Joelzy's 96 5SPD(daily) & 5VZ block-up rebuild

[Joelzy]

Hello all,
Off noob probation and ready to get going on the new project.
Just to not have to retype it all, here's the story and a few pics from my intro thread.

Hey everyone,
Just pulled the trigger on a 96 3.4, 5 speed, 4wd.

Its pretty much my dream runner and i've been wanting one for quite some time now so when a friend's shop mentioned they were purging a bunch of stuff I knew i had to ask about the 4runner that hadn't moved in quite some time. Lucky for me, they bit and I'm getting it tomorrow for a great deal.

All that said, It needs a lot of work and the transmission/transfer case is currently out so i have to tow it home and put it all back together. It was inside until about 5 days ago when they moved it out which wouldn't be a huge problem except that the intake manifold is off and no one cared to plug the ports. Hopefully i got to it soon enough and plugged them today. The hood was on it at least. The owner who was somehow affiliated with the shop started a motor swap with a low mile 3.4 and just never finished it so i intend to do so.

I am not new to big projects just Toyotas, i currently have a 69 vw bug that i swapped a Subaru EJ18 into and have worked through several other project cars in the past as well. I just have never owned or ever worked on a Toyota so this will be a new venture for me. Closest i have dealt with was a motor swap in a nissan frontier.

Anyhow, looking forward to it and i'll be digging through here for research's sake

TLDR: Bought a 4runner in pieces, intend to put it back together, might need help

The shop is really taking care of me and even delivering the 4runner and trans for free. they really just want to see progress on it and they are glad its going to someone who will actually work on it.
Sounds like it'll be at the house on Tuesday or Wednesday and perhaps the fun can begin this weekend. So far it only appears to be missing a radiator but i will start a list as i clean parts and start reassembly.

From what i can tell, they got the new motor in and just stopped so it needs everything hooked up, accessories and intake manifold put on and somewhat importantly, the clutch, trans, transfer case and driveshafts bolted up.
Anything to look out for on all this or things i should do beforehand?
I thought about a t-belt since the radiator is out but haven't checked to see if its been done or not.

Selling my other project as its almost a wrap and this one is something we've wanted for a while so hopefully i can get it out of the way and start the gears going on this build, if you want to call it that.
looking forward to feedback and input from you all as well as the ability to research everything i want to do on this site.

thanks!

 

[Joelzy]

Got a very special delivery yesterday!
Time to get to work

trans is sitting in my garage, about to clean it up real nice. Anyone have preferences on fluid for the 5 speed?

 

[rkntoy]

Looks like a great start. I go with Redline MT-90

 

[Silver Supra]

Congrats, looks like a great project!

 

[Joelzy]

Looks like a great start. I go with Redline MT-90

oh man, just saw yours and I'm getting pumped for this project, first 4x4 build!

Thank you for the recommendation

 

[rkntoy]

oh man, just saw yours and I'm getting pumped for this project, first 4x4 build!

Thank you for the recommendation

So begins the never ending project.

 

[gamefreakgc]

Wow, it it really as clean as it looks? And was just chillin' at a mechanic's shop? I need to befriend some more mechanics.

 

[Joelzy]

Wow, it it really as clean as it looks? And was just chillin' at a mechanic's shop? I need to befriend some more mechanics.

Its pretty clean, little oxidation in the paint and the front bumper is trashed but thats all so far. They were towing it out of the shop into the lot and ran it into the back of the jeep they were towing with. :frusty::frusty::frusty: just an excuse to do a steel bumper sooner am i right?

the GM's son owned it and had help for a while with the swap but then he got bored and no one was going to work on it without the owner, especially if they weren't getting paid so it sat until they moved it out of the shop in anticipation of spring cleaning. Luckily my friend mentioned their "garage sale" to me and i called immediately to ask if it was for sale. He asked how much i wanted to offer them and being sarcastic i said "Well, i'd love to offer them a grand, because thats about how much cash i have" and before i could even say i was kidding he said "DONE, title will be here monday":reddance:

Couldn't believe it, still can't honestly. I thought I'd have to come out of pocket to tow as well but they delivered it! Needless to say, i got extremely lucky... so far

 

[Tyler James Inc]

Hellya man! Awesome rig to start with!
As far as advice, just stick with OEM parts as much as possible. It really makes you feel so much better about everything when you're putting it all back together. Stick with Aisin brand for the clutch parts, including hydraulics. I got my Aisin(OEM) clutch kit off Amazon. The pressure plate doesn't come with bolts to hold it to the flywheel, so you may want to source those new. Of course the dealer is spendy, but you can find part numbers easily enough, and OEM parts are plenty reasonable online. OEMPartSource.com CamelbackToyota.com etc.
I have also had excellent results running Redline MT-90 in various manual transmissions. That's what I'm running in my '01. Awesome deal too. I got mine for a grand too, and I still can't believe it- so I know the feeling!
Looking forward to watching the progress [emoji1598]

 

