JBurt's 97 Build Thread

[JBurt]

So I've had a build thread over on Yotatech for a while but I haven't ever done anything really amazing to my 4runner. It is hands down the best car I've ever owned and I love it.

I really took a gamble on this one. I bought it from a local body shop that got it at a salvage auction. I was in a collision on the front passenger side. It got a new bumper, fender, and a few other small parts but that apparently was enough to total it in Phoenix.

The carfax showed 7 previous owners, however the rig looked pretty clean. It is a 97 v6 auto with a factory e-locker, 178k miles, and it already had OME 881's in front and 901's in the rear with OME comfort shocks all around. The price was right. Apparently nobody likes smurf blue, wasn't my first choice but it doesn't look that bad. So I brought her home. Here's how she looked after a bath:

2 weeks later the ABS and airbag lights came on. I checked and my clockspring looked like this:

Since I've owned her I've installed a B&M 70264 tranny cooler and bypassed the stock unit, upgraded to 231mm tundra brakes, added treadwright 32" mud terrains, regular maintenance stuff, and taken it to the desert quite a bit. It has never let me down. The ac would quit from time to time and with 120* summers that almost qualified as letting me down but a new expansion valve and dryer took care of that. I think the biggest problem was the evaporator was pretty clogged.

Here's some recent shots:

and my copilot

I figured I'd finally update this since I'm finally done with school, have a full time job, and now the 4runner has it's own budget so I can start actually building it. 1st item of business: savage sliders.

 

[JBurt]

Once I finally start adding things I'll use this as a table of contents.

 

[JBurt]

Ever since I bought it (with 178k on the clock) it has always been very reliable, but I've always gotten poor mileage. I also feel like it doesn't have as much power as my in laws 98 tacoma, but that vehicle weighs a lot less, and without a dyno "feels" just doesn't cut it for me, but still I'd like more power. I do have a 2.5" lift and 33's but I average 12 around town and maybe 16 on the freeway. So far I have cleaned the throttle body, done several sea foam treatments on the intake, new fuel filter, and new plugs and wires.

Then I got to thinking maybe I had internal problems, like stuck rings or valve problems. There is a little bit of a valve tick but every 5vze I've ever heard has been the same. I read a thread about cleaning the engine with meth/water, sea foam (intake, gas, and crank), and marvel mystery oil. Seemed to make sense and I thought I'd give it a try but I wanted to do a compression test to get a baseline and here are the numbers. Keep in mind from the factory spec is 218psi and the fsm says 180+ is good.

(5) - 210 (6) - 210
(3) - 205 (4) - 210
(1) - 200 (2) - 205

The compression gauge I used was just a rental tool from O'Reilly's so I'm not sure how accurate that is but they are all +- 15psi from each other so I guess that isn't the problem. That left me conflicted. I'm really happy that the inside of my engine is getting that compression with 193k miles, but also that means I'll keep digging to see what the problem is. One thing of concern is that the engine cranked over for a long time to get up to those numbers. Any ideas on what would cause this? Is my starter getting weak?

So the only other thing I can think of is to clean the IACV and while I've got the throttle body off give it a really good cleaning. I didn't put the plugs back in tonight. I figured I could check gaps and reinstall tomorrow when there is light. Not a huge problem, and I can live with bad mileage as long as everything else keeps working fine but still any other ideas?

 

[pluton]

The 33" tires(without regearing) and a moderately heavy right foot could completely account for the mileage. Have you tried "old ladying" your acceleration habits to see what the very best mileage obtainable would be?

 

[JBurt]

I definitely drive like my grandma! I get passed all the time by pissed off people for driving too slow. I would love to turbo it and really put my foot in it but... I'm cheap.

I'm sure the tires and gears don't help but I also did get similar power and mileage with 30's. Thanks for the idea though.

 

[JBurt]

I think I finally figured out my fuel mileage/power problem. After going through all that time and thinking to find out why my power and mileage seemed so low I think it was the PCV valve.

Too bad I didn’t spend $7 and 15 minutes on the valve and grommet 3 years ago. The old one was grimy and stuck in the valve cover. It took vice grips to get it out and the valve cracked. It was filled with sludge. No rattling at all. The old grommet was rock solid. Using needle nose pliers I just took a chunk out of it and it didn’t move. So I took a razor and sliced it on one side so it would come out easier. I was afraid of getting chunks of rubber inside my valve cover. I think it worked pretty good.

I just filled up yesterday with an impressive 11mpg. I took it for a test drive and it seems more responsive, easier to get up to freeway speeds, and the exhaust doesn’t smell like the engine is running really rich. I guess I’ll just drive it for a while and see what the next fill up says. Stupid easy stuff.

