New Member Suggestions

C

Crawler

New member
Sorry, long winded!!

I wanted to introduce my self and my son's new rig. My history consist of getting a brand new 87 black 4Runner when I was 16. Yeah, do the math, I am old. I kept that rig for 6 years, should have kept it and not sold it... But, things happen.

Well, two years ago, my stepson needed a vehicle and I cam across a nice 100% stock 88 4Runner. It was in decent shape for its age and I thought it would be cool for him since his dad wouldn't get him anything. I gave it to him under one condition. I had first dibs when he decided to sell it. I guess if you don't have to buy or work for your stuff, you don't appreciate it. He is in Navy Boot camp now and I have his 4Runner back, or should I say what is left of it.

Now this brings me to my own son who turns 15 this month. Guess what, we are going to rebuild this for him.

crawler-albums-crawler-s+rig-picture28272-20140907-120525.jpg


Interior is shot, Engine is shot, sheet metal is fair.

We are in the process of pulling the engine 3VZE. I'm going to send auto trans and transfer case to get freshened up. I'm going to order a new long block.

Now, don't get upset with me. But, I am also fond of Jeeps and have built three crawlers. Here is my latest.

crawler-albums-crawler-s+rig-picture28273-img-1632.jpg


I have the skills, I just don't want to overwhelm my 14 year old son with an extensive build. I want to give him the knowledge of how this rig operates and be able to know what to do when something goes pop. And to give him the appreciation of hard work.

This rig will be 99% street. I have done research till I am blue in the face. 4Runner forums are just as bad as Jeep forums on opinions. So here is my list.

1. Engine 3vze: Where would you recommend a long block from?

2. Lift Kit: I want around 4" I have never done a bolt on and want something simple. I know I need new rear springs (sag) but I don't want to change hanger positions. What springs and where do I find them?

3. Interior: Oh my, is there no aftermarket support? This thing has power windows and locks. I don't mind modifying door panels. What model door panels may fit these doors? Middle console?

4. Wheels and tires?

Oh, Thank you for reading my long post!!
 
Last edited:
Register to hide this ad
Crawler said:
4Runner forums are just as bad as Jeep forums on opinions.
Click to expand...

Yup :D. When you say 99% street, is he going to be wheeling it at all? If not, my "opinion" ;) is to leave it stock - don't see the point in going to all the modding effort if you ain't gonna walk the walk, and a stock truck rides better on the street and is easier to maintain. If he will be wheeling, I recommend the minimum mods necessary to get him where he wants to go and out again. Huge lifts and giant tires just to go romp in a mud puddle seem silly, and that's not the lesson I'd wanna be teaching my son. But again, opinions, @ssholes, etc. :)

1. If the current block is serviceable, a rebuild in your garage will cost less and teach him more. I wish like hell my pops had walked me through an engine rebuild when I was younger, would have saved me a lot of money on mechanics over the years. If you have to get a long block, Yotashop and APR Auto both have decent reputations. APR is closer to you.

2. There's a couple options for suspension lifts on an IFS 4Runner, but the inexpensive stuff won't get you over three inches, tops. Ball joint spacers are good for an inch and a half, cranking the torsion bars will get you another inch to inch and a half, but destroy the ride quality. Past that you're looking at a bracket lift or a custom long travel a-arms from Blazeland or Total Chaos. If you want to swap the front to a solid axle you get lots more options, but that's a whole 'nuther thread and doesn't make sense for a street truck anyway. My suggestion is a set of ball joint spacers and call it good, these trucks are too narrow for a show truck lift anyway.

3. Very little aftermarket support for the interior, the only place I know of making interior panels is toyotafiberglass.com and I don't think he's doing door panels yet. You can get panels from any '84-'89 4Runner or '84-'88 pickup (note that pickups won't have the cutout for the rear passenger door handle, if that concerns you).

4. For street and a little dirt? Mild AT tires on stock wheels. 33 inch tires and bigger pretty much require regearing, especially with the automatic trans (unless you like the idea of him going really really slow, not a bad idea there!).
 
Yup . When you say 99% street, is he going to be wheeling it at all? If not, my "opinion" ;) is to leave it stock - don't see the point in going to all the modding effort if you ain't gonna walk the walk, and a stock truck rides better on the street and is easier to maintain. If he will be wheeling, I recommend the minimum mods necessary to get him where he wants to go and out again. Huge lifts and giant tires just to go romp in a mud puddle seem silly, and that's not the lesson I'd wanna be teaching my son. But again, opinions, @ssholes, etc.

