Mcaz5's 01 4Runner Build

[4ever4running]

And the current problem at hand...:bash: :bash: :bash:

Untitled by MikhailCaz, on Flickr

I feel your pain, I did the exact same thing when I tried to install longer bump stops! I tried to use an extractor to get the old bolts out with not luck so I have just left it for now....I'm thinking that I will just drill out the old bolt and nut, place a new nut right on top of the old one that is welded in, and just get a slightly longer bolt.

 

[mcaz5]

I feel your pain, I did the exact same thing when I tried to install longer bump stops! I tried to use an extractor to get the old bolts out with not luck so I have just left it for now....I'm thinking that I will just drill out the old bolt and nut, place a new nut right on top of the old one that is welded in, and just get a slightly longer bolt.

If you figure it out definitely let me know!



Today I conquered the drum brakes. I'm hoping this solves all the issues I've had with my rear end locking up when I brake. It took my about 4 hours to replace both sides start to finish. I was taking my times as this was the first time I'd ever done any brake work. If had to do it again, I feel like I could get it done in 2 hours. I'm honestly hoping I never have to again though. When these die, I'm hoping there's a rear disc brake conversion by then. I'm also planning on flushing the brake fluid possibly tomorrow or the next day.

I used this write up mainly, I only needed some needle nose pliers, a flathead screwdriver, and a hammer, and a few sockets for the wheel cylinder.
How to change brake shoes / drum brakes | Mike's Tech Blog

Before:

Untitled by MikhailCaz, on Flickr

During:

Untitled by MikhailCaz, on Flickr

Completed:

Untitled by MikhailCaz, on Flickr

And my favorite picture from the day :flipoff::flipoff::flipoff::flipoff::flipoff:

Untitled by MikhailCaz, on Flickr

 

[obxfunrunner]

Build is looking good man. The LC coils look good on there. I kinda like it with the .5 or 1 inch rake.

 

[mcaz5]

Build is looking good man. The LC coils look good on there. I kinda like it with the .5 or 1 inch rake.

Thanks man. The raked looked has really grown on me. I wasn't a really big fan of it in all the pictures I'd seen with a raked look, but in person it just looks a lot better. Did you notice the rear leaning to the driver side? I know it's because the coils are the same height and with the gas tank it's gonna cause it to lean. I'm hoping it'll settle some and not be so bad.
How are the 890s doin for ya? Definitely post up a few shots when you can. Thanks again for the swap. I hope all is well.

 

[mcaz5]

Well here's a quick teaser pic on the next mod to be installed...

The guys at 4xInnovations seem like awesome guys. Great response time and extremely fast shipping. I ordered these things and had the box with the legs, frame plates, and gussets show up in two days. The sliders themselves showed up the next day. Three day wait for sliders?! That's awesome!

I'm hoping to have them welded up within the next 2 weeks or so. I won't be doing it myself, but I have a buddy that's pretty experienced with this kinda stuff. I'm thinking I'll take them over, fit them up, and weld the legs to the sliders in one day. Then paint the next few days or so and then take them back and have them welded to the actual frame. From what I've read it seems a .5" gap is a good amount?

I've also been racking the miles up lately and have gotten some pretty good numbers as far as mileage goes.

On a 150 mile round trip I averaged 19.1 MPG. The trip down I averaged 20.1!! The way back was due to faster driving as I was ready to get home. This drive was all back roads at speeds from 55-60 MPH.

On a 320 mile one way trip to the beach I averaged 18.1 MPG with half interstate driving and the other half back roads. On the interstate I averaged about 17.2 MPG. On the return trip we took an alternate route with less interstate and I averaged 18.5 MPG. These numbers are all from my UG which has been meticulously calculated. Some pretty impressive numbers as far as I'm concerned.

Edit: Anyone have an idea on about how long these LC coils take to settle? The springs are both the same color code and I'm getting about an inch sag on the driver side and was hoping it would come down a bit when the coils settled. It's been over 2 weeks now. I need to adjust the C/O for the new height but don't want to do that yet if the backs are going to come down anymore. Also I'm thinking of getting a trim packer and installing it on the driver side rear to help even out the load.

 

[mcaz5]

I was able to avenge my effed up brake line today when I ran the same trail with no problems. Everything seems to be working great.

I also brought along the camera and tried to get a few good shots. They're all poser shots since I can't really take pictures and drive at the same time :doh: After seeing all the amazing pictures on this forum, I've decided to try and do a little better job with mine. I can pretty much use my dad's Canon 40D whenever I need too which is what I used today. I don't really have any idea as to what the set the ISO settings and all that. I'm also a noob in Lightroom so bear with me at the start. I'm definitely open to any and all tips.

