MonsterMaxx
New member
Some lights are in the house
New to us '97 4runner Limited, 250kmi. Eek, what a project
- Thread starter MonsterMaxx
- Start date
GearHead899
New member
Some lights are in the house
nice! planning to mount these to the custom bumper?
MonsterMaxx
New member
It'll be similar in style to this
Still trying to talk wifey into the winch...not making a lot of progress.
GearHead899
New member
nice. Just tell her if she doesnt get a winch then she has to get a come-along. and if it ever gets stuck then she will be the one using the come-along lol
MonsterMaxx
New member
Her point is she'll never take it offroad to begin with.
My argument is 'yea, but it's cool'
Her b-day is coming up, but somehow I don't think this is what she wants. Then of course there's v-day
My argument is 'yea, but it's cool'
Her b-day is coming up, but somehow I don't think this is what she wants. Then of course there's v-day
MonsterMaxx
New member
Just got under there w/ a powerwasher.
The rack bushings are gone and falling out. So are the front diff mount bushings.
The rack bushings are gone and falling out. So are the front diff mount bushings.
MonsterMaxx
New member
Oh crap...
The condenser is shoved into the radiator. I totally missed this. It's obvious now that it's not all covered in crud. Still I should not have missed this.
A condenser is $100 from Orileys, but I'm having trouble finding a multi core radiator.
Any suggestions for a heavy duty one?
The condenser is shoved into the radiator. I totally missed this. It's obvious now that it's not all covered in crud. Still I should not have missed this.
A condenser is $100 from Orileys, but I'm having trouble finding a multi core radiator.
Any suggestions for a heavy duty one?
JBurt
Senior Member
Here is the oem radiator. I've never heard of any problems with it. Mine has never overheated on steep hill climbs in 110+ weather.
This one is cheaper than through a dealership and some complain about poor packaging, but if it comes damaged you could always return it. You might get a condeser cheaper from a part out in the classifieds.
Any pics?
MonsterMaxx
New member
missing link
JBurt
Senior Member
If I had a nickel for every time I've done that.
https://www.amazon.com/Denso-221-05...qid=1485465130&sr=8-3&keywords=denso+radiator
https://www.amazon.com/Denso-221-05...qid=1485465130&sr=8-3&keywords=denso+radiator
fblainen11
New member
A little backstory
Wifey had a '15 F150, but the pmts were killing us so we sold it just before Christmas. Then she wrecked my F350
Not totaled, but rearended pretty bad. Geico (the other driver's ins co) is screwing us over and who knows how long it'll be before they have it jury rigged back together with cheap chinese parts. I'm going to put it back to stock and sell the wreckage. Maybe buy a new one, maybe just sell off the parts and be done with it. I loved that truck.
I'm driving my old '94 (details in sig)
It's a 5spd and wifey can't drive stick.
So we bought her a project. A 1997 4runner w/ 250kmi on it for $4.2k out the door. Did a compression test in the lot and it's 175-185psi which I consider to be pretty good. Tires are good for 20-30kmi. Brakes are pretty well done. Shocks are gone. Motor is leaking from at least the valve covers. Body and frame are rust free clean SC/NC life. Paint is rough as are the seats. It's not a rat, but it's not clean either.
I'm going to try to turn it into a sweet ride like my '94 is. I built those tube bumpers on my '94 back in the late 90s and will do something similar on the 4runner. Had wifey all convinced on my stage 1 plan; and decided I need to add a winch since it's a one time deal - now or never.
Stage 1 plan is:
Sororan Steel 7.2 suspension kit
4crawler 1" body lift
EBC cross drilled and slotted rotors, Wagner pads and shoes, stock drums.
Fix the massive valve cover leaks that make me want to name it 'stinky'.
Custom F&R bumpers, Warn VR8-S winch and custom sliders.
Trans cooler and eliminate the radiator portion of trans cooling
All fluids flushed and replaced w/ synthetics
Stage 2 plan will be:
Paint job
replace misc window trim pieces
recover seats and re-pad the fronts
Wheels and tires - Nitto TG2 LT305/65R18 and IDK on wheels yet, but 9" wide w/ I'm guessing a -12 offset. Put the outside of the tire even w/ the fender flairs. Probably paint to match.
Stage 3 gets a rebuilt motor and trans valve body rework, maybe rebuild the trans entirely - TBD.
Stage 4 is a supercharger, headers & exhaust as well as stereo/nav
I'd like to get thru stage 2 this year and I think that's feasible. As long as it doesn't turn into a money pit.
All advice is welcome and input on my plan. Please help me avoid any pitfalls.
I saw someone replace the front seats with Corbeau seats. It came out really nice and he said he gained 1" of headroom. May want to look into that.
MonsterMaxx
New member
Those are really nice, but at $1k for just one seat (not even including brackets) that's way out of budget. Nice tip tho, I'll consider them for my '94 someday
poleclimber63
Member
A little backstory
Wifey had a '15 F150, but the pmts were killing us so we sold it just before Christmas. Then she wrecked my F350
Not totaled, but rearended pretty bad. Geico (the other driver's ins co) is screwing us over and who knows how long it'll be before they have it jury rigged back together with cheap chinese parts. I'm going to put it back to stock and sell the wreckage. Maybe buy a new one, maybe just sell off the parts and be done with it. I loved that truck.
