Forrrrest's build/introduction

[Forrrrest]

Hey all been lurking around here and have now decided after owning my runner for a few months its time to introduce myself and document the SLOW progress of my new 4runner. I used to own a 3rd gen pick up. It was only a mild build but I wanted something newer with less miles here's a pic of what I was working with.

And then I recently bought a 2000 4runner 3.4l 5speed 4x4 with 89k. I've owned her for about 6 months now and am quite please this it just kind of fell into my lap. A dads buddy gave me a screaming deal I couldn't pass up on 7k with 89k, brand new wheels and tires plus a whole sounds system. he had also never even taken it off road!! Couldn't pass it up, even though I really want a pick up preferably 12v cummins. But hey why not try this out for size, seeing as I work parts in a Toyota dealership and all. Anyways the only catch with the rig was the cel was on due to knock sensors circuit, maf, and miss fire. Wasn't to hard even tho I have practically no mechanical experience. one paycheck later parts installed, smogged, and title in hand. And have also tackled timing belt and w/p after that, it was an ordeal of bad experiences....

So what do I have planned?
First replace clutch and everything else that goes with it
Wheel bearing
Shifter seat bushing
Suspension is blown so I will probably run tundra springs with 5100 adjustables
And lc coils in the rear no idea on shock yet.
I have a ton on my list and would rather keep it as a secret, don't want to ruin good surprises!!

 

[Forrrrest]

Whaaaaaaaaaaaaat how did my pics not upload!?!?!?!?!

 

[blizz86]

Whaaaaaaaaaaaaat how did my pics not upload!?!?!?!?!

did you use the IMG code?

EDIT: i see you did.. hmm: are your pictures still uploaded? or in the same album? or did you change the name of an album on photobucket?

 

[Whitson Metalworks]

whaaaaaaaaaaaat?!?!?! 89K?!?!?! LOL, Sounds like a killer deal and awesome base for a solid build. Props and welcome to the forum

 

[Forrrrest]

Let's see if this works now??

 

[Forrrrest]

Ok now that we got the pics to work I'll add up some pics, first removal of running boards

then tackled cel, look at that nooo sludge build up

of course then had to get a little camping trip in

sooo after that trip I had the rocker panel moulding damage and a rear diff full of water soo I decided to extend the breather up to my gas fill tube and order myself up some sliders....now fo an interesting learning experience, as I am new to mechanics. Keep in mind I'm young and just a lowly parts guy

 

[Forrrrest]

Sooo I will explain the interesting story first then show pics, I got into work an order up my w/p, timing belt, thermostat, all new belts, grab a bunch of the m.o.c. stuff we use and decide to go to town on my runner over the weekend. Keep in mind I've never done this before, so I pull everything off relatively fast and get down to the crank pulley and had used a home made tool with a 2x4 and some 3/8s drill bit ls to keep pulley still while loosing crank shaft bolt, all goes well!
So I am in the process of putting the crank pulley back on and torqueing it down with a rented torque wrench from auto zone as I didnt have one that went up to 217ft/lb. And I'm sitting there pushing down really hard thinking to myself geeze this seems like a lot more then 200+ lbs then all of a sudden SNAP.....sure enough cranked pulley cracked go back to work on Monday and the boss was nice enough to put in a will call so I could get it that day and he gave me cost price which was an astonishing 240 bucks!!! So I had a buddy over that has never touched a wrench before and as he's watching me he decides to screw in my fan bracket bolts. All of a sudden he says are they supposed to keep spinning??
Of course not I say, sure enough he stripped two of them and I was able to get a tap that day and re tap them. Ohhhh it gets better just you wait! I drive to and from work a few days trucks running great soo I'm not worrying then I get a call to come in alearly because to people called in sick I'm rushing to work then I lose all power and truck shuts of, pop the hood and I can see where timing cover is burned through from rotating belt. Get a tow home and have the shuttle driver pick me up. Get home from work and twar it down yet again belts shredded and what's this??? Tensioner pulley bracket snapped!! How the f****** does that happen?? Oh well new timing covers and pulley she's as good as newal!! Lesson learned? take your time and no matter how smart you think you are don't try to build your own tools and borrow them from a mechanic

sooo I ended up spending about 750 or soo with a tow, but the knowledge I've gained is priceless. I could probably tear ot down in 40 mins no problem now hahahaha

