JasetheDamager's build thread for a 97 SR5 4x4

[4Running Daily]

Awesome board 4RunningDaily! Nice clean miter cuts. Looks like you used maple and walnut, though I could be wrong.

Since everybody uses different techniques, I'm curious what process you used?
1) Cut equal lengths and widths of walnut and maple. Did you need to use a planer or joiner?
2) Glue and clamp the lengths together. I use Titebond III cuz it's waterproof and I've never had any problems with my joints failing, though none of my projects are old enough to fail quite frankly.
3) I usually wait overnight before resuming work. Cut across the grain with a table saw. I usually use an 80-tooth blade for cleaner edges. Then flip every other piece and glue and clamp again.
4) Options vary for finishing work, depending on the setup. My shop doesn't have an industrial-grade belt sander that accommodates wide pieces, or a wide power planer, so I rely on a good old bench plane or random orbital sander for finishing work.
5) Some old guys I know hate sanders. They finish their work using only hand planers. Good for them. I'm still working on my technique, but I'll work my way through grits, ranging from 60-400 if necessary.
6) I'll also use a router for edges and to make handles if I'm creating a heavier board.
7) Select finish. I use a mineral oil/beeswax mixture for cutting boards. I've also been experimenting with salad bowl varnish, lacquers, and shellac.

I know this is completely off topic for a T4R forum, but my next project is a sea chest that requires intricate dovetail joints. I made one a few years back. I'll post some pics. This is all making me want to build a cargo chest in cargo area of my truck, but I won't have time the next couple of weeks.

Exactly my process. I use Titebond III too actually. I used a belt sander and an orbital sander. This has Danish oil and paste wax on it.

 

[JasetheDamager]

I took a wood shop class last year in high school. i really liked working with wood and creating stuff! wish i was as good as you guys haha all i made was a folding chair, cabinet, and a box haha.

You're way ahead of me then SantaCruzRunner. All I did in high school was suck at football and drink a few beers while scraping by just enough academically to somehow con a university into accepting me. Life is cool like that though. If you keep your eyes open and you're somewhat motivated to learn new things, you can constantly amaze yourself. I learned to surf, play guitar, paint, and work with wood/cement/boats all in my twenties. And now I'm developing an interest in welding. Who knows, maybe in another year or two I'll tackle the idea of creating my own bumper. That would be awesome.

Sorry about that post; I'm not sure how it turned into life advice nonsense:jk:

 

[SantaCruzRunner]

You're way ahead of me then SantaCruzRunner. All I did in high school was suck at football and drink a few beers while scraping by just enough academically to somehow con a university into accepting me. Life is cool like that though. If you keep your eyes open and you're somewhat motivated to learn new things, you can constantly amaze yourself. I learned to surf, play guitar, paint, and work with wood/cement/boats all in my twenties. And now I'm developing an interest in welding. Who knows, maybe in another year or two I'll tackle the idea of creating my own bumper. That would be awesome.

Sorry about that post; I'm not sure how it turned into life advice nonsense:jk:

Well I am graduating high school tomorrow so that's a big step!

 

[JasetheDamager]

Well I am graduating high school tomorrow so that's a big step!

Congrats to you man! I remember how excited I was to escape high school. And you have an awesome truck in the process. Enjoy this summer. I had fun partying with all my friends before we went our separate ways and attended different schools. Good luck, and keep up the great work on your truck.

 

[SantaCruzRunner]

Congrats to you man! I remember how excited I was to escape high school. And you have an awesome truck in the process. Enjoy this summer. I had fun partying with all my friends before we went our separate ways and attended different schools. Good luck, and keep up the great work on your truck.

thanks bud. cant wait to have the final goodbye party this weekend!

 

[4Running Daily]

Back on topic...

More pictures of your truck!

 

[JasetheDamager]

Back on topic...

More pictures of your truck!

Agreed. I'm hoping to grab a Budbuilt front skid in the next couple of weeks. Life will be busy until then.

