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

[smallfry]

Definitely not forgotten. We're ironing out some details, and once we come up with a date I'll send you a PM. It looks like we'll probably be shooting for July/Aug.

:thumb:

 

[BigFishAllDay]

I freaking burned up the paypal/credit card account today... :typing:

Payment To Fat Bob's Garage Completed -$394.37 USD

Purchase From Camelback Toyota Completed -$290.12 USD

Payment To Autolizer Inc Completed -$8.78 USD

Payment To FIVE STAR STORE CO.,LIMITED Completed -$5.99 USD

Purchase From Super Bright LEDs, Inc. Completed -$20.96 USD

Payment For Alex Emelianoff Completed -$40.00 USD

And another one to Wheelers Off Road for ~$30

.... and I might not be done yet.

 

[TBuzz]

I'm guessing uca's from Fat Bob's and steering components from camelback. Freshening up the interior too...keeps getting nicer.

Regarding your Moab report. I always like how different members out the stories together. Yours always include cool various things like the shots of birds and so on. Also when told in such great detail with pics and vids it's almost as though you were there even if you weren't. Keep it up.

 

[rickashay]

Very cool Nick. Your definitely right, once you go to Moab, you will return. I enjoyed seeing the photos of the trails you ran as they were a completely different set than I ran while in Moab. Gives me plenty ideas for next year . Too bad we couldn't meet up, we will need to make it happen sometime.

Truck is looking great as always buddy, keep it up!

 

[S2KMR]

Good read, really enjoy these build threads.

 

[jgilk1]

Ok BigFishAllDay your a local and know some Toyota ppl in the "i took a wrong turn" (bugs bunny joke)

You know any one locally that has a first or second gen 4runner or third - fifth gen t ruck for sale in the sub $2000 category? been looking on that guy Craig's page and not much in the way of reasonable prices (or the people/vehicles are to "sketchy")

oh by the way this is a highly awesome build its is slowly getting there... sucks that you had to modify the 2nd rear bumper like that...
any ways on to your build for your 97... waits impatiently wondering why so many paypal payments

 

[BigFishAllDay]

I'm guessing uca's from Fat Bob's and steering components from camelback. Freshening up the interior too...keeps getting nicer.

Some solid guesswork right there!

Very cool Nick. Your definitely right, once you go to Moab, you will return. I enjoyed seeing the photos of the trails you ran as they were a completely different set than I ran while in Moab. Gives me plenty ideas for next year . Too bad we couldn't meet up, we will need to make it happen sometime.

Truck is looking great as always buddy, keep it up!

Thanks Addison, and good to see you stop by. I always keep an eye out for updates on your thread(s), so the next time you're down this way I'll see if I can make it work to get on a trail with you. I'd like to see that sweet LC in person.

Good read, really enjoy these build threads.

Thanks for checking out my build!

Ok BigFishAllDay your a local and know some Toyota ppl in the "i took a wrong turn" (bugs bunny joke)

You know any one locally that has a first or second gen 4runner or third - fifth gen truck for sale in the sub $2000 category? been looking on that guy Craig's page and not much in the way of reasonable prices (or the people/vehicles are to "sketchy")

oh by the way this is a highly awesome build its is slowly getting there... sucks that you had to modify the 2nd rear bumper like that...
any ways on to your build for your 97... waits impatiently wondering why so many paypal payments

Sorry man, I don't know anyone with a Toyota in that year/model range for sale. Craigslist can be dicey, and a pain in the ass, but keep looking... that's where I found my rig. Thanks for the compliment on the build.

 

[BigFishAllDay]

I started installing some of the parts I ordered few weeks back. Just the small stuff for now.

Amber LED corner bulbs... because I didn't like the dim orange that the incandescent bulbs were putting out.

Before...

After...

LED dome lights...

Got this little guy shining bright again. That bulb has been out for a couple years.

Also got a brighter "warm white" LED bulb for the glove box, as the stock bulb is pretty dim.

I'll wrap this post up with a picture of the rig out having fun...

 

[gs300tt]

I did not even know that lit up.

 

[cdrewferd]

I agree. Had no idea that the rear window button had a light. What bulb does it take?

 

[BigFishAllDay]

I did not even know that lit up.

Yup... makes it a little bit easier to find in the dark. I needed the help because I get confused going from the switch in my '97 (mounted by the e-brake) to the one in my '01 (on the dash).

I agree. Had no idea that the rear window button had a light. What bulb does it take?

The 3mm size.... whichever color you like >>> LINK

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

Got another install crossed off the list.... 1/2" body lift, courtesy of [MENTION=63211]emelianenkov[/MENTION]

As I understand it, most people are NOT replacing the hardware when installing these 1/2" body lifts. After looking at the amount of exposed threads on the factory body mount bolts, I was not comfortable with re-using them. All 10 of them had less than 1/2" of exposed threads as they sat from the factory. The body mounting bolts on other model years may have additional length, in fact, I checked my '97 and all of the body mounting bolts had enough exposed thread that I would probably feel comfortable doing this without new hardware for the body mounts. I checked my Wife's '00 and the bolts appeared the same as the ones on my '01.

Before pics of the body to bumper gaps...

NOTE in this picture, the dent under the tail light from body contact with the rear bumper. Also, a sharp eye will be able to spot the small buckle in the sheet metal just ahead of the front lower corner of the tail light.. the body has started to bulge outward due to the impacts from the CBI rear bumper.

