Jonnymooshoo Build Thread - Brand new owner

[jonnymooshoo]

Hi Everyone,

I purchased my very first 4runner to use as a daily driver / utility car and I already have the modding bug.

This is my weekend car:

DSC_8042 by Jonathan Leung / artofstance.com, on Flickr

So I definitely wanted something entirely different for my second car.

Here she is the day I purchased her:

She's a 1996 4cyl with 296,000km on the body but kept very clean. The dealer I bought her from installed a motor with only 80,000km on it so I thought it was a great deal for $4000.
100% stock from what I can see with a few little quirks. I have two keys, the rear hatch must have been replaced, and the driver's seat upholstery needs to be replaced.

I do plan to go off roading & camping so looking to upgrade. For now plans are:

Bush bumpers - potentially these DIY ones
Rock sliders, fender flares, roof basket, cargo cover.

I'm a VW guy at heart so I'd love to get the support of the community with my questions as my build progresses

 

[nc-grayson]

great looking MKIV and welcome to the club! Looking forward to your progress

 

[absalom]

I won't pretend I enjoy stance or understand the inherent dangers associated with that whole mod style, but I do look forward to seeing what you do with your runner.

 

[JayRolla]

Hi Everyone,

I purchased my very first 4runner to use as a daily driver / utility car and I already have the modding bug.

This is my weekend car:

DSC_8042 by Jonathan Leung / artofstance.com, on Flickr

So I definitely wanted something entirely different for my second car.

Here she is the day I purchased her:

She's a 1996 4cyl with 296,000km on the body but kept very clean. The dealer I bought her from installed a motor with only 80,000km on it so I thought it was a great deal for $4000.
100% stock from what I can see with a few little quirks. I have two keys, the rear hatch must have been replaced, and the driver's seat upholstery needs to be replaced.

I do plan to go off roading & camping so looking to upgrade. For now plans are:

Bush bumpers - potentially these DIY ones
Rock sliders, fender flares, roof basket, cargo cover.

I'm a VW guy at heart so I'd love to get the support of the community with my questions as my build progresses

Nice stance!!! She got any power under her? Dyno's? Ohh yea and nice 4runner. LOL.

 

[JayRolla]

I won't pretend I enjoy stance or understand the inherent dangers associated with that whole mod style, but I do look forward to seeing what you do with your runner.

ITS CUZ RACE CAR!!! Man where you been. Safety means nothing. Its why I have no sway bars, lifted suspension, oversized tires. Because its all for safety. LOL.

 

[jonnymooshoo]

Nice stance!!! She got any power under her? Dyno's? Ohh yea and nice 4runner. LOL.

Thanks, the R is putting down 409HP to the wheels (Haldex 4wd)

It's a different kind of fun than what the 4runner delivers

I won't pretend I enjoy stance or understand the inherent dangers associated with that whole mod style, but I do look forward to seeing what you do with your runner.

Not sure what the "inherent dangers" you speak of are

This 4runner is my source of inspiration for what I want to accomplish.

 

[JayRolla]

Thanks, the R is putting down 409HP to the wheels (Haldex 4wd)

It's a different kind of fun than what the 4runner delivers



Not sure what the "inherent dangers" you speak of are

This 4runner is my source of inspiration for what I want to accomplish.

Nice, that is fun power! My old dsm pushed 405whp with its AWD. It was fun on and offroad!

 

[jonnymooshoo]

Here's something you guys can help me with.

I'm looking to add a retractable cargo cover for the rear but it looks like I don't have any brackets for it to mount on.

Are there mounting holes behind the interior paneling somewhere or am I just out of luck if my '96 didn't come with them?

 

[Do-boy]

Hi Jonnymooshoo! Another Vancouverite and stance connoisseur here. Truck looks super clean. It's funny to me that you want to add the flares, as mine is a limited and I HATE them. I would suggest that you reconsider them, unless you plan to do the under flare trimming and welding as well for clearance. I can't stand how sunk it is stock, but I plan to go to a 33" and wider rim as well.

very sweet mk4, i only like them when they're done properly.

 

[Dephcon]

Here's something you guys can help me with.

I'm looking to add a retractable cargo cover for the rear but it looks like I don't have any brackets for it to mount on.

Are there mounting holes behind the interior paneling somewhere or am I just out of luck if my '96 didn't come with them?

I have the built-in mounts for the rear cargo cover in my '96. but its also a Limited. Not sure about the other models having that option or not.

 

[Unner]

I'm not too big on the stance thing myself either, but I can certainly appreciate the work you put into it and it looks like it is all well done. So many cars like that are so beat up and held together with scotch tape and bubble gum...

I'm sure you'll enjoy the 4Runner. There's lots of info here, and lots of mods to keep you busy working on it. You'll probably enjoy how easy it is to drive versus the VW. I've got a MK3 Supra myself and in that i'm always avoiding pot holes, pulling out slow into dips, etc. In the 4Runner, none of that matters haha. Gotta drive over a curb to get somewhere? Do it, you wont hurt a thing... Plus you can go get lost in the woods in the 4Runner, that's always fun.

She's just getting broken in too. Only 180k miles on the chasiss, and 50k on the motor means she's got a lot of life left in her.

 

[Do-boy]

I'm not too big on the stance thing myself either, but I can certainly appreciate the work you put into it and it looks like it is all well done. So many cars like that are so beat up and held together with scotch tape and bubble gum...

It's funny how form follows function. Not everyone needs a lift, but even people who never leave the pavement strive for that look. I've been involved with drifting for over a decade and can tell you that the ziptie look came from function. When you go through up to 6-8 tires in one track day, you're not concerned with spending money on the appearance of your car. You're throwing every penny to getting sideways again.

Now that the slammed and flush look has blown up as a subculture, there's still that stretched attachment to having a car that looks like its held together with hopes and dreams. I much prefer a clean looking, well put together car. But i don't immediately write off a beater looking one either.

 

[Unner]

It's funny how form follows function. Not everyone needs a lift, but even people who never leave the pavement strive for that look. I've been involved with drifting for over a decade and can tell you that the ziptie look came from function. When you go through up to 6-8 tires in one track day, you're not concerned with spending money on the appearance of your car. You're throwing every penny to getting sideways again.

Now that the slammed and flush look has blown up as a subculture, there's still that stretched attachment to having a car that looks like its held together with hopes and dreams. I much prefer a clean looking, well put together car. But i don't immediately write off a beater looking one either.

Yeah I understand. I can certainly respect the ones that are actually used. It's exactly like the lift thing. My stock height(for now) 4Runner sees way more dirt and off road than 99% of lifted trucks in my area of the country.