Jake's '99 Limited "Build" Thread

[Kotrin]

I personally believe in fixing things and making it right the first time. Personally if you do it half-way you risk repeating the process. I did my transmission by-pass shortly after I got my vehicle. Did I need to, probably not but I believe if I can do something BEFORE I have a problem it's better.

From my own experience I usually do it all. I've seen people skimp out on getting the head machined and just do a gasket and be back to pulling it apart .

It's a bummer they found more. Maybe get a second opinion if you don't trust the shop?

 

[Team_Jake]

My baby is back!!

...and it drives, really well. Actually I can tell there’s a noticeable difference, the engine feels just a little more solid now. I was driving so long with a cracked head (around 11 months) I forgot what a good running engine felt like.

Here’s my old head:

And notice the two cracks between the intake/exhaust valves:

What surprises me the most in all of this was how well my 4Runner ran WITH those cracks, I would think it would run very poorly (it did for the first few seconds when starting cold) but it ran like this for about 11 months and rarely (only twice) threw a CEL on cylinder 3. Not sure if this is a testament to how resilient these engines are or how bad the internal diagnosis systems are. But during those 11 months it got me everywhere I needed to go without overheating or any other big issues, including a big road trip to Mexico two month ago.


I decided to replace only the cracked head, yet both heads were removed and inspected and the head on the driver’s side did get re-surfaced. The new head came off a 2004 Tacoma engine with just over 100k miles that was scrapped for parts due to a knocking rod.

Now I’m ready to go drive another 100,000 miles!!

 

[Team_Jake]

I had a little window yesterday to install the Energy Suspension sway bar bushings and the sway bar links (quick disconnects) by [MENTION=98153]MStudt[/MENTION]. Only had enough time to do the front, I’ll do the rear soon, likely tomorrow.

The discos made by [MENTION=98153]MStudt[/MENTION] are top notch and go together easily. I highly recommend reaching out to him if you’re looking for a pair.

 

[Team_Jake]

Wheels and tires are finally installed! I did a little trimming on the pinchweld, and the fender flare on the front bumper, no trimming on the rear. I’ll likely have to trim a little more, if anything to make the pinchweld area a little prettier. I’m not a metal worker so it could use a little work from someone who is.

I love the stance! So much meaner looking than those wimpy stock tires.

I also installed the Energy Suspension rear sway bar bushings, and [MENTION=98153]MStudt[/MENTION]’s rear sway bar links.

And at last, some photos:

 

[qwertyisdead]

love the rig!

 

[kimble]

4runner

Loving all the pics. Good luck with the rebuild

 

[Team_Jake]

love the rig!

Thanks! I’m loving it too!

Loving all the pics. Good luck with the rebuild

Thanks! So far after the engine partial-rebuild it’s running great, hoping to double the miles on it!

 

[Team_Jake]

I was planning to get rock sliders and fab together a custom front plate bumper next, but I’m going to take a little detour from that at the moment because I came across a deal I didn’t want to pass up.

Manual locking hubs! :rockon:

I had always wanted to get some but they don’t pop up for sale often and they normally need to be rebuilt with new bearings and seals. Plus I want to keep my ABS functioning, so sourcing all the parts seemed a little daunting and I wasn’t ready to dive into that. But I came across these a few days ago, with the ABS spindles, new bearings and seals, all ready to go, so I decided to jump on it. It’s plug and play really. I’ll be installing these in the next couple of weeks when I have time.

 

[Team_Jake]

Installed the manual hubs yesterday. It took a good chunk of the day, but I can’t complain since I didn’t have to press bearings or anything like that.

My old spindles and CVs are up for grabs for anyone who wants them, just DM me, I’ll take any reasonable offer.

 

[Team_Jake]

Spent the weekend up in Big Bear camping and wheeling. There were a few spots that really pushed me passed my comfort level and find the limits of my 4Runner, but it felt so good to tackle and conquer them. I’m grateful for the people I met on the trail who gave tips and helped spot on some obstacles I didn’t think I would be able to do.

I did the following trails: White Mountain (3N17), Gold Mountain (3N69), Clark’s Grade (1N54), plus a bunch of other minor trails. Gold Mountain was by far my favorite, it had handful of very challenging lines and really pushed me.

