Dirtco's 1999 4Runner Build

[Dirtco]

That 86 is sweet! I can imagine it would be hard selling that thing.

What type of maglite holders did you get? I really like the spot you put it in.

Yeah, it was really hard to sell the Turbo 4Runner but the new 4Runner should be a better all around vehicle.

hey mate.

where did you get your maglite mounts at?

They are standard Maglite clips, made by Maglite. I bought them at my local hardware store, I think they were under $5.00.

 

[Dirtco]

Nice starting point for this build! I'm gonna subscribe for sure!

im lovin this already

Thanks guys!

 

[Dirtco]

The old green 4Runner only had the stock skid plate, and it would run out of gas at a 1/4 tank!

On the Turbo 4Runner I welded steel strap to the stock skid plate, it worked but it still deformed a little and there were a couple places where the stock skid was starting to crack. It did it's job, and worked well for what it was but there was room for improvement.

While researching 3rd gens I came across the Lil' Skips' fuel tank skidplate.

Lil' Skip's Offroad

I thought about building my own, but time is money and I can see that there was a lot of time put into this skid plate. It's not cheap, but after you see it in person you understand why.

Here's the stock skid plate, just stamped sheet metal

And here is the new one

Overall I'm very happy with it. The directions were great, the customer service was awesome and the skid should do it's job. I really love how flat and smooth it is!

 

[Outdoorlogic]

Excuse me but there is a 1 Autumn Blaze 4 Runner per forum... We already called dibs...:welcome:

That is a great looking rig... The color catches everybody's eye, then you get asked if it was in an accident because they dont believe you that it is a factory color

 

[Dirtco]

There was one issue that needed to be fixed as soon as possible. The supercharger was making noise in the nose cone area; I knew it was going to need some work when I bought it.

After I bought it I washed the engine really good, after a month or so driving it (locally) I figured out why it was making noise. The front seal in the supercharger was leaking, so it was low or almost out of oil.

So, I took the supercharger off and sent it to Magnuson for a full rebuild.

While the supercharger was off I decided to replace the timing belt and water pump with factory Toyota stuff. It was done 20k ago, but they used cheap aftermarket parts. I didn't want to worry about it, so this was the time to do it.

Old belt

And while the engine was torn apart and the coolant was drained, I also installed a Toyota block heater. That will make me feel better about starting the 4Runner when its -35 degrees.

I thought the D/S valve cover gasket was leaking and I ordered gaskets from Toyota, but after taking the SC off I found the leak was coming from a cracked hose behind the SC.

 

[Dirtco]

The supercharger needed a full rebuild, they had to replace the whole nose cone and the main rotors. While I had the supercharger off I noticed that I did not have the IAC check valve, it’s the one way valve that goes between the throttle body and supercharger.

While researching this valve I found a link to the first gen supercharger installation instructions. After reading through it I believe the supercharger was installed when the vehicle was purchased new. I have the TRD timing belt cover that was pre-cut, along with the extra fuel pressure regulator. Both of these were phased out in time, and the valve was added later on.

http://www.pballandmore.com/Download/1st_Gen_TRD_Supercharger_Install_Guide.pdf

While the supercharger was off I took care of some other stuff. The mileage was a little under 117,000

Timing belt – Toyota
Water Pump – Toyota
Plug Wires – Toyota
Spark Plugs – URD
PCV Valve – Toyota
Block Heater – Toyota
Intake Manifold Gasket – Toyota
Belts (All of them including the SC) – Toyota
New Toyota Coolant
TRD Throttle body gasket – The supercharger needs a special gasket, even if Toyota tells you otherwise. I ordered mine from trdparts4u.com.

Fuel Filter
Air Filter
Oil and Filter (Synthetic)
Misc. Vac Hoses

While everything was apart I installed an Airaid intake tube and did the deckplate modification to the stock air box. I also started the process of installing the URD 7th injector kit.

