New Member to site 91T4R ready to build, help!

[Roger Ramjet]

Hello everybody. I am new to the forum. After visiting many forums I decided to land here based on the skill level, enthusiasm and comradry I have seen from most everybody.
Here's my story; I enherited a 1991 Toyota 4 Runner. 4 door, two wheel drive SR5 V6 automatic. The little truck is super clean, great shape. Now here we go. I want to turn this into a really capable offroad cruiser. I want to keep some civility onroad, but capable enough for offroading trips. I like the T4R because there is sufficient room for gear and a passenger (wife) so we can adventure offroad on long trips. I have a great deal of fabrication and design experience in other areas but don't know the 4wheelin lingo, options or opportunities. I know I need axles, transfer case, suspension, lift, etc to just get to the 4x4 stage. But what? Has anybody been where I want to go? I don't mind the work, in fact I look forward to it very much. any suggestions? Wisdom? I know this is the beginning of a long road of fabrication and frustration, but with everyones help and advice, maybe I will see some of you in the woods someday soon.
PS. I'm new to the whole forum experience, so bear with me while I get my feet wet.

 

[fourwd1]

Find a 79-85 (84-85 if possible) p/u or Runner with a complete drivetrain to swap over for a donor .

You can buy a Solid Axle Swap (SAS) kit from any of a half dozen vendors, or fab your own (that's what I did). You can get new spring packs from them also.

To mount up the 4WD trans/t-case get a t-case x-member/skidplate combo from BudBuilt. Tell him what you're doing and he'll fix you up with u-bolt mount version.

Then start cutting off all the 2WD IFS suspension.

Things like tires, gearing, lockers can be added depending on the type of wheeling you want to do.

 

[tonytoyrunner]

pics

Please post some pics so it is easier to see what you are working with.
Thanks in advance

 

[fourwd1]

Bring me ...


















a shrubbery


















Nee !!

 

[Four Runner]

Bring me ...

a shrubbery

Nee !!

Not many who hear this utterance survive!!!

PING!!!


LMAO!!! But it's pronounced as "Ni."

Anyhow, here ya go...
http://www.answers.com/topic/knights-who-say-ni

 

[fourwd1]

We are pleased

 

[Alabama4Runner]

Hello everybody. I am new to the forum. After visiting many forums I decided to land here based on the skill level, enthusiasm and comradry I have seen from most everybody.
Here's my story; I enherited a 1991 Toyota 4 Runner. 4 door, two wheel drive SR5 V6 automatic. The little truck is super clean, great shape. Now here we go. I want to turn this into a really capable offroad cruiser. I want to keep some civility onroad, but capable enough for offroading trips. I like the T4R because there is sufficient room for gear and a passenger (wife) so we can adventure offroad on long trips. I have a great deal of fabrication and design experience in other areas but don't know the 4wheelin lingo, options or opportunities. I know I need axles, transfer case, suspension, lift, etc to just get to the 4x4 stage. But what? Has anybody been where I want to go? I don't mind the work, in fact I look forward to it very much. any suggestions? Wisdom? I know this is the beginning of a long road of fabrication and frustration, but with everyones help and advice, maybe I will see some of you in the woods someday soon.
PS. I'm new to the whole forum experience, so bear with me while I get my feet wet.

Man, my hat's off to you...and welcome. I for one cannot imagine trying to turn a 2wd, automatic, 4Runner into a 4WD trail machine. If you're totally attached to that one then proceed but just realize it's going to cost big time.

You just might, maybe, consider looking for a similar one in 4WD and selling yours. I'm not trying to discourage you but I want to make sure you know what you're getting into.

 

[fourwd1]

H'mmm, I just reread your 1st post and saw you have the 3.0 V6.

My suggestions were based on you having the 22RE 4 cyl.

The 79-85 donor's tranny/t-case would bolt right up and the solid front axle could be swapped in in-place of the IFS.

V6 complicates things.









And I know how it's pronounced, didn't know the correct spelling.

Bring me another shrubbery :biggrin2:

 

[Four Runner]

t's not that hard, really, just money's needed...
Converting over to 4wd isn't all that involved actually, just grab a front axle, spring kit, and inchworm adapter and box and you're ready to go.

Yeah, that's a bit oversimplified, but it's been done and isn't that hard. Actually, cut time's a bit reduced because half of the drivetrains already done.

Here, read Blake's 3rd gen Conversion:

http://www.ultimateyota.com/index.p...26&topic=1278.0

Any questions anybody has on this just contact :

inchwormgear.com

 

[Four Runner]

Must we find a match, for a walkway??

 

[Four Runner]

Awwww, Sir Spammalot not replying, or if a legit thread, why not reply???

I was having so much fun...

 

[Roger Ramjet]

Gentlemen (and I use that term loosely) I am looking now for a tranny, transfer and axle solution. I would like to put some big Dana'a under it but then of course I would need a motor to turn them, (?)and things just keep growing from there. (not that I am opposed to an engine swap in this process)(after all now would be the time to do it) This little truck has sentimental value or I might just sell or trade. Actually, I would replace everything anyway, so why not start here? I am over half way to getting the garage cleaned out so I can roll this one in and start tearing into it.

 

[Roger Ramjet]

It's a simple question of weight ratios! A five ounce bird could not carry a one pound coconut.
Listen. In order to maintain air-speed velocity, a swallow needs to beat its wings forty-three times every second, right? Am I right?

 

[elripster]

Gentlemen (and I use that term loosely) I am looking now for a tranny, transfer and axle solution. I would like to put some big Dana'a under it but then of course I would need a motor to turn them, (?)and things just keep growing from there. (not that I am opposed to an engine swap in this process)(after all now would be the time to do it) This little truck has sentimental value or I might just sell or trade. Actually, I would replace everything anyway, so why not start here? I am over half way to getting the garage cleaned out so I can roll this one in and start tearing into it.

