drakekelch's 97 4Runner Limited

D

drakekelch

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1997 Toyota 4Runner 4x4 Limited Edition
Desert Dune Metallic
4-Speed A340F Automatic Transmission
4x4
4.56 Differential Gears w/ E-locker
t4r_update_1 by Drake Kelch, on Flickr</a>

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|March 2013|
I bought my 4runner for $3,200 in Elk Grove, California (from the original owner). At that time it had just over 270k miles.
The Truck was in almost perfect shape except for the valve cover leak and busted AC compressor. The vehicle was only driven on the streets and had never seen off road.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/drakekelchphotography/11193044144/" title="97 4RunnerFirst Day by drakekelch, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5520/11193044144_920d4c92e3.jpg" width="500" height="497" alt="97 4RunnerFirst Day"></a>

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Upgrades and Mods as of May 2014


Suspension:
Bilstein Tundra 5100's with Tundra TRD Coils (front)
Bilstein Tundra 5100's with OME 891 Coils (rear)
Camburg Racing Upper Control Arms
Energy Suspension/Sway Bar Bushings
Toytec Lifts Diff Drop


Lighting
Rigid Fog/Radiance in Headlight Housing
Offroad LED Bars 20" Bar
Offroad LED Bars 6x 3" Cube
40" SR LED Bar
LED Reverse Ligths
LED License Plate Lights
LED Rock Lights


Wheels, Tires and Drive Train Upgrades
Stealth Custom F5 Wheels
285/75/16 Toyo ATii
Elocker
Mobil 1: 75W-90 Full Synthetic Gear Oil


Armor
Project 4Runner Prototype Front Bumper


Engine and Performance Upgrades
K&N Filter
Custom Intake
Flowmaster Super 44 Muffler
Mobil 1: 5W-30 Full Synthetic Motor Oil


Electrical Modifications:
Optima Red Top
Blue Sea Fuse Box


Interior Upgrades:
LED Dome Lights
LED Gauge lighting
LED Center console lighting
LED Key ring light


Stereo/CB:
Kenwood Bluetooth Deck


Exterior Upgrades:
TRD off road decals
Removed Running boards
Trimmed rear mud flaps
Satoshi Grille mod
Rust-Oleum Bed Coat Grille
Rust-Oleum Bed Coat Fenders and Door Plastic
Rust-Oleum Bed Coat Rear Bumper
Custom Roof Rack


Mods to Come
Rear Bumper
Sliders
RTT
Side Lighting
Drawer System
On Board Air Compressor





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Think you have some stuff wrong there unless someone swapped in a different transfer case it won't be multi-mode, either j shift or whatever the push button 4wd one was called before the multi-mode with awd came out. Also transmission is a a340f not a340if probably just a typo.
 
Can I run 285/75xR16 Tires without a lift on my 3rd Gen?

Long story short the answer is yes with some complications. I searched forever about this online, when I found a smoking deal for a set of 4 Falken Wild Peak ATs on craigslist. I couldn't find what I was looking for so I decided to go ahead and buy the tires and mount them up to see for myself. The result was surprising. I was expecting A LOT of rub and driving to be un bearable. After discount tire mounted them all up, I was shocked that when I turned out of my driveway there was no rub! Granted these tires are no Mud Tires. After driving around for a day on these tires I noticed there were certain angles that the tires would rub on my flares and I had a decrease in my turning radius. After flexing out a bit I found a few of the bad spots.

How It sits right after I mounted the tires up.
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/drakekelchphotography/11191928755/" title="97 4Runner Build Header by drakekelch, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2876/11191928755_085f079f85_c.jpg" width="800" height="600" alt="97 4Runner Build Header"></a>


This is my mini test flex
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/drakekelchphotography/12089721795/" title="IMG_1281 by drakekelch, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3832/12089721795_f8c0938076.jpg" width="800" height="600" alt="IMG_1281"></a>

I little bit of rub on the inside drives side fender, Which I trimmed.
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/drakekelchphotography/12089729725/" title="IMG_1280 by drakekelch, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5530/12089729725_f51af93738.jpg" width="800" height="600" alt="IMG_1280"></a>

Turning Radius on the drivers side.
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/drakekelchphotography/12090154104/" title="IMG_1276 by drakekelch, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3817/12090154104_7c049945f6.jpg" width="800" height="600" alt="IMG_1276"></a>