 

[Whitson Metalworks]

Dang man, sounds like somebody put a voodoo hex on that truck! hopefully you won't need to again for a while, but be careful using drill bits like that. They aren't designed for side-loading and when they break sharp pieces fly everywhere before you can duck. Don't ask me how I know...

 

[Forrrrest]

Now on to my sliders, I purchased a set of savage offroad sliders with the kick out. They ran me about 322 shipped to my house bare metal. I have not been able to go out and test them yet so I can't vouch for their offroad capabilities but I will say I am pleased with the look of them. I had prepped them with an alcohol bath and and 2 coats of grey rustolium primer, should've used black. Finished off with 3 coats of rustolium semi gloss.

Over the past few days I have been working on my cb install also, I used a cobra 19Dxiv that was actually small enough to fit in the ashtray. I also did not want to lose my ashtray light so I relocated it to shine out of the small cubbie under cigarette lighter. I also have gotten rid of the green shade and replaced with a red led bulb to match the head unit along with the key ring. I have also removed all of the green condoms over the bulbs and would have to say I like the look a lot better than stock green.

I am almost done with the install and am just waiting on this darn cb antenna mount to come in the mail. I have all wires ran and ready to plug in and play! Also look what I scored from work on Thursday!!!! Can't beat free stuff

 

[Forrrrest]

I just had to edit my first post

I seemed completely illiterate with out the pics showing up, just had to do it guys sorry hahaha

 

[Foo-Fighter69]

Dude that TRD floor mat is freaking sick.

 

[Forrrrest]

Ya they were supposed to be for customers who did some online survey or something like that. So I just asked the boss if I could have them and he said ya. They were supposed to be for the second gen tacoma, a little trimming and they fit fine!!

 

[TRDteen]

Looks great man! really like those wheels!:biggrin2:

 

[Forrrrest]

Looks great man! really like those wheels!:biggrin2:

you want em?? I really don't care for them, they were on it when I bought my runner.

 

[Forrrrest]

Yesterday I hopped in the runner early morning to head to work and nothing but a click for 3 cranks. I go ahead and bump start it to get her going and make it to work on time. After work same thing, so I get it started and go back in and get some new contacts for the starter. It was an extremely easy fix, I believe the hardest part was trying not to burn myself on hot exauhst pipes and manifolds. I didn't have time to let it cool down before it got dark and started raining while I was putting it back in so I only got one picture. The only thing I found was that my contacts weren't that worn down, but the plunger had a bunch of carbon build up so I just replaced contacts and cleaned everything thoroughly. It's as good as new!!

 

[Hepar]

Looks like a great purchase!

 

[Forrrrest]

Yes I am very content with my purchase except for all the maintence that had been lacking! Today I greased up both my drive shafts and also swapped shifted seat bushing, lever socket bushing, lubed them both up as well and it shifts soooo smooth. A LITTLE GREASE GOES A LONG WAY!

 

[Fishwerks]

Good stuff so far. I like that you are doing maintenance first!

 

[Forrrrest]

Ya my goal is to get it in tip top running condition first before I start throwing all kinds of after market stuff at it. That way I won't have to worry about any serious maintenance for another 100k. I've got a few things left like clutch, wheel bearings, and brakes. Then its time to start lifting, gearing, and all the fun stuff

 

[Forrrrest]

I finally decided to get up off my lazy a**** and take a few pictures of what the interior lights looked like with out the green sleeves over the bulbs. I personally prefer this look compared to stock toyota green. I also found it strange that my clock hasnt worked since ive owned it. When i removed the front bezel I cleaned out the clock connections and now it works??