I found "The One", 2001 Sport Ed. TRD SC'd

[Dirtco]

I just pull the base plate off and keep it in my tool bag. If I need to use the jack there is a really good chance I need to use my tools too. It only takes a second to throw it on (I removed the cotter pin and have a bolt to replace it, I just make it finger tight). I have zero rattles with just the isolator.

 

[BigFishAllDay]

glad you can get out and enjoy God's country in a 4runner!!
I loved the pics. I like how you fixed the rattles. I will mark this for sure.

I'm glad too. I don't know how people live out there between the Rockies and the Appalachians. I'd go stir crazy without mountains. Thanks for checking out the thread sir.

I just pull the base plate off and keep it in my tool bag. If I need to use the jack there is a really good chance I need to use my tools too. It only takes a second to throw it on (I removed the cotter pin and have a bolt to replace it, I just make it finger tight). I have zero rattles with just the isolator.

Removing the base plate was the first thing I tried, because I knew for sure that it was generating alot of noise. I pulled the cotter, put the base plate in the truck, and kept driving (on a rough washboard road), and I still had a TON of rattles coming from the jack.

The only way to quiet it down in my case was to secure the lifting point and the ratcheting mechanism as well. The bolt is a good idea too, maybe one with a wingnut so you can zip it on/off quickly.

 

[BigFishAllDay]

Took another trip in the '01, figured I'd post a few pictures....

Found a stock '01-'02 Limited to park next to and make a mockery out of...

Also turned over another 1,000 on the way home...

 

[4-Ripcord]

Nice! I didnt realize you had that many miles, you have been doing a lot of trips lately though..

 

[4Running Daily]

Nice! I didnt realize you had that few of miles!

Fixed.

 

[BigFishAllDay]

Nice! I didnt realize you had that many miles, you have been doing a lot of trips lately though..

I rack 'em up pretty quick on these trucks once I start road tripping them. I used to put 20k a year on the '97, but that's slowed down now that I'm taking the '01 instead.

Fixed.

That's how I like to think about it. 124k is in the lower range of mileages that you'll find on this forum.

 

[BigFishAllDay]

I got some small things out of the way today on the '01... Oil Change, new Air Filter, and Lucas Fuel Injector Cleaner in a full tank of premium.

I also found a nail in one of my Duratracs. Then my wife got home and spotted a screw in one of my Yoko's on the '97. Two tire punctures in one day, what luck! :happens:

My cargo box has been getting loose due to the weak mounting setup I used, so it was time to re-do it and make it better.

Before:

The top bolt had wiggled loose and it was allowing the cargo box to move around just a tiny bit. Enough to produce an annoying squeak.

I always wanted to go back and re-do this mounting setup, but I never made the time. Even adding a second bolt/hole on the vertical section of the bracket would have helped, but seeing the spins that a couple of you other guys have put on this style of box gave me an idea for a different setup.

I got some U-bolts and drilled the box to accept them with the "U" on the outside, used a plate on the inside to provide additional surface area and reinforcement for the bolts to pull against, and put Red Loc-Tite on the nuts to keep them in place.

Then I used some turnbuckles with double hooks to secure the box.

I had to remove the Fire extinguisher bracket and move it over about an inch to clear the new turnbuckle.

There used to be nothing holding the front of the box down, but now it's good to go.

The two screws that secure the box via the location of old cargo cover bracket are still being used, for a total of 3 mounting points, all @ factory locations. This thing is now solid as a rock. When I push or pull on it, the whole 4Runner rocks back and forth.

I also added a strip of edge protector to the lower passenger side corner of the hatch. The wire loom covering the license plate wiring to the CBI was starting to rub the paint off the edge of the hatch.

Time to get the hell off the computer. I've got to be up @ 3:30 for a fishing trip! :bluejump:

 

[T4RunnerSteve]

Your truck makes that stock 4Runner look like a station wagon! Very inspiring thread... As my '02 turns from a DD to a utility vehicle I will surely be visiting often. Gotta love the table of contents!

Amazing truck, and best wishes on your new arrival!

 

[1985taylor1925]

This is a really cool picture man. It would make an awesome poster, or post card, or something like that

 

[rickashay]

First off, lovin' the mild updates and photos, simply stoked to see the truck out in the wild where it belongs!

I rack 'em up pretty quick on these trucks once I start road tripping them. I used to put 20k a year on the '97, but that's slowed down now that I'm taking the '01 instead.

