Red-dead15 build thread

[red-dead15]

So i have decided to start a build thread on my 1997 toyota 4runner limited. I bought it in july 2011 and have done a few things so far. I have replaced the tires with 265/75R16 goodyear wrangler Duratrac's and have a cornfed lift on the way as i am typing this. (2" all around)

I am planning on getting front bumper with a winch, rear bumper with full size spare, roof rack, rock sliders, on board air, in no particular order.


The first three pictures are of it when i bought it minus the running boards, and the last three are with my new tires, will post more pics as soon as I lift.

 

[quicksilvr]

Nice truck, I'd never guess it was a '97, since it has the fat lip front bumper. Did the previous owner do that? Or did you put that on? Just wondering.

 

[PitbullRescuer]

The "facelift" front end looks good. Bumper, grill, clear corners. Nice touch, takes a few years off her. The Duratracs make it look tough too. Good luck with it.

 

[red-dead15]

Thank you. and to tell you the truth idk, when i had the VIN# run in the computer it said it was a 97' but i agree that it is hard to believe because it has the bumper. I think the original owner had it done,(not because of an accident or anything like that) it also has aftermarket fog lights in that bumper and some sort of metal grill, but the next thing on my list is Front bumper so it wont be there for long!

 

[fightman80]

Looks good man! I like the look.....almost too bad to get rid of that setup....for a steel bumper...but if you wheel it...definately a good upgrade! Can't wait to see it on!

 

[red-dead15]

Thanks guys, and sorry for the lack of updates. I have been very busy working on fixing my 4runner as it blew a head gasket 2 weeks ago, the repair thread is here http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/100431-so-my-head-gaskets-blown.html

I am almost glad this happened because now i am replacing water pump, belts, all gaskets and seals, cleaning everything up, ect. which will make it run much better (I hope)

My lift kit has arrived but i have not installed it yet, its a cornfed 2" spacer lift for all four corners, good price for a quick lift.($230 shipped) I am opting out of getting a Front bumper in the forceable future as i cant really justify getting it with the amount of wheeling i do. I think i am going to get black rims (or black powder coat my current wheels), put some wheel spacers on and black out lights to give it a real aggressive look, all at half the cost of the bumper+winch. But before that i half to get it running again! (looking like it will happen end of next week)

I have attached some pictures of it in its current state.

 

[fightman80]

Good on you for doing this yourself! Can"t wait to see it all together!

 

[Big John]

You have a giant tube getting ready to hatch aliens in your man cave. Kill it quick.:hunter:

 

[Hepar]

Sorry to hear about the head gaskets, but sounds like you know your way around enough to make it work out and to get a lot of other maintenance done at the same time.

I was gonna say that I've never seen anyone do what is done to the lower bumper before.

Rig looks great. Coming along real nice. I'll try not to hate on the name too much. Anti-Kobe fan here. :cheers:

 

[Gerdo]

Nice clean looking rig. Sounds like you have a plan for it too.

Please don't take this the wrong way but you may want to rethink your lift before you install it. It sounds like you want to build it right. If so, you will be replacing the suspension spacers for a spring lift in the near future. Some aftermarket bumpers (especially if it has a winch) will weigh more than the stock one. This will lower the front on those stock coils. Stronger and taller coils is the way to go. As for the rear, spacers aren't as bad but the old/tired stock coils are probably already sagging and spacers won't change that. Also again aftermarket ones will carry a load better (camping and wheeling gear).

I have gone thru about multiple variations of lifts. I wish I had done it right the first time. My fronts were TRD coils but I wanted more lift so I changed to ToyTec coilovers. Now I can grow as needed without buying anything. The back is harder. I had 890s then 891s and now 9.25 wrap LC coils. Sitting in my garage is a pair of OME 861 coils for the back. These were all good lifts but rock crawling I needed more height. I started doing longer expedition type trips so my loads increased.

My goals and needs have changed but if I had spent a little more up front I could have saved money.

 

[red-dead15]

Nice clean looking rig. Sounds like you have a plan for it too.

