Mc1337sauce's (Modest) 1997 4Runner Build

[Mc1337sauce]

Mc1337sauce's 1997 4Runner 3RZ Turbo Build

Sam a.k.a. Mc1337sauce's Build



History: My parents bought the truck new in 1997, and drove it unmodded until right before I started driving. The first mod I remember us doing was the K&N intake, followed by the BFGoodrich All-Terrains, exhaust, and various other small mods. I began driving the truck the day I got my permit, and when I turned 16, I became its sole driver.

Specs:
1997 Toyota 4Runner 2WD with the 2.7L 3RZ-FE 4 Cylinder Engine
Desert Dune Mica with Oak Interior
4 Speed Automatic
175K+ Miles
Mint condition inside and out





Mods:

Engine and Performance
-KO Racing Turbocharged @ 5psi
-Garrett T3/T4 Turbo (46 trim option from KO Racing)
-TiAL QR BOV
-TiAL MV-S Wastegate
-AEM UEGO Wideband O2 Sensor
-NGK Iridium Plugs
-NGK Silicone Spark Plug Wires
-Injen/AMSOIL dry filter
-JBA Catback Exhaust
-Magnaflow Catalytic Converter

Wheels and Tires
-2015 FJ Trail Wheels
-Dunlop Grandtrek AT20 265/70R17

Interior/Sound
-Turbosmart Boost Gauge
-AEM UEGO Wideband Gauge
-35% Tint Front/15% Tint Rear
-Full Woodgrain Conversion
-Clarion CX501 Headunit
-2 Kicker CompVR 12s

Suspension
-Stock Coils
-OEM Toyota Tokico Shocks
-2.5in Lift ToyTec Spacers front/Fat Bob’s Garage Spacers rear
-Polyurethane Sway Bar and Endlink Bushings

Exterior
-Rebadged to Hilux Surf
-JAOS Skid Plate
-OEM JDM Kouki Corner Lights
-TRD Grille Emblem
-Elford Japan Front Grille
-OEM JDM Kouki Tail Lights
-OEM 99+ Headlamps (to be retrofitted in the future once reflector refinishing is required)
-OEM Hilux Surf Rear Wing

Future Mods
-Upgraded Door Speakers
-OEM Homelink Sun Visor
-OEM JDM Field Monitor

Now that we've been through all of that, here's a few pics.

Here's the engine bay that most of my friends ogle over. I pride myself in keeping my truck clean and detailed inside and out.


Sitting pretty in the driveway.


Gotta have this sticker. There's actually a purpose, too: the snail under the hood only drinks the finest petrol available.


Also gotta have some stickers on the back.


Sitting next to my buddy Juan’s Tacoma (JuansTaco on TacomaWorld).


In front of my friend Angel’s Volvo.


Lurking behind my friend Juan’s Shelby.


Next to my dad's Xterra (I tried to convince him to get another 4Runner, but my attempts were futile) and 2 of his bikes. I do not ride but I enjoy working on the motorcycles.


Thanks for taking time out of your busy day to check out my humble build. I hope you enjoy, because even though it is not as modified as many others' 4Runners, that's not what I am after. I want a semi-stock truck with some tasteful mods. I'm more into car shows than offroading, if you catch my drift.

 

[shootmymime]

For a first time post, you have done very well! welcome to to forum.
Oh how i miss the big AZ! its a wonderful place to keep vehicles looking clean all the time! its how i like mine! so what are your plans for your next change or mod?

 

[drg007]

Buy my TRD supercharger.

 

[Mc1337sauce]

For a first time post, you have done very well! welcome to to forum.
Oh how i miss the big AZ! its a wonderful place to keep vehicles looking clean all the time! its how i like mine! so what are your plans for your next change or mod?

Thanks! I have been lurking here for about 3 years and I figured that since I have started modding a bit I should start a build thread; I am also on TacomaWorld. The lift will be installed when I have the time (the semester is just ramping up), but it shouldn't be too long - might even be as soon as this weekend! After that, I really don't know. I've been doing a lot of maintenance (routine things like oil changes and brake fluid, but also items like the PCV valve and the forward O2 sensor), but I haven't thought about mods besides the initial few that I have completed. I have been through countless build threads on here, but nothing has really piqued my interest yet. I am tossing around the idea of putting on a factory roof rack and a Yakima basket, but that makes detailing SO much harder...*cough* Xterra *cough*. Do you have any suggestions? I don't take it offroad at all, most I do is down a dirt/farm road to a friend's house...lol.

