Jerkydrewster's 99 4Runner Build Thread

[JerkyDrewster]

Looks great!

What are you thinking for the fan? A low-profile Spal might do the trick.

Thanks! I just bought this fan. It is a half inch thicker than the comparable Spal one. I held it up behind the grill to see what I was working with, and it is going to be pretty tight either way. That half inch decrease in depth might be what I need, but I won't know until the winch gets in place. Thanks for recommending that!

 

[JerkyDrewster]

Merry Christmas everyone!

Over these past two days I have installed quite a few things that I either just got or that I've had for awhile now:

• Smittybilt 9.5K Synthetic Line Winch
• KC HiLites Pro-Sport LED Driving Lights
• Rexing V1 Dashcam
• 7" Electric fan for the transmission

I installed everything without any issues along the way which is definitely a first! I started off by removing the bumper in order to get access to the mounting holes for the winch. While I was at it, I put the lights into the bumper too since I didn't have to crouch down. Once I put the bumper back on, I mounted the solenoid behind the passenger light. While there isn't a ton of room, I am still able to plug in the handheld controller.

Routing all of the cables for the winch and the lights was a bit of a pain, but I got everything looking pretty decent. They're all mostly hidden behind the winch and the cross-member, so the only person that knows it is messy is me.

I finally installed the small electric fan that I have had for a month or so. I used the brackets that came with my trans cooler and attached it to a couple spots behind the grill. It might rattle a little bit, but it should hold up pretty well. I didn't want to start wiring it until I got a rocker switch, so maybe sometime next week or so.

Finally, I hardwired the dash cam into the aux fuse block and routed it up and around the windshield by the A-pillar. The wire comes down pretty close to the microphone that is already up there. I can tell that it is behind the mirror, but it doesn't look bad at all. Since I don't have the tinted section on my windshield, it is noticeable from the front but it could be worse!

Alright, picture dump time! :beer:

 

[JerkyDrewster]

Light comparison time! I still have to aim the lights correctly and it was tough to find a pitch-black street, so this will have to do.

Here is a shot of just my headlights:

A shot of just the KC HiLites

All 3 lights

 

[JZiggy]

Looks like you've been busy modding over the holiday season. Nice work!!

 

[JerkyDrewster]

This past weekend I got to head down to San Luis Obispo with some buddies from college and hit the dunes! We had a great time relaxing on the beach and rippin' it on the sand. This was my first time trying out the new e-fan for the transmission, and it worked out great! Normally I would have gone over 200* after 45 minutes or so, but with the fan on it stayed right at 180* for over an hour and a half. Definitely happy about that! I was still hitting the bump stops pretty hard out there, so I am probably going to start looking for the '95-'05 Jimmy bumpstops at the pick-n-pull in the next few weeks.

I didn't take a ton of pictures out there, but it was a beautiful weekend!

Group Shot

From the hood

The next morning

And finally, my filled up switch panel!

 

[JerkyDrewster]

I finally got tired of the super stiff stock bump stops, so I headed out to the local pick n pull and found a really nice set off of an '03 Blazer! When it stops raining, I'll have to get under the truck and put them in. In the meantime, I'll clean up the metal and repaint it. I'm excited to see how they will compared to stock!

 

[JerkyDrewster]

Well today is a sad day indeed for the 4Runner. I was driving up Highway 4 to Bear Valley to go snowboarding yesterday. The weather was perfect and the roads were clear. As I was heading around a long bend, I hit some black ice on the front passenger tire and the whole vehicle started to turn. As soon as I lost control of the car, I let go of the gas and held on thinking I would catch traction soon after. Well, the car kept going around and I regained traction as I was fully turned. I rolled once and landed back on the feet. All 4 of us in the car were completely uninjured minus being sore, so thank you 4Runner for saving our lives, and for all of the memories you've given me. Once I got it towed home, I put the spare on the driver front and drove it around the block one last time. I'm hoping to buy it back to pull the salvageable parts off, but it is pretty messed up. Consequently...I'm in the market for a new 4Runner. I am definitely glad to be alive and unharmed. Thank you everyone on here for the help and ideas along the way. It wouldn't have gotten this far without you all.

Here's some photos of the aftermath. I'll post the video up sometime soon as well that I got from the dashcam. :rip:

 

[Unner]

Dude this sucks... Lots of 3rd gens being totaled or sold lately. Glad you're ok, and good luck with your next ride. Sorry this had to happen to this one though. Looking at getting another 3rd gen?

 

[Black798]

Dude this sucks... Lots of 3rd gens being totaled or sold lately. Glad you're ok, and good luck with your next ride. Sorry this had to happen to this one though. Looking at getting another 3rd gen?

