RyanC's Supercharged Imperial Jade 99 Limited Build and Maintenance Thread

[Ryance39]

As it sits today - 9/22/2020

1999 Limited - 178K
Modifications List
- 2nd gen Magnuson Supercharger
- 285/75/16 KO2s
- SpiderTrax 1.25" spacers
- OME lift - 881 in front, 906 in back
- Savage Two Piece Skids
- AVS Deflectors
- Toyota 5 Star wheels
- Yellow LED Pods in place of fog lights
- Flush Mount LED cubes in the rear bumper
- Tacoma Whip Mod
- ScanGauge II
- DoubleDin
- Ram Mount
- 67" Trail Gear Rock Sliders
- SPC UCAs
- 6 gang switch panel
- cheap Amazon Lightbar(it's actually decent too)
Bought but not installed
B&M trans cooler



Hey Everyone,
I purchased my third Toyota in March of 2017. The Toyota in question, a 99 Limited, one owner, with records. Leather, locker, low mileage, auto. All around great find.

I purchased this because my fiance was uncomfortable driving my 05 Tundra. It was basically my dream truck, but that's another story. The only problem other than her not feeling good about driving it was that it was a 2 and a half door model. So the back seats were useless.
I went back and forth with selling it but ended up listing it for more than I paid for it, and it sold, fast.

The buyer contacted me, said he can get in the car and come down with cash now. he got in the car, I got on craigslist needing to now replace it.

I happened upon this 99 limited about two hours from my house. I called, talked with the owner. After talking with him a bit I told him a buyer was coming for my truck. I'd have the cash on hand and if the 4runner is really what he says it is I would make the drive out and pay him his asking price(which was a steal).

My truck sold to a really nice guy. Glad it went to him, and we loaded up in the car, drove two hours, and I ended up buying the 4runner and pocketing a nice chunk of cash.
Took this photo not long after buying. Totally stock.

When I purchased the car, the odometer read 161,xxx. In 2012 the engine was replaced. It was replaced when the odo read 120,xxx. The engine that went in it had 103,xxx on it, based on the paperwork.

After digging through all the records more closely I started with a list of things I wanted to address.
I started with an oil change, filters all around, coolant flush and replace, and tint.
Once that was done I started thinking about where I wanted to go with this 4runner.

The goal is to build something that is suitable to drive every day, but something that can hold its own off-road and is a suitable "production" vehicle for the photography business my father and I run. Not sure if I can post a link, going to, happy to remove if need be though. Centioli Photography
We do a lot of landscape and wildlife photography and need something to get us into some pretty remote areas.
Like this -

I swapped the tires for a Hankook DynaPros and redid the suspension with OME shocks and springs.
Comparison photo

Other than that, I installed some LED pods in the rear bumper, and have just been driving it.

 

[Hunter_eg]

Love the 4runner man

 

[cblock406]

Nice, about time you started one! :thumb3:

 

[Ryance39]

Little update -
After cleaning the MAF and a few other changes the gas mileage issue seems to be resolved. This build is taking a lot more time than expected due to money going into other cars. My Dinan 540i needs a starter, and my 62 Mercedes Barn Find needed the brakes re-done.

But! I was driving home Saturday and my alternator went out... so a new alternator went in. I cleaned the old one up a bit and found out it was the original. I feel like 19 years of service is pretty good. The pulley was nearly siezed.

After that, I wired up some "marker" or "raptor" type lights and blacked out the grill. The "chrome" was starting to chip in places so it was time. I mocked up the lights in a number of different locations, but what I landed on was what I felt like looked best.

Once that was done I took it for a drive to take some photos before the rain storm came in.

Coming next is likely brakes. I'm undecided if I want to go the TBU route or just stick with what I've got.
I'm beginning to look into what it would take to do a hidden winch in the front bumper, and have started to think about what a drawer/storage system might look like.

 

[jeredcollins]

Looks amazing

 

[jbrentd]

Nice looking 4Runner...love the green. I just replaced my alternator too, and I suspect it was the 21 year old original as well. The brushes were basically nubs.