I'm driving my old '94 (details in sig)
It's a 5spd and wifey can't drive stick.
So we bought her a project. A 1997 4runner w/ 250kmi on it for $4.2k out the door. Did a compression test in the lot and it's 175-185psi which I consider to be pretty good. Tires are good for 20-30kmi. Brakes are pretty well done. Shocks are gone. Motor is leaking from at least the valve covers. Body and frame are rust free clean SC/NC life. Paint is rough as are the seats. It's not a rat, but it's not clean either.
I'm going to try to turn it into a sweet ride like my '94 is. I built those tube bumpers on my '94 back in the late 90s and will do something similar on the 4runner. Had wifey all convinced on my stage 1 plan; and decided I need to add a winch since it's a one time deal - now or never.
Stage 1 plan is:
Sororan Steel 7.2 suspension kit
4crawler 1" body lift
EBC cross drilled and slotted rotors, Wagner pads and shoes, stock drums.
Fix the massive valve cover leaks that make me want to name it 'stinky'.
Custom F&R bumpers, Warn VR8-S winch and custom sliders.
Trans cooler and eliminate the radiator portion of trans cooling
All fluids flushed and replaced w/ synthetics
Stage 2 plan will be:
Paint job
replace misc window trim pieces
recover seats and re-pad the fronts
Wheels and tires - Nitto TG2 LT305/65R18 and IDK on wheels yet, but 9" wide w/ I'm guessing a -12 offset. Put the outside of the tire even w/ the fender flairs. Probably paint to match.
Stage 3 gets a rebuilt motor and trans valve body rework, maybe rebuild the trans entirely - TBD.
Stage 4 is a supercharger, headers & exhaust as well as stereo/nav
I'd like to get thru stage 2 this year and I think that's feasible. As long as it doesn't turn into a money pit.
All advice is welcome and input on my plan. Please help me avoid any pitfalls.
Wow, big plans! Stage 1 sounds great--- consider replacing the LBJ's-- this is a serious design weakness and there are lots of threads here that demonstrate the result of a failure. http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/149467-official-lower-ball-joint-write-up-thread.html
Also consider the Tundra brake upgrade--- cost won't be a whole lot different than what you mentioned, but with better braking power.
Check it out: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-g...ements-231mm-13wl-tundra-calipers-rotors.html
Stage 2 great---- when I considered the seat issue, I debated with good quality seat covers or reupholstery, I ended up ordering the seat covers and then came across a thread where a guy got his seats redone for a little more than my seat covers cost. I still don't regret my decision but reupholstered seats would have been nice. The rest of your upgrades will work and look great.
A paint job and your list beyond stage 2 is a really serious and very expensive investment... I applaud your ambition!
I would love to do more, I've done some of what you're planning, definitely less aggressive, and I'm into it to the tune of at least $5k (with the engine) in upgrades. That's without a paint job, as mine had a faultless body. I've done an engine replacement, brakes, a few misc items, tires and suspension. If you can weld up some bumpers, that could save you a bundle.
I'll be watching with anticipation to see your project progress!
Welcome!
By the way, love your 94'!
Last edited:
MonsterMaxx
New member
I got half way thru the valve cover gaskets. Right up to the point where the powerwasher soaked me in 40° weather. Walked into the house, kicked off my soaking wet shoes and said "I'm done".
It ate one of my sockets too. About out of 10mm sockets Don't worry, it was before I had the valve covers off so it's not inside the engine.
Pulled the bumper too, not too bad but the radiator support is pushed in at the headlamp bucket. Wondering if I need an hour on the frame machine or just hammer and dolly it.
Spent almost $400 on fluids & filters!!!
Back at it tomorrow...
It ate one of my sockets too. About out of 10mm sockets
Don't worry, it was before I had the valve covers off so it's not inside the engine.Pulled the bumper too, not too bad but the radiator support is pushed in at the headlamp bucket. Wondering if I need an hour on the frame machine or just hammer and dolly it.
Spent almost $400 on fluids & filters!!!
Back at it tomorrow...
MonsterMaxx
New member
Well &*(^, last bolt in the torque sequence on the valve cover and the cover snapped.
Anyone want a half put together POS? Free to a good home.
Anyone want a half put together POS? Free to a good home.
MonsterMaxx
New member
OK, still freeking hate working on cars, but went to my local pick and pull today and got a valve cover. Powerwashed it (getting most of it blown back in my face.) Just letting it dry now and will continue on the adventure.
Also got a ship notif from the suspension guy. Still waiting on the body lift guy, but I have enough to keep me busy in the meantime.
Also received the steel for the bumpers. It's sort of amazing/discouraging looking at all this fresh steel and imagining how it will go together...100hrs later.
Also got a ship notif from the suspension guy. Still waiting on the body lift guy, but I have enough to keep me busy in the meantime.
Also received the steel for the bumpers. It's sort of amazing/discouraging looking at all this fresh steel and imagining how it will go together...100hrs later.
MonsterMaxx
New member
The winch is here, it's a cute little thing, so tiny
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