 

[Mc1337sauce]

Buy my TRD supercharger.

I saw your ad in the classifieds, but I prefer turbos on imports. I want to keep my engine relatively stock anyway, at least until it is rebuilt in the (hopefully) distant future. GLWS though!

 

[Mc1337sauce]

Got my lift installed over the course of the weekend! :high5:

It rides way better than it did at stock height, likely due to the fact that the bump stops (especially the rear) were a bit too long and were making contact when going over large bumps.

If anyone has a recommendation for a good alignment shop in Chandler/Gilbert/Mesa/Tempe/Queen Creek, let me know. I normally get alignments done at Big Two Toyota, but last time I got one there, I had to take it back twice before it was set properly. They also did a transmission flush a few years back (purely preventative) and impacted the drain plug into the pan, stripping both the plug and the pan (I only found this out this past year when changing the transmission fluid, and I replaced the parts at my own cost). Anyway, I don't trust their service department and will not be taking my vehicle there again, but their parts department is great. /endrant

Back on topic, here's how it looks in the driveway:


And from the side:


My dad and I also made video tutorials documenting the process and posted them on YouTube (like we do with everything on all of our vehicles). If you want to check out our YouTube channel click here. There is a Toyota Maintenance and Mods section on the main page of the channel that features all of our videos that have anything to do with Toyotas (mostly 4Runner stuff).

 

[Mc1337sauce]

Update on the 4Runner. I tried to get the truck aligned a bit over a week ago at SSC in Chandler, and they said that I needed a new steering rack and pinion because there was too much play. I put it up on jack stands at home, and found that there was nearly no play - just a bit more than my dad's 2011 Xterra (that only has 14K miles). I think that I just got an inexperienced tech at SSC and they misdiagnosed a nonexistent issue. They seem like a very honest shop, and they have incredibly high ratings on multiple websites, so I will definitely give them another chance in the future (probably to do an alignment on my mom's 2008 Suzuki Grand Vitara, as there are no Suzuki dealers left in the US after they went bankrupt).

Anyway, I took the truck to Big Two Toyota on Saturday, and was blown away by the work they did. The tech was able to get the alignment to the exact specs I requested (0 deg. camber, .04 total toe, stock caster, as stated by ToyTec), and test drove it on the freeway and a rough road in the area to make sure it held the alignment. I am thoroughly impressed with Big Two, and I will definitely go there in the future for work that I simply can't do myself (which is rare). My dad and I also talked to a salesman there who wants to do some walkaround/video tour/first start videos on new vehicles at the dealership, so if you are interested in that sort of thing, stay tuned to my YouTube channel for videos coming in the next few weeks - first up will be the coveted Scion FR-S Series and the Scion iQ, and I hope to get a 5th gen 4Runner done at some point, too (a Trail would be epic).

Speaking of videos, here's a really quick walkaround/overview of my truck after the lift...it's much better than the pics I posted before.

 

[Mc1337sauce]

Did a bit of work on the 4Runner over the past month, and ordered a lot of exciting new parts. When my winter break started (I'm a student at ASU), I decided to tackle restoring the plastic lights on my truck. Now, they weren't at all in bad condition, but had some rock chips and minor pitting from highway driving and going through Arizona dust storms. As usual, I made a video on it, posted below.



I also made a video tutorial on how to change the corner light bulbs (a friend of mine was having trouble with it).



About a week into my break, I made a big purchase - I bought KO Racing's 3RZ turbo kit for my truck while they were having their winter sale. I worked with Kris, the owner, to develop a bolt-on kit for the 4Runner, which requires a different downpipe exit flange and a new catalytic converter (made for a Tacoma, Magnaflow P/N 23882). He now offers a 4Runner option on his website here, for those of you who are interested in the kit.

