Creating a 25th Anniversary Edition build

[MillerPKA]

It's been a while since I've been here, but there's no place I'd rather get this conversation started. I've spent the several months considering starting over with a 5th gen, but I've always wanted to do this platform justice and would never forgive myself for giving up halfway through. So I'm diving in head-first.

In 2020, the 3rd generation 4runner turns 25, and to commemorate that I'll be embarking on a top-to-bottom update of this truck. My goal is for this "25th Anniversary Edition" 4Runner to be the nicest all around 3rd gen in the world. I hope to be done in time for SEMA 2019.

I'll be developing blueprints through the end of the year, and considering how much communities like this have influenced my progress thus far, I would love your input as we move forward. Here are the bigger bullet points as we lay out plans - let me know what YOU think would make this the ultimate build.

Exterior:
- Full repaint - either 2 stage black repaint, or Cement Gray
- Considering custom widebody fender flares to accommodate long travel/full width rear, or just keep original geometry.

Power: Either 2UZ swap, or swapping existing 3.4 with low mileage engine, swap supercharger, install 7th injector kit.

Interior: Remove completely. Sound deaden, Recaro front seats, seats and door inserts reupholstered to diamond pleated Imola Red leather. Headliner, dash, carpet and trim pieces all black/gray. Custom Tesla-style monitor to replace double DIN radio.

Sincerely looking forward to your thoughts!

 

[Joelzy]

exciting, Love the long-travel idea, would like to do that someday myself

 

[onemanarmy]

my $.02....

I'd make it just like a 'new' third gen off the showroom floor, just how you'd spec it, with tasteful modern upgrades. Limit the screens. They are the worst things about new cars.

Looking forward to how it progresses.

 

[snivilous]

No offense, and I like you and your truck a lot, but I'm kind of confused what the point is? This sounds like every other decently built 3rd Gen. Which isn't a bad thing, but I don't see anything that really would set it apart in terms of performance or in terms of giving hertiage or something to the 3rd Gen. Like 25th anniversary edition.... So it's not stock at all so doesn't really pay homage to when 3rd gens first came out, and it's also not built to the teeth imo so not really following why it would be a big deal? Or maybe I'm mistaking the purpose of what you're doing and that's just the name you came up with for the next stage of your build?

 

[MillerPKA]

No offense, and I like you and your truck a lot, but I'm kind of confused what the point is? This sounds like every other decently built 3rd Gen. Which isn't a bad thing, but I don't see anything that really would set it apart in terms of performance or in terms of giving hertiage or something to the 3rd Gen. Like 25th anniversary edition.... So it's not stock at all so doesn't really pay homage to when 3rd gens first came out, and it's also not built to the teeth imo so not really following why it would be a big deal? Or maybe I'm mistaking the purpose of what you're doing and that's just the name you came up with for the next stage of your build?

The 25th anniversary edition is a bit confusing, but yeah ultimately just describing the next phase of this build. Over the years I've seen tons of awesome 3rd gen builds but ultimately sacrificing one area over the other, like ridiculous suspension but stock or torn up interior. And vice versa with really clean interiors but nothing special on the outside. The guiding philosophy was trying to make the best overall build possible. Clean, capable, and a badass interior. In my mind it's a reimagining of a classic, maybe how Raptor reimagined the F150.

 

[absalom]

The 25th anniversary edition is a bit confusing, but yeah ultimately just describing the next phase of this build. Over the years I've seen tons of awesome 3rd gen builds but ultimately sacrificing one area over the other, like ridiculous suspension but stock or torn up interior. And vice versa with really clean interiors but nothing special on the outside. The guiding philosophy was trying to make the best overall build possible. Clean, capable, and a badass interior. In my mind it's a reimagining of a classic, maybe how Raptor reimagined the F150.

You’re going to want a 2UZ/1HDFTE/1VD-FTE coupled with an A750 at the minimum. If your goal is a modern-day reimagining of the 3rd gen platform, which I love by the way, sticking with the 5VZFE would be relatively anticlimactic imo.

I disagree btw, there are TONS of top notch builds on this forum that compromise on little to none.

 

[huski]

I like the idea. Personally i would go with an OEM+ mentality, ditch the long travel for SAS and air lockers. 2uz swap for sure, unless you could find a deal on a turbo diesel. Maybe retrofit a infotainment system from one of the newer Toyotas. Are you picking up a new runner or modifying your current?

Either way take pictures and keep us updated, love your current build!

 

[T4R2014]

I find this confusing as well. Even the Raptor doesn't really pay any sort of historical tribute to an original F series(wasn't the first Ford truck 2WD?). Only way I can see this being an "anniversary" edition is if you retain stock looks while upgrading everything underneath.

What I'm thinking is more along the lines of dropping a 3rd gen body onto a 4th Gen V8 frame. Even still, the 2UZ swap has been done. You might want an even crazier engine. I think the torsen center diff is worth adding. The 1UR is another option. Oh I know; 3rd gen body on GX460 frame.

You might not even take these routes, but this is how I imagine an anniversary edition would be. For shits and giggles, I would contact Jonathan Ward at Icon 4x4 and see if he would dare reach out to you for an opinion.

 

[smallfry]

Keep it simple.

 

[LittleCaesar]

Black paint, with the 2UZ. Your rigs have always been stellar, and the builds a pleasure to see. Will be tuned in to this one.

But to make it stand out, possibly think of something off the norm but useful.

A friend just bought a 2018 TRD Pro. Nice rig but I just can't get behind it. If I had kids and needed the room, then possibly. For my sister's 2013 Limited she bought it because the Sequoia was just too much.