 

[JBurt]

I don't think that the pcv was my only problem. I still get around 13mpgs city and 17.5 hwy. I don't care. We have a prius for long trips. Anyways I took it out last weekend. Went to go see some rail road tunnels out west of here. Pretty cool.

The last mile or so was all driving in granite, not sand, and was a lot of fun, but I didn't take any pictures. This was the only casualty and I already have a replacement in the garage:

And here is one of camping with the trailer a few weeks ago:

Lastly here's one I took at the airshow. Not a 4runner but just as good

 

[rubbertoe]

Thanks for sharing ,great pics! are those pictures from the railroad tunnels going down the grade from boulevard towards plaster city ?

 

[JBurt]

That they are. We are going to hike up from Anza Borrego with some friends before it gets hot and we wanted to find a closer spot to drive to. The road wasn't too bad and it takes a 10 mile round trip hike into a 6 mile round trip. If I'm carrying an 18 month old I prefer the shorter hike.

I also have this to update:

 

[MCObray]

Cool build. I actually dig the color of your vehicle... Quite unique. It's good to be different.

 

[red-runner]

Love the pictures. You'll be getting messages whenever we go out there now. My wife and I (and friends) try to get out to the desert (or mountains) around San Diego as much as possible. We'll honk if we see ya!

Love the blue. It is very unique.

 

[JBurt]

And I'll honk if I see you too. Not many red 4runners down here. And none that look as good as yours.

I went out with a buddy to superstition tonight and had fun driving in the sand. Only had one place where we got a little stuck. Luckily I carry some 2x4's and a shovel. We were out in about 5 minutes. This is the only picture I took tonight.

That side was almost up to the axle. The other side was sitting on top of the sand nicely. Once I shoved the wood under there and locked the axle we rolled right out.

We did however deal what I feel is the final death blow to the front passenger shock. There was oil and sand stuck to oil everywhere and now I've got this nice clunking all the time coming from that side.

I'm not sure at this point what I want to do. The ome comfort shocks are very stiff, I feel that they are too stiff. Before I made any decisions though I was going to get some skids and a bumper with a winch up front to see how they handled the weight. That would take a while because I'm trying to keep the 4runner mod budget to around $250 a month. That, however is no longer an option.

I guess I could just buy one shock and go from there, but I feel it's better to replace both, especially if I go with a different shock. The bilstein 5100's seem to have a good reputation and don't cost an arm and a leg. I guess that is a possibility. Any thoughts?

 

[BrianSD_42]

Subscribed!

I like the blue but is that factory? I've never seen that color before.

Nice hike out to the railroads. That one is on my list.

 

[JBurt]

Definitely not factory. It was originally evergreen pearl. Someday it will probably wind up evergreen pearl again. The blue has grown on me but it is poor quality paint. Bird crap eats it away pretty bad. Maybe getting a clear coat would help, but that is a decision I'll make after armor, more armor, some suspension upgrades, etc.

I'm excited to go all the way to the trestle. We might do it next weekend. I'll make sure I take some more pictures.

I had a buddy who left one rig down at the bottom of dos cabesas road and then they drove up to the track somewhere around Jacumba. There is a mountain bike path that goes along the track and they road downhill all the way. I think it is about a 3000 descent. Sounds fun.

 

[JBurt]

After doing some research I decided on the Tundra Bilstein 5100's. The problem is that there is a national back order for 4 to 5 more weeks and my shock is gone.

Well I checked at least 8 different stores and I found one shock in stock at Low Range Offroad in Orem, UT. It should be here by the end of the week and then they are going to send the other one when it gets in stock.

I know the Billies are adjustable and I would need to get the right ride height, but would it be terrible to run one OME and one Bilstein until the other Bilstein came in? Well I guess at this point that is what I'll do.

We are taking our pop up to the beach in Carlsbad over springbreak and I don't feel like towing the trailer over mountains with a blown shock. Hmmm... choices.

Brian - you should probably change your sig. Depending on the date in the door jamb your rig is not 17 or 18 years old. Time flies. Good job on the wheels btw.

 

[4Running Daily]

I like the blue. Good choice on sliders, Roy makes incredible products!

 

[Park]

Lol, I actually think the blue is bad ass. Is that an FJ color?

I'm actually looking at those exact tires for my rig. What size (measurements) did you end up going with? I'm thinking about 32's but you said you had 33's?

 

[Park]

IDK yours looks a little lighter IMO

 

[JohnBill53]

man, I wish you were around when I was trying to decide what color to paint mine, this would've been a deal breaker, probly would've gone with the blue had I seen your truck

 

[JBurt]

It's nice to know there are other odd colored blue 4runners out there. Mine definitely isn't the voodoo blue of the FJ's. I've parked next to one and they are a little different. It is closer to whatever color Ford paints the mustangs.

Hopefully I get a shock soon. Spring break is in a week and a half...