This is the second total I've read about this month, really quite sad to see these great builds ending so unfortunately. Glad everyone made it out ok though. Hope to see you back in a third gen soon

 

[JerkyDrewster]

Dude this sucks... Lots of 3rd gens being totaled or sold lately. Glad you're ok, and good luck with your next ride. Sorry this had to happen to this one though. Looking at getting another 3rd gen?

This is the second total I've read about this month, really quite sad to see these great builds ending so unfortunately. Glad everyone made it out ok though. Hope to see you back in a third gen soon

Thanks guys! We were definitely lucky to be unhurt! I'm starting to look at 3rd gens again. I was tossing around the idea of a different rig for a project, but I like the way the 4Runner too much and would probably miss it. All the guys that sell theirs usually come back with a new one at some point in time, so I think I'm going to skip that step!

 

[JerkyDrewster]

So here it is...the video of the crash if any of you guys want to see it!

Well I started to strip a few things out of the 4Runner (Mainly electrical). It's crazy to see how fast you can remove 2.5 years of work done on a car!

 

[spazzyone]

Thanks guys! We were definitely lucky to be unhurt! I'm starting to look at 3rd gens again. I was tossing around the idea of a different rig for a project, but I like the way the 4Runner too much and would probably miss it. All the guys that sell theirs usually come back with a new one at some point in time, so I think I'm going to skip that step!

Sucks man. Really glad to hear you and your passengers were unharmed though.



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[tjaguilar]

Sorry for your loss but Im glad everyone is ok.

I feel your pain, 6 years ago I was involved in a hit and run side swipe on 101 down in San Mateo and I spun 4 lanes and hit the sound barrier wall. I came out with a slight fracture in my L2 but the 4runner saved my life.

 

[Chim]

That video!! I watched a bunch of times and its crazy how easy it just sort of rolled over... nothing traumatic.. just rolled.. so weird and fast! Dang.

As I was pulling my parts off of mine after my wreck I was thinking the same as you.. I remember it taking a good amount of time to install everything and only a fraction to remove

 

[jederberg]

Huge fan of your build sorry for your loss but I am happy everyone is safe!

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[JWaldz]

So here it is...the video of the crash if any of you guys want to see it!

Man, sorry to hear (and see) this.. Looks like it happened so fast. I guess the second it caught traction you were too far sideways and it just tipped? Any other contributing factors to why it tipped so easily? 4 people in these can certainly make them feel squirrelly when they're lifted and such. Sucks man. Glad you're all safe.

 

[JerkyDrewster]

Man, sorry to hear (and see) this.. Looks like it happened so fast. I guess the second it caught traction you were too far sideways and it just tipped? Any other contributing factors to why it tipped so easily? 4 people in these can certainly make them feel squirrelly when they're lifted and such. Sucks man. Glad you're all safe.

That's what I think happened as well, but we were not even too far sideways yet. It's crazy that I lost traction on that small of a turn. No chain control and the roads felt great the whole way before that. Front sway bar was connected, but the rear was not since it bent a couple of years ago. I don't know if that would have made a difference. It did have a lot of weight with the armor, but I really don't see why we went tumbling!

 

[JerkyDrewster]

Sorry for your loss but Im glad everyone is ok.

I feel your pain, 6 years ago I was involved in a hit and run side swipe on 101 down in San Mateo and I spun 4 lanes and hit the sound barrier wall. I came out with a slight fracture in my L2 but the 4runner saved my life.

That video!! I watched a bunch of times and its crazy how easy it just sort of rolled over... nothing traumatic.. just rolled.. so weird and fast! Dang.

As I was pulling my parts off of mine after my wreck I was thinking the same as you.. I remember it taking a good amount of time to install everything and only a fraction to remove

Huge fan of your build sorry for your loss but I am happy everyone is safe!

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Thanks again everyone! And it's crazy how easy it was. I've been pretty sideways on some trails and never got close to rolling it over...granted that is at a slower speed. I just don't really see how we went over that easy at all! I still have to decide what I want to do with it. I guess it'll all depend on what the buyback price will be from insurance and what they give me for the total loss.

 

[Unner]

Man that happened super fast. Since yours was a 99 I wonder if it would be any different in an 01-02 with the VSC, maybe it could have applied the brakes on the correct wheels and kept the truck from getting so sideways and eventually tipping.

 

[infamousRNR]

Dude!!!!!!!!!


This is unbelievable!!!


Such a little turn! I'm on the lookout for a new on for you dude.

I hope
Everyone didn't get shook up too much. Just so sad to see this man.

Hit me up when you get a chance. I'm in Mexico so I might my get texts but they will start to Flood in Friday when I'm back..

Once I fix my transmission I'll let you ride in mine so you don't get 4runner withdrawals.