That's how I like to think about it. 124k is in the lower range of mileages that you'll find on this forum.

Mileage is just a number, maintain it (like you definitely do) and enjoy the hell out of it! I don't even look at my ODO anymore. It doesn't say 274000kms.

PS - I logged onto t4r for the first time in a few days today, I LOL'd when I saw 3, yes 3, of your build thread bumped TTT. Not many people on here have that option. Truly jealous!

 

[smallfry]

When you change out the front sway bar bushings how the heck did you get to the bolts?

 

[4Running Daily]

/End Thread

 

[BigFishAllDay]

Your truck makes that stock 4Runner look like a station wagon! Very inspiring thread... As my '02 turns from a DD to a utility vehicle I will surely be visiting often. Gotta love the table of contents!

Amazing truck, and best wishes on your new arrival!

Thanks for the compliments, T4RunnerSteve! I can't take credit for the table of contents idea, I took that one from some of the other guys on the forum who have extensive builds. Thanks, also, for the kind wishes RE the baby.

This is a really cool picture man. It would make an awesome poster, or post card, or something like that

I see that you saved it, being that you re-posted as an attachment versus a quote, so you must REALLY like it. I thought it turned out well too. When I work up that morning I knew I'd get a great shot on that bridge.

Thanks for checking out the thread.

First off, lovin' the mild updates and photos, simply stoked to see the truck out in the wild where it belongs!

Mileage is just a number, maintain it (like you definitely do) and enjoy the hell out of it! I don't even look at my ODO anymore. It doesn't say 274000kms.

PS - I logged onto t4r for the first time in a few days today, I LOL'd when I saw 3, yes 3, of your build thread bumped TTT. Not many people on here have that option. Truly jealous!

Time is getting short these days, so I don't get to post as much as I normally do. I still read when I can, but the posts are pretty much happening @ odd hours when all else is calm and I'm just trying to fall asleep. I'm still trying to keep up w/all three threads though.

I'm looking forward to getting back on the '01. The next round will be all maintenance. UBJ's, LBJ's, some bushings, and the limit straps.

When you change out the front sway bar bushings how the heck did you get to the bolts?

I'll post some pictures next week, if you can wait that long. I have poly bushings in there now and they are ANNOYING! Squeak, squeak, creak, moan groan... all the time. I'm going back to stock rubber bushings.

View attachment 71226

/End Thread

That's awesome! Saved that one on the home PC.

 

[conchbuggy17]

hey BFAD, first off, awesome rig! im goin to build a cargo box similar to yours. im wondering, what all can you fit in it? i saw the list of gear you posted at the beginning of this build, i will be carrying a very similar amount of gear. can the majority of that gear fit in the box? or should i build a floor cargo box? thanks!

 

[BigFishAllDay]

Conchbuggy, thanks for the compliments on the 4Runner. The cargo box I built will hold a suprising amount of stuff. I cut/pasted the list from the first page below, and deleted from the list the items that are NOT in the box.

ALL of what you see in the list below fits entirely within the cargo box. Large items like the axe, crowbar, breaker bar, fire extinguisher, and flashlight are mounted to the outside of the box.

As far as what you should build, that's up to you, but this was the perfect solution for me.

Recovery:

4" x 20' Tree Strap
1 X 3/4" D-Ring Shackle
10' 5/16" Grade 7 Choker Chain w/Hooks
Snatch Block (17,600lbs capacity)
Gerber NATO Folding Shovel
26" Full Size Axe
Leather Gloves

Survival & Safety:

3 D-Cell LED Maglight
3 X D-Cell Batteries
2 x AA-Cell Batteries
3X Road Flares
Fire Extinguisher
2 Military M.R.E.'s
2 Lighters
Small Candle

Parts & Trail Repair:

Duct Tape & Electrical Tape
6' of 10AWG & 15' of 16AWG wire
A selection of electrical connectors
Zip Ties
Roll of Baling Wire
Blue Loc-Tite
Amazing Goop Contact Adhesive
JB Weld Steel Reinforced Epoxy
5' of 1/8", 1/4", and 3/8" ID Vacuum Tubing
3' of 1/2" Heater Hose
Valve Stem Parts (Valve Stem Tool, 4x Extra Valve Stems, Valve Cores, Caps)
Supercharger Belt, P/S Belt, A/C Belt
Spark Plug Wire (longest of the 3) + Extra Spark Plug
Spare Headlight Bulb
Set of 4 spare LBJ bolts
1 QT. 75w90 Gear Oil
1 QT. 10w40 Motor Oil
1 QT. Dexron 3 Transmission Fluid
Bag of Misc. Hardware (M6/8/10/12 nuts, bolts, washers, spare lugnuts, hose clamps, etc)

