MandAtaco (Manda4Runner-?) Build Thread

Changed out the Bilstien shocks for a set of LC80's. I went ahead and took the plunge and drilled the frame out to 7/8" to accept the larger LC centering washer. I figured I could always go back later and fix it if I absolutely hate the ride... Luckily I didn't hate it at all!

The ride is perfect with the 861 springs, I'm very happy with how this thing feels! I loaded it up last weekend with a bunch of gear and extra fluids and hit a rocky trail out in the desert. Load carrying capacity was spot on and the ride was great! I couldn't be happier with this setup! The truck doesn't have that "tippy" feeling any longer either, the firmer shocks cleaned that right up.

Just an FYI for anyone that purchases the LC80 shocks from a dealer, they DO NOT come with the washers, even though the website I purchased mine from said they were included with the shock part number.
 
A few months ago I had the opportunity to purchase the 6.5' version of the Smittybilt awning at a pretty good price. I picked it up with the intentions of throwing it on our families little pop-up trailer and maybe welding a set of brackets on my truck to run it also. Basically be able to swap it back and forth. I haven't had a chance to mount it on the pop-up, but did weld a couple bars on the side of my rack to mount it to the truck.






Really enjoyed having it on our last trip. It was pretty warm out still, even up in the mountains, and having some set shade was great! Really quick to deploy and fold up, and pretty good build quality for such an inexpensive product. I'm seriously thinking about getting an 8'er for the trailer and just keeping this one for the truck.
 
Been working on getting some small stuff done, added a couple 110V outlets in the back kick panel. Remember that the inverter is installed in the back storage box. I used a couple old computer power cords, cut off the computer end, and used spade connectors to connect them to the remote outlets. Now the inverter is fully remote.


I also finally got the air tank installed and plumbed in. I used a half gallon tank so it wouldn't be to big. I really only need it to have reserve for the ARB front locker. I used 1/4" DOT air line to plumb everything except the feed from the pump to the tank, its 3/8" line.



I'm getting some oil coming up the front locker air line when I disengage the locker, the paper towel is there to just to keep it from misting the engine compartment. I've got to do something a little more permanent still.

I also added an air quick connector on the front bumper. I now have one on the rear bumper and the front so I don't have to carry around a long air hose, I just use a 10ft coiled unit that doesn't' take up a lot of room.
 
I've got some pretty bad fuel mileage numbers since I've had this truck. I don't really expect great numbers, heavy rig on 33's, but I'm trying to get everything I can out of it. In an attempt to do so, I decided to upgrade the exhaust system. It was all original with 195Kish miles on it. I started up front, replacing the CAT with a WALKER part, and replacing both o2 sensors with Denso units. I probably could have just replaced the o2 sensors, the increase I am seeing, is probably a result of those more than anything.


There was some stuff I really didn't care for on the Walker Cat, I did a little review on it if anyone is interested..... http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/205309-walker-cat-review-2000-4runner.html

I had also picked up a 40 series Flowmaster on craigslist, and thought it would be a good time to throw it in. Long story short, I hated it, the drone was ridiculous inside.

I decided to take it over to a local muffler shop and have them do something a little milder. They ended up installing an 18" Magnaflow, and running the exhaust out the back. The system turned out pretty nice, and it's a lot mellower. Still a bit louder than I wanted, but nothing like that 40 series.




I really like how they turned down the tip, right behind the bumper. As far as fuel milage, I've gone from 12 to 13mpg, up to 14 to 15mpg, so a lit bit of an increase.
 
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I had also picked up a 40 series Flowmaster on craigslist, and thought it would be a good time to throw it in. Long story short, I hated it, the drone was ridiculous inside.
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I have the same flowmaster (for years now) and what we did to limit the drone was install a 2000s-era Tundra resonance silencer from a factory exhaust someone donated to my mechanics scrap pile. It is about 4-6" long and is welded about 2" in front of the muffler. I don't event think you can buy it. You need to find one and cut it off.

Works awesome. Loud but without drone. Lots of the full cat back systems have their own version.
 
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BrianSD_42 said:
I have the same flowmaster (for years now) and what we did to limit the drone was install a 2000s-era Tundra resonance silencer from a factory exhaust someone donated to my mechanics scrap pile. It is about 4-6" long and is welded about 2" in front of the muffler. I don't event think you can buy it. You need to find one and cut it off.

Works awesome. Loud but without drone. Lots of the full cat back systems have their own version.
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That's a good tip, thanks! Yea, it sounded great, but that drone was pretty bad. I found myself rolling the windows down all the time just to cut some of the resonance inside the cab down.
 
Completed a couple pretty cool trips this last month. The first one, we headed north of Rachel, NV. It was a 4 day, 3 night trip where we did some exploring every day, and camped in a different place every night.

The first night we headed up late in the evening and camped at a place my family cuts our Christmas Tree at every year. We got in late, so I didn't grab to many shots, but its a quite place, tucked away out in the sticks.




The second day we loaded up and headed into Rachel to meet a couple friends and their kids.




Once we met up and scoped out the area for any aliens, we headed back out for an old abandoned tungsten mine. Once we arrived, we found a place to spend the night and got dinner rolling. Wasn't the best camping, but the sunset was nice and we were there to explore the area the next day.