Ha Ha, The other 1% is what he does when I don't know about it... I was young and dumb once. I want to give the truck a taller stance and not looking for a "mud" look. I hate mud!! Walking the walk is what my Jeep is for. Except it only goes up mountains and is alergic to mud.

1. If the current block is serviceable, a rebuild in your garage will cost less and teach him more. I wish like hell my pops had walked me through an engine rebuild when I was younger, would have saved me a lot of money on mechanics over the years. If you have to get a long block, Yotashop and APR Auto both have decent reputations. APR is closer to you.

Man, it has been forever since I built an engine. You may have convinced me though.

2. There's a couple options for suspension lifts on an IFS 4Runner, but the inexpensive stuff won't get you over three inches, tops. Ball joint spacers are good for an inch and a half, cranking the torsion bars will get you another inch to inch and a half, but destroy the ride quality. Past that you're looking at a bracket lift or a custom long travel a-arms from Blazeland or Total Chaos. If you want to swap the front to a solid axle you get lots more options, but that's a whole 'nuther thread and doesn't make sense for a street truck anyway. My suggestion is a set of ball joint spacers and call it good, these trucks are too narrow for a show truck lift anyway.

I would like to to a bracket lift. What brand is the question. Who is the go to on Toyota. I would rather spend money with someone that takes care of their customers and knows Toyota. I have full width 8 lug Dana 44 and 60, but do not want to SAS on a DD. But, people would be in "AWE" seeing that coming down the road! NO, I have to stay on track with a normal rig!!:ybrick:

3. Very little aftermarket support for the interior, the only place I know of making interior panels is toyotafiberglass.com and I don't think he's doing door panels yet. You can get panels from any '84-'89 4Runner or '84-'88 pickup (note that pickups won't have the cutout for the rear passenger door handle, if that concerns you).

Sad thing, the passenger panel is great shape. Driver panel is shot. The rear door handle can go away.

4. For street and a little dirt? Mild AT tires on stock wheels. 33 inch tires and bigger pretty much require regearing, especially with the automatic trans (unless you like the idea of him going really really slow, not a bad idea there!).

I will probably regear anyway. I don't want it to take a 1/2 mile to get up to 30mph.
 
Last edited:
Old Man Emu makes some great suspension systems. The lift is minimal (2.5-3") but the ride and handling is fantastic, and it bolts right in.
If you need a little more you could go with an aftermarket 1" lift shackle in rear and 1" BJ spacer up front.
You should be able to fit 33" tires. The best all terrain tire is the BFG AT IMHO.
 
fourwd1 said:
Old Man Emu makes some great suspension systems. The lift is minimal (2.5-3") but the ride and handling is fantastic, and it bolts right in.
If you need a little more you could go with an aftermarket 1" lift shackle in rear and 1" BJ spacer up front.
You should be able to fit 33" tires. The best all terrain tire is the BFG AT IMHO.
Click to expand...

Thanks!

I have been looking at OME and who do you suggest I deal with?
 
Well,
I am learning real quick about toyotas... I understand the 3.0 isn't the best engine out there.

So, I have found a 3.4 5vze-fe and we will be doing an engine swap.

Wish me luck!
 
One large issue with the 3.4 swap. You'll need the trans and t case and custom drive lines front and rear it will have to be from a t100
 
541joseph said:
One large issue with the 3.4 swap. You'll need the trans and t case and custom drive lines front and rear it will have to be from a t100
Click to expand...

From what I read, the A340 transmission will bolt right up. The only issue that they have is the speed sensor for the auto trans. If you use a 95-98 T100 ECM this will not be a problem.

I have a Japan engine on the way and also have a ECM from a 1995 T100 with 5vz and auto 4x4 on the way.

Please correct me if I am wrong.
 
It will bolt up. From what I've read is that the torque converters are different and they are simi computer controlled and then you are going to pull the computer out of it because it's the ecu as well.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Members online

Total: 154 (members: 1, guests: 153)

Forum statistics

Threads
278,309
Messages
3,554,071
Members
248,016
Latest member
Advally Service

Share this page

Trending content

Back
Top