Passenger side.
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/drakekelchphotography/12090471356/" title="IMG_1273 by drakekelch, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2862/12090471356_ac4e1188b3.jpg" width="800" height="600" alt="IMG_1273"></a>


<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/drakekelchphotography/12090191974/" title="IMG_1272 by drakekelch, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3795/12090191974_a2d7810481_c.jpg" width="600" height="800" alt="IMG_1272"></a>


<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/drakekelchphotography/12090486386/" title="IMG_1271 by drakekelch, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5522/12090486386_e6c9887c45_c.jpg" width="800" height="600" alt="IMG_1271"></a>

I had Absolutely no problem in the rear with stuffing.

Summing it up, If you want a wider and taller tire, ideally you have a small lift, but if your just going for looks and don't plan on running a really knobby tire (BFG MK2, Toyo OP MT, or Nitto Mud Grappler) just to name a few, and you don't mind doing a fair amount of trimming in the front you shouldn't have a problem with driving on the street and maybe some LIGHT trail ridding.
 
Wish I had an E-locker... :Cry:
Time to lift that bad boy and push those wheels out. :hungry:
 
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Finally Lifted

I finally got my truck lifted, 2.5" total lift. I went ahead and went the cheap way while I save up for the real suspension lift and bought the daystar spacers. They made the ride a little stiffer but for $100 you cant beat it.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/drakekelchphotography/12936757955/" title="IMG_6777 by drakekelch, on Flickr"><img src="https://v4s2.yimg.com/sk/3824/12936757955_70dbeb02b3_b.jpg" width="768" height="1024" alt="IMG_6777"></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/drakekelchphotography/12936759645/" title="IMG_6778 by drakekelch, on Flickr"><img src="https://v4s1.yimg.com/sj/2815/12936759645_0f45ac8e68_b.jpg" width="768" height="1024" alt="IMG_6778"></a>

Before the Lift
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/drakekelchphotography/12936882243/" title="IMG_6780 by drakekelch, on Flickr"><img src="https://v4s2.yimg.com/so/7419/12936882243_64868f4d89_b.jpg" width="768" height="1024" alt="IMG_6780"></a>

After the Lift
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/drakekelchphotography/12936780175/" title="IMG_6799 by drakekelch, on Flickr"><img src="https://v4s2.yimg.com/so/7324/12936780175_28b629bf5d_b.jpg" width="768" height="1024" alt="IMG_6799"></a>

Before the Lift
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/drakekelchphotography/11191928755/" title="97 4Runner Build Header by drakekelch, on Flickr"><img src="https://v4s1.yimg.com/sj/2876/11191928755_085f079f85_b.jpg" width="1024" height="768" alt="97 4Runner Build Header"></a>

After the Lift
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/drakekelchphotography/12092742263/" title="photo (1) by drakekelch, on Flickr"><img src="https://v4s2.yimg.com/so/7321/12092742263_e545bbfac4_b.jpg" width="1024" height="683" alt="photo (1)"></a>
 
Front Bumper

Very Delayed Post on my front bumper. After running it for a few months there some things I'm going to add including a new paint job.

<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/drakekelchphotography/14157247856" title="IMG_0133 by Drake Kelch, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7331/14157247856_88c1461224_c.jpg" width="800" height="600" alt="IMG_0133"></a>
Original Bumper first taken off.

<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/drakekelchphotography/13993745389" title="IMG_0142 by Drake Kelch, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7353/13993745389_875c73b8fe_c.jpg" width="800" height="600" alt="IMG_0142"></a>
I first started my design with wood. It was a cheap way to get my angles how I wanted them .

<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/drakekelchphotography/14177777862" title="IMG_0191 by Drake Kelch, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2898/14177777862_70356361ca_c.jpg" width="800" height="600" alt="IMG_0191"></a>
Luckily had access to this saw!

<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/drakekelchphotography/14157256276" title="IMG_0196 by Drake Kelch, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7357/14157256276_383e77d06a_c.jpg" width="800" height="600" alt="IMG_0196"></a>
First view of what it would look like on the table.