 

[rideexileex]

Either keep the 3.4, or go with an even more modern drivetrain. The UZ motors are still dated motors.

 

[crazydubman]

Sounds like a fun project.

My thoughts would be to keep the original 3rd gen traits in tact externally but update the interior to modern components. (Think stuffing a 5th gen into a 3rd gen)

You said you were contemplating getting a 5th gen. Well, why don't you consider gutting a 5th gens interior, wiring, electronics, and engine bay and fitting it to a 3rd gen chassis. Obviously you can update the suspension with readily available 3rd gen items, but make it so when you open the doors of the 4runner, it looks and feels like its a 5th gen. Early 5th gens are pretty easy to come by at dismantlers. Think Seats, dash, center console, etc. Couple that with a 4.0 liter under the hood, and it will keep the smiles coming for years.

I came from a vw background but in that world, they built MK1 chassis golfs in Australia through 2009 and they had updated interiors with modern trim. Having that original look but modern interior creature comforts was always intriguing to me. This is the same with original vw Beetles being produced till 2003 in Mexico.

If you really have the goal of SEMA 2020 then I would shoot for no less than modern interior/drivetrain. I'm talking OEM plus with all the bells and whistles. If you have a limited 3rd gen, then shoot for a limited 5th gen in every other place but the sheetmetal.

 

[gainman]

Is there a manual trans option for the uz?

Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk

 

[Bandit Runner]

No offense, and I like you and your truck a lot, but I'm kind of confused what the point is? This sounds like every other decently built 3rd Gen. Which isn't a bad thing, but I don't see anything that really would set it apart in terms of performance or in terms of giving hertiage or something to the 3rd Gen. Like 25th anniversary edition.... So it's not stock at all so doesn't really pay homage to when 3rd gens first came out, and it's also not built to the teeth imo so not really following why it would be a big deal? Or maybe I'm mistaking the purpose of what you're doing and that's just the name you came up with for the next stage of your build?

My thoughts exactly.

What is going to make this build significantly different than all the other great builds on here?

 

[Bandit Runner]

It's been a while since I've been here, but there's no place I'd rather get this conversation started. I've spent the several months considering starting over with a 5th gen, but I've always wanted to do this platform justice and would never forgive myself for giving up halfway through. So I'm diving in head-first.

In 2020, the 3rd generation 4runner turns 25, and to commemorate that I'll be embarking on a top-to-bottom update of this truck. My goal is for this "25th Anniversary Edition" 4Runner to be the nicest all around 3rd gen in the world. I hope to be done in time for SEMA 2019.

I'll be developing blueprints through the end of the year, and considering how much communities like this have influenced my progress thus far, I would love your input as we move forward. Here are the bigger bullet points as we lay out plans - let me know what YOU think would make this the ultimate build.

Exterior:
- Full repaint - either 2 stage black repaint, or Cement Gray
- Considering custom widebody fender flares to accommodate long travel/full width rear, or just keep original geometry.

Power: Either 2UZ swap, or swapping existing 3.4 with low mileage engine, swap supercharger, install 7th injector kit.

Interior: Remove completely. Sound deaden, Recaro front seats, seats and door inserts reupholstered to diamond pleated Imola Red leather. Headliner, dash, carpet and trim pieces all black/gray. Custom Tesla-style monitor to replace double DIN radio.

Sincerely looking forward to your thoughts!

IMO, If you really want to make this build stand out from the other great builds on this site, you can't just bolt on existing aftermarket parts, or you will just be copying what others have done. Almost everything you do should be one-off custom parts designed specifically for this application, in order to be truly unique.

This is what I try to do with most of my 4Runner projects.

I am excited to see what you do!

BTW, I love the idea of custom wider fender flares. I've had this idea in my head for several years, and hope to do it someday.

 

[sogoood]

holy crap i can't believe you're still here.

so glad to see your name back on the forums.

 

[Hepar]

I do agree with those that it's going to take a lot to make something that would be considered the "best" 3rd gen out there. So many crazy builds. Especially one worthy of SEMA. I also agree that a good place to set yourself apart is doing a full welded and custom wide body. Maybe full custom bumpers/armor that looks close to stock.

What comes to mind is the custom classic car scene. With the popularity of modding the 3rd gen and the wide availability of them, there's no shortage of different builds. Makes me think of a platform like the 1969 Camaro. Probably one of the most modded and customized classics out there. So, take a look at the ones that stand out. They are done to the next level. Fit, finish and attention to detail.

If you do decide to go for it, stoked to see what you end up with!

holy crap i can't believe you're still here.

so glad to see your name back on the forums.

Unique 4Runner build? Two words. Solid gold.

 

[97t4r81]

What a great idea for a project, cudos man. 3rd gens are the smartest body style of suv I think, so just subtle improvements to the out side(sliders, bumpers, rack, paint). The interior could be made much more modern while still keeping true to original, look at zacattack's interior mods. To truly separate it from the rest ,Make it an electric vehicle, pull all drivetrain and give each wheel its own motor and 4wheel independent suspension. Maybe those newer electric motors in the wheels, a controller for the motors(fwd,rwd,4wd). Some tesla batteries and charging abilities. That's combining the past and the future. I can't wait to see what you concoct.

 

[onemanarmy]

I'd stuff the 4.0 and manual trans into a 3rd gen. 31-32 in. tires on 17 in wheels, big brakes, rear locker, nice stereo, top level interior materials. No screens, no overwhelming lane/backup, going to sleep warnings. Clean, neat, minimal, and refreshing.

Exactly as I would go to the dealership and buy one today, if I could.

 

[RunningForNow]

What a great idea! I'm looking forward to seeing the progress.