 

[ChildrenOfBodom]

I don't have time to write up a big post right now, but I wanted to commend you on your excellent work so far. Really digging the build, needed to say something.

You're so close, I'm down to meet on a free day and talk 4Runners.

Great work!

 

[JasetheDamager]

I don't have time to write up a big post right now, but I wanted to commend you on your excellent work so far. Really digging the build, needed to say something.

You're so close, I'm down to meet on a free day and talk 4Runners.

Great work!

Thanks COB! I appreciate the compliments coming from you. I admire all the work you've put into your Runner, cuz I know what it's like to have a passion. I saw your financial numbers on that thread regarding what we've actually spent on our Runners, and I was blown away, but you've seemingly recouped much of your expenditures. To me, spending between 5-15K on these trucks (after initial purchase price) makes perfect sense. Look at new vehicles in a similar class and they're selling for over 30 grand.

But new vehicles lack the proven track record of our trucks, which are quickly becoming classics. And we can actually get under the hood and monkey around. From what I've seen on the bigger trucks these days---Rams, Fords, Chevys---you practically have to remove the front to even work on the darn things.

Anyway I've had some bad news on a personal front regarding my finances the last 3 weeks, so I'll be slowing down a bit for planned upgrades. I loaned out some money and didn't receive a bonus I expected, so no paint or armor for a while. I'm just gonna be one of the guys who hang around and drool for the time being.

 

[JasetheDamager]

Since I've had to loan money to a family member, and I lost out on an expected bonus at work (the combined amount costing me over 10 grand), I've had to slow down on mods/maintenance, which is okay. I feel as if I've accomplished a lot over the last few months.

Anyway, a buddy gave me a tow hitch shackle from Rugged Ridge for free. I also purchased a lock for my hitch, so it can't be stolen, easily at least. I don't normally drive around with the shackle, but I think it looks cool, and from what I understand, it's a stronger point for recovery. The pin came with a red powdercoat and I used SEM paint on the shackle. I also finished painting my chassis/exhaust and I'm very pleased with the results. I'll snap some pics today and post those.

I've now painted every exterior piece on my truck except for the windshield wipers, which I might get to today. I'm loving the way my rig looks at this point.

In the next 2 weeks, I have a list of maintenance projects I'm hoping to complete:
-Replace AC belt, alternator belt, and P/S belt
-Replace fuel filter
-Clean Idle Speed control, and if that doesn't work, replace it

 

[poleclimber63]

Great! Another with passion for T4Rs

I to joined the T4R following this year! I have also done a number things to my 98 SR5, but wish I could do more, if I had the cash! You've made a great start! I re-did my bumpers this summer and did similar maintenance work to you. As I'm in Canada, with Winter coming, tires are a big issue. I'm looking for rims, however, I was lucky to find some tires --Yokohama Geolander HTS-- really cheap, so if I can't find some decent rims, I'll have to re-mount with existing rims. (a large percentage of drivers up here either run Winters all year or have 2 sets).

Bummer about the clear coat! I have a 97 Corolla and the CC just started to peel this Spring. This is annoying, however, its on the tail end of its life (200K Miles) so I'll live with it. With your investment, I agree with the others, wait until you can paint. It's not as if it will rust in Southern Cal! Good luck and I'll be interested in your progress!

 

[BrianSD_42]

Hey hows it going man? Have you gone out lately with the 4Runner?

I have been out of town but I'd be interested in a trip sometime in the future.

 

[JasetheDamager]

I to joined the T4R following this year! I have also done a number things to my 98 SR5, but wish I could do more, if I had the cash! You've made a great start! I re-did my bumpers this summer and did similar maintenance work to you. As I'm in Canada, with Winter coming, tires are a big issue. I'm looking for rims, however, I was lucky to find some tires --Yokohama Geolander HTS-- really cheap, so if I can't find some decent rims, I'll have to re-mount with existing rims. (a large percentage of drivers up here either run Winters all year or have 2 sets).

