Project Light Runner: the $600 E-locker TuRD
- Thread starter The 4Runner House
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The 4Runner House
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Oh sweet, come by sometime and bring your 4Runner!
The 4Runner House
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Today’s fix was swapping out the power steering rack with a new one. First was to pressure wash the underneath as it was covered in oil. On top of the valve covers pouring someone ran power steering fluid instead of atf so the rack was leaking everywhere.
Since pretty much all generic after market bushings leave the rack with excessive play I went ahead and got some energy suspension bushings for $20 shipped. Normally I would not trust or install anything but a Toyota OEM rack. However I am in a contest with myself to see how cheap I can build this so I found possibly the cheapest reman rack on eBay at $130 shipped. It has a 2 year warranty incase of anything major but this truck really just has to make it down the road and trails and that’s it. Treated it with Toyota ATF I had on the shelf and almost ready for alignment.
Although energy suspension is usually known for making good products the rack still has more play than it should. So next is to insulate the bushings to tighten it up some then off to alignment.
Since pretty much all generic after market bushings leave the rack with excessive play I went ahead and got some energy suspension bushings for $20 shipped. Normally I would not trust or install anything but a Toyota OEM rack. However I am in a contest with myself to see how cheap I can build this so I found possibly the cheapest reman rack on eBay at $130 shipped. It has a 2 year warranty incase of anything major but this truck really just has to make it down the road and trails and that’s it. Treated it with Toyota ATF I had on the shelf and almost ready for alignment.
Although energy suspension is usually known for making good products the rack still has more play than it should. So next is to insulate the bushings to tighten it up some then off to alignment.
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The 4Runner House
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Couple weeks ago I took care of the most important thing you can do to a 3rd gen, lower ball joints. Since these are notorious for chunking ball joints I wasn’t going to settle for anything less than Toyota’s. I could have got the Japanese Sankei 555 lowers for $160 but I was impatient. My Sankei order from low range got back ordered so I got them same day my cost for $225 otd at Toyota. Worth every bit for the peace of mind.
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The 4Runner House
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When I bought the truck it was the most noisy clap trap going down the road. Between things not fixed right after the 2 wrecks it had and all the wonderful engineering going on there were squeaks and rattles everywhere. Just ditching all the crap made a very big difference.
Another thing that was causing noise and just super irritating was the hood not closing right. The support for the hood latch was cut in half and the passenger stop pad was gone. The hood would not open, close or ride down the road properly. I had to tug on the core support to get the lower mount where I could bolt onto it again. With the support bracket in place and a stop pad under the hood it now opens and closes properly. No more rattle when shutting it or going down the road. Got the front plate on as well so front turn signals and it will be fully legal.
Another thing that was causing noise and just super irritating was the hood not closing right. The support for the hood latch was cut in half and the passenger stop pad was gone. The hood would not open, close or ride down the road properly. I had to tug on the core support to get the lower mount where I could bolt onto it again. With the support bracket in place and a stop pad under the hood it now opens and closes properly. No more rattle when shutting it or going down the road. Got the front plate on as well so front turn signals and it will be fully legal.
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The 4Runner House
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Here’s how much I have invested so far:
Purchase price: $600
Parts purchased:
Lower ball joints $225
Steering rack $130
Energy rack bushings $20
Diff drop $20
1” front spacer $25
Total costs: $420
Parts sold off the truck:
Front bumper $200
Wheels and tires $180
Rear seat belts $40
Rear seat brackets $30
Total sold: $450
Total invested: $570
From here I will continue to sell off whatever I don’t need. My goal is to see how much of a truck I can build for under $1000 total. Tires are going to be the biggest cost if I end up with 35” boggers as planned. I don’t mind breaking the $1000 budget but if I keep selling parts off it I may be able to keep it under.
Purchase price: $600
Parts purchased:
Lower ball joints $225
Steering rack $130
Energy rack bushings $20
Diff drop $20
1” front spacer $25
Total costs: $420
Parts sold off the truck:
Front bumper $200
Wheels and tires $180
Rear seat belts $40
Rear seat brackets $30
Total sold: $450
Total invested: $570
From here I will continue to sell off whatever I don’t need. My goal is to see how much of a truck I can build for under $1000 total. Tires are going to be the biggest cost if I end up with 35” boggers as planned. I don’t mind breaking the $1000 budget but if I keep selling parts off it I may be able to keep it under.
The 4Runner House
Member
The 4Runner House
Member
The 4Runner House
Member
The 4Runner House
Member
Yes with the alligator clips it is clear this truck was owned by an electrical engineer. Not sure why I never thought to wire my lights that way before LOL.
After the tires it’s game on! Half doors and chop top as well as a little clean up on the front end.
After the tires it’s game on! Half doors and chop top as well as a little clean up on the front end.
The 4Runner House
Member
The 4Runner House
Member
Ohhhh gaaaawwd, I can only imagine what would come up on there. It’s still a clean title but it would be hilarious after both wrecks and all disasterous work done if it had a flawless Carfax . I just feel like it should be branded a salvage just off of how ugly they made before.
T4R2014
Elite Member
I actually want to see how clean it could be. I swear I've seen prettier trucks in junkyards.
The 4Runner House
Member
I’m pretty curious myself. I’ll have to run a Carfax on it sometime. Not sure how it got away from 2 wrecks without being totaled. This truck was actually pretty damn nice a few years ago before the heathens got to it. Since it’s such a clap trap I won’t be holding back on any trail. it’s gonna get beaten to death with out mercy and I won’t be bothered about any trail damage. That’s what I like the most about it.
T4R2014
Elite Member
I couldn't resist. She's been passed around. Mileage is definitely sketch af. I wonder if the engine is even original.
https://autocheck.remorainc.com/autocheck.php?t=sauwskMkxJ2h%2BSJtQebXPiE8f04NUcvGmea5Emd7ocLYaJxUuFCmFJmVnT3GEvcickcV3xuqN0GP9tzbIagmMb84dbrb4mcSALS9A5cImczmcAZCcErzXtWHPCyBgz86
