PhdNPrerunners
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Any updates?
SamSter0077's 97 4Runner build
- Thread starter SamSter0077
- Start date
SamSter0077
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Sadly No.. In desperate need of lower Ball joints next.. Been busy as hell last few months, and I sprained my ankle last week and I am just now getting back to walking on it. I am eager to get quite a few things done, but I just haven't had the opportunity. Other than Mods, I am mostly wanting to take it off-road where it belongs!
PS- Thanks for reminding me it's been waiting for more than a month.
PhdNPrerunners
New member
Sorry to hear about your ankle. I hope you get better soon. I know what you mean I despreatly need to get new shocks cause all of mine are blow but that should be fixed in a couple weeks. I found a good deal on some front king coilover and some rear shocks, once I get those on then it is time for some wheeling :driving:. Looking forward to see what you have in store for it
Mauzer
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Have you called Toyota and seen if the recall was done on your LBJ's? I just had mine done for free last month.:hungry:
SamSter0077
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I checked the list, only 01 & 02 models.. I don't think they will cover my 97 model.. LOL
Man, I need to get those things changed.
SamSter0077
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Ok, this lazy bum finally changed both lower ball joints last night with help! I am going wheeling at a redneck park this weekend, and it has sparked me driving the runner again. The other day on the way to work, I disintegrated my AC belt.. Looks like I need to change all those too. Looks like I will be doing that this afternoon.
I haven't touched the truck for what seems like months.. I feel like I just got over writers block or something. Weird.
Anyone got a link or know where I can find "perfect" flood lights for the backing up? The stockies suck..
SamSter0077
New member
Developed the most awful noise you could have on an engine. A kind of metal on metal make you grind your teeth sound. Changes with RPM, and with the AC cycling. never "actually" goes away. Under visual inspection, the clutch plate on the AC Compressor wobbles.. has play.. I would call it excessive. Well last night, I took off the belt and pulled the front of the clutch apart. Looked like an old worn out brake drum.. what a mess. I am going wheeling this weekend, and can't stand the sound so I cut the belt.
I am going to research the AC clutch now.. sounds like the have a rebuild kit for about $130.00. What do you expect for a 13 year old AC compressor in Texas.. yeah, it got used a lot!
After doing the ball joints, and tightening up all my stabilizers.. it is amazing how good the old 4runner rides. It rides better than my 09 Tacoma DC! Feels like a new truck, and since I cut the AC belt... it idles ever so quietly. What a great freaking truck. I really think if something happened to it, I would buy another used one rather than a brand new one. Two thumbs up for Toyota. OK, now to see what I can break this weekend! :lookout:
I am going to research the AC clutch now.. sounds like the have a rebuild kit for about $130.00. What do you expect for a 13 year old AC compressor in Texas.. yeah, it got used a lot!
After doing the ball joints, and tightening up all my stabilizers.. it is amazing how good the old 4runner rides. It rides better than my 09 Tacoma DC! Feels like a new truck, and since I cut the AC belt... it idles ever so quietly. What a great freaking truck. I really think if something happened to it, I would buy another used one rather than a brand new one. Two thumbs up for Toyota. OK, now to see what I can break this weekend! :lookout:
SamSter0077
New member
Just for a little while. But I still have some things in the garage I need to install anyways. Wheeled this weekend..
Teaser Video
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SCRunner12
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So...did you get out of that pickle?
SamSter0077
New member
Nope, Axle was burried and there was a HUGE rock behind my bumper and a big Root my left front would not get over. I got toed form the top sadly, it was one of two non-successes.. One of them was a pretty impressive failure. I was jammed in the vehicle so.. I don't have the pics, but I will post them here when I get them.
Here is one success, the Runner did great!
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Check out this mud hole.. Mud in the cab!
I'd like to use a lifeline, phone a friend? Hmm.. how am I going to get myself out of this one?
View from the other side.. Passenger front is almost a foot off the ground.
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SamSter0077
New member
Ok, Bumper is Done!
A little Background story.. I bought the bumper from Steve at CBI. I asked for a "Scratch and dent" type of deal, and he happened to have a bumper that didn't fit right. Somehow or another, it shrank after welding and didn't line up. This thing is freaking solid, Steve did an amazing job putting it together and it is extremely well put-together. Ultimately it took about 4 hours, we had to cut it with a torch. Pounded on the truck and then put the bolts in before spot welding it. Took it back off welded it, and reinstalled it... Pictures below.
