Dropzone's 1994 4Runner Expedition/Overland Build

[Dropzone]

I know it’s been a while since you posted about the spare tire swingout but how is it holding up? My boss and I are going over how we’ll mount it and he’s skeptical about bolting straight to the body with the bracket behind it. I personally don’t have any qualms about it since I believe they were bolted that way with a brace behind them from the factory but I figured I’d ask. Congrats on the shed btw, I’ve been following the progress on the Gram.

It seems to be holding up great with the weight of the 35 hanging off there. I didn't get any pictures of it while I was putting it together but I did bend some flat stock to fit both the upper and lower mounts that fit inside the inner body. They aren't tied together like the factor inner bracket .
It's a tight fit getting the nuts on the inside. I still have a 3/4" wrench wedged in there I couldn't get out when I was done.

Thanks on the shed, hope to get most of it wrapped up the next few days. It's gonna help free up some garage space. Once it is done I will concentrate on getting the dual case to auto transmission conversion done

 

[VeryWell]

Awesome thanks. Looking forward to seeing it back on the trails

 

[djelectron]

I used some 8020 brackets on each end, I elongated the outer hole(hence the bigger washer) slightly to allow for the curve. If you go this route be sure to make left and right side brackets. I ended up with a couple of extras before I realized my mistake.
Hope that makes sense and the pics help

That makes perfect sense and is exactly what I was hoping to see. Thank you sir!!

 

[Dropzone]

Well after sitting for way too long this thing is gonna head down next week to Northwest Toys LLC outside of Salem to have Don finish up my dual case install.

Between work, life and some knee issues blah blah I just can't get to this thing. He is gonna finish up the valve body, install duals behind the a340.
Finally get to use the winch in this thing to pull it up on the trailer!

Also pulled out my left rear cargo storage. We are getting another husky pup so figured with the drawer unit I made I'll have enough storage space and the two dogs will need more room in the back.

 

[4RunnerSafari]

Looking good [emoji106]

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[Hyde802]

Excellent!!

 

[Dropzone]

Finally got to use the winch on the 4runner.
I caved and called my friend Don at Northwest Toys in Monmouth. He is tackling my halfway done dual case behind the a340 swap. Truck has been sitting for almost 2 years..it was time to see professional help.


also ordered a 3" hole saw

so I can see if a snorkel for a hilux will fit a 4runner

it will probably be 2-3 weeks before i get the 4runner back but it will be worth the wait..
will have to install the seats and figure the center console around the triple sticks.
also gonna have to get it through emissions and get tags.
I was really burned out on this thing but am getting motivated to drive it again and hit some winter trail runs..been way to long

 

[Dropzone]

dug through my driveshaft collection so i can drop them off next week [MENTION=134144]1UZrunner[/MENTION]'s shop.
Fingers are crossed that the two rear d/s I had made for my old 81 Trekker might work. one has a CV built in and it it would be nice to have a spare for trail runs.
Time will tell

 

[Dropzone]

Well as many of you know I have a fascination with lights. I was looking for a set of small quality lights for to use for auxiliary back up lights.
That search let me to Rigid Ignites. A lot of light in a small package.
Got them in not knowing they used a go pro style mount. So that led to ordering a set of magnetic mounts.
Voila- magnetic camp lights

 

[hmartin99]

I read your whole thread here tonight, looks good. You definitely have a fascination with lights and gear that I admire as someone who collects a bunch of random stuff I may never need but is nice to have. I'm finally getting back around to 4Runners after a few years bouncing from Jeep to Jeep and you've definitely given me some ideas on what to do with mine eventually lol

 

[Dropzone]

So Don at Northwest Toys LLC was finishing up the dual case install for me. Got a message saying there was an issue with the T-G Crossmember. Not sure how I missed it but the crossmember isn't compatible with automatics



So Budbuilt is being contacted to do a custom crossmember...sucks but the truck has been down for 2 years so another couple of months will be worth it.

