Octanejunkie's T4R project - 99 SR5 4WD 5-speed

[octanejunkie]

Making my way through this. The new truck is looking great.



I am curious what paint brand and color you used for the wheels? I am going to reprint mine sometime in the next 3 months.

Thanks, it's been a fun project and a very capable rig on and off road

I used Dupli-Color HWP102 Graphite High Performance Wheel Paint https://a.co/d/1cB7ClB

Scuffed with 400 grit, cleaned and 3-4 coats per wheel, then, I finished with 2-3 coats of Dupli-Color HWP106 Matte Clearcoat https://a.co/d/4PUWFDJ

I have scraped the paint off in several spots and am about to touch them up probably skipping the clear coat

Another option Jordan used was Krylon Fusion All-In-One Spray Paint, they have a similar color. He's had it listed in his build thread, IIRC

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[Romeo1]

Finally got through reading this build. So many great builds on this site. I really like why you’ve done with your 4wd 4runner OctaneJunkie. Just a really nice clean build overall. The FMU is just cool. Your build kind of has a lot of things that I have already or want.

It seems like your still netting some really decent mpg numbers still even with your 4.88 axles too.

The rear bumper, how you liking it so far? I look and I look, yet I keep coming back to the 4XI. Would you do it again? The single swing, do you find it to work well, or is it hard to handle? I still want mine to be able to be opened by my wife and the boys if they need to. Wished I could come touch and look at one in person. I keep looking at the victory, 4 x 4 bumper also. The price on the victory is a bit steep too…..

But after watching some of the videos of people operating dual swings, I almost wonder if the single swing wouldn’t be less hassle overall. Since it you don’t have reach in down low in the middle to unlatch which requires bending in, from the looks of it at least. It looks like you can operate the 4XI swing out while standing up and close it while standing upright also.

Dumb question, the combo of 4.88 axles and 33” tires. If you had to do it again, would you go the same way? Or would you go with a different direction as far as ratio or tire sizes?

Thank you for your insight!

 

[octanejunkie]

Finally got through reading this build. So many great builds on this site. I really like why you’ve done with your 4wd 4runner OctaneJunkie. Just a really nice clean build overall. The FMU is just cool. Your build kind of has a lot of things that I have already or want.

It seems like your still netting some really decent mpg numbers still even with your 4.88 axles too.

The rear bumper, how you liking it so far? I look and I look, yet I keep coming back to the 4XI. Would you do it again? The single swing, do you find it to work well, or is it hard to handle? I still want mine to be able to be opened by my wife and the boys if they need to. Wished I could come touch and look at one in person. I keep looking at the victory, 4 x 4 bumper also. The price on the victory is a bit steep too…..

But after watching some of the videos of people operating dual swings, I almost wonder if the single swing wouldn’t be less hassle overall. Since it you don’t have reach in down low in the middle to unlatch which requires bending in, from the looks of it at least. It looks like you can operate the 4XI swing out while standing up and close it while standing upright also.

Dumb question, the combo of 4.88 axles and 33” tires. If you had to do it again, would you go the same way? Or would you go with a different direction as far as ratio or tire sizes?

Thank you for your insight!

Thanks for the kind words [MENTION=643801]Romeo1[/MENTION] I'm looking forward to your build thread!

Fuel economy is mostly how I drive, which is generally more spirited, but I try to keep it under 3k RPM which means 69 mph in 5th gear and 35 psi, other than that, I'm happy with the tire/gear combo, it kicks ass on trail. A lot of thought went into the selection.

If I were to do it again, and I still may, I'd consider 4.30 or 4.56 gears to be more freeway friendly and add a crawl box. MC has their Taco Box on sale this weekend with free shipping and it's really tempting... I think I crawl enough that it would be worth it.

I really like the 4xi rear bumper, zero regret installing it; it's beefy af. I considered dual swing for a while, and after seeing my friends who have them, it's literally twice the work to open and close; plus a high lift jack would have to stand upright. That detail seems meaningless, but those jacks are heavy and the rear sees a lot of jerking and lurching; I prefer the jack as it is now, lateral across the rear, and in an orientation to roll with the vehicle' momentum vs let it's mass work against the momentum. I also like the tire being offset to the passenger side, but I may mod the mount to angle the tire for a better departure angle.

The FMU has some neato factor to it but I'm not sold 100% the altimeter is not accurate without constant adjustment, and I'm not typically lost and in need of a compass. The barometer is actually kinda neat to predict changes in the weather and I have yet to hook up the temp sensor - it's not been a priority.

Most of my next efforts are focused around electrical needs: charging, storage and lights - and installing my winch. Oh, and my coilovers, too.



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[octanejunkie]

Weekend update 252,455

Lost a set of lower rear shock bushings, bolt and washer last weekend. Replaced all from the dealer except the large outer washer, got a SS thick fender washer at Ace

Land cruiser shock bushings
90385-19003

4runner shock bolt
91619-G1222

Reinstalled both with loctite and 47 # feet of torque, bottomed out bolts.