Tools to handle most common problems: (3/8" Ratchet, Universal Joint, 3" & 6" extensions, 1/2" > 3/8" drive adapter, 10mm-19mm Sockets [deep & regular], 35mm & 36mm socket for CV's, 3/4" Socket for Wheel Lugs, Spark Plug Socket, 6mm-19mm Combination Wrenches, Flathead & Phillips Screwdrivers, Vice Grip Pliers, 8" Crescent Wrench, 10" Channel Lock Pliers, 8" Needle Nose Pliers, Utility Knife, 18" 1/2" drive Breaker Bar, 5" 1/2" drive extension, 18" Crow Bar)

 

[conchbuggy17]

awesome man thanks, yea im surprised that you fit all that in there! do you carry a gun back there?

 

[BigFishAllDay]

Getting all of that into the cargo box takes some organiztional / tetris skills, but it's do-able.

I do not carry a pistol in the vehicle on a daily basis, but I almost always have one with me when I'm out in the woods. The cargo box is too far away should I need a weapon in an emergency, so I keep it up front within arms reach. NM is an "extended domain" state, so I can stash the pistol out of sight as if I were in my home... that gives me lots of options.

 

[Salt_Life]

Nice ride!

i wish mine was that nice, or even 4wd for that matter haha, but im only 16 so a 2000 runner 2wd is all good with me!:thumb3:

 

[Dannyboltz]

Getting all of that into the cargo box takes some organiztional / tetris skills, but it's do-able.

I do not carry a pistol in the vehicle on a daily basis, but I almost always have one with me when I'm out in the woods. The cargo box is too far away should I need a weapon in an emergency, so I keep it up front within arms reach. NM is an "extended domain" state, so I can stash the pistol out of sight as if I were in my home... that gives me lots of options.

I just moved to back Maryland from AZ man I miss being able to carry my pistol ready to go by my side. Out here its gotta be in the glove box unloaded and ammo in the rear=worthless. :ybrick:

 

[BigFishAllDay]

Well, today I've finally had enough. I'm tired of watching the guys with welders having all the fun. I've got all kinds of ideas for my truck that I cannot bring to fruition because I don't have the tools. :dammit:




So I fixed that little problem and bought one of these:

Amazon.com: Hobart 500500R 140 Reconditioned A-Stock Handler: Home Improvement

A Hobart Handler 140 Mig/Flux Welder. It's a factory Re-conditioned A-Stock Unit, which means Hobart has fully repaired any problems and tested it, and certifies it as "new" condition. From my research alot of these are simply returns due to buyers remorse, that once returned, cannot be sold as new. Even the rep I spoke w/at Hobart confirmed this. The recon's have a full 1 year warranty from Hobart... at a savings of $175 over buying local, and about $140 over buying new on Amazon. Savings are good.

When it's delivered, I'm going to head down and buy an 80 Cu. Ft. tank of 75/25 Argon/CO2 mix, and a welding helmet, then it's party time. The plan is to buy some scrap and make practice welds, then cut them apart with the grinder to check penetration, until I get my technique down. After that I'll start on some projects. :hungry:

..............................

I also picked up a few new toys for the '01.... First up a compact 8" powered subwoofer to put under the front driver's seat. I saw Millerad1651 running a similar product by Sound Ordnance, and he seemed to like it well enough, so I figured I'd give this one a try. I compared this one to the S/O product and liked this one better.

Amazon.com: Boss Audio BASS600 8-Inch Low-Profile Amplified Subwoofer (Single): Car Electronics

Last but not least, I've been in need of a better air compressor, so I picked up a Superflow MV-50... If you've done any research on compressors, I'm sure you've heard of it. I plan to go through it, address all the weak points, and modify it, which should give me a solid little compressor. More on that once I've got it in hand.

Q Industries MV50 SuperFlow High-Volume 12-Volt Air Compressor : Amazon.com : Automotive

I'm excited.