The next morning we we packed up and started checking out some of the abandoned structures. This place had stuff everywhere, it was quite the operation back in the day.




Once we got inside the buildings, we realized they would be an incredible place for a photo op. It was a neat place

 
After we had explored as much as we could with the limited time we had there, we loaded up and headed to a little hidden hole we know about. Its about 50 miles or so off the highway. This place truly is a gem in the Nevada desert. What you don't see in the pictures is the running stream directly behind our tents.






It rained on us about all night long and had stopped by the next morning. It looked like it was going to come back around on us though, so we packed up pretty quick and high tailed it out of there. Overall it was a great trip! The truck performed great. Every trip I take it out on I grow to like it more.


 
Sounds like you're headed in the right direction!
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Thanks guys, the truck is fun for sure, and having the extra seating for the wife and kids makes the change from the Tacoma well worth it!

I like the ARB bumper a lot, very tough, and and it looks great too. Its the second one I've owned. I'll be honest though, what I really want is a CBI hybrid front. If I hadn't got such an amazing deal on this ARB, thats probably what I'd be running. It may even get sold and changed out down the road. LOL
 
Last weekend the family traveled up to Beatty, NV for the VFW poker run. It was a 43is mile course that went through some of the local unique geology and mining history. We took the popup with us and stayed in an RV park (totally new experience for us, LOL). I was a little worried about pulling the pop-up as I'd never really towed with the runner. I wasn't sure how it would handle it, but it did great. The built in receiver I added on my rear bumper held up fine.

















One of the stops on the course was out at, Ryolite, NV (HISTORY). We didn't have a chance to check out the whole town, but spent some time at the train station snapping pics.




















 
My wife drove for most of the poker run. It had been a while since she'd been behind the wheel (dang kids, LOL), and never in this Runner. I think she got back into the swing of things fairly quick. I had forgot how much she loves mud, I hate the stuff. She hit just about every mud hole she could find. With the amount of rain we've had lately, there was plenty to go around.






The coolest thing about this trip though, was that the entire fam got to go. Wheelin/exploring has always been a family thing, the wife and I were doing it since before we got married. I had a hard time selling my taco, but knew I needed something for the whole family. This trip just solidified that getting the runner was the right decision! This is such a great platform for a family wheeler.
 
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Went out to Whitmore Canyon Overlook in the Arizona Strip last weekend. An incredible place to camp with and incredible view, literally camped right on the edge of the Grand Canyon! Truck did great, but I need to get a dust light on it ASAP!






We hit altitudes ranging from 2500ft up to about 7000ft, got to play in some light snow patches left over from a previous storm.


One of the guys on the trip grabbed a great picture of the 4Runner straddling a wash out on the trail.


Been working on the truck some too, I've got pictures, just need to update the build thread with mods.
 
A few months ago I built myself a rear storage box. Its got a storage compartment, one drawer, and a pull out table I like to call the "baby changing station".






It's made camping life way easier, now I can get to the important equipment I need even when the truck is loaded down. Same with the table, I've got a decent sized place to set up a laptop, cook breakfast, make a sandwich, or change my kids diaper when were out and about... Yes, I always clean it up between uses... I carpeted the main part, and polyurethane'd the drawer fronts and table. I may carpet the drawer fronts down the road if they get to beat up. The handles are some 550 chord I had laying around. I'll probably change the color later on too, the red sticks out a little bit to much for my taste.
 
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Made my own "Big 3" or 4 wiring upgrade. I had the wire sitting around, and only had to purchase the lugs so it was a quick cheap upgrade. The upgrades are as follows:

1. 0 gauge from - side of battery to frame
2. 0 gauge from frame to engine block
3. 4 gauge from - side of battery to inner body fender
4. 4 gauge from + side of battery, to charging stud of Alternator

This should set me up for an alternator upgrade down the road.



 
Looks good. Where did you get that cover thing for the alternator charging side? I'd like to throw one of those on mine.
 
Unner said:
Looks good. Where did you get that cover thing for the alternator charging side? I'd like to throw one of those on mine.
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I purchased them on ebay a while back. Here's a link... LINKY... If you look around they make several different sizes for different size cables. I've used a few of them on my rig.
 
Thanks man, I'm gonna pick up a few. I don't like having the charging port on the alternator uncovered.
 
I've only had 2 of the 4 windshield sprayers working since I bought the truck. On the way back from the Grand Canyon, last trip, the other 2 quit squirting. Pulled both sprayers off and cleaned them out. Found out that a piece of .030 wire is the perfect thickness to clean the crud out of the sprayers.

Also realized that my rear window squirter was not working either. The nozzle wasn't clogged and the pump was working, but I wasn't getting any fluid to the rear. I split the line in a couple places and finally found out that there is a check valve behind the cruise control motor on the passenger side fender. Mine was clogged up with blue crud and wasn't allowing anything through. Blew it out with compressed air and all is good now.



The black one in the pic is the check valve. All the white ones in the truck are just pass through connectors.

Now I finally have clean windows when I need it.

Its the little things.
 
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