Installed my 9500# Smittybuilt Gen2 XRC winch, finally. Upgraded from steel cable and roller fairlead to synthetic line and hawse fairlead - which saved about 50#

Had to cut the grille and bumper to fit properly. I didn't want to extend the control cables and the free-spool handle contacted something in every orientation except one, so I had to notch the bumper to allow the handle swing.

Future upgrades include a switched solenoid to power the winch only when needed and a quick disconnect to make bumper removal easier.

WARN 63001 Solenoid / Power Interrupt
https://a.co/d/gSGnaik

2-4 Gauge Battery Quick Connect/Disconnect Wire Harness Plug Connector Recovery Winch Trailer, Pack of 2, Red
https://a.co/d/h7YYXNQ

 

[brillo_76]

Lots of progress making it the way you want it to be.

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[Mark_BC]

I lost a shock bolt, bushing and washer too, only a couple km from home. I retraced my steps but couldn't find it. But I did find in the gutter a circular rubber thing that I shaped with a razor blade to fit like a bushing. And I had a rusty bent up old washer I found on the trail. And I had a spare bolt from the wreckers that was longer than the original so even better. That lasted quite a while until I decided to replace them with proper components before my long trip last summer. Shows what you can do with stuff you find on the ground...

 

[octanejunkie]

I lost a shock bolt, bushing and washer too, only a couple km from home. I retraced my steps but couldn't find it. But I did find in the gutter a circular rubber thing that I shaped with a razor blade to fit like a bushing. And I had a rusty bent up old washer I found on the trail. And I had a spare bolt from the wreckers that was longer than the original so even better. That lasted quite a while until I decided to replace them with proper components before my long trip last summer. Shows what you can do with stuff you find on the ground...

I had a bunch of extra hardware that worked/got me going. I now carry a spare pair of bushings. I also like the longer bolt option, not sure why the factory bolt is so short when the entire mount is threaded.

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[octanejunkie]

Trail Run : Gold Mountain 3N69
November 20, 2022

Ran it 2 weeks ago with a couple of friends in 3rd Gens. Weather was great, we got lucky considering what happened...

Started with the gatekeeper at the bottom

Ed got stuck, had to winch him out. That's me with the crow bar and gloves after unraveling his winch cable off the spool. I hate metal cables lol

On our way, I'm the lead truck, Daryl photo documented the run.

I didn't realize the first waterfall was an obstacle and drove right up it. The others had to get pics and video

Swapped spots for the next waterfall, Ed went first. There were 2 lines and a bypass, we all decided the harder, left line was the way to go and I followed.

The trick here was to bump it which is easier for an automatic, it was a rite of passage for me, and I made it; Daryl was not so lucky... something went pop and we had to winch him up. That was a good time for lunch!

Steak tacos ala Chef Ed

We watched a few other try, and a brand new FJ roasted his trans. It was comical to watch the group behind us, and the 3 groups behind them, negotiating the obstacles of emotions

After lunch Daryl realized he had no rear drive and we decided to take the last bypass out, but that was not to be; Daryl's passenger CV decided to exit the chat and we had to start wrenching.

His axle nut was so tight we had to hit it with PB Blaster and a torch - a 24" breaker bar alone wouldn't do it.

Once we got the CV axle out we realized why the CV failed, the passenger diff mount was bent, a replacement CV would not work.

He needed an axle stub to keep the wheel bearing together so we separated the birfield joint and bolted it all back up sans center axle shaft. It was dark now.

Daryl had already called in the troops (his brothers) who were on their way with a spare 3rd member, rear axles, etc since he had no drive - so we began to tear down the rear end.

Ed and I left as the cavalry was on their way up, we passed them at the first waterfall. I got home at midnight, Daryl got off the trail at 2:30 AM. We all went to work the next day.

All in all, I had the least damage. I sheared the zerk fitting off my driveshaft at the pinion, and greased the entire rear end of my undercarriage on the way home, and almost scraped off my axle drain plug

Ed trashed his fender flares and reduced his fuel tank volume some more. Daryl won by a long shot, he's replacing both diffs and gears and a CV axle. Nothing a wallet can't fix.

 

[JZiggy]

Whoa, you guys really had quite the time out there.

I'm interested in what rear diff armor you plan to invest in now I've been thinking about that myself.

 

[habanero]

....and add a crawl box. MC has their Taco Box on sale this weekend with free shipping and it's really tempting... I think I crawl enough that it would be worth it.

As another stick driver that does a little bumpity bump....worth it. If you've got a(nother) wad of dough to throw at the truck, whichever of the few kinds that are available, worth it.

 

[Romeo1]

I had a bunch of extra hardware that worked/got me going. I now carry a spare pair of bushings. I also like the longer bolt option, not sure why the factory bolt is so short when the entire mount is threaded.

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Loctite. Loctite Loctite Loctite.