First off, are going to wheel trails where you will be getting body damage? No? You do NOT need a solid axle. Heck the IFS will take you down and back on trails that will give you body damage.

It's 2wd. Find a junk yard or other wrecked truck like yours with 4wd. swap over components. You now have 4wd.

If you have money to burn, install an ARB air locker or equivalent in the rear axle. While that is done is a good time to regear. Actually, since you will have to source a front third member, I would install the lockers/gears at the same time. Search on sizes vs gears and you'll can decide what you want.

Install a mild lift kit and save that money for bumpers/sliders, things you actually will need regardless of suspension mods.

Go wheeling and see what you think. If you want to get more radical and don't mind trashing the body then go SAS.

And, the Toyota axle is fine, no need for a Dana but Danas are good. You do not need and engine swap, just regear it for the tires size.

If you want on road manners with off road prowess, you want the largest tires (say 33's), lockers(selectable like ARB), correct gears (5.71's with the auto and 33's) with least lift (search on ball joint spacers). Spend dough on armor.

Frank

 

[Roger Ramjet]

Thanks for the advice. Since i am sourcing 4wd parts anyways, and I agree that a donor 4wd is the smart way to go, what about shocks and options here. I am really trying to plan this thing smart, and do all of the work necessary as it progresses and not continually tear down and add on, just to tear it down again later on for something I should or could have done in the first place, like shock towers or bars or winch patforms, or welding of any kind? or something I am unfamiliar with or forgetting?

 

[Roger Ramjet]

And you made reference to a mild lift. Is that a suspension lift, body lift, both? What are the prcticalities of "lifts" I understand I think that body lifts are for tire/mechanical clearance issues and suspension lifts are for performance? Is that correct? Who builds the best lift components. Who has a recommendation with any of these and can relate the proces story?

 

[elripster]

Thanks for the advice. Since i am sourcing 4wd parts anyways, and I agree that a donor 4wd is the smart way to go, what about shocks and options here. I am really trying to plan this thing smart, and do all of the work necessary as it progresses and not continually tear down and add on, just to tear it down again later on for something I should or could have done in the first place, like shock towers or bars or winch patforms, or welding of any kind? or something I am unfamiliar with or forgetting?

You are asking the right questions, but the answers are deep.

Let's start with the type of wheeling you want to do. If you know, great, if not that's Ok. If you haven't been into the sport, I do NOT recommend cutting out the IFS. You can do some hard trails with IFS and you'll learn to drive better. If you get serious into rock crawling, honestly, I'd find an older pick up, build a custom flat bed for it, SAS, and have at it. 4runners have a lot of sheet metal so I typically don't recommend them for rock crawling due to the inescapable body damage when wheeling severe terrain.

How about we take this angle. I'll give you some things to research, check 'em out, and get back to us. I could type pages on this stuff but it's been done already.

1) Gears and lockers are what makes for a capable rig. Worn 31's with a locker will out wheel huge lift and tires any day. Read up on selectable Vs. auto lockers Vs. limited slips. With the auto, 4.88's for 31's, 5.29's for 32's and 5.71's for 33's. You can fit 33X10.5's with little to no lift. 33X12.5's you can do with a small body lift.

2) Lifts come in these categories in order from cheapest to most expensive: Ball joint spacer, bracket 4", solid axle swap, and long travel. I make the ball joint spacer lifts but do my absolute best to be unbiased in my advice to others. For spacers lifts, go to www.sdori.com and check out the vendors. They take our stuff and package them in kits where you can get the shocks, etc... all at once. Bracket style lifts you'll find at places like 4wheel parts. Allpro, Marlin, and others make solid axle kits. Total Chaos and Camburg are good starts for long travel kits. Body lifts are often combined with the spacer lifts to inexpensively fit 33X12.5's.

3) Lower is better because it is less tippy and gets better fuel economy.

4) Armor is important. Marlin Crawler and others make good bumpers, rock sliders, etc...

Your truck will be rather capable stock so do some upgrading, wheel it, and see what you think. If you keep it streetable you'll find there's lots of fun things and cool places it will take you from mild to wild.

Frank

 

[Roger Ramjet]

Wow! Thanks for the info. As for what type of wheelin. I have some practical experience over the years offroad. No rock crawling but some seriously good fun. I mostly want to be able to pack everything in the T4R (incl wife) and hit the road. We have seen some offroad adventures and trips on TV of a week or two in duration travelling from one place to another, like the MOAB or West TX, etc and want to be totally self contained but don't want to sit on the sidelines and watch others having all the fun either. I agree that crawling is best left to the hardcore frame and as little sheet metal as possible. I am looking for a good combination, with decency on the road. If push comes to shoev I'll take trail over street. I guess I envision a little safari rig with roof rack and gas cans! If I get to crawling, I am perfectly content to trailer in and wrecker out. Mostly I want dependability, and something I can service in the brush when needed.

 

[fourwd1]

... If you haven't been into the sport, I do NOT recommend cutting out the IFS. You can do some hard trails with IFS and you'll learn to drive better.

Did I miss something ??

He wants to convert his 2WD truck to 4WD and you want him to keep it IFS ??
You want him to swap an IFS 4WD front axle and suspension into a 2WD truck ??
That's freaking nuts. He might as well take all his money and burn it.

 

[elripster]

Did I miss something ??

He wants to convert his 2WD truck to 4WD and you want him to keep it IFS ??
You want him to swap an IFS 4WD front axle and suspension into a 2WD truck ??
That's freaking nuts. He might as well take all his money and burn it.

Did you miss something? Are you serious? He has a 4RUNNER. If I have to say more you are not qualified to take part in this discussion.

Frank