Found a mud puddle and couldn’t resist.

Our campsite, quiet and out of the way.

The first challenging obstacle on Gold Mountain. I felt a little un-easy when I approached.

Made it up. Felt awesome!

Second challenging section right after. This one was a little tougher, had to move a couple rocks to make it up the first ledge. Took a couple tries to get up this one.

The top of White Mountain about 1 hour before sunset. Needless to say the view was spectacular.

Also hit 180,000 miles during the trip.

 

[Team_Jake]

Spent another weekend up in Big Bear, it’ll probably the last time I’ll go there before winter. I tried taking it easier this time, did more exploring looking for cool spots rather than specifically looking for trails. We decided to go try to find a hot spring and we took a trail called 3N34 to try to get there. Little did I know that this trail was Dishpan Springs, one of the hardest trails in Big Bear. The trail seemed innocent enough, starting as a regular dirt road, but kept throwing out sections that progressively got harder.

A group of Jeeps came up the trail as we were going down, the last guy in the group, a JK on 37s, rolled down his window and asked “Did you guys come up this trail?” I replied “No”, to which he chuckled and said “you’re in for a treat”...obviously not very reassuring.

A little nervous, we progressed. There were 2 sections we came upon, one near the middle of the trail and one at the very end of the trail (bottom of the trail) that I was convinced I was not going to make down without damage. We eventually made it, but it took some serious rock moving and spotting to make sure I didn’t take any damage.

Basically this little trail made me realize I should seriously consider a gas tank skid, a steel front bumper, and sliders very soon. Getting through this trail was only difficult because I had no protection and had to do everything slow and perfectly to not take any damage.

So yeah, here are some photos from those sections:

 

[youwitdaface]

A couple small updates:

I installed an UltraGauge a few weeks ago, I've been very happy with it.

I noticed my coolant temperature was a little high (it would run between 201F to 205F when warm). I did a little research and found that the instruction video I followed when I did my timing belt 18 months ago said to install the thermostat with the jiggle-valve in the 12 o'clock position (should be the 6 o'clock position). I made the change and now it runs between 190F and 194F when warm.

Can you get tranny temp off your ultraguage? Which protocol?

 

[Team_Jake]

Can you get tranny temp off your ultraguage? Which protocol?

No, I wish I could. All 3rd gens are 9141 protocol.
I tried getting the trans temp to work, I used the ScanGauge codes and tried to convert it. I tried for ~2 hours with every possible RCtrl and TCtrl but nothing worked.
As much as I like the UG, I’ll probably end up replacing it with a SG eventually.

 

[youwitdaface]

No, I wish I could. All 3rd gens are 9141 protocol.
I tried getting the trans temp to work, I used the ScanGauge codes and tried to convert it. I tried for ~2 hours with every possible RCtrl and TCtrl but nothing worked.
As much as I like the UG, I’ll probably end up replacing it with a SG eventually.

Damn, that sucks. Guess I'll have to spring for an SG then. Thanks for the heads up!

 

[t4r92]

Great thread so far. I'm in the middle of a head gasket issue myself so looking forward to getting it back together and back on the road like you've done.

 

[HawkPlt]

Killer pics. Any plans for rocker guards?

 

[Team_Jake]

Great thread so far. I'm in the middle of a head gasket issue myself so looking forward to getting it back together and back on the road like you've done.

Thanks! Yeah it sucks, just gotta bite the bullet and get it done, but once you're done you'll be so glad you did it.

 

[Team_Jake]

Killer pics. Any plans for rocker guards?

That's what's next up on my list along with a custom front bumper, I just need to get around to getting it done...

 

[HawkPlt]

Are you doing your bumper yourself? If you do please post lots of pics I want to do one and a rear bumper I just don’t have a creative mind to go at it from scratch. Oh yeah and rocker guards.

 

[Team_Jake]

Are you doing your bumper yourself? If you do please post lots of pics I want to do one and a rear bumper I just don’t have a creative mind to go at it from scratch. Oh yeah and rocker guards.

Yeah I'm doing the CAD and everything myself for the front bumper, I plan to do the same for the rear bumper. I'll probably start a new thread just before it's ready to be sent out to be laser cut.