After pics of the body to bumper gaps...

I couldn't get any significant extension via adjusting the steering shaft, so I decided to put some longer bolts on the rag joint, and some washers to act as a temporary spacer. I'm going to pull the washers ASAP and replace them with a 1/4" steel spacer (which I'll just make out of some plate steel).

Again, this is a place where I don't think it's a good idea to just install a 1/2" body lift and "let it be". Before I added the washers, the two rubber plates on the rag joint were stretched upward like a taco shell, due to the rag joint being pulled apart. You can see in the picture below that the rubber section is still being pulled slightly upward.

The main reason that I believe a spacer is needed is that the integrity of the rag joint must be maintained. The two upright steel posts that are perpendicular to the rag joint bolts MUST engage the slots on the top metal section of the rag joint. The rubber is there to allow for some flex in the joint (~20 degrees of rotation), and the steel posts are there to limit that flex. If they do not engage the metal slots, you could literally tear the rag joint apart if you got into a situation where the front tire was bound up, the steering became difficult (ie wheels wedged between rocks), and you are forced to put excess steering force on the wheel to turn through the obstacle.

With or without the washers in place, those posts are barely in the slots with a 1/2" body lift. The washers just allow a temporary solution that will keep the rubber in position closer to flat (and less likely to tear), until I can make a spacer.

UPDATE: I MADE A SPACER. FOR PICS/INFO AND INFO REGARDING THE LENGTHS OF THE NEW HARDWARE FOR THE BODY LIFT, CLICK HERE > http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-g...one-2001-sport-ed-trd-scd-65.html#post1956208

I checked the clearance between the engine cooling fan and the shroud and there is plenty of room, enough to put my pointer finger between the fan blades and the bottom of the shroud.

I noticed that the intake tube was showing a little flex in the silicone couplers after the body lift. I loosened the clamps and re-tightened them, allowing them to rotate, and ensuring that there was no stress on the couplers.

The shift linkage on the transmission saw no adverse effects from the 1/2" body lift and required no adjustment. There was enough slop in the linkages to allow for the extra 1/2". The radiator hoses also looked fine. The gap between frame and body is very minimal as viewed through the wheel wells, and I'm not going to worry about covering it. It is only visible in the rear wheel wells, and looks close enough to stock that it is not noticeable to the un-trained eye.

The next day, it was time to get cleaned up in preparation for the next round of installs... The rig has to be mud free for me to work on what's coming next.

And the overall shots with the 1/2" body lift...

 

[GhostDog]

Looks good Nick!
:thumb:

Any plans to go to 35s soon?

 

[BigFishAllDay]

Who knows what the next set of tires may bring? :eyebrows:

I've got plenty of room out back... the front would still require a little tubbing (which I'm comfortable with). The change would also require gears, and while I'm at it a front locker.

My current Duratracs are at about 50%, so we'll see.

BTW, saw your post in the thread on TW... will reply later tonight. I'm thinking some alpine 'wheeling. A new trail. Something I've never tried. Duck...duck... ????? lake.

 

[GhostDog]

I was actually thinking of that trail the other day! I haven't run it yet but its been on my list a while.

 

[emelianenkov]

Lookin good man! Glad I could help fix the bumper gap issues!

 

[BigFishAllDay]

Lookin good man! Glad I could help fix the bumper gap issues!

Thanks.

Can you do me a favor and edit your post to not include a quote of my entire post about the body lift?

 

[emelianenkov]

Sure after work

 

[BigFishAllDay]

I got a bunch of things knocked out on the '01 over the last couple of weeks:

- SPC Light Racing UCA's installed (new arms, bushings, UBJ's)
- New OEM LBJ's
- New OEM LBJ bolts x 8
- New OEM OTRE's
- ITRE's checked and verified good
- Energy Polyurethane Steering Rack Bushings
- Alignment (everything is back in spec)
- Adjusted limit straps to allow for +1" droop (thanks to LR UCA's)
- Painted wheel wells
- Removed T-Case balance weight
- Removed, straightened, and re-painted skid plates
- Re-worked belly skid for additional t-case clearance
- trimmed IFS skid for better access/weight reduction
- Charged battery
- Changed engine oil & filter

I was on a mission, so I didn't take many pics...

My birthday falls around the middle of June, and I got a couple new things that could be considered "driving accessories."

Then it was time to get her out on the road and test everything out... off to Colorado for 4 days.

Spent the 4th watching fireworks in a little mountain town @ 9000 ft elevation. The show was bigger, longer, and better than any I've ever seen... including big city, concert, and special event shows.

Happy Birthday U.S.A.!!!

The last day we went back up to 11,500 feet on a fun trail for some small stream fishing...

She's always trying to clean the mud off my rig... I think there will be some fun car washes in our future.

Stopped to change a diaper on the way home and turned around to see this...

 

[Hepar]

Big Fish, huh? :fishing:

Just messing with you. Rig looks great as always and the trips it's taking you on are priceless!

 

[TheeMikeB]

Hey BFAD... which dome lights did you end up using? I didn't see it mentioned (or I missed it). I bought the Thin Flexible 5MM ones from Oznium and I'm returning them, they aren't as bright as I had hoped. Looking for something brighter.