The lighting was very tough in these pics because half the rig would be in shadows and half direct sunlight. Very difficult but I did the best I could.

Nice view from the trail


IMG_3749 by MikhailCaz, on Flickr

The colors are a bit funny on this one, I couldn't quite get it right

IMG_3755 by MikhailCaz, on Flickr

Definitely the farthest I've stuffed these tires...really need to get the longer bumpstops in

IMG_3744 by MikhailCaz, on Flickr

And the best pic showing some serious flex

IMG_3747 by MikhailCaz, on Flickr

 

[mcaz5]

I finally got around to giving the rig a much needed wash and wax. The wax is long overdue and I forgot how good this thing shines when it's all cleaned up.

I was also able to do a little painting on the frame to prevent any further rust. I power washed the undercarriage the day before I started the painting. I took a wire brush to all the rust spots, cleaned, sprayed some rust converter, and some vht chassis paint. I basically followed [MENTION=14772]shootmymime[/MENTION] 's thread. It turned out great and start to finish took probably 3 hours or so.

On to the pics:

Here she is all washed and waxed


IMG_3797.jpg by MikhailCaz, on Flickr


IMG_3802.jpg by MikhailCaz, on Flickr


IMG_3807.jpg by MikhailCaz, on Flickr

And here's some pics of the newly painted frame

Before:


Untitled by MikhailCaz, on Flickr


Untitled by MikhailCaz, on Flickr


Untitled by MikhailCaz, on Flickr

Wire brushed:


Untitled by MikhailCaz, on Flickr

And after:


Untitled by MikhailCaz, on Flickr


Untitled by MikhailCaz, on Flickr


Untitled by MikhailCaz, on Flickr

I think it turned out great and I definitely don't like having to see rust everytime I look at it now :girl:

I only did the frame and the cross members. I plan to get the rear axle when I eventually drop it out for a e-locker retrofit.

 

[Fishwerks]

You and me both on the rear discs brother!

When these die, I'm hoping there's a rear disc brake conversion by then.

Front Range Off-Road Fabrication


Truck looks good all cleaned up!

 

[blcktpgsr]

Dat second profile pic^....hoto:AWESOME!

 

[aeroneer1]

DUDE. Just came across your truck. Those latest pics look WAY SICK.

I'm goin for the same scheme as you with the black on black, tinted, even have the windshield stripe.

I need to get my LC coils in back to get a little bit of rake, and mine's not a sport edition.

But I saved your pics for inspiration / goal ideas.

Nice runner man!

 

[JRivero]

Nice Runner Congratulations !

 

[mcaz5]

Front Range Off-Road Fabrication


Truck looks good all cleaned up!

I definitely don't wheel hard enough to justify full-floating the rear. It would be nice, but definitely too much $$$ for me right now. I'd love for someone to come out with something like the way rockdawg did his.

Dat second profile pic^....hoto:AWESOME!

Thanks for the kind words! You're truck is looking killer as always. :thumb3:

DUDE. Just came across your truck. Those latest pics look WAY SICK.

I'm goin for the same scheme as you with the black on black, tinted, even have the windshield stripe.

I need to get my LC coils in back to get a little bit of rake, and mine's not a sport edition.

But I saved your pics for inspiration / goal ideas.

Nice runner man!

Thanks! I've never really thought of my truck as being inspirational especially with all the very nice rigs on here. But I do appreciate the compliments! If you've ever got any questions or anything, I'd be happy to help.

It seems like you've got a pretty good start on yours though too. Keep it up!

Nice Runner Congratulations !

Thank you!

 

[4Running Daily]

I definitely don't wheel hard enough to justify full-floating the rear.

Not yet*

 

[smkd13]

Not yet*

Ha ha ha it is almost always a yet lol I found I wheel a lot harder than I should

 

[BigFishAllDay]

She's a looker man. You should dig up the wallpaper thread and put that picture in there (and the next one, too). Clean. Clean. Clean.

Here she is all washed and waxed

 

[mcaz5]

Not yet*

Ha ha ha it is almost always a yet lol I found I wheel a lot harder than I should

Not yet is right haha, I'll feel a little better about putting her through some harder trails once I can finally get the sliders put on.

She's a looker man. You should dig up the wallpaper thread and put that picture in there (and the next one, too). Clean. Clean. Clean.

I really appreciate the kind words BFAD. I'd like to get a few shots with a bit of a better background before I add any pictures to that thread. There's not as much nice scenery around here like all you out west haha.



