shinyblackdeer's 98 T4R SR5 V6 build thread

[shinyblackdeer]

22.8 average MPG

We haven't put many miles on our 4Runner since we brought it home last May, but I've been religiously calibrating the ScanGauge II after each fill up. I'm super happy to report our average MPG after a recent 200ish mile trip was 22.8. Not bad for a 16 year old vehicle with 173K miles!
EDIT: Pulling our little Turtleback Trailer through the mountains of AZ, UT, CO netted us an average of around 16 MPG, fyi