Please don't take this the wrong way but you may want to rethink your lift before you install it. It sounds like you want to build it right. If so, you will be replacing the suspension spacers for a spring lift in the near future. Some aftermarket bumpers (especially if it has a winch) will weigh more than the stock one. This will lower the front on those stock coils. Stronger and taller coils is the way to go. As for the rear, spacers aren't as bad but the old/tired stock coils are probably already sagging and spacers won't change that. Also again aftermarket ones will carry a load better (camping and wheeling gear).

I have gone thru about multiple variations of lifts. I wish I had done it right the first time. My fronts were TRD coils but I wanted more lift so I changed to ToyTec coilovers. Now I can grow as needed without buying anything. The back is harder. I had 890s then 891s and now 9.25 wrap LC coils. Sitting in my garage is a pair of OME 861 coils for the back. These were all good lifts but rock crawling I needed more height. I started doing longer expedition type trips so my loads increased.

My goals and needs have changed but if I had spent a little more up front I could have saved money.

I am well aware of the two problems with spacer lifts you listed (sag due to added wait of bumpers, and also sagging due to age) but i payed $230 for this quick lift and if i wanted to properly lift it, it would cost me about $600.

As for my plans, i dont think i will be getting a bumper+winch next, the next thing i may do is wheel spacers, and black rims, and them maby ill go for the proper lift but the next thing i am going to buy is a new camera which will set me back $3700.

 

[red-dead15]

Alright, its been almost 4 months since my last update to this thread. My truck is running beautifully as of early December and no problems since. I finally found some time to install my lift kit a few weeks ago and I love it! I like the higher ride height and the look of the thing.

I have a few mods that I am going to take on in the next couple months. I want to Plastidip my emblems and bumpers, Lamin-x side markers and taillights, build myself a Cargo system/sleeper, interior LED upgrade, Rear speakers, and upgrade my headlights to projector beams. After that, I am thinking black rims (ATX Mojave black w/ Teflon), wheel spacers, custom roof rack with a Front Runner rack on it, and the list goes on and on.....haha

I have attached a few pictures of what it currently looks like.

 

[rickashay]

Nice rig man, Glad to see you have a build thread going and awesome job on the HG fix.

Not sure if you are aware of them or not, you might even be signed up and I dont know about it lol, but..... check out Canada Toyota 4WD Association - CT4WD and their forum. It's a Calgary-based Canada Toyota 4WD Association. I am an active member and there are a ton of cool wheeling trips and meets in your area! Check them out and sign up on the forum!

 

[fightman80]

Glad she's running good now man! Looks good too! Nice work!

 

[red-dead15]

Nice rig man, Glad to see you have a build thread going and awesome job on the HG fix.

Not sure if you are aware of them or not, you might even be signed up and I dont know about it lol, but..... check out Canada Toyota 4WD Association - CT4WD and their forum. It's a Calgary-based Canada Toyota 4WD Association. I am an active member and there are a ton of cool wheeling trips and meets in your area! Check them out and sign up on the forum!

Thanks a lot!

I was actually looking at CT4WD a couple days ago and i was thinking about joining, I want to go out wheeling but I don't know anyone who has a vehicle and wants to so it sounds like a good idea for me.

Ill do some more research into it.

I forgot to add this picture...I just passed 250000km

 

[red-dead15]

I did a little flexing today...

 

[red-dead15]

I Plastidiped my bumpers and emblems yesterday, I really like the new look, i am going to do the same to the wheels and trailer hitch when i find the time. I also ordered some Lamin-x for my lights so i am going to get that done as well. sorry for the sideways picture.

 

[red-dead15]

Another update, Lamin-x is done and I like the look, i am still planning on plasti-dipping the wheels and after working on the front bumper I realized how many rock chips are on it!! so I want to try and fix that next and then I think I am going to start a rear drawer/sleeper.

 

[AZ4FNER]

Nice looking rig.

I would recommend painting your wheels if your going to put in the effort. Plasti-dip is great for many applications, but wheels are too suseptible to contact.

Check out my old thread if you want to see what it would look like anyways.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/sale-...rd-gen-limited-wheels-running-boards-phx.html

 

[red-dead15]

Thanks! i think i am going to just plasti dip them, mainly because i love the look but also it is much easier and faster, i have also read it is more durable then most think, and feeling it on my bumpers, i agree. Also i bought 5 cans to do my bumpers/emblems and since I miscalculated, it took 1 1/2!!, i have a few cans left over, ahahaah.