Dirtco's 1999 4Runner Build

[Dirtco]

I ditched the stock bumpers to clear the tires, but I couldn't stand the stock frame horns and I needed a starting point for my front bumper. I also wanted some protection until I can get the time to build the front bumper.

Stock

I cut off the frame horns and picked up some 2x3" 3/16" steel. I used some scrap 1/4" plate for the end caps and gussets.

 

[Dirtco]

I also installed my gears! I bought them through East Coast Gear Supply, they shipped fast and have a great warranty. So far I'm happy!

They are 5.29's, factory E-Locker for the rear and an ARB for the front. I still need to install the compressor for the ARB.

 

[Dirtco]

That pretty much brings me up to date on the build. I skipped over a lot of little details, so if you have any questions let me know. I will update this thread as I continue building the 4Runner, there's still alot of work to do!

The full build thread (up to this point) can be found here: http://www.yotatech.com/f200/dirtcos-1999-4runner-build-up-thread-235852/

 

[Yota_Tech87]

Ecgs truly sucks. I def recommend going else where... Yeah they sell complete diffs and ship fast but have you ever dealt with their customer service or tech help? You'll quickly learn they blow.

Sent from my HTC MYtouch 4G

 

[JWaldz]

This is one nice 4Runner.. I can't believe the transformation it's already gone through. I think it's safe to say, you need to share those money trees you got hidin in your back yard.

You are gonna have a lot of envious followers, including me. Looking forward to seeing the rest, keep up the great work.

 

[quicksilvr]

Looks like someone had been around a welder just a little bit. :bigok:


You have anything specific in mind for the front bumper? I suppose if you wanted it to be just like what was already available, you might as well just buy one.



With the supercharger and 5.29's, I bet it drives darn good even with those big honking rollers. Probably feels quite a bit better than my N/A 3.4 pushing 285's on 4.30's.

 

[fightman80]

Really awesome work man! That trucks looks sick!!! Can't wait to see what you do with the bumpers and stuff! :snacker:

 

[Dirtco]

Ecgs truly sucks. I def recommend going else where... Yeah they sell complete diffs and ship fast but have you ever dealt with their customer service or tech help? You'll quickly learn they blow.

Sent from my HTC MYtouch 4G

What kind of problems did you have with them? I heard nothing but good stuff about them, that's why I went through them. The diff's shipped on time and the gear patterns looked good. What problems did you have?

 

[Yota_Tech87]

What kind of problems did you have with them? I heard nothing but good stuff about them, that's why I went through them. The diff's shipped on time and the gear patterns looked good. What problems did you have?

I'll post a thread from tacoma world forums... It explains it all there... Just ****ty service. It may have been great for you, I'm not saying it wasn't, just making others aware...

 

[Dirtco]

This is one nice 4Runner.. I can't believe the transformation it's already gone through. I think it's safe to say, you need to share those money trees you got hidin in your back yard.

You are gonna have a lot of envious followers, including me. Looking forward to seeing the rest, keep up the great work.

Thanks! I sold the money tree, it was the Turbo 4Runner. Daily driving a mid 80's Toyota is a non-stop job, they are awesome vehicles but they always need something. I took on a small car payment and used the money from the Turbo 4Runner to pay for the build.

 

[Rc4r]

So what's next?

 

[Dirtco]

Looks like someone had been around a welder just a little bit. :bigok:


You have anything specific in mind for the front bumper? I suppose if you wanted it to be just like what was already available, you might as well just buy one.



With the supercharger and 5.29's, I bet it drives darn good even with those big honking rollers. Probably feels quite a bit better than my N/A 3.4 pushing 285's on 4.30's.

Just a little :

I plan on building a bumper like I built for the Turbo 4Runner. The bumpers are always my favorite part of a rig, they really set it apart from everyone else!

The 5.29's are awesome with the supercharger and 7th injector kit (even at 9500')! It will also help when I'm pulling the camping trailer I've been building.

 

[Dirtco]

Really awesome work man! That trucks looks sick!!! Can't wait to see what you do with the bumpers and stuff! :snacker:

Thanks! Those will be coming soon ...

 

[JWaldz]

your first intro was two days ago and in those two days you've probably done more to your 4runner than I have done in a year....

Keep on truckin'

Lookinn forward to the bumper builds! Just my .02, plated bumpers go best with the 3rd gens.

 

[corny]

your first intro was two days ago and in those two days you've probably done more to your 4runner than I have done in a year....

Keep on truckin'

Lookinn forward to the bumper builds! Just my .02, plated bumpers go best with the 3rd gens.

lol exactly what I was thinking!

:redbrick:

 

[quicksilvr]

Just my .02, plated bumpers go best with the 3rd gens.

Normally I would agree, but that custom tube bumper on the turbo 4Runner is badass! Anything along those lines would be awesome on the 3rd gen.

 

[Dirtco]

So what's next?

First, I'm working on getting some little details/issues figured out (I'll go into more detail later).

Then I need to wrap up everything under the 4Runner so I can install my Budbuilt skidplates. That includes poly steering rack bushings, sway bar bushings, IPT transmission valve body, lower profile muffler, along with some other little stuff.

Then I need to weigh the 4Runner down (to compensate for the bumper, winch, sliders, etc) and decide whether the 1" body lift is going to work or if I need to step up (it's not looking good). Once I figure that out then I can get started on the sliders and bumpers.

 

[Dirtco]

your first intro was two days ago and in those two days you've probably done more to your 4runner than I have done in a year....

Keep on truckin'

Lookinn forward to the bumper builds! Just my .02, plated bumpers go best with the 3rd gens.

lol exactly what I was thinking!

:redbrick:

I’ve been working on it for a couple months now, I was just getting everybody up to speed on the major modifications I’ve done. There’s still plenty of work to do!

I thought about plate bumpers, but I decided on tube bumpers for several reasons. I have the designs in my head, I just need to work out some details and get the time to start on them.

Normally I would agree, but that custom tube bumper on the turbo 4Runner is badass! Anything along those lines would be awesome on the 3rd gen.

Thanks! It’s going to be very close to the bumper on the Turbo 4Runner.

 

[Dirtco]

A little more progress! I installed my transmission cooler and I bypassed the stock cooler to avoid the strawberry milkshake syndrome. Overall it was a very easy upgrade but it has made a big difference in the transmission temps. The transmission still gets a little warm if I’m pulling a hill in OD, but if I back out of it a little and turn the OD off the temp drops right away. It still runs a LOT cooler than it did with out the cooler.

I trimmed down the stock cooler line and capped off the stock cooler, if the stock cooler fails I don’t want to lose my coolant and overheat the engine.

I also got my Inchworm E-Locker guard in and installed, it has been on back order since May.

 

[Dirtco]

I’ve taken the 4Runner on a couple easy dirt roads, along with a moderate mountain trail that really didn’t flex the 4Runner out. So I went to a local trail that’s easy, but has one spot that flexes your vehicle out pretty good.

A couple pictures along the way

Then I flexed it out