I would have liked a set of maxtrax due to their reputation but at $300 a pair I decided to see if I could find a set that didn't stack a foot high and wouldn't .
I found a set of bunker industries ramps that 4 of them stack right around 4" high


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[Dropzone]

got bored on my lunch..

 

[Dropzone]

Triple Sticks!

triple sticks.. I was worried these would end up a lot further back and I would lose my center console..nope..

 

[Dropzone]

Getting closer

Well she is getting closer. Don sent pics of the old Trekker sliders mounted on the 4runner.
nice thing about having sliders is some of the non door opening individuals in the parking structure will think twice now about not giving a crap if their door hits the 4runner..


they are beat after protecting the Trekker for 10 years of running PNW trails

Finding 90-95 4runner parts locally has been challenging lately. Hit the Local pick in pull today and found the rear interior piece to replace the part I cut out when I had the rear storage cabinet in the cargo area.. it came out because we are getting another husky this spring and need the room


And looKing at the big dead space where the speaker used to be I may see if I can mount a small lock box there for some misc secure storage.



I also picked up another set of seats ..no clue what they are out of, they were laying on the back of a Mazda truck. A friend thinks they are out of a 1st gen Rav4. They cleaned up pretty good. Got these because I have a feeling the Forester seats I got a awhile ago might be too tall as far as the seat bottom.
I may gut those seats to get the heated seat inserts out ..We'll see.

 

[Dropzone]

Decided to go ahead and pulled the heated inserts out of the Forester seats.
And had some fun with the airbags..too bad I couldn't post the video.
And got a smoking deal on some used rotopax mounts and a locking underseat storage box meant for a jeep. Not sure where I will mount it but will be good for some small stuff

 

[Dropzone]

The one off BudBuilt crossmember is mounted. Looks like I will have the 4Runner back in the driveway Friday and I can button up a few things and get this thing on the road.

 

[Dropzone]

Truck is back in the driveway but with issues - no reverse and some wiring stuff
The 4Runner got some more tube work on the front while it was down south




driveshaft trivia - stock length driveshaft on the left, new shortened driveshaft on the right. The new front and rear driveshafts are with in 3/4" in length. Might have a spare long slip driveshaft made just in case. Wrecked a couple of them with the Trekker


Unloading the 4Runner from the tow dolly with no reverse was a pain the butt. My daughter and her fiance came over with his duramax to act as an anchor point while i pulled forward with the Dodge to the 4Runner unloaded.
Total brain fart and should have chocked the rear wheels to keep it from rolling backwards. Anyway the truck rolled backwards into Brandon's duramax, the rear tire hit his bumper pretty hard. Fortunately no damage to his truck but the 4Runner tire carrier munch the tailgate pretty good. Luckily the rear window was up and wasn't shattered. Yanked hard on the spare and was able to pull a lot of it out. Rolled the rear window down and it sounded like a popcorn machine.
Did the usual trick the tailgate into thinking the window was up and carefully pounded out some of the damage. It is still munched but the rear window sounds much happier

 

[Dropzone]

With the 4runner back in the driveway and the weather being halfway decent over the weekend I knocked out some miscellaneous junk to get them out of the way and to clear some space in the garage.
First up was to swap out the cut up left rear interior panel:



Next up was to extend the diamond plate I had mounted to the trekker sliders years ago. I figured with the grandminion and our pup Kenai hoping into the back seat it would probably be a good idea to extend the step concept. Freehand cutting the aluminum with the grinder a little bit at a time



And because I can't ever leave crap alone I came up with version 3.0 or so of my 8020 roof rack. This time it's 42" wide and 7 feet long. Also lowered the sides a litte bit. I would love to cut the side pieces to match the contour of the roof but that would be a major pain. Using the tailgate for a workbench came in handy. Only have about 3 hours into this one.




And this manual came in Saturday afternoon, should help me to trouble shoot the no reverse issue and figure out where some hanging wires go.
Really wish I had taken better pics when I was gutting this thing

 

[Dropzone]

Knocked out an air deflector made out of diamond plate for the wider roof rack

 

[4RunnerSafari]

Roof rack looks good, i would like have that kind of low profile my self one day.

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