets shit mileage. It doesn't feel like I need plugs or wires, but it's hard to ignore the constant refilling of the tank...
 
Well the 12 was happening when it had 255s, 3" lift, roof rack, etc.

I put on 265/70s, took the lift and roof rack off, then did a basic tune up with plugs, wires, cleaned MAF sensor and throttle body. That was it. Haha


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Looking good! Did you buy it from someone in Oregon? I noticed an Oregon Love sticker on the window. lol I just bought a '98 as well and my gas mileage is kinda shitty. (14-15 through the first 2 tanks) I'm gonna give her new plugs/wires/PCV, and a Seafoam treatment.
 
RogueYota said:
Looking good! Did you buy it from someone in Oregon? I noticed an Oregon Love sticker on the window. lol I just bought a '98 as well and my gas mileage is kinda shitty. (14-15 through the first 2 tanks) I'm gonna give her new plugs/wires/PCV, and a Seafoam treatment.
Click to expand...

The story behind that sticker is I bought the 4Runner from one of my closest friends and our wives are close as well. His wife is from Oregon so I kept it for that reason and I thought it was cool.

I should also make the claim that I drive like an old man (take off slow, start slowing down sooner than usual) and my driving is probably 65% hwy where I only go 70. I would say my 20 mpg was an outlier ha.
 
May have wound up with a new front bumper pretty soon. We'll see after insurance gets the police report. It's not much but the estimate was much higher than expected, time will tell.

 
Yes it took an awful long time to get it put on there, but it finally happened.


Rode around like this for a couple days while I was cutting off and replacing the crossmember that I bent (front skid mount).






Finished up at 1:30 saturday morning. Had a few hang ups, and I also was in no hurry, I wanted to do it all as carefully as I could. The biggest issue, for those of you who know how the frame brackets mount, happened with the mounting of the frame brackets on the driver side frame rail. The two nuts inside the frame where the tow hooks mount had the threads strip out. The bottom 1/4" of that frame had some border line serious rust in it. I cleaned it up before putting the bumper on, but it was enough that when I started torquing on those 2 bolts, the threads let go. But since I didn't do the frame caps, I had planned on welding a few "easy to cut off" beads on the frame brackets anyway. So for now, the 3 bolts per side is holding everything well enough until I get a welder to it tomorrow evening.

Here's when we finished (yes I know the pads are on upside down. I fixed them last night)

And all cleaned up (except the pads, this is when I noticed it).
 
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