Peppy's 5 speed 98 3rd gen build

[xpeppyx]

Picked up a clean 98 SR5 5 speed in Natural White/oak. 269k miles. No moonroof. No mods other than an aftermarket exhaust. It will be a camping/expedition/daily driver. I've got a bunch of projects planned for it and I'll add those to the thread as I start or complete them. Should be a pretty fun build for me.

Addicted Offroad front and rear bumpers
King OEM Performance EXT front coilovers
King OEM Performance rear shocks w/compression adjustment
Satoshi grill
Powerstop Tundra calipers, rotors, pads
Stoptech front brake lines
Toytec rear extended brake line
Toytec diff drop
Toytec panhard drop
Total Chaos uniball UCA's
Toyota OEM lower balljoints
Whiteline LCA bushings
Moog 2nd gen sway bar endlinks all around
Sway bar bushings
Steering rack bushings
Kenwood DDX9703S with front/rear cameras
Depot headlights with D2S 3.0 HID retrofit
Clear corner lights
Morimoto 20" LED light bar
Black Method NV 17x8.5 with LT285/70-17 Falken Wildpeak A/TW3
Corbeau heated seats
Sparco Ring steering wheel with Momo hub adapter
Low Range Off-road shift and transfer case knobs.
Blue dash LED backlighting

Maintenance Done:
Changing diff and transfer case oil with Mobil 1 75w-90 synthetic
Changing transmission oil with Redline MT-90 75w-90 GL-4
Changing oil with Mobil 1 5w-30
New PCV valve
Timing belt and water pump were done 10k miles ago
Plugs and wires were just done
JDM engine swap
Steering rack replaced

Need to fix:


Projects:
Removing rear seats and building sleeping platform and drawer setup. 36" drawer on 500lb sliders with aluminum gas strut lid that doubles as a camp prep table when extended out.

Renogy 100 watt 12 volt Eclipse Solar Premium Kit
Renogy 1000W pure sine inverter
Ritar Deep Cycle Pure GEL battery 12 volt 100Ah

Trying to figure out which rear springs to go with. Talked to the guys at Toytec, but they weren't really sure what to recommend since the King rear shocks are made for a 2" lift. My rear drawer setup will probably be 100lbs unloaded and close to 300lbs loaded. Rear AOR bumper doesn't add much weight over stock if any since I lose the rear OEM hitch. I'm leaning towards the Superflex or OME 891 and using limiting straps. I'm open to any recommendations you guys might have. Not making a decision until my bumpers and shocks are done being built.

If anyone in Colorado is looking for mint front and rear 98 bumpers mine will be available. Also the stock wheels and cheap tires on them will be available for a really cheap price.

This rig will be replacing my Sportsmobile that I just sold. I'm new to 3rd gens, but not 4runners. I also had a 2007 4th gen Sport Edition.

 

[kolelt]

That ford is badass

 

[JayRolla]

You really need to go with longer rear shocks and lc rear or superflex coils. I agree the ford is beast mode. Looks like a good built start. Good luck.

 

[xpeppyx]

Thanks Jayrolla. Ya, I kinda screwed myself by not ordering custom length shocks for the rear. It's too late since they are already being built by King though. Might just have to give the 906's a shot for now and see how they handle the weight. I prefer less of a lift anyway.

 

[Road Bull]

Sweet collection of vehicles man! And that is quite a mountain of parts you have collected there. Seems like you are off on a speedy start. I look forward to seeing this thing come together. I am still waiting on the King Ext. travel COs that I ordered through Total Automotive to be drop shipped from King. Tick, tock, tick, tock...

 

[xpeppyx]

Got my Compustar 902 and RPS Touch installed.

Made some progress on my drawer and sleeping platform. Took some inspiration from various other members on here. Still some details to finish up, but the main components are done and carpeted.

4Runner decided to overheat and burn off coolant from the overflow. Now I've got to put all the other projects on hold while I figure this out, grrr.

 

[xpeppyx]

So .5 miles from the shop this morning the 4runner pegged the temp gauge, started smoking and died. Got it to the shop and it died in the lot, lol. Currently getting a compression test done but it's not looking good since they can't even start it now.