All cut up, we forced it on like this and got things to line up. Todd spot welded it on the truck before finalizing it.
Check out the super clean work after it was cut and welded back together!
Had to cut the Muffler for the bumper, and it needed to be done anyway..
97 & 98.. Good Years.
Know anyone that needs this junk?
A little Background story.. I bought the bumper from Steve at CBI. I asked for a "Scratch and dent" type of deal, and he happened to have a bumper that didn't fit right. Somehow or another, it shrank after welding and didn't line up. This thing is freaking solid, Steve did an amazing job putting it together and it is extremely well put-together. Ultimately it took about 4 hours, we had to cut it with a torch. Pounded on the truck and then put the bolts in before spot welding it. Took it back off welded it, and reinstalled it... Pictures below.
All cut up, we forced it on like this and got things to line up. Todd spot welded it on the truck before finalizing it.
Check out the super clean work after it was cut and welded back together!
Had to cut the Muffler for the bumper, and it needed to be done anyway..
97 & 98.. Good Years.
Know anyone that needs this junk?
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PhdNPrerunners
New member
Wow Sam that bumper looks awesome on your runner!:thumb3:
SamSter0077
New member
Thanks Justin, I appreciate it!
SamSter0077
New member
Thanks Brian!
update:
Replaced my Fan Bearing Bracket while trying to get rid of a noise.
I did this yesterday, very easy to do. I took pictures of the new part from RockAtuo (FBT004) and the old one.. likes like the same thing to me.
Sadly, this was not my noise I was hearing.. so if anyone wants buy my old one...
My noise must be the waterpump, it's right behind it apparently. That's next. I didn't do the timing belt, because I thought it looked fine.. Waterpump didn't appear to be leaking, but I guess it is the Crickets I am hearing.. Thoughts?
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SamSter0077
New member
Thanks.
SamSter0077
New member
I have been working on chasing down an annoying noise. I had to remove all the accessory belts, Inspection cover and Fan bracket & run the engine on the battery alone to locate it. The pulleys on the timing belt were making some noises so I replaced the Belt, and both pulleys. While I had it apart, there was no leak and no play in the water pump so I just left it alone. It took me a week because of the holiday season and timing + I broke 3 deep 19mm sockets on the freaking crank.. I wasn't sure if I was moving it or not. I decided to take a break from breaking sockets and wait for a fried (YotaRob) to come over and help me out.. Never done the timing belt on this engine before so..
OK, after a long week of breaking sockets.. Robbie showed up with two brand new Deep Impact sockets that were made well (Reinforced). I had a New Years eve wrench party.. PhdNPrerunner, Taco4x4Rar, YotaRob attended.. With their help, I finally got my Crank bolt out. Apparently, the previous mechanic put some kind of epoxy to keep the bolt from coming out. It looked like JB weld, and it was smeared on every thing.. This harmonic balancer/bolt fought us every step of the way. Below are some photo's..
Aftermath..
The magic bolt and what was left of epoxy..
The glue that held it on PITA
Left crap on the Crank shaft..
It was all over the Harmonic balancer..
Check out the Key..
Once it was cleaned, and reassembled.. the engine was very quiet. It sounds better than a brand new engine.. I love the 5VZFE!
OK, after a long week of breaking sockets.. Robbie showed up with two brand new Deep Impact sockets that were made well (Reinforced). I had a New Years eve wrench party.. PhdNPrerunner, Taco4x4Rar, YotaRob attended.. With their help, I finally got my Crank bolt out. Apparently, the previous mechanic put some kind of epoxy to keep the bolt from coming out. It looked like JB weld, and it was smeared on every thing.. This harmonic balancer/bolt fought us every step of the way. Below are some photo's..
Aftermath..
The magic bolt and what was left of epoxy..
The glue that held it on PITA
Left crap on the Crank shaft..
It was all over the Harmonic balancer..
Check out the Key..
Once it was cleaned, and reassembled.. the engine was very quiet. It sounds better than a brand new engine.. I love the 5VZFE!
SamSter0077
New member
Out with the old..
in with the new..
in with the new..