In preparation for boost, I decided it would be a good idea to check my valves and replace the associated gaskets. I ordered from my local stealership where I used to get a mechanic's discount, but the parts person I used to buy from no longer works there, so I ended up paying just a bit under $100 for the valve cover gasket, spark plug hole gaskets/grommets (didn't end up using these), and the washers that go on the valve cover bolts. Needless to say I am ordering my genuine Toyota parts from elsewhere in the future. The parts I ordered:



Anyway, after nearly 170K miles and no prior valve adjustments, I found all the valves to be smack in the middle of spec, despite hearing all sorts of horror stories about 3RZ valve problems. Maybe I just got lucky, but I change my oil every 2-3K miles using Mobil 1 Full Synthetic 10W-40 (recently switched from 5W-30) and have been adding ASL CamGuard each oil change for a couple years now. My video on valve cover removal and checking your valves is below, along with a picture of what lies beneath my valve cover.





Last but not least, I ordered a bunch of misc. parts for my turbo install. Here's the list (more may be added later once I start installation):

• AEM UEGO Wideband O2 Gauge + sensor
• Turbosmart Boost Gauge
• AutoMeter 2237 Gauge Mount (I'm mounting my gauges in the pocket below the ashtray and power outlet)
• JEGS -12AN Fuel Cell Bulkhead Fitting (being used for oil return into the oil pan instead of a weld-in bung)
• Generic oil catch can to route the PCV valves to (don't want to use a breather filter setup, if possible)

If anyone has questions about anything I mentioned, feel free to ask; I'm more than happy to help. I'm looking forward to getting the turbo kit installed (when it arrives, 6-10 week build time) and will most definitely be posting my progress.

 

[sggaz]

Looks good! Give Camelback Toyota online a try for parts. They ship FedEx ground and it's typically next day delivery in the valley and I believe the discount on parts is as good as the Dallas dealer offers.

 

[Mc1337sauce]

Looks good! Give Camelback Toyota online a try for parts. They ship FedEx ground and it's typically next day delivery in the valley and I believe the discount on parts is as good as the Dallas dealer offers.

I've used them in the past, and I was going to order all of the valve cover gaskets online, but I went to my local dealership to order a wiring loom clip and figured I would order all the parts from them while I was there. I wouldn't mind paying full retail for the parts, but what irks me is the fact that the dealer (Big Two Toyota) charged me well OVER retail. It's partly my fault that I didn't research the prices before, but overcharging for parts is thievery in my opinion. That's the real reason that I won't go back there for parts. Live and learn I suppose. :shrug:

 

[Mc1337sauce]

Big update! Got the KO Racing turbo kit installed on my truck, and boy does it rip! I am waiting on a new upper radiator hose that should clear the new intake, as well as a new blow off valve spring that will keep the valve closed at idle, but I monkey rigged it to take it around the block, and so far it is awesome (only stalled it twice despite the BOV being open and causing a giant vacuum link). Hopefully I will be finishing up the truck next Thursday (after I am done with school for the week), so expect an update sometime next weekend. For now, linked here is a playlist I made on my YouTube channel of the install videos and kit components that I have made videos of so far.

Here are some pictures that I took throughout the process, in case you don't have time to watch the videos (they are detailed, and as such, pretty long).

Most of the mechanical stuff was put together in this pic. The plumbing was not finished yet, nor were any of the electronic items.


The vacuum routing almost done at the intake manifold/throttle body. Looks fairly factory IMO (excluding my blue zip ties).


A look at the wiring my dad and I did for the boost and wideband gauges. I think it turned out pretty well.


Gauges fired up with the truck running. This was with the BOV vacuum line clamped off, so no vacuum leaks here. It idles lean right now, but the new spring should solve that issue.


How she sat earlier this morning. This is how I got it running last night. Air intake makes it look like a unicorn...lol.

 

[Granada7]

Thanks! I have been lurking here for about 3 years and I figured that since I have started modding a bit I should start a build thread; I am also on TacomaWorld. The lift will be installed when I have the time (the semester is just ramping up), but it shouldn't be too long - might even be as soon as this weekend! After that, I really don't know. I've been doing a lot of maintenance (routine things like oil changes and brake fluid, but also items like the PCV valve and the forward O2 sensor), but I haven't thought about mods besides the initial few that I have completed. I have been through countless build threads on here, but nothing has really piqued my interest yet. I am tossing around the idea of putting on a factory roof rack and a Yakima basket, but that makes detailing SO much harder...*cough* Xterra *cough*. Do you have any suggestions? I don't take it offroad at all, most I do is down a dirt/farm road to a friend's house...lol.