Saw this clean 4th gen this morning. Not too often I see too many built up 4runners around this area. Looks like it had a full shrockworks package (front and rear bumpers and sliders). He also had a URD sticky on the lift gate. Hmmmmm. Unfortunately, I didn't get a chance to meet the owner.

 

[mcaz5]

I just finished pulling the 3rd to fix a stupid snapped bolt. I just gotta get the pesky thing out now. I think I'm going to have to drill and tap.

I just wish I had an e-locked 3rd going back in...

 

[mcaz5]

Well I figure I'd give a little update to this thread. I finished installing the 3rd pictured above and used some RTV for the new gasket. Seemed like it was working great until the next day... Long story short, the threads on the new stud I used were either messed up when I received it, or I messed them up during the install process. The nut would spin freely but not tighten or loosen. Ordered a new bolt and with a little help from my dad, we took the grinder to the stuck nut and then used vise grips on the bolt. Installed the new one and everything's been great since.

I also picked up some Hella lights from a buddy for cheap and ran those to the factory fog light switch. You can see them in this pic

Small flex pic for fun haha

I've also got a pretty nice upgrade that should arrive this weekend. I hope to have it installed by next Tuesday evening or Wednesday. So stay tuned for that :bluejump:


I've got some cluck going on in my rear it sounds like. I greased up the driveshaft, but that hasn't done anything it seems. I'll try and add more when I go back home. It sounds like a metal on metal clunk. It happens when I'm accelerating, and I let off the gas pedal. It also happens sometimes when I go over speed bumps. And then there's days where I can try everything and it won't clunk at all.

What're the chances of installed a new Napa CV and it being effed up? The one I purchased rattles when I'm driving at low speeds and the last few days I've noticed a clunk from the front end when I turn the steering wheel.

I've also got a really squeaky shock bushing.

I'm trying to get all these issues resolved and catch up on a few maintenance things as well. Sorry for the long update. Expect another one next week.

I'm also going to Choccolocco Mountain ORV this weekend for their Santa Crawls event. I won't be taking the 4runner, I'll be riding shotty with my buddy in his F/R locked Rubicon on 33s. If any of you guys will be there I'd love to meet you.

 

[mcaz5]

Well I've completed another upgrade and one that I've been wanting for quite some time. TRS was having a black friday sale so I jumped on their 25% off deal and ordered the Mini H1 kit with the XB35 bulbs in 5000k.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/94799617@N02/11315062164/" title="Photo Dec 09, 5 47 17 PM by MikhailCaz, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5509/11315062164_d8b794f12d_b.jpg" width="768" height="1024" alt="Photo Dec 09, 5 47 17 PM"></a>

Headlights separated and old bulbs out

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/94799617@N02/11314976115/" title="Photo Dec 09, 8 31 12 PM by MikhailCaz, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5475/11314976115_efd55bacdf_b.jpg" width="768" height="1024" alt="Photo Dec 09, 8 31 12 PM"></a>

Mini Gatling Gun shrouds over the Mini H1s

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/94799617@N02/11314974945/" title="Photo Dec 09, 8 31 19 PM by MikhailCaz, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2872/11314974945_fa080c608c_b.jpg" width="768" height="1024" alt="Photo Dec 09, 8 31 19 PM"></a>

Making sure the wiring harness is wired correctly

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/94799617@N02/11315024726/" title="Photo Dec 10, 1 10 34 PM by MikhailCaz, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7391/11315024726_05297039b2_b.jpg" width="768" height="1024" alt="Photo Dec 10, 1 10 34 PM"></a>

Glass re sealed and ready to be installed (that glare is from the sun)

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/94799617@N02/11315057934/" title="Photo Dec 10, 2 35 53 PM by MikhailCaz, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7324/11315057934_5161c497e7_b.jpg" width="1024" height="768" alt="Photo Dec 10, 2 35 53 PM"></a>

Installed and looking good :cheers::bravo::artist:

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/94799617@N02/11314971265/" title="Photo Dec 10, 4 35 31 PM by MikhailCaz, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3716/11314971265_05a99b5a08_b.jpg" width="768" height="1024" alt="Photo Dec 10, 4 35 31 PM"></a>

Overall the install was fairly straightforward. I read through a few threads and that definitely helped. I started the retro last night and finished up this afternoon. I feel I could definitely do it quicker if I had to do it again. Sometime down the road I will most likely separate the glass and paint the housings black. Reason being, I slightly messed up the chrome on one of headlights and it doesn't look the greatest. I'm happy with the outcome for my first time doing anything like this. It's not perfect but very functional. I'm looking forward to seeing the output at night!

 

[NateMob]

Another thing added to my never ending list, thanks Mikhail! I love your build man, black looks so good on our trucks. That and the 295s, hoping to be my next tire size.