Bummer about the clear coat! I have a 97 Corolla and the CC just started to peel this Spring. This is annoying, however, its on the tail end of its life (200K Miles) so I'll live with it. With your investment, I agree with the others, wait until you can paint. It's not as if it will rust in Southern Cal! Good luck and I'll be interested in your progress!

Hey Poleclimber, thanks for checking out this semi-build thread. I had some other plans I was going to pursue regarding the Runner, until the real world came knocking, thus depriving me of several thousand extra dollars I expected to have. The only good to come of it is I'm now in the process of designing and experimenting on building my own armor, which will be awesome if I can pull it off. I look forward to your progress as well!

Hey hows it going man? Have you gone out lately with the 4Runner?

I have been out of town but I'd be interested in a trip sometime in the future.

Hey Brian, I hope your trip went well for you man! The last 2-3 months were incredibly busy as I started a new position at the non-profit I'm working for, plus I've been leading several projects on the Tall Ships here in Dana Point.

Everything is near-perfect on my rig now except my peeling clear coat is driving me nuts. With my tight budget, I'm brainstorming ways to save as much money as possible with paint, without sacrificing too much quality. I'll pull all trim myself, and do all prep work if need be. It just kills me because I do so much finishing work at my wood shop. I mean I'll spend 10 days applying 10 coats of marine spar varnish to a table cuz I'm a perfectionist. I wish I had the tools and space to do my own paint job, since I know I would actually do it right. Oh well. Cry me a river.

 

[JasetheDamager]

Here's a pic I took from 100 feet up while working in the rigging of the ship called the Pilgrim.


Also a stock Runner parked next to me the other day. Our parking lot is at a slight downhill angle, but it shows the 3-4" of lift very well. Thanks Sonoran Steel.



Last but not least, here's another pic:

 

[JasetheDamager]

On top of all the other work I've done the last 4 months or so, I've got another list of maintenance items to update.
1) Swapped out the IAC, which did not completely resolve my sometimes inconsistent idle. My Ultra-Gauge is showing a P0116 code, so I'll deal when I have time.
2) Cleaned the TB and swapped out the TB gasket along with the IAC gasket.
3) Swapped out the fuel filter. I got lucky with the bolts. Not too much rust.
4) Replaced the AC belt, alternator belt, and P/S belt.
5) Switched over to Mobil synthetic oil.
6) Did a complete coolant flush and I'm now running Toyota red.

I also recently realized after riding in my buddy's stock 99 Limited, that the PO swapped factory exhaust for aftermarket. I'm not sure which kind, but my rig has a throaty rumble in low gear and actually turns heads in parking lots. My GF says she can always hear me coming when I pull into our apartment complex, and we live on the 3rd floor. I love how it sounds.

 

[JasetheDamager]

And last but not least. I have a buddy who was a machinist in the Marines and recently returned from his final deployment. He's back in SoCal attending college on the GI Bill. Anyway, he has access to the machine shop at Camp Pendleton and the shop at Long Beach State, so he's agreed to help me design and implement my own front plate bumper as an experiment. If that goes well, I'll look into sliders and a rear bumper (time permitting).

I've got tons of woodworking experience, from working on wooden boats, tall ships, and fine furniture, yet zero welding experience. Time to change that. I can't afford armor, and I've decided I'd rather get the practical welding time anyway. I'm working a ton of hours on boats right now, but I'll post more as this becomes a reality.

If it works, I'm willing to do a very detailed plan and share it with anyone who likes the final result. I'm a big fan of Outdoor Logic's products, so that's what I'm going for. Wish me luck!

 

[Thorgan112]

[MENTION=81835]JasetheDamager[/MENTION] how has the rear cargo mat held up with the duplicolor fabric spray?

 

[BrianSD_42]

He is gone - I believe.

 

[4Running Daily]

[MENTION=81835]JasetheDamager[/MENTION] how has the rear cargo mat held up with the duplicolor fabric spray?

He is gone - I believe.

Hasn't logged on since May of last year.

 

[oldmarsh]

engine looks great