I found it!! they do exist rebuilding a rare 4runner to be road worthy again

[99blackt4rsport]

I finally got my hands on a 3rd gen 4runner 2000 sr5 model to be exact. 5 speed 4wd factory locker! On top of that my #1 color of choice which is white. I bought this gem at the auction here in Phoenix has 177k actual miles. It got rear ended but rear axle took all the damage and still a straight frame! Upon inspection of the under carriage I noticed the axle is bent, exhaust is mangled spring came loose and hanging on. The good thing is last owner did some upgrades such as bilstein coils and shocks, but one snapped in half.

I'm not 100% sure which direction I'm going with this truck either buy all oem parts and do slight restoration or buy aftermarket bumpers instead. Hmm??

Parts I need so far, or at least my visual inspection.
1. Complete rear axle assembly or housing
2. Bumpers and 2 flares missing
3. Rear shocks
4. Axle seals (might as well do them)

Here's my question I found a 2001 2wd sr5 at the junkyard what I was planning on doing was buying the complete axle housing assembly and swap all of my internals into it. Are all housing interchangeable regardless if it's 2wd or 4wd??

Does this 4runner come with 4:10 gearing or 4:33 since it has a locker?
Here are some pics the Day I bought it and some pictures under the vehicle for my documentation.

 

[SlickmisterN]

Are you sure the frame isn't bent? Look at that lower control arm!:jaw:

The diff info is coded on the driver side door sticker as something like this:

http://www.off-road.com/trucks-4x4/tech/toyota-differential-identification-18588.html

 

[99blackt4rsport]

I hope not once I remove everything underneath I'll have a better idea. Even if it's bent my buddy works at a top notch Shop and a frame machine is accessible for me. Or MAYBE Take another route and transfer motor and transmission into my 99 highlander it's still an option I might consider.

 

[crash813]

The axle housings are unique to the lockers. You can modify a standard housing to fit the locker, its well documented online. You can also search the gearing code from the door sticker.

 

[BrandonF]

Nice looking truck but I hope you got it for cheap! It looks like you could have some major repairs ahead of you.

That configuration is definitely rare, but all I had to do was buy a 4x4 5 speed and then swapped in an elocker rear axle which cost me $500 including the factory wiring and everything.

 

[SlickmisterN]

LOL, I think we're all on the same page here. Good luck 99blackt4rsport!

 

[Scramble]

Good luck with it!

 

[99blackt4rsport]

Thanks guys I will check the gearing and start adding up the cost to fix. Yes I got it pretty cheap let's just say the motor and transmission cost more than the price I bought it for.:bravo: found a complete rear axle assembly for $250. Includes everything I might need.

 

[MTD]

They do exist lol, and they are awesome! Welcome to the 5speed family haha.

 

[SlickmisterN]

Nice! If it does turn out the frame is tweaked I'm sure its super minor since as you noted the axle components look to have take the brunt of the impact...

 

[99blackt4rsport]

Thank you I have driven my friends 5 speed I like it way more mad wheeling more fun. Looks like I'll be giving my wife my 99 highlander she gave me the go ahead to spend whatever I need to get this rig going. At least I know my highlander is going to a good home haha!



<a href="http://s10.photobucket.com/user/FLipboiako/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20150222_174848.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a105/FLipboiako/Mobile%20Uploads/20150222_174848.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 20150222_174848.jpg"/></a>

 

[99blackt4rsport]

Thanks sir yea the rear bumper isn't even in that bad of a shape considering the impact it must of made to bend the axle.

 

[Jedrattle]

I fixed a 2nd gen runner that was hit almost the exact same way. I got a new rear axle and the links. I changed it out in two days. Had to do a little bit of porta power work on the one lower link bracket but other than that, it was a bolt in deal

 

[SoSoJeff]

Nice find Pare!

 

[99blackt4rsport]

Salamat pare!

 

[99blackt4rsport]

Headed to the yard tomorrow pull the parts I'll be needing. Just ordered 2 billies.

 

[99blackt4rsport]

So after doing some research decoded my gearing and it's 4:10s I need your opinion what is the best route on repairing the rear axle.
I found a donor but it was 2wd non e locker. I understand I need to notch some parts of the housing and inside to be able to put it my gears which is still good. Only questionable part is the axle shaft I'm sure they're bent also. Here are my options I'm considering
1. See if a shop can straighten out original axle housing, maybe inner shaft as well. (I can also purchase new shafts)
2. Buy the 2wd non e locked and have the shop notched and transfer gearing into the new housing.
3. Wait for the exact match donor part to come a long. Hopefully a complete assembly with same gearing and plug and play it. That would eliminate shop fees as well.

I'm not really in a rush to get it all done but sometimes I do get impatient and make the wrong move and end up costing me more $$ than it should. I like this truck I know I'm in it for the long haul. Probably the last 3rd gen that I will adopt into our family.

 

[xcmtb83]

4. None of the above.

I wouldn't bother trying to straighten the axle shaft. I have straightened axle housings but it takes access to a machine shop and really isn't worth the money if you aren't doing it yourself.

I would buy just the housing and shafts from any elocker equipped 3rd gen and swap your diff into it. Almost all elocker equipped 3rd gens are going to have 4.30 gearing because that is what the automatics came with. You will be looking for a lot longer if trying to find an exact replacement (4.10) for your rear axle assembly. If you plan on running larger tires another option would be to buy a complete 4.30 elocker rear axle along with the 4.30 front diff off of the same donor and swap them both in and be done.

I am really surprised you have bitten off a project like this if you plan on having a shop perform the work but bravo for keeping another 3rd gen out of the grave.

 

[xcmtb83]

Here are two good resources.

Car-Part.com--Used Auto Parts Market

https://www.hollanderparts.com/

 

[99blackt4rsport]

Thank you "xcmtb83" for the helpful info. I'll be looking through those links you sent me. I think I just got intimidated by it, there for I was thinking about a shop doing some of the work. I can and have pretty much work on everything in the car besides diffs, and internal transmission work. But your right It's time I should step out of the comfort zone and do the work myself it will save time, money, and actually learn something. Unless of course I find an exact donor then Score!! Lol oh and fabricating I don't know how to weld I wish I did always envy those that can. That shall be on my bucket list of something I'll try to do in the future.