Hey i saw you had the 2.5 in daystar lift how do you like it?

 

[Mc1337sauce]

Hey i saw you had the 2.5 in daystar lift how do you like it?

My lift is not the Daystar one, but it is the same height. I like the way mine turned out...nice and level, and not so high the tires look tiny. I pieced mine together with ToyTec front preload spacers and Fat Bob's Garage rear spacers. Stock shocks all around (I replaced the originals a few years ago with a new set of OEM Toyota ones). Rides better than factory IMO. Perfect, especially for the price. Just make sure that you get preload spacers for the front, as top hat spacers overextend the upper ball joints if you do any off-road driving.

 

[Granada7]

My lift is not the Daystar one, but it is the same height. I like the way mine turned out...nice and level, and not so high the tires look tiny. I pieced mine together with ToyTec front preload spacers and Fat Bob's Garage rear spacers. Stock shocks all around (I replaced the originals a few years ago with a new set of OEM Toyota ones). Rides better than factory IMO. Perfect, especially for the price. Just make sure that you get preload spacers for the front, as top hat spacers overextend the upper ball joints if you do any off-road driving.

Do you think you could post the link to your flu kit on my build perhaps so i could look over it??

 

[T4R2014]

Do you plan to do any transmission upgrades? Or are they unnecessary? This is commonly done when supercharging the V6.

 

[Mc1337sauce]

Do you plan to do any transmission upgrades? Or are they unnecessary? This is commonly done when supercharging the V6.

I think the transmission should be able to handle whatever power I will throw it in the foreseeable future. I don't see myself going over 7 or 8psi (at least until if/when I get some sort of engine/fuel management electronics, which will not be for quite a while), which should put me in the 200-250rwhp range. I know of a few boosted Tacoma guys running 250-300rwhp with stock automatic transmissions or ones with a (fairly) simple valve body upgrade.

Right now, at 5psi, I am making about 180-190rwhp and about 190-200lb/ft of torque according to KO Racing's dyno of a 2RZ Tacoma (I added about 10hp over their boosted 2RZ figures, which is about how much more HP the 3RZ had from the factory). I am at a similar elevation, within a few hundred feet, so the power figures should not be too far off.

 

[Mc1337sauce]

Do you think you could post the link to your flu kit on my build perhaps so i could look over it??

Here are the links to the lift that I pieced together:

Front

Rear

If your shocks are worn out, replace them while you are in there. If you don't, you will certainly wish you did. My shocks are only a couple years old, so I did not change them. Embedded below are also the videos that my dad and I made on how to install the lift.





Hope you find this helpful.

 

[Mc1337sauce]

Well, I've finally gotten the turbo install all buttoned up and the truck is fully drivable. It's pretty quick now!

I ended up using a radiator hose from an 09 Corolla XRS to clear the intake, which I sleeved, as it runs pretty close to the coil packs. I also made a bracket to hold the intake using the old K&N intake brackets and an Akrapovic spring (for motorcycle exhausts). URD makes a MAF extension harness for Denso MAFs that I used to avoid having to cut and extend the MAF harness; this is a much cleaner solution. For heat shielding, I used DEI wire wrap on the transmission kickdown cable and the AC lines. I also contacted PTP Turbo Blankets, and they gave me a sweet deal on one of their high-end Lava blankets since I made a video for them on installing it and testing how it worked. The awful red vacuum line running from the front crankcase vent has also been replaced with black silicone line.

Anyway, here are a coupe pics; if you're interested in more detailed information about the build, you can find videos documenting the entire turbo project thus far on my YouTube channel here.

 

[snow junky]

do you have any problems with your BOV being vented to the atmosphere?

 

[Mc1337sauce]

do you have any problems with your BOV being vented to the atmosphere?

Nope, not since I got the new spring in (my engine pulls enough vacuum for an 11psi spring). If I let it vent at low speed/RPM (for example, if I get on it and let it blow off at 2K RPM at 20MPH), it drops to 200-500RPM and almost stalls, but it hasn't stalled on me at all so far. I have had no problems with venting when letting off from redline, just the occasional backfire.