<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/drakekelchphotography/13993754819" title="IMG_0207 by Drake Kelch, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2908/13993754819_29a211d04c_c.jpg" width="800" height="600" alt="IMG_0207"></a>
Tacked together

<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/drakekelchphotography/13993773850" title="IMG_0222 by Drake Kelch, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2920/13993773850_ff12c353e8_c.jpg" width="800" height="600" alt="IMG_0222"></a>
First Test fit was bolt on.

<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/drakekelchphotography/13993780100" title="IMG_0422 by Drake Kelch, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7449/13993780100_6e9d8c839e_c.jpg" width="600" height="800" alt="IMG_0422"></a>
The top finally plated and painted.

<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/drakekelchphotography/14236078532" title="photo 1 (5) by Drake Kelch, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5034/14236078532_6c9868af21_z.jpg" width="640" height="480" alt="photo 1 (5)"></a>

<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/drakekelchphotography/14236078052" title="photo 2 (5) by Drake Kelch, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2900/14236078052_17ffff5bb2_z.jpg" width="640" height="480" alt="photo 2 (5)"></a>
In these photos the bumper was bolted on but now is welded on.
 
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TRD Seats

<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/drakekelchphotography/14180557634" title="IMG_8484 by Drake Kelch, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7380/14180557634_362bf9d37a_c.jpg" width="600" height="800" alt="IMG_8484"></a>

Just picked these up from a buddy.
Just need a little cleaning and some patch work!
 
New Wheels

Finally was able to pickup some new wheels! I ended up with American Outlaw 16x8 Buckshot. These wheels are a little flashy for me but I decided to try it! Still wrapped with 285/75/r16 Falken Rocky Mountains

<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/drakekelchphotography/14231451375" title="photo 3 (1) by Drake Kelch, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2928/14231451375_eebe85fe6c_z.jpg" width="640" height="480" alt="photo 3 (1)"></a>

<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/drakekelchphotography/14231176284" title="photo 2 (4) by Drake Kelch, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2938/14231176284_b4ea549b05_z.jpg" width="640" height="480" alt="photo 2 (4)"></a>
 
Recent Trip

Recent Wheeling trip in NorCal for one of my new projects

<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/drakekelchphotography/16935301448" title="IMG_0674 by Drake Kelch, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7585/16935301448_ca3c34b435_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="IMG_0674"></a>

<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/drakekelchphotography/16936890159" title="IMG_0677 by Drake Kelch, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8786/16936890159_0a17acaa4b_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="IMG_0677"></a>


<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/drakekelchphotography/17123055685" title="IMG_0752 by Drake Kelch, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8783/17123055685_b3df86aa15_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="IMG_0752"></a>
 
hey how is that rustoleum bed liner paint holding up on the plastic? you were able to spray over the chrome on the rear bumper?
love the look!
 
October 2016 Update

i wanted to post a quick update, sense I havented posted in a while. A few things that have been done,

New Bilstein 5100 Tundra Suspension
Camburg UCA
Custom Roof Rack
Custom Headlights
Toyo AT ii
Stealth F5 with Custom Vinyl Spoke.
Also just want to say my good friend <a href="https://www.instagram.com/chasewarner2/"> Chase </a> had the idea for the custom color spoke and stealth had the idea to use vinyl, after which we started seeing everyone start adding it! I just wanted to give credit to Chase for the idea!

Here a few photos!


t4r_update by Drake Kelch, on Flickr

t4r_update_1 by Drake Kelch, on Flickr

IMG_4869 by Drake Kelch, on Flickr

IMG_4871 by Drake Kelch, on Flickr

IMG_4873 by Drake Kelch, on Flickr

IMG_4877 by Drake Kelch, on Flickr

IMG_4881 by Drake Kelch, on Flickr
 
drakekelch said:
Finally was able to pickup some new wheels! I ended up with American Outlaw 16x8 Buckshot. These wheels are a little flashy for me but I decided to try it! Still wrapped with 285/75/r16 Falken Rocky Mountains

<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/drakekelchphotography/14231451375" title="photo 3 (1) by Drake Kelch, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2928/14231451375_eebe85fe6c_z.jpg" width="640" height="480" alt="photo 3 (1)"></a>

<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/drakekelchphotography/14231176284" title="photo 2 (4) by Drake Kelch, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2938/14231176284_b4ea549b05_z.jpg" width="640" height="480" alt="photo 2 (4)"></a>
Click to expand...

4Runner looks way different now!
 
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