I'm kind of torn now. I've got a huge pile of 3rd gen parts and a really clean 5spd 4runner that probably has a blown motor. I guess my options will be put a lower mileage used motor in or pick up another 3rd gen and sell this one for a loss. If any Colorado folks know of good engine sources let me know. I've got it at Independent Motors in Boulder and I'm waiting to hear what options they have for me.

I don't really want to spend the time looking for another 5spd and putting a new motor and clutch in it should give me the 150-200k miles I'm looking for out of this 4runner.

 

[Jayjayb96]

So .5 miles from the shop this morning the 4runner pegged the temp gauge, started smoking and died. Got it to the shop and it died in the lot, lol. Currently getting a compression test done but it's not looking good since they can't even start it now.

I'm kind of torn now. I've got a huge pile of 3rd gen parts and a really clean 5spd 4runner that probably has a blown motor. I guess my options will be put a lower mileage used motor in or pick up another 3rd gen and sell this one for a loss. If any Colorado folks know of good engine sources let me know. I've got it at Independent Motors in Boulder and I'm waiting to hear what options they have for me.

I don't really want to spend the time looking for another 5spd and putting a new motor and clutch in it should give me the 150-200k miles I'm looking for out of this 4runner.

That seriously sucks! Got all you parts too and now this. I would usually say these rigs last forever but geez. Try Car-Part.com--Used Auto Parts Market.

 

[xpeppyx]

Engine failed the block test and is toast. Got quoted $7250 by the shop to install a JDM motor, new clutch and radiator.

The frame, body and interior on this 4Runner is so clean that I refuse to give up on it. So I'm just going to buy a JDM motor and do the install myself. Currently researching all the parts and gaskets I'll be needing. I've done a couple of EJ207 swaps on WRX's and worked on LS motor swaps in 3rd gen RX-7's so it shouldn't be too hard for me.

I was going to replace the clutch anyway so I'll go with the Marlin Crawler HD.

 

[xpeppyx]

My Kings arrived today. Gonna roll the dice and order a replacement JDM motor from one of the eBay sellers with 100% feedback tomorrow. I'll keep this thread updated with my experience.

 

[Rockdawg84]

Engine failed the block test and is toast. Got quoted $7250 by the shop to install a JDM motor, new clutch and radiator.

The frame, body and interior on this 4Runner is so clean that I refuse to give up on it. So I'm just going to buy a JDM motor and do the install myself. Currently researching all the parts and gaskets I'll be needing. I've done a couple of EJ207 swaps on WRX's and worked on LS motor swaps in 3rd gen RX-7's so it shouldn't be too hard for me.

I was going to replace the clutch anyway so I'll go with the Marlin Crawler HD.

How did they determine that the block is toast? Why not pull it and have it rebuilt. Block machine work is under 1k. With the experience you have working on motors just rebuild it and you will be under 2k with a brand new motor.

 

[xpeppyx]

How did they determine that the block is toast? Why not pull it and have it rebuilt. Block machine work is under 1k. With the experience you have working on motors just rebuild it and you will be under 2k with a brand new motor.

They did a block test which it failed. Also failed compression test. I've never seen anyone having much success with these motors once they have been rebuilt. I'll be right around $2500 all said and done including the motor, clutch, radiator, hoses and gaskets.

 

[xpeppyx]

Figuring out why my rear window and wiper didn't work was even easier than I expected, lol.

 

[Collkid]

Looks awesome.

That Can is fricken dope!

 

[xpeppyx]

So, this came today.

 

[xpeppyx]

Made a lot of progress this week. Installed AOR bumper, King EXT coilovers, Total Chaos UCA, TBU with stainless lines, Whiteline LCA bushings, Diff drop, CVJ axles, low mileage steering rack with poly bushings, outer tie rod ends and Method NV with 33" Falkens. Doing the rear Kings and Superflex springs today.

 

[spoonsports86]

looks so aggressive. did you ever get the new motor in ?

 

[xpeppyx]

Yup, new motor is in and runs really well.

 

[xpeppyx]

Out with the old...In with the new!

 

[legokcen]

Peppy!!! It's cool to see you on here. I'll follow this build.

I still have your bilsteins on my 8! Have fun with the new to you 4Runner!