maxbrown11c
New member
maxbrown11c's "White Whale" build thread
A little over 2 years ago I sold my old Jeep TJ and got a 2001 4runner 2wd as a dad-mobile to cruise around in. I missed being able to checkout the trails around western Washington in the old Jeep, but knew that the Jeep life was not my cup of tea. Once I drove the 01 for awhile I fell in love with the reliability and robustness of the 3rd generation design. As time went on I found myself wanting a 5 speed 4WD 3rd gen more and more. I wanted to find the car that I would own and modify almost indefinitely for what I hope to be a very, very long time. I started actively searching this past May, trying to find one that was in good condition and ideally with a factory locker. When I found a Natural White 1997 5 speed 4wd with an e locker earlier this August it only seemed right, based on the coincidence of the 4runner being white and the relatively rare combo (5spd, 4wd, elocker), to call it The White Whale. This forum is by far the best I have ever seen as far as maturity and information. I have learned a great deal from reading through write-ups and combing over members build threads. I cant wait to take this 4runner out on the trails with some of the folks on here and learn even more.
My old 01
The first pic of the 1997 with the chrome flare things and mudflaps
First batch of pics after I replaced the TB,WP and what not. Also all the fluids, belts, and radiator were changed. Then we took it to Rainier while my dad was in town.
The Fires made it pretty hazy out there even at 5400ft
We also found out 1 axle seal was leaking so we replaced both inner seals with the updated oem part and had a machine shop replace the bearings, retainers, abs cog thing, and outer seals. Only cost $550 in parts and labor included thanks to Titus-Will Toyota of Tacoma for hooking me up with the shop discount and the machine shop only charging $120 for the press work.
As of now my mod list is basically nonexistent so I will update this post as I go. I am more focused on maintenance right now, but I am almost done with that, so mods will begin shortly.
Performance
Drivetrain
Blue wire mod
Suspension
Stock replacement with 99 coils and kyb gas adjust shocks
Wheels/Tires
Late model oem 5 stars with 265/75 16 BFG all terrains ko2
Interior
2001 Seats
Sickspeed classic white ball shift knob.
Exterior
Plastidipped F/R emblems and bumpers
CBI offroad ditch light brackets with cheapo Nilight LED lights
Maintenance
266,500 Water pump, Timing belt, Hydraulic tensioner, Idler bearings, Drive belts, Rear diff fluid, Transmission/Transfer case fluid, Engine oil and filter, Air cleaner, Spark plugs, Radiator, Coolant, Lubed driveshafts and Shift fork, and Clutch spring with true value #70 extension spring.
270,556 New Clutch
A little over 2 years ago I sold my old Jeep TJ and got a 2001 4runner 2wd as a dad-mobile to cruise around in. I missed being able to checkout the trails around western Washington in the old Jeep, but knew that the Jeep life was not my cup of tea. Once I drove the 01 for awhile I fell in love with the reliability and robustness of the 3rd generation design. As time went on I found myself wanting a 5 speed 4WD 3rd gen more and more. I wanted to find the car that I would own and modify almost indefinitely for what I hope to be a very, very long time. I started actively searching this past May, trying to find one that was in good condition and ideally with a factory locker. When I found a Natural White 1997 5 speed 4wd with an e locker earlier this August it only seemed right, based on the coincidence of the 4runner being white and the relatively rare combo (5spd, 4wd, elocker), to call it The White Whale. This forum is by far the best I have ever seen as far as maturity and information. I have learned a great deal from reading through write-ups and combing over members build threads. I cant wait to take this 4runner out on the trails with some of the folks on here and learn even more.
My old 01
The first pic of the 1997 with the chrome flare things and mudflaps
First batch of pics after I replaced the TB,WP and what not. Also all the fluids, belts, and radiator were changed. Then we took it to Rainier while my dad was in town.
The Fires made it pretty hazy out there even at 5400ft
We also found out 1 axle seal was leaking so we replaced both inner seals with the updated oem part and had a machine shop replace the bearings, retainers, abs cog thing, and outer seals. Only cost $550 in parts and labor included thanks to Titus-Will Toyota of Tacoma for hooking me up with the shop discount and the machine shop only charging $120 for the press work.
As of now my mod list is basically nonexistent so I will update this post as I go. I am more focused on maintenance right now, but I am almost done with that, so mods will begin shortly.
Performance
Drivetrain
Blue wire mod
Suspension
Stock replacement with 99 coils and kyb gas adjust shocks
Wheels/Tires
Late model oem 5 stars with 265/75 16 BFG all terrains ko2
Interior
2001 Seats
Sickspeed classic white ball shift knob.
Exterior
Plastidipped F/R emblems and bumpers
CBI offroad ditch light brackets with cheapo Nilight LED lights
Maintenance
266,500 Water pump, Timing belt, Hydraulic tensioner, Idler bearings, Drive belts, Rear diff fluid, Transmission/Transfer case fluid, Engine oil and filter, Air cleaner, Spark plugs, Radiator, Coolant, Lubed driveshafts and Shift fork, and Clutch spring with true value #70 extension spring.
270,556 New Clutch
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