Yeah, it’s one more thing to do. But man, does it save on lots of headaches. Especially on snowmobiles because they vibrate so bad.

 

[octanejunkie]

Whoa, you guys really had quite the time out there.

I'm interested in what rear diff armor you plan to invest in now I've been thinking about that myself.

$30 from Opt Off Road

As another stick driver that does a little bumpity bump....worth it. If you've got a(nother) wad of dough to throw at the truck, whichever of the few kinds that are available, worth it.

It is sitting in my cart right now, but if I hadn't done 488 gears already it would have been a no-brainer. I think I need to sit it out until I plan on re-earing, again.

Loctite. Loctite Loctite Loctite.

Yup. I have a bottle of blue, and a tube of red gel on the truck at all times now.

 

[Romeo1]

Gnarly trail for sure! Looks like a great time though.

That’s the trick, push and get the right momentum to get over, but don’t bump so hard to break things. Impressive to bend up a front and rear axle.

I need to go wheeling in California one of these days. Thanks for the pictures!

 

[Romeo1]

$30 from Opt Off Road

It is sitting in my cart right now, but if I hadn't done 488 gears already it would have been a no-brainer. I think I need to sit it out until I plan on re-earing, again.



Yup. I have a bottle of blue, and a tube of red gel on the truck at all times now.

Red? I like the commitment! Man I hate red…… stuff needs a smoke wrench half the time to remove.

What are you thinking for gears on the next round?

 

[octanejunkie]

Red? I like the commitment! Man I hate red…… stuff needs a smoke wrench half the time to remove.

What are you thinking for gears on the next round?

Red is on very few things, uniball LBJ center bolts, hawse fairlead bolts

With a crawl box I'd go 4.30 or 4.56 max to keep it freeway friendly

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[habanero]

With a crawl box I'd go 4.30 or 4.56 max to keep it freeway friendly

With 1:1 for daily would you need to re-gear? I'm sensing a learning opportunity for myself here, I currently have 4.30s and no plans, but am as curious as ever.

 

[octanejunkie]

With 1:1 for daily would you need to re-gear? I'm sensing a learning opportunity for myself here, I currently have 4.30s and no plans, but am as curious as ever.

I have 4.88 gears now, 75 mi an hour puts me at around 3,200 RPM with 33" tires in 5th gear.

An underdrive, crawl box, with a ratio of 4.7, on top of the 2.57 reduction that I have now would net me a first gear ratio of:

198.98:1 in 1st gear with 4.30 rear gears
225.76:1 in 1st gear with 4.88 rear gears
(grim jeeper calc)

A crawl box does nothing to my 1:1 drive ratio, so fifth gear at 75 mph is still 3,2000 RPM with 4.88 gears versus 2,800 RPM with 4.30 gears.

The benefit of adding a crawl box to gain a 198:1 final drive ratio, and still having freeway friendly gears every day, is more relevant to me than 226:1 once in a while.

Meaning, if I would have considered a crawl box before regearing, I would not have gone past 4.30 or 4.56.

Don't need to do anything, you've got the better setup for a crawl box with freeway friendly gears. I'm envious.

That being said, a crawl box would make a lot of sense if I were to SAS my 4Runner and gain articulation, because I would be regearing then anyway...

Make sense?

 

[habanero]

I have 4.88 gears now, 75 mi an hour puts me at around 3,200 RPM with 33" tires in 5th gear.

An underdrive, crawl box, with a ratio of 4.7, on top of the 2.57 reduction that I have now would net me a first gear ratio of:

198.98:1 in 1st gear with 4.30 rear gears
225.76:1 in 1st gear with 4.88 rear gears
(grim jeeper calc)

A crawl box does nothing to my 1:1 drive ratio, so fifth gear at 75 mph is still 3,2000 RPM with 4.88 gears versus 2,800 RPM with 4.30 gears.

The benefit of adding a crawl box to gain a 198:1 final drive ratio, and still having freeway friendly gears every day, is more relevant to me than 226:1 once in a while.

Meaning, if I would have considered a crawl box before regearing, I would not have gone past 4.30 or 4.56.

Don't need to do anything, you've got the better setup for a crawl box with freeway friendly gears. I'm envious.

That being said, a crawl box would make a lot of sense if I were to SAS my 4Runner and gain articulation, because I would be regearing then anyway...

Make sense?

Thanks for taking the time for that. Think of the naps you could take!

 

[Romeo1]

I’m trying to plan ahead accordingly gearing wise also. I definitely don’t want to do it twice. Both of you have manual transmissions though. My Automatic is geared a lot differently looking at the Grimm jeeper calculator.

Decisions decisions…..I wonder if I just go whole hog down the road to financial ruin and step into an atlas? Gets me into 2 choices of low range and away from making the extra sticks work. Would be spendy, but it definitely solves the packaging issue. Mmmm.

 

[Romeo1]

Thanks for taking the time for that. Think of the naps you could take!

Yeah, thanks for the insight for sure.