 

[Dirtco]

Excuse me but there is a 1 Autumn Blaze 4 Runner per forum... We already called dibs...:welcome:

That is a great looking rig... The color catches everybody's eye, then you get asked if it was in an accident because they dont believe you that it is a factory color

Well, I guess it's a good thing mine is Autumn Blaze w/ Topaz Cladding. We wouldn't want two 4Runners with the same color combination around here. :

That's funny, I get that all the time. Nobody believes it's a factory color. The sunlight also changes how the paint looks, on an overcast day it looks brown but in the sun it looks like a bright copper.

 

[Dirtco]

I got my Scangauge II installed, I mounted it where the ashtray goes. I had to trim a little but you can't tell once it's in there. I used 3M molding tape (red backing) to hold it in place.

This is by far one of the coolest little gadgets to have! I can't believe all the stuff this thing does.

I found this thread on IH8MUD (I think the credit goes to http://www.toyota-4runner.org/) about reading automatic transmission temps. From what I have read it only works on 99-02 3rd Gen 4Runners, along with other Toyotas in that time frame but I really don't know. It did work on my 4Runner, it seems a little slow compared to my old Autometer gauge in the Turbo 4Runner but it does the job and saves me some time and money; overall I'm very happy!

ATF X-Gauge Codes:
ATTN: ScanGaugeII owners with auto trans

I had planned on, and bought, an Autometer trans temp gauge that I was going to install in front of the T-case lever. Well, I don't need two gauges so I'm going to return the Autometer and I installed my SPOT in that location. The best part is that it still gets "line of sight" and I don't have to remove it from it's holder to send messages.

 

[Dirtco]

I got the URD 7th injector kit installed, I mounted the magic black box in the glove box where it's easy to get to.

I also installed the suspension. I went with the Sonoran Steel 1.2 kit, and I got the HD 1/4" wall lower control arms. It's a little high in the rear but that's because ditched the spare tire and hitch, it will sit lower once I get my CO2 tank and gear installed. Once I build a rear bumper it should sit close to level.

 

[Dirtco]

I couldn't stand looking at my 4Runner with the stock wheels and tires, so it was time to get to work!

You can see the mark where the tire hit the inside corner of the flare, that was just test fitting the tires in the shop.

I trimmed back the flair and this is what I had to work with. I wanted the flairs to look as close to stock as possible.

I cut back to the fender mounting holes and capped the hole with 16 gauge sheet metal. I made everything as smooth as possible so if the tires does rub a little it won't hurt anything.

 

[Dirtco]

Then I trimmed the inside of the fender

And the fender back on

From the side it looks stock

 

[Dirtco]

Here we go, what everyone whats to see; 35x12.50x17 Goodyear MTR’s on 17” Trail Ready beadlock wheels!

 

[JLRSR5]

WOW that thing looks incredible, what a beast...love the wheels and 35s!! :bigok:

 

[Dirtco]

And a couple pictures outside

 

[quicksilvr]

I'm in love......

 

[corny]

:trophy:

 

[Rc4r]

So sick!!!!!


Lol I give it a week before you cv's rip.

 

[UARandy3]

Sub'd for an awesome build!

 

[Dirtco]

WOW that thing looks incredible, what a beast...love the wheels and 35s!! :bigok:

Thanks! The wheels and tires really make it stand out. It looks like a beast but it still drives surprising nice. I have some details/issues to work out, but overall I'm very happy with it.

 

[Dirtco]

I'm in love......

:trophy:

Sub'd for an awesome build!

Thanks guys!

So sick!!!!!


Lol I give it a week before you cv's rip.

Thanks man, I looked at your build while I was getting ideas for mine. You have one nice looking 4Runner!

I'm concerned about the CV's too, but I think I'll be okay. I know I'm going to break a few but I don't really plan on doing a bunch of rock crawling in this rig. I've been wheeling for years and I have a pretty good idea of how far I can push a vehicle before things start to break. I'm not scared to take the easy line, or park it if I have to. I've taken all the rowdy lines in my last trucks, I just want a rig that will get me through the trail and let me hang out with my friends.

The only reason I went with 35's was for snow wheeling; we have snow on our trails 9-10 months out of the year and when the trails are dry they are super busy. A 285 wasn't going to cut it, I needed a big tire that I can air down super low.