I was just going to drive it... (Build Thread)

[robb1887]

Welp... I guess I should start one of these cause I feel the bug already starting to nibble.

About me, I've always been a car guy. It started in high school. It starting in the typical Honda crowd.

In college I grew out of my Honda tuning and got a 97 BMW 318i that I wasnt going to mod... it was slow... it was completely stock... well that got rearended and totaled so I moved into a 328i that needed suspension. Well if you're going to replace them you might as well get a little lower... and well it just progressed from there.

I got my 97 Limited in the Spring of 2011 to stop putting so many miles on the BMW, inclement weather driver, and a parts hauler. I told myself it was a DD, and that I was NOT going do mods. (yea I know, and we all know how that goes)

Specs when purchased:
1997 4Runner Limited 4x4 auto, purchased with 147xxx miles on it.
Desert Dune/Pearl
9/10 paint
9/10 interior
Had recent timing belt, waterpump, belts, etc.
Already tinted (DARK)
Alarm/remote start
Tow package w/ tow controller for bigger trailers

Current photo:


Current setup:
Engine:
Refreshed 2006 Tundra 2UZ-FE swap in process (no chip key)
Doug Thorley modified 4th gen 2UZ headers
Custom v-banded exhaust, Borla Mufflers, dual cats, single 3" outlet in factory location
SAP delete planned with SIM harness for no code
4th gen 2UZ OEM airbox
Full aluminim diesel radiator (from Australia)

Suspension/tires:
Tundra Bilstien 5100's (Second from bottom perch in front)
Tundra TRD coils front (YY & BY)
LC 8 wrap rear (PP/G/W & P/B/W)
Replaced all ball joints/tie rods (OEM)
Rebuilt rear axles seals/bearings (OEM)
Energy suspension poly front control arm bushings
Energy suspension poly steering rack bushings
Yokohama Geolander 285/70/17 (D-range) (12/15 189xxx)
FN wheels 17" Fivestars (with spare)
Mstudt HD sway links
reinforced lower arms
Raised panhard bar axle mount

Drivetrain:
Extended rear diff breather mod
Mounted Tundra trans cooler (needs plumbing)
e-locker retrofit with 4.10 rebuilt rear (Yukon rebuild kit)
80% complete rebuilt front with 4.10 gears and electronic controls to integrate into Tundra engine harness (Yukon rebuild kit)

Fueling:
Mahle fuel filter replaced (1873xx)

Brakes:
Tundra 231 fronts
Rebuilt rears
Extended SS front lines
Extended SS rear brake line
New AISIN (Advics) Master Cylinder (1873xx)
NiCu hardlines on rear axle
NiCu planned replumming for swap

Interior
01 Cloth seats with front seat heaters
01 Rear plastics with larger storage & 12V rear cargo plug
5% 5" windshield strip
7% front window tint
4% rear tint (effective, 10 on-top of factory 20)
Custom toolbox/pull out drawer on passenger side hatch area

Exterior:
PGW windshield replacement
Taco whip antenna
98 grille for satoshi style mod with 2nd gen "TOYOTA" badge

Lighting:
TRS Mini D2S retrofit
Clear corners
Clear turn signals

Stereo/Electronics:
Currently NO headunit
Alpine back-up camera
Trailer e-brake controller
Viper 5806 2-way remote start/alarm
Blue-sea 12fuse panel under rear seat

Parts on the shelf:
4xInnovation Sliders
Extra hood (blue, not scooped)
99+ center console plastics
99+ heated exterior mirrors
Full Tundra body harness
Spare parts from Tundra donor
01-02 steering rack
non-locker rear diff (believe 4.30 gears)

Parts coming:

and I'm sure it will grow

 

[fightman80]

Some decent cars man! No pics of the Runner???

 

[robb1887]

The journey begins:
After I purchased it I had a run with an overheating issue and ended up replacing everything in the cooling system save for the water pump. I even ended up having to do the heater cores this winter... I had NO heat. At least last year I had some. Besides that a bad spark plug wire and a snapped swap link is all the trouble its given me in almost 2 years and I love it.

However its started already:

Tires were getting low, so I started searching craigslist. Picked up a set of Taco 17's a few months ago, and grabbed some spidertrax spacers to push them out right.

Befores/afters (sorry, pics taken with toaster):

difference in offsets were made up by these:


Then the brake pads are getting low and have the notorious rotor warp issues, sooo... well these just got here today:

hint: they are not 4Runner OE rotors.