[Joelzy]

Hellya man! Awesome rig to start with!
As far as advice, just stick with OEM parts as much as possible. It really makes you feel so much better about everything when you're putting it all back together. Stick with Aisin brand for the clutch parts, including hydraulics. I got my Aisin(OEM) clutch kit off Amazon. The pressure plate doesn't come with bolts to hold it to the flywheel, so you may want to source those new. Of course the dealer is spendy, but you can find part numbers easily enough, and OEM parts are plenty reasonable online. OEMPartSource.com CamelbackToyota.com etc.
I have also had excellent results running Redline MT-90 in various manual transmissions. That's what I'm running in my '01. Awesome deal too. I got mine for a grand too, and I still can't believe it- so I know the feeling!
Looking forward to watching the progress [emoji1598]

Thank you so much for the input! I think i have almost all parts but will be replacing some most likely and that is really good to know on the clutch. Not sure what the PO ordered but there is a new clutch in the back, need to check it out.
Should i go OE on the radiator as well or something full aluminum core? that is missing completely

 

[gamefreakgc]

Thank you so much for the input! I think i have almost all parts but will be replacing some most likely and that is really good to know on the clutch. Not sure what the PO ordered but there is a new clutch in the back, need to check it out.
Should i go OE on the radiator as well or something full aluminum core? that is missing completely

OEM is totally fine as far as radiators go. These engines do not overheat, even when crawling. Amazon has the DENSO ones for fairly cheap.

 

[Joelzy]

Great to know thank you all for your help so far! Ya'll already make all the other forums look really bad when it comes to chipping in

Anything i should look out for or do trans-wise for preventative maintenance aside from changing fluid? Throwout lever and bearing are who knows where so those will be new haha.

Figured i'd start the weekend with a part inventory and begin my deep cleaning

 

[cmdzee]

From a noob still on probation to another who got off (hehe), congrats

Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk

 

[phattyduck]

Anything i should look out for or do trans-wise for preventative maintenance aside from changing fluid? Throwout lever and bearing are who knows where so those will be new haha.

Go OEM on the throwout bearing.

Marlin crawler has replacement shifter seats for the shifters. Check em, yours are probably disintegrated.

-Charlie

 

[fochtup1]

Looks good...hope to soon post my build


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Joelzy]

Go OEM on the throwout bearing.

Marlin crawler has replacement shifter seats for the shifters. Check em, yours are probably disintegrated.

-Charlie

Great to know thank you! Bearing is definitely gone, found the lever though, TBD on if its worth using or replacing and i'll scope the shifter seats while i am at it.

Anyone know what kind of springs these are? trying to figure out what lift is on it.

Front end is currently spaced

Thinking an upgrade will be in order once its running.

off topic but i am a little sad at the thought of saying goodbye to my bugaru this weekend :sobbing: Selling it will fund a lot of fun stuff for the 4Runner but its still a little sad.
I think if i dig into the 4Runner i'll get over it pretty quickly

 

[Tyler James Inc]

I think if i dig into the 4Runner i'll get over it pretty quickly

You'll regret it if you do that! Just keep it. It'll all work out [emoji847]
Look around those rear coils more. There is probably markings on them somewhere. SAW coils are the only silver coils I've seen, but I can't confirm those are SAW(Sway-A-Way).

 

[Joelzy]

You'll regret it if you do that! Just keep it. It'll all work out [emoji847]
Look around those rear coils more. There is probably markings on them somewhere. SAW coils are the only silver coils I've seen, but I can't confirm those are SAW(Sway-A-Way).

We'll see, i'm chompin at the bit to make this 4runner go sooner so the bug might sell to fund an expedited build.

In more relevant news, We got to work on the 96!
Took an inventory of sorts and pulled off the steps as well as the fender "flares"

tore the front end down, needs an AC condenser, headlight brackets and turn signals but the grille might be salvageable and the front rebar wasn't too bad from the shop's bender. bumper is gone though but all the more reason to build a steel one :naughty:

T-belt and water pump are new which is nice, brake system is intact and untouched aside from clutch.

• Valve covers are seeping so i will be doing those gaskets before reassembling, should i venture into intake manifold gasket as well? looks ok currently though the ports could use a cleaning.

• The side motor mounts are supporting everything currently but i was surprised at how much the motor can rock without the trans in. Is this normal? I didn't see another mount but there could be a place for one where the AC compressor sits next to the crossmember. Just talking out loud here, going to look it up as well.

TIA

 

[meeceboy78]

oh this is gonna be a good one. i cant wait. to see the build up.

 

[octanejunkie]

Hey there buddy, great score and nice project :thumb:

Check out this thread for maintenance, etc http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/82033-3rd-gen-4runner-buyers-guide.html

Eibach paints their springs grey, look for the Eibach logo on them. If want do tackle suspension as a project in it's entirety, check out this thread here http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/66976-3rd-gen-4runner-lift-information-faqs.html

Keep your build thread updated and put a link to it in your signature