"Oops, Rolled the Runner!" a.k.a. Grocery-Getter v.2.0 build

[white_n_slow]

As some of you may remember, I totalled my '97 SR5 back in February. Here's the thread, if you're interested http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/136593-another-one-bites-dust.html

It was about half-way built with a 5-speed, e-locker, Sonoran Steel 1.2, 285/75-16 tires, sliders, etc, etc. Within a week of wrecking it, I was able to find a 1999 SR5 with 168k miles, 5-speed and e-locker. It has some issues, but I was able to low-ball the guy and after I got insurance sorted out, I actually came out $1200 ahead.

On my '97 I never did a build thread because I never really had a plan for the truck. I was torn for a long time between a semi-stockish build and a fj80 solid front axle, dual cases and the whole nine yards. So I kind of put it together piecemeal. With the '99 *I think* I have a clear plan. I decided against SAS because of the down-time factor (didn't want to buy another vehicle), not to mention the cost to do it right.

So the plan, more or less is:
re-use my Tundra/LC suspension
35's with no body lift (ala Trails Less Traveled)
5.29 gears
Homemade bumpers with winch mount and tire carrier
On board air with air tank

Stuff I would like to do, but may put off and/or cheap out on:
4.7 low range
ARB air locker for the front
lotus axles depending on how frequently I break my stock CV's

Anyhoo, here's the '99:

 

[white_n_slow]

The first step in this project was to clean out the garage. This may not look too clean to you, but you should have seen it a month ago!

The second step was to convince my wife to park on the street.

 

[white_n_slow]

Much to my surprise, apparently rolling a 4runner at 45mph is not good for the LBJ's. One of my bolts sheared off.

I also had a torn boot on one of my CV's. I bought a re-boot kit thinking I would use it as a spare, but I guess the roll shredded the other boot as well.

 

[white_n_slow]

I was really looking forward to having air tools to make this job go quicker, but my air compressor crapped out on me this morning. I spent about 2 hours looking at it, scratching my head and electrocuting myself trying to re-wire it before I gave up. A couple more hours of wrenching and cursing, and some parts fell off the truck.

 

[white_n_slow]

Well, I had to go take prom pictures for my kiddo, so work was cut short today. We'll see what I get done tomorrow. I'd like to get the front suspension swapped out this weekend.

Some other random thoughts: there seem to be tons of 315/70-17 tires on craigslist since its the stock size for a Hummer. Maybe it would be worth stepping up to 17" wheels so I can save some money on tires. Anybody know of any good alloy wheels that are pretty cheap and not too flashy?

 

[Mr. B]

Eagles or Pro Comps are pretty cheap brands. Just a suggestion.

 

[MTD]

Well, I had to go take prom pictures for my kiddo, so work was cut short today. We'll see what I get done tomorrow. I'd like to get the front suspension swapped out this weekend.

Some other random thoughts: there seem to be tons of 315/70-17 tires on craigslist since its the stock size for a Hummer. Maybe it would be worth stepping up to 17" wheels so I can save some money on tires. Anybody know of any good alloy wheels that are pretty cheap and not too flashy?

ultra drifters

 

[audiness]

what tires have you got there? how do you like them?

 

[white_n_slow]

Those are Cooper Discoverer ATP in 285/75-16 size. They're pretty darn good for such a cheap tire (the whole set was $720 new). The ride is noticeably better than my old Bridgestones at 35psi. I only really wheeled on them once or twice, but they hooked up great on wet rocks and mud aired down to 16psi.

The only drawback is that they are not true to size. They are about the same width as the 265's that are on the silver truck and are just over 32 inches across (should be about 33")

 

[white_n_slow]

Does anyone run the Tundra/Bilstein front combo on the 3rd perch? I don't want to fudge up the ride too bad, but I would like a little more front lift while all the parts are out. Anybody want to impart any wisdom on that topic (aside from the obvious "you're going to tear CV boots")

 

[SCRunner12]

Some people have done the 3rd perch with no problems. They said it wasn't horrible as far as the ride and CV's weren't that bad. I'd go for it, I didn't like the height of the 2nd perch when I had them.

 

[2big4arunner]

Does anyone run the Tundra/Bilstein front combo on the 3rd perch? I don't want to fudge up the ride too bad, but I would like a little more front lift while all the parts are out. Anybody want to impart any wisdom on that topic (aside from the obvious "you're going to tear CV boots")

you could always put in a toyota supra 8 inch rear end in the front of your 4runner. It gives you LSD and you can still make the lockers work in there as well as giving you longer axles since the supra bolts just outside the housing instead of out further. Axles are bullitproof compared to stock fronts and cv's wont be stressed anymore.

Just a thought of how to upgrade the front diff to something a little more .... beefy

 

[white_n_slow]

Well I went ahead and set the Tundra struts to the 3rd notch. Hopefully it works out OK. I can feel there was a lot of tension in the springs :/

I was also unable to get my LC shocks off the rear. I really want to shoot whoever designed the rear upper shock mount on these trucks. Holy crap, what a shit-show. So unless by some miracle, they fall off the truck on their own, I think I'm going to send these perfectly good LC shocks to the scrap yard with my old truck

I was also surprised to find a fair amount of rust inside my sliders where I welded them to the frame. I'm not sure how that is possible since I'm pretty sure there was no moisture in there. Oh well. You can see what a crappy job I did painting them. :/ I would also just like to say, the sawzall is a god among tools.

Aside from that, today was semi-productive. Mainly just pulling parts off the old truck. My pile got a little bigger

 

[Ol'Blue]

Did you have to buy the truck form the Insurance Company? This way at least you will have extra parts if you need anything and an extra motor and trans if needed. Looking forward to the build.

Blue

 

[white_n_slow]

Yep, I got the old truck back from Progressive for $700. I will pull the transmission and transfer case to keep as spares, but I think I will sell the engine along with the truck. The 3.4 in my '99 seems really healthy, and there's only so much storage space. The transmission, on the other hand, is pretty noisy. So I feel it's worth keeping a spare. Spare transfer case will make things easier if I decide to get 4.7 low range... no down time while I ship my case to Marlin.

 

[white_n_slow]

Welp... decided to go the 17" route.:fro:

 

[white_n_slow]

Just teasing with the TRD boxes They're just 4th Gen/Tacoma wheels. I've got my eyes on a set of 315 duratracs. Hopefully they're still available this weekend

 

[robb1887]

Just a word of wisdom. I saw you have spacers on the stock 16's. I'd assume you're running them again with these but the taco wheels have a higher offset. You might need to compensate with a larger spacer if going up to 315's. I'm not a pro but just words for consideration.

The offset (15mm) change means you're adding just under 2/3rds of an inch backspace.

 

[white_n_slow]

Thanks for the pointer. I wasn't sure about the offset, but I will definitely do some test-fitting before I mount them up. I may put my current spacers in the rear and get bigger ones up front if necessary. On the plus side, the wheels were cheap!

 

[white_n_slow]

Well, the duratracs I had my eye on ended up selling before I could get my hands on them. But thanks to all the Todds driving Hummers, I was able to find multiple sets of used BFG's, so I picked some up yesterday. I was looking forward to trying out the duratracs, but I ran BFG's on two of my previous rigs and they worked out great for me, so no worries. 315/70-17. I think it will fit