dtc81's '99 SR5 Build Thread

[dtc81]

I posted some pictures of my 4Runner a few months ago, but figured I'd make a dedicated build thread now that I have some plans for the vehicle.

Bought it less than a year ago with 125k miles for about $6000 after tax and DMV fees. It came with the Toytec lift, wheels, and tires (almost brand new rubber), and being a manual trans it was a pretty awesome base to start with. As soon as I got it home, with the help of a friend who is a Toyota Master Tech, we (read "he" haha) gutted all the aftermarket alarm junk, replaced the water pump and timing belt as precautions, put new cv's under it, double checked the lift install, pulled the running boards, and added a Toytec dif drop.

Recently my rear bumper was damaged in a parking lot accident, so I threw in a shot of it all pulled apart. Any ideas what's next?...bumper build. I've always loved addicted's and dirtco's bumpers so I'm shooting for something along those lines. Goals are bolt on mounting, 2" receiver, and good clearance. I'll post pics as work goes on!

 

[Hepar]

Look forward to seeing what you end up with in the rear.

 

[JWaldz]

Build looks good so far. I'll be looking out for that rear bumper..

 

[kball]

Look forward to seeing what you end up with in the rear.

^^ I laughed out loud when that popped up on my screen!

 

[Hepar]

^^ I laughed out loud when that popped up on my screen!

Unless you are in prison. Then there would be nothing funny about it.

 

[dtc81]

Hepar's comment gave me a good laugh too- so I'll show what has happened thus far "in the rear." It's been kind of tough getting to fun projects like this while balancing college and work, but got some done today before having to head out to some BBQs. It's the mounting bar and brackets that slide into the frame rails and uses the factory mounting holes. I still have some tweaking to do to it. The bottom is 1/4" plate with the "wings" being for braces later on for the hitch receiver and bracing for the side quarter panel protection. I'm open to all constructive criticism and ideas as this is my first bumper build.

 

[dtc81]

Little bit of progress this afternoon on the bumper. Tacked the receiver in place and made my template for the bends. Hopefully tomorrow I'll talk to the guy who is doing the bending for me and get some real progress going.

 

[dtc81]

Well I dropped off my templates 3 weeks ago at the shop that's doing the tubing bends, and they told me they're having trouble getting the correct stuff delivered. Not sure if it's BS or true, but I've been hearing "end of the week" for 2 weeks now and nothing. Come monday, if they don't have it done I'll have to find somewhere else. In the mean time I did a little mag-lite and fire extinguisher mounting in the back.

 

[dtc81]

Finally got the bumper built. I spent most of the weekend working on it. Tomorrow I'm going to bust out the paint and spray gun and give it a couple coats of matte black. (good way to procrastinate on studying for some tests too) I can't wait to bolt it on the truck and see how it works! Its been a long month of putting muddy bikes in the truck so my interior is going to love having the hitch/bike rack back!

 

[dtc81]

Shot a coat of primer on it this morning. Forgot how long it takes Rustoleum products to dry in 55 degree weather! Hopefully have a chance to spray a coat of black this evening...might have to get some heat in the booth to accelerate things.

 

[dtc81]

Finally got the bumper painted and mounted. I'm real happy with how it turned out. Wish I had a shot of it without mud and road spray on it, but NY weather isn't cooperating with me today and I'm too impatient to wait for nicer weather. Build specs are .120 wall 1.5" DOM tubing, 1/4" plate for the frame mounts, 1/2" grade 8 hardware. Welded it with my little Hobart 140 which did great. I also sprayed the cabin vent black to make it a little less noticeable, and put a new piece of rubber in there since the old one ripped out. Gotta give thanks to dirtco's and addicted's bumper builds because they're what inspired this one!

On a side note: I've been wanting the 2LO option for my tcase for a while, and my buddy came up with a way to bypass the ADD with a switch...then I found a thread on here about it. Hopefully get around to that soon.

 

[So Many Roads]

Great work!

Let me be the first to say it - the bumper looks sick! Great job. I want one.

 

[Whackmaster]

Very nice bumper build..I love to watch people building their mods by themselves. Good job...

 

[blizz86]

That is one nice bumper.. awesome pick up by the way for 6k

 

[SCRunner12]

Nice bumper! That's probably the same welder I'm going to get and the bumper is very similar to what I want to make. How much in materials did it all cost (estimate)?

 

[dtc81]

Nice bumper! That's probably the same welder I'm going to get and the bumper is very similar to what I want to make. How much in materials did it all cost (estimate)?

Thanks for all the compliments! Since I don't have access to a bender I had a local guy do the bends in the tube, and because its DOM it was a bit steeper than it could have been. The receiver is just a $25 tractor supply unit. I forgot exact numbers but I'd say it came in around $300-325. That's not factoring in the square stock I had laying around or gas/wire. It never hurts to check local steel shops for "drops" frequently. I get a lot of inexpensive yet good pieces from time to time.

 

[dtc81]

Finally got around to doing the differential breather extension, figured no need for pictures of that one. Then what I'm going to call the "Justin2Lo" mod, was installed. My buddy Justin wired in a toggle switch that allows me to select 2lo as well as 4lo. He's the one responsible for getting me into a 4runner in the first place, and also the guy helping me out with all the mechanical work! Threw in a whole truck shot just because.

 

[dtc81]

Well as many of you know, I wrecked my Jade 4Runner on some black ice two weeks ago... Well, I already found a replacement! Another 99 SR5 manual with 109k on the clock. I need to get around to doing the timing belt and a little general maintenance, but it's in great shape and I purchased it from a fellow T4R member (13T) who was a great guy to deal with. I plan on swapping the lift and tires from the wrecked runner and trying to sell some parts that I don't need before it heads to the scrap yard. Believe it or not, we cut the fan belt off because the fan is against the radiator, and the thing started up and drove off the trailer! The frame is cracked and bent severely though. I'll be putting it up in the classifieds when I've taken the stuff I need off.

Sorry for the crappy cell phone pic of the new one!

 

[dtc81]

Well I finally got the lift from the green 4runner out, and new shocks all around for the new silver 4runner. KYBs in the front with OME 881s/top out spacer, and ProComp ES9000s/OME 890s for the rear. Threw in a shot of the 2lo switch mod and just a general shot of the new one. Bumper goes on tonight, and the lift in tomorrow afternoon. Can't wait!

 

[dtc81]

lift is in! What a difference 4 new shocks and sway bar links make over broken links and blown shocks! Hopefully get it out on some trails this weekend. I've missed the sound of mud tires!