Yea I know... I could have sworn I took some, but I guess that they got lost when I had to replace my phone.

I'll be sure to grab a few when I wash it this weekend

 

[02_SE_Runner]

We like dirty girls here no need to wash her mate. Snap that pic! Lol

 

[PitbullRescuer]

I'm not a Hinda fan but I'm a big BMW guy. And I like your taste in DD's. Good luck with the 4Runner, it's starts so simply and then just gets out of control. LOL

 

[robb1887]

We like dirty girls here no need to wash her mate. Snap that pic! Lol

updated OP,

dirty girls include my girl helping with the heater core replacements?

I'm not a Hinda fan but I'm a big BMW guy. And I like your taste in DD's. Good luck with the 4Runner, it's starts so simply and then just gets out of control. LOL

Yea, I'm glad I grew out of them... I loved my BMW but I really want to get into an Mcoupe, so I had to sell it or I'd spend more money on something I didnt want to keep. I'll tinker with the truck to hold me over while I save for the Mcoupe.

Update:
SS brake lines are en route
Calipers and new brake pads ordered yesterday should be here today.
Ordered a "whip antenna" today

and because everyone loves pictures... It really does do parts hauling

Hoping to do all the brakes and whip antenna swap Monday. Stay tuned.

 

[Skidmarcx]

I'm a Honda guy, so I can share your enthusiasm... and like yourself I was going to "just drive my runner" for a DD... and yea I couldn't leave it alone either... hope to see your future progress

Here is my last Honda... figure you can appreciate the work

 

[robb1887]

Out with the old:

In with the new:

And a shot from the other night of go fast mods weight reduction 101, removed the running boards... I know real original.

Also did the whip antenna mod today, but forgot to snap a picture. Will do when I get some time tomorrow.

 

[gloch]

I just picked up a '96 Limited today so, I will be watching what your "DD" becomes

 

[revenantdead]

i have a set of clear lenses for the bumper if you're interested...

 

[robb1887]

I just picked up a '96 Limited today so, I will be watching what your "DD" becomes

Heh, its going to be a snowball effect, I can see it now. Already looking into lift options, and considering a new set of tires for the 16's to be able to swap for road-use/off-road use.

i have a set of clear lenses for the bumper if you're interested...

PM me, I may be depending on details.

 

[robb1887]

A few weeks back I did a complete lube job save for the front diff since I accidently dropped half a bottle of gear oil on myself.... (not happy)


Oil change
Drive shaft greased
Rear diff
Transfer case


BUT TODAY 8 hours later:
Lower ball joints
Upper ball joints
OTRE's
Steering boots
front diff lube change
rear diff breather mod
tire rotation

Only snag? Toyota mislabeled a driver LBJ as a passenger. Camelpack Toyota is over nighting a new one to me and is going to personally check the stamp to make sure its for the passenger side.

Used 99 springs showed up today, but are locked in my apartment's managers office space (Fedex doesn't leave it at the door).

So I'll be swapping the LBJ and rear springs Sunday and taking it for an alignment...


Still on the todo list:
Rear axle rebuild
VCG job

 

[Singtoe]

That is some awesome parallel parking. :bigok:

 

[BrazilianT4R]

That is some awesome parallel parking. :bigok:

We have to do it in Brazil all the time! :thumb:

 

[robb1887]

That is some awesome parallel parking. :bigok:

Haha... thanks. I have lived in the city for the last few years. I'm used to it.

 

[Singtoe]

If I parked on the street and people parked this close me to block me in, I would be mad.

I hate when I park at the grocery store and some tool parks to close to me.

 

[robb1887]

After getting all the ball joints up front done you have to get them tested right?

Went out with a buddy that has a 02TC Highlander

Adventures of the day in Carova, NC: (in no particular order since they are from two phones)

 

[robb1887]

Co-pilot photograher (with her phone since I forgot to charge my cameraS)







"Lunch Break"


After lunch we didnt take as many photos. This was the challenge of the day climb. Buddy dug himself in and I had to get up half way and get my recovery strap out to get him out.


And since this IS a build thread, I put in some used 99 rear springs before the trip:

(unsettled)

 

[downpour11]

Nice pics! :thumb3:

 

[Supra725]

robb,

was your front diff fill plug hard to remove? cause I couldn't get mine off..