Ol' Ruby build thread

[Romeo1]

Your going to enjoy that suspension setup and tire size. It gives it a great look, all kinds of capability, and it takes you as far as you get to go without cutting, smashing, banging or rubbing the body, frame or suspension. Still fit the spare underneath too.

I’m struggling to commit to a swing out tire carrier bumper. Something tells me that I’ll get tired of having to swing out a 4 foot bar every time.

You setup can wheel great, probably still fit tire chains, and still get great mpg. Last Moab trip mine did 19mpg doing 70 with my wife driving it while I towed the rv back with the Cummins.

You’ll be surprised at how many people will just come up to you and comment on your 4runner randomly how much they like how it looks with how you have it setup.

 

[Romeo1]

Awesome job on the rebuild too. Most people can’t even appreciate how many man hours go into that kind of project.

 

[brillo_76]

Awesome job on the rebuild too. Most people can’t even appreciate how many man hours go into that kind of project.

Yes. The OP is doing a great job. Takes a pile of time to do what was done.

Sent from my SM-A505U using Tapatalk

 

[cl4Rk]

Drained the ATF pan. As far as I can tell, the fluid looks OK. Dark but not totally black. Definitely smells old but not burnt (I think, although I don’t have much experience). No sludge or particulates that I could detect with a paper towel or magnet.

So, I think it’s time for a DIY flush, and then I’ll drop the pan, clean the magnets, and replace the filter. I have about 27 quarts of Valvoline MaxLife for the flush. The Magnefine filter only has about 200 miles on it, so I’ll leave that in place and change it at my next drain and fill (every 10k miles).

[ In case it makes a difference, the photo was taken on an overcast day ]

If anyone thinks that ATF does not look OK, or thinks that my plan needs to be different, I’m all ears!!

The pan was dropped at some point, but at least 12 years and 100k miles ago. (Previous owner says he didn’t do anything to the transmission. Original owner must have, since there’s a rubber gasket instead of Toyota FIPG.)

 

[cl4Rk]

Time for the DIY ATF flush.

 

[MTRunner00]

Looking awesome so far. Enjoyed reading through this. Thanks for posting the before and after ride height info. It has helped me a ton when deciding which lift to install on my 3rd gen.

 

[Bad Luck]

If anyone thinks that ATF does not look OK, or thinks that my plan needs to be different, I’m all ears!!

The pan was dropped at some point, but at least 12 years and 100k miles ago. (Previous owner says he didn’t do anything to the transmission. Original owner must have, since there’s a rubber gasket instead of Toyota FIPG.)

That fluid looks pretty good to me

 

[cl4Rk]

All in all, I pushed about 24 quarts through the transmission system. For the last several quarts it was coming out looking bright red. No sludge or particulates in any of the old fluid.

At this point, I’m pretty sure I don’t need to drop the pan and change the filter. But I already have all the parts from Toyota, so I’ll get to it eventually, but no rush.

 

[brillo_76]

All in all, I pushed about 24 quarts through the transmission system. For the last several quarts it was coming out looking bright red. No sludge or particulates in any of the old fluid.

At this point, I’m pretty sure I don’t need to drop the pan or change the filter. But I already have all the parts from Toyota, so I’ll get to it eventually, but no rush.

Looks good. If you dropped the pan fluid first 24 quarts sounds correct as I think they hold close to 3 gallons.

Sent from my SM-A505U using Tapatalk

 

[cl4Rk]

For those who have the oak colored interior, the MTM ACR8-72 Ammo Crate Utility Box in “Dark Earth” is a pretty good color match, relatively cheap, stackable, nice medium size, and very lightweight. FWIW

UPDATE: this post reads like a commercial — it is not. Just a quick review of a product I bought and ended up liking. I bough 4 for various purposes.

 

[cl4Rk]

So, about a month ago, I installed brand new, OEM lower ball joints that I bought directly from my local Toyota dealership.

The threaded studs that extend down through the lower control arms (fastened with the castle nuts and cotter pins) are already showing surface rust. :drama: One. Month.

So, I slathered those little guys with anti-seize. :shrug:

I know it's fine, everything is fine. I also know nothing is perfect and nothing lasts forever. But I'm still coming to terms with just how much rust will be an issue for me here in this region LOL. I just didn't expect to see new rust form so quickly on a brand new OEM part.

Anyway, just a PSA for those of us in the rust belt: don't be shy with the silicone paste, anti-seize, WD-40, cavity wax, grease, oil, etc!

 

[brillo_76]

Nope. The rust belt is very hard on steel. It's one of the reasons why so many people throw their hands up and when vehicles start rustin up and get rid of them. Why not a lot of 3rd gens left up here.

Sent from my SM-A505U using Tapatalk

 

[cl4Rk]

This driver’s door panel made it 22 years with the original paint, without so much as a dent or scratch.

Rocky trails in Moab? No problem.

Tight twisty forest trails with low hanging trees and shrubs? Nothing. Not even a pin stripe.

Daily driving for 212k miles? Easy peasy. Good as new.

Kid’s birthday party though?! … NOPE

Look, I know this truck is super duper clean and I sound spoiled (I know I am) and like I’m crying over spilt milk. But it’s my build thread and I’ll cry if I want to!!

I always try to park far away from other cars. But it was the last spot available in the lot. Also I thought I’d be OK since the parking spots were extra wide and the cars beside me had PLENTY of room. Nope!

Somebody just let their door fling wide open without a care in the world. It happened on the offender’s way out, and I didn’t see it happen, so that’s the end of the story.

Again I know it’s not a huge deal. It’s just annoying because of how clean this truck is otherwise:

 

[brillo_76]

Bogus. The scratch and dents are all part of the experience.


At least your 3 year old daughter wasn't helping you by taking a magnetic flash light and draging it around your doors to say DAD in the dirt. When you were getting tools you needed from the other garage..

Sent from my SM-A505U using Tapatalk

 

[cl4Rk]

Photo dump from Utah/Colorado trip two weeks ago.

 

[cl4Rk]

More

 

[cl4Rk]

Eye of the whale

 

[cl4Rk]

 

[cl4Rk]

 

[cl4Rk]