Meet 'Max': Build Thread - 3rd Gen 1999 4Runner 5-Sp 3.4L V6

[beauderek]

Hello all,
So I'll start this thread as I'm sure many have: with more ideas than $$!! Having bought my 1st 4runner, and going off the many suggestions and wealth of experience from veteran members, I'm obligated (and happy, of course) to share my build with you. I hope it's not completely uninteresting.

A recent Clist find, I bought the truck in CT and drove it home to Upstate NY. It sits stock except for the 17" FJ Cruiser wheels that I think I'm Ok with. It came w/210K miles on the odometer. I can't pretend I'm not a little scared about that. Given how hard it is to find a 5-Sp 4WD 3rd gen, I'll continue to look past that until oil starts spilling out the rear main seal. I only wish it came with a factory locker.

Here is one of the Clist pics from the ad listing:

<a href="http://s928.photobucket.com/user/beauderek007/media/Projects/MAX%201999%20Toyota%204Runner/IMG_0646_zpsn4wuolic.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i928.photobucket.com/albums/ad128/beauderek007/Projects/MAX%201999%20Toyota%204Runner/IMG_0646_zpsn4wuolic.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo IMG_0646_zpsn4wuolic.jpg"/></a>

I'm not really one to name my vehicles, but seeing how this is my first 4X4 (sad, I know), I have. It's Max because a friend appropriately said it's like my old Maxima relived in 4X4 form. The Maxima saw some modest upgrades, and after blabbing about all the upfits I would love to do to the 4Runner, I couldn't disagree. So Max it is.

This 3rd Gen has been a US Northeast truck all it's life. You know what that means. So before doing any upfits, I'm making sure I have a solid platform to build off.

Before:
<a href="http://s928.photobucket.com/user/beauderek007/media/Projects/MAX%201999%20Toyota%204Runner/FrameRot_zpsu7vtkv2c.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i928.photobucket.com/albums/ad128/beauderek007/Projects/MAX%201999%20Toyota%204Runner/FrameRot_zpsu7vtkv2c.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo FrameRot_zpsu7vtkv2c.jpg"/></a>

To get off to a good start, I dropped the 4Runner off early this morning to Mike at Sowle Enterprises in Fultonville, NY to have the entire undercarriage sandblasted. Sowle's sandblaster has been at it for over 20 years, so I trust my 4Runner's in good hands. All the factory skid plates will be temporarily removed and sandblasted & the spare dropped to blast underneath.

<a href="http://s928.photobucket.com/user/beauderek007/media/Projects/MAX%201999%20Toyota%204Runner/4RunneratSowles_zpsujwhgmzu.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i928.photobucket.com/albums/ad128/beauderek007/Projects/MAX%201999%20Toyota%204Runner/4RunneratSowles_zpsujwhgmzu.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 4RunneratSowles_zpsujwhgmzu.jpg"/></a>

Once down to raw metal, the next stop will be Govel's Welding in Albany, NY, hopefully next week. I think George at Govel's has been welding about as long as I've been alive, 30+ years. This will be my first time working with him, but it's always comforting when you mention a name in the business and ALL the feedback is more than positive.

Next up will be Ziebart's down the street from Govel's for a layer of rust protection and a proper undercoating.

And so it starts!

 

[NoLight]

Welcome!!

 

[atom12]

Hey, I've got the same year and it's now my car since my wife got a new car. My car has spent the past 16 years in northern Illinois and it's super rusty.

So, how much is it costing you to get it sand blasted and the undercarriage treated? Do they remove anything else besides skid plates before they start blasting? It must be brutal on rubber parts.

 

[beauderek]

Welcome!!

Thanks NoLight!

 

[beauderek]

Hey, I've got the same year and it's now my car since my wife got a new car. My car has spent the past 16 years in northern Illinois and it's super rusty.

So, how much is it costing you to get it sand blasted and the undercarriage treated? Do they remove anything else besides skid plates before they start blasting? It must be brutal on rubber parts.

Hi Atom12.
Quick answer: Sandblasting complete undercarriage: Just under $1K. Rust protection: $100. Undercoating: $500 for initial application at Ziebarts, $60.00 once a year thereafter. *Ziebarts is going to apply a rust inhibitor first for the rust protection layer to adhere to.

It's not a cheap process, by any means. And you're going to pay more if you do it right, and aren't doing it yourself. (Also depending how much damage the rust has done).

First: Sandblasting. Options are very limited for shops that do sandblasting in my area, and I went with the best recommendation. That said, I paid $915+tax and flatbed fee to my welder. They dropped the skids and spare at my request, and were blasted individually. Nothing else was removed. They're a reputable shop, so I trusted they knew what they were doing when it came to the rest of the truck. It would have been cheaper, of course, if I just had them blast the frame. (The other option for blasting the truck around here was a guy that does glass bead blasting on-site, but you have to lift the truck 48" off the ground yourself. Fee starts at $600 and doesn't include clean-up. And I heard he's kinda crazy.)

Second: Welding. Sandblasting shows all the flaws. Which is great for welding, if you need it, because you can see everything. Also, being down to white steel will allow for maximum penetration in the welds. My truck should have arrived at the welder's this morning.

Third: Undercoating. There were cheaper options. But I'm putting a lot into this frame, so the final step should be given as much care as the rest to seal it up right. So again, I'm going w/a reputable name and so far they've been great to deal with.

All the money spent on this by the end of the week, I could probably have had the truck 3-4" higher off the ground w/a nice lift. Ughh....

Pics coming soon showing the frame and undercarriage after sandblasting.

 

[atom12]

That sounds pretty cool. I can't wait to see your pics and hear how well it turns out.

 

[maxbrown11c]

that rust is nasty. the 4runner looks good though