jason in tns 97 runner

[jason in tn]

I picked up my 97 runner july 2011, my intent was for it to be a family daily driver and mild very mild wheeling rig for my wife. those plans went off the rails the first time I took it off road. It has became my primary wheeling rig and daily driver.

the day I bought

not long after I got it I added a 2.5 lift, coils in the rear/spacers in the front. 285/75 pro comp xtreme a/ts, fabbed up some sliders and a roof basket.

twisted up the rear bumper wheeling

so I designed and built a new one.

Ive also added SKIDROW OFFROAD skids, completed the e-locker mod, added a new pioner head unit and cobra c.b. and many other small things. I try and go wheeling as often as I can, and enjoy my runner more and more everytime I go.

a few wheeling pics

a few of some carnage awhile back

I have a lot planed for my runner in the future, geting new coil over for the front is at the top of the list new front bumper and winch 1inch body lift and the list goes on and on. I have realy enjoyed building and wheeling this runner and look forward to doing a lot more of both. thanks for checking in.

 

[thebrandon]

looks like those all terrains turned into nascar tires once they hit the mud!

 

[1fast_e]

Good job on the rear bumper

 

[4Running Daily]

Good job on the rear bumper

I agree. I dig the rear bumper.

 

[jason in tn]

looks like those all terrains turned into nascar tires once they hit the mud!

Im not terriably impressed with the a/t's for a number of reasons, one being the suck in the mud lol.

Good job on the rear bumper

thanks

I agree. I dig the rear bumper.

thanks aswell, I still need to get my receiver hitch put together just havent got around to it, the front bumper I have designed will be built with the same design in mind, I will be starting on it soon.

 

[highcountry]

Very nice! I am impressed with all the fabricators on this site.

 

[jirehn]

That's great, You have your car 1 year in this month of July, That very cool.

 

[tinman]

Did you turn the front tires around on purpose? To get traction in reverse? LOL

Like others have said, good job on the rear bumper. Looks very functional, and it should work better for rubbing against trees than the tin-can stocker!

 

[Hepar]

Add me to the list on props for the rear bumper. Looks great. So does your Runner.

 

[jason in tn]

Thanks for all the kind words guys, my fab skills pale compuared to most around here but I try so it meens a lot for it to be appreciated.
I never noticed the tires running backwards duh me Ill get that fixed asap.

 

[Jbird123]

Ditto nice! I don't think I've seen those running boards before (hate the stocks). Got the details on those? That could be my next add on.

Jason_in_ca

 

[jason in tn]

Ditto nice! I don't think I've seen those running boards before (hate the stocks). Got the details on those? That could be my next add on.

Jason_in_ca

thanks by running boards I assume you meen my sliders, I build them my self out of 1.5 square tubeing. I wasnt sure when I first built them that I was happy with hoe they turned out but Ive really vame to like them over a round tube style. I think they compliment the runner lines nicely.

 

[jason in tn]

Going to order my 1 inch body lift hopefully this week as it has to be installed before I start the front bumper because parts of it will be welded to the frame and I wont be able to move it later, the sliders and rear bumper are gonna be bad enough.

 

[jason in tn]

didnt get the body lift ordered like I had hoped.
Ive been wanting to do somthing the the factory tri spokes I didnt want to just paint them black I think they look good painted I just think my runner is to dark for an all black wheel, so I tried somthing diferant.

stock wheel

what I came up with

not sure Im happy with how they turned out let me know what you think good or bad. thanks for checking in.

 

[Shibby!]

not sure Im happy with how they turned out let me know what you think good or bad. thanks for checking in.

Personally I'd go all black, or have left them alone.

What are you going to do with the damage on the tailgate? I'm sure there is a story behind that one. Looks like a strange position to be in.

 

[jason in tn]

Personally I'd go all black, or have left them alone.

What are you going to do with the damage on the tailgate? I'm sure there is a story behind that one. Looks like a strange position to be in.

thanks for the input, Im thinking they will end up all black until I can afford the set I want.

the tailgate damage is explained a few posts above, it was just a slick muddy trail that got the best of me, the repair is comeing I just havent had time to get to it.

 

[jason in tn]

wow its been a long time since Ive updated, so where to begin. first I wasnt at all happy with my lame paint job on the wheels so I came across another set of tri spokes and thru them on, I traded my roof bascket for them so thats gone as well. since I finally had a spare wheel to mount my spare tire on I decided I needed a place to mount it so I thru a simple mount together.

I mounted it to the 1rst gen roll bar I installed awhile back.

It takes up way to much room in the cargo area but since I didnt design a tire carier into the rear bumper its the best I could come up with.

On a little wheeling trip not far from my house, to much skinny pedal caused some big problems.

so at the moment I have both front and rear diffs out and prepairing to regear to 4.88s. I also am replacing the upper and lower ball joints inner and outer tie rods. Ive already done the rack bushings and shock eye bushings.
my lower links in the rear are bent pretty bad so Im trying to figure out a good way to stiffen them up, I also want to add some rear diff protection while I have the diff out.
Im also going to be starting my front bumper build soon so stay tuned, thanks for checking in.

 

[Scotty_h]

WHOA... was that slingin in 4HI? give some story....

 

[jason in tn]

WHOA... was that slingin in 4HI? give some story....

Trying to climb a hill 4low and heavy foot, I don't know what I hit half way up but it stopped me cold. I know better than to drive like that but eh it was a good time.

 

[jason in tn]

Wow again its been a long time since I updated. Since my last post I decided to change a lot so it has taken a lot longer than I expected. I decided while I was working on the front end I wanted to improve from what I had for lift (pre load and top plate spacers) so I ordered a set of Billie 5100 for the front and a set of toytec coils, I also ordered a set of Billie 5100s for the rear. I did change upper and lower ball joints inner and outer tie rods as well as wheel bearings, new brakes, rack bushings. The diffs have been regeared to 4.88s. At the moment I'm still in the process of getting it all back together. Toytec had the springs on back order for a couple months and funds have been a little tight but I'm excited to get it out of the shop and see how everything is going to work.