Pearl's mod/build LT rear/DK +3.5 LT/Custom Baja Bumper/Thorley Headers/Manual T-case

[awhitney1]

Thanks for the info! I may look into the IPT transmission upgrade!

FYI for everyone: Here is a video that John at IPT Performance Transmissions made using the valve body I purchased off Ebay and is the one I installed in the post above. I decided to roll the dice with this chinese reman, and I'm glad I sent it out for the service at IPT. The solenoids DID NOT MATCH my wiring harness, so I had to swap in my old solenoids. Truck worked fine last night on a 30 mile test drive, but I would say the Ebay Valve Body was a mistake.
What Did You Buy? Toyota A750- JUNK eBay "Rebuilt" Valve Body - YouTube

 

[4RunnerAquasport]

Pearl finally got out of the swamp.

 

[aemravan]

Hell yea man! Looking good!

 

[LOSTR4]

Regarding the Transmission VB upgrade...are you going to re-do the effort with an actual IPT upgrade? They do good work and certainly are a true shift-kit...Have you considered VFTuning for tuning or are you planning on dominating the scene yourself? nice work and it's always been a pleasure reading your posts!

 

[4RunnerAquasport]

Regarding the Transmission VB upgrade...are you going to re-do the effort with an actual IPT upgrade? They do good work and certainly are a true shift-kit...Have you considered VFTuning for tuning or are you planning on dominating the scene yourself? nice work and it's always been a pleasure reading your posts!

Thank You!
I had John at IPT put their kit in that VB, although I think the converter needs upgraded to an IPT also. Still a bit slushy. I've beat this thing pretty good over the years, so it's time.
As far as tuning, we early 4th gens are at a disadvantage because of not being a CAN bus network. VF and the other tuners have focused on the Taco and 5th gen T4R for a larger demographic. They now have a tune for 05' and up 4Runners because Toyota converted them to the early CAN bus, which the tuners have learned over time. As far as I know, there aren't any readily available tunes for 03' 04'.

The URD MAF tune has helped, and I think there is more gains to be had, but my lack of knowledge and patience will hold me back lol.

 

[4RunnerAquasport]

Got some Desert seat time Tuesday, in between visits with family. Love me some pwr line roads.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?si=HoCRA-_qTfL_7v_7&v=gOlQkhMEti4&feature=youtu.be

 

[4RunnerAquasport]

This guy has some stones.Facebook

 

[rdruss]

This guy has some stones.Facebook

Yep, you have to be properly set up for that or you'll have some breakage! Your rig is probably pretty close I would think.

 

[aemravan]

This guy has some stones.Facebook

it's wild to see these 4th gen bricks flying through the air lol :lookout:.
pretty dialed it seems, though the front looks like it needs a little fine-tuning love. It's either bouncing hard off the bump stops, or rebound is too stiff. The rear looks pretty dialed on that trailing arm setup.

 

[4RunnerAquasport]

Yep, you have to be properly set up for that or you'll have some breakage! Your rig is probably pretty close I would think.

It might be close, but it needs a cage for that much air lol. I really want a canoe style 4 link though.

 

[4RunnerAquasport]

it's wild to see these 4th gen bricks flying through the air lol :lookout:.
pretty dialed it seems, though the front looks like it needs a little fine-tuning love. It's either bouncing hard off the bump stops, or rebound is too stiff. The rear looks pretty dialed on that trailing arm setup.

Oh yea, he's blowing right through his travel and bouncing off the front bumps. I think it's a single CO. Needs some thicker compression shims and really a secondary shock for that kind of hang time.

Canoe style rear 4 link is bad ass.

 

[4RunnerAquasport]

Footage goofing around with the Drone.
AZ FILES ~ Drone/Go Pro Test - YouTube

 

[4RunnerAquasport]

Well the abuse has taken it's toll on Pearl. I know nothing of differentials. Anyone have an idea how bad this is? Doesn't do it in reverse and the ARB still locks up. Sounds like more to it than just a pinion bearing.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?si=7CT7J5ZsEwcxBK0U&v=yyLAOErHd9Q&feature=youtu.be

 

[rdruss]

Sounds like a gear tooth may have broken off.

 

[4RunnerAquasport]

Sounds like a gear tooth may have broken off.

That would be impressive because they're Nitro gears and axles lol.

One too many jumps with my foot still on the gas I guess.....Frickin Rookie

 

[aemravan]

if I had to put my money on it.. yea.. i'd say you busted a tooth or two on the ring gear. Unfortunately that's literally that sound I had in my supra when I blew the ring gear out of it..
I'm not a diff expert... but I would think/hope that if it is the ring gear it could just be a fairly "simple" swap out without having to re-shim and all... but may be more safe to also replace the pinion gear (unless that's what went to began with..).. it's hard to know what sort of damage the broken off material does in there once it's loose. If you haven't already, drain the fluid, you're bound to find some chunks come out..

on a more positive note... it looks damn good rolling out in the drone footage..

 

[4RunnerAquasport]

if I had to put my money on it.. yea.. i'd say you busted a tooth or two on the ring gear. Unfortunately that's literally that sound I had in my supra when I blew the ring gear out of it..
I'm not a diff expert... but I would think/hope that if it is the ring gear it could just be a fairly "simple" swap out without having to re-shim and all... but may be more safe to also replace the pinion gear (unless that's what went to began with..).. it's hard to know what sort of damage the broken off material does in there once it's loose. If you haven't already, drain the fluid, you're bound to find some chunks come out..

on a more positive note... it looks damn good rolling out in the drone footage..

Yeah the drone thing takes some patience to drive the 4Runner and work the controller.
On another annoying note:
The seal in the ARB is puking oil out the solenoid up front. On my trip to AZ, I had to keep the compressor turned on so the pressure would keep the oil in the air line. So I may as well just start over with a whole new deal......SMH. Maybe look into an 8.2 out of a 5th gen.

It's weird that the diff makes no noise in reverse....

 

[aemravan]

Yeah the drone thing takes some patience to drive the 4Runner and work the controller.
On another annoying note:
The seal in the ARB is puking oil out the solenoid up front. On my trip to AZ, I had to keep the compressor turned on so the pressure would keep the oil in the air line. So I may as well just start over with a whole new deal......SMH. Maybe look into an 8.2 out of a 5th gen.

It's weird that the diff makes no noise in reverse....

that's very likely due to the way the gears are cut. It could just be a partial tooth break. I could be wrong.. but I would legitimately be surprised if the sound wasn't directly from a hurt ring gear.

 

[4RunnerAquasport]

Pinion gave up. Ring gear looks ok. 1st pic is the good side, 2nd pic...not so much.

 

[4RunnerAquasport]

Had the diff reinstalled and passenger axle engaged, driver side not so much. Internal oil baffle was loose. Never knew to check for that.....inexperience has it's draw backs.