 

[307Vintage]

I like the grill lights. Which ones did you use? I'd like to do those as well. They look sharp.

 

[cblock406]

Badass pictures!!!

 

[Ryance39]

I like the grill lights. Which ones did you use? I'd like to do those as well. They look sharp.

Thank you!
These

 

[307Vintage]

Thanks. Did you put them on a switch or wire them into your marker lights?

 

[Dune4Runner]

love the landscape shots. looking forward to seeing more! the great pacific northwest!

 

[BrianSD_42]

Welcome and great shots! Subscribed.

 

[Ryance39]

Thanks. Did you put them on a switch or wire them into your marker lights?

I wired them to their own switch. I figured I would rather have the option to have them on or off rather than tied to something else.

 

[Ryance39]

No big updates as of now.

My steering rack has developed a knocking type sound on certain left-hand turns. LBJs are good, tie rods could probably use doing, but I'm going to start with steering rack bushings. Ordered the kit from Wheelers, should be here today or tomorrow.

The bushing that is verticle on the center welded nut has totally shredded, so I'm assuming that is where my knock is coming from.

Anyone care to chime in on how doing the steering rack guide changed your steering? I'm considering but its about $120 in parts and just not sure if it's worth it.

 

[Ryance39]

On the way home the other I went around a corner heard a big clunk, took a look and two of the steering rack bushings had basically shredded themselves.

So, a few hours worth of work and new steering rack bushings are in. I went with the kit from Wheelers. They appear to be of good quality.

Holy hell though, while the bushing replacement job is not overly difficult, it is a huge pain in the ass. Personally, I'd pay someone to do it if I ever had to do it again.

 

[Ryance39]

Small update - Installed a new radio. I have the parts for the Tacoma Whip Mod but had not done it yet. It appears that running the antenna wire is more work than it is made out to be.

One thing to note about the radio - if you have a 99 limited, the kit you buy to couple the harnesses doesn't "appear" to work at first glance. I found another thread about this as well. It turns out that the harness you need to connect to is the one leading into the amp behind the radio. You will remove but the stock radio and amp, mate the harnesses, then install your new radio. I'm glad I found this out before I cut the factory harness off... that would have been bad.

 

[Ryance39]

Update -
Some folks may have seen, but I had the 4runner up for sale. Since buying it I haven't loved it. It hasn't been as enjoyable to drive as I expected, any time there has been a problem it has made itself difficult to work on, but I'm coming around!

Truck is no longer for sale, I cleaned up the interior a bit, added a roof rack, and am currently looking into new front seats. I saw a thread about someone swapping in seats from a land rover, and that sounds like a good option to think about.
Anyway - Couple photos from a recent outing and roof rack addition.

[/url]image by Ryan Centioli, on Flickr[/IMG]

[/url]image by Ryan Centioli, on Flickr[/IMG]

 

[Ryance39]

UPDATE!
I'm really starting to enjoy the 4runner. A buddy with a newer Taco and I went and ran the Naches Wagon Trail this weekend. The 4runner did great. 4lo w/locker is incredible, even on all terrains.
It does feel strange though not having a skidplate to protect the oil pan...so, I know everyone recommends BudBuilt, is that really the way to go? Any other recommendations?

Also, sliders. I had a set of weld on Trail gGear sliders on my 95.5 Tacoma and liked them a lot. I would like to stay "bolt on" rather than weld on for the 4runner though. Are there any good bolt sliders?

Valve cover gaskets need doing, and I'm planing on doing them around Thanksgiving time. Wondering if I should be doing anything else while I'm in there. Also wondering if I should just do waterpump and timing belt as well. There is just over 70k on the motor since they were done last.

Anyway, looking for recommendations...
Here are the pics!

 

[cblock406]

Looking good man, wish I could have made it!

 

[128keaton]

Man I love those front Raptor-style LEDs. How did you mount them?

Thanks!