RogueYota's 98' SR5 Wampa build

[RogueYota]

So after a couple years of looking intermittently for a nice clean 3rd Gen T4R my search came to an end. I bought a really nice '98 Natural White SR5, 4x4, 5speed, with factory e-locker. It has 225k miles, but doesn't drive like it. I really like this rig so far and I have a few plans for it.

It seems that most 3rd Gen 4 Runners in the PNW are super expensive or beat to shit, or both. I test drove quite a few and the only one that I really wanted was an '01 Limited with just over 100k miles. It was in really perfect shape on the exterior and the interior was amazing as well, sadly it had horrible frame rust that someone had tried to cover up with a nasty undercoat. I passed on it and continued to browse Craigslist and ask around before a friend on Facebook who works at a car dealership told me about this rig that they took on trade. With the miles it has on it they couldn't sell it on their lot and were going to wholesale it. It had only been at the dealership for 2.5 hours before I went and test drove it before they could do so much as give it a wash. Everything works other than a broken rear cup holder and broken trailer plug. It drives nice and tight, and it seems it was lovingly maintained. I made them an offer, we worked out the deal and I signed the paperwork contingent on a couple issues. It had a CEL which turned out to be the IAC, so they swapped it out, gave it a safety inspection, lube job, and I wrote them a check.

I plan on doing a few mods and using it as a daily driver so I don't put excessive miles on my Tacoma and occasional weekend warrior/camping rig. My plans may change, but that's it for now.

Feel free to offer input, advice, and ideas. I am super stoked to finally have a nice 3rd Gen 4 Runner!

Vehicle:
1998 Natural White Toyota 4Runner SR5 V6 5 speed with factory rear locker

Performance Mods:
None as of yet

Suspension:
Ironman 4x4 medium duty front springs/struts with 3/8 top plate spacer
OME 890 rear springs with Bilstein 5100 shocks
Poly sway bar bushings front and rear
Poly front bumpstops
Wheelers braided extended rear brake line (not installed)

Wheels/Tires:
265/75/16 Falken AT3W load E
2nd Gen Tacoma Off Road wheels 16x7 5.75 BS (removed)
LVL 8 MK6 Matte Black with TRD center caps 16x8 4.5 BS

Lighting:
99+ Clear headlights
Old school rectangular Hella fog lights
Rigid Radiance 20" LED bar (not installed)

Recovery:
Wheelers 20"x3" snatch strap
Smittybilt reciever shackle

Coms:
Nothing yet


Misc mods:
OEM bug deflector (removed)
2nd Gen "Tacoma" floormats (fit almost perfectly)
Locker anytime mod

Future mod list:
Weathertechs/Husky floormats
Sliders
Deckplate mod or Snorkel
Tint
Skids (maybe)
Tundra brake upgrade (maybe)
Flip tow package, or cut it off and weld it between frame rails
Seat covers
Front recovery points
LED reverse lights
LED interior lights

Most recent pic

In the driveway next to her younger brother.

 

[Mark_BC]

Nice. What are you going to do about the trailer hitch that hangs down so far? For its intended use maybe it's OK? I am thinking I'll turn mine upside down and cut a hole in the bumper for it.

 

[185Runner]

Just did almost the same thing. Looked forever up here in eastern Washington. Ended up buying one in Auburn, WA in about the same as your but a 96. Drove it home and have loved it since. Need to update my thread but so far I love my 3rd gen even if it is my wife's daily.

On a side note before I took it to Moab a few weeks ago and noticed my hitch is bent. No other damage can be found. So I will be doing the hitch flip when I get another from the local junk yard.

 

[RogueYota]

Nice. What are you going to do about the trailer hitch that hangs down so far? For its intended use maybe it's OK? I am thinking I'll turn mine upside down and cut a hole in the bumper for it.

Thanks!

I'm probably going to remove it, flip it, or at some point get an aftermarket bumper worth built in hitch. I don't like how it hangs down and the trailer plug is broken.

 

[RogueYota]

Today after work I'm gonna work on ditching the running boards and the Thule surfboard rack. I also bought some used Ironman front struts/coils with a 3/8 top plate spacer so they should be here soon. Also some OME890's and Bilstein 5100's for the rear.

 

[hang10]

Wish i was closer, i would snag those racks from you. Nice rig...

 

[RogueYota]

Wish i was closer, i would snag those racks from you. Nice rig...

Thanks, I'm sure shipping would be spendy to your neck of the woods.

 

[RogueYota]

Bye bye running boards.

OME 890's, Bilstein 5100's, poly f/r sway bar bushings

 

[RogueYota]

I picked her up from getting deep cleaned yesterday. Such an improvement. I can't believe this thing has 225k miles.

Don't be jealous of my sweet Wal Mart brand tires...

 

[rallypoint_1]

Beautiful Runner...congrats!! No rush on the mods. Drive and enjoy your truck!

 

[RogueYota]

Beautiful Runner...congrats!! No rush on the mods. Drive and enjoy your truck!

Thanks! I love her so far. I'm gonna take this one slow. I already have my Tacoma that I went mod crazy on. It's hard not to do, but as of now I'm gonna keep it simple on this baby. :thumb::cheers:

 

[RogueYota]

So the lift went in fairly easily although there were a couple hiccups. I was lucky to have a buddy helping me who had done the rear springs on a couple T4 R's. The rear shocks were pretty stuck on, so we used channel locks to twist the shock body and finally got them off. The fronts were pretty straightforward, but the stock bump stops gave me a problem... one of them that is. lol The first 3 came off really easily but the last one was a biiiiiiiiatch. I have decided to sell my ST Maxx and get some Falken Wildpeak AT3W's in 265/75/16. I think that will be a more fuel friendly option, plus won't require trimming or pinch weld surgery.

I got a little over 2" in front and currently sitting at about 3.5 rear but that should settle. Plus I took out the spare and removed the tow package, so there isn't much weight back there right now.

 

[RogueYota]

So my first tank MPG was less than impressive. 14.4 mpg... I'm gonna pull the EFI fuse and run some Seafoam through her to see if that helps. I might change the upstream O2 sensor as well.

 

[grantr91]

Looking good

 

[RogueYota]

Looking good

Thanks, I can't wait to get the wheels and tires on her.

 

[RogueYota]

Finally got the adult sized tires on her today. It looks so much better! I really like these Falkens so far. Very smooth driving, deep tread, and a decent amount of siping. I can't wait to test them out off road.

 

[tystaco]

Any luck on improving the fuel economy?

 

[RogueYota]

Any luck on improving the fuel economy?

I haven't driven her all that much. Maybe 3/4 of a tank since I last posted. I haven't Seafoamed it yet and I did get the new tires yesterday. I'll have to start my baseline again. It looks like this tank will be about 1mpg better than the last.

 

[tystaco]

On both my Tacoma and 4runner going to 265/75/16 corrected my speedometer, but the odometers are off. The truck reads 9 miles for every 10, and the 4runner reads 29 miles for every 30. The truck clearly needs to be adjusted for when calculating fuel economy.

 

[RogueYota]

The boy and I went out for a little adventure. We found a little bit of snow and mud. The new tires rode smooth, are quiet and performed well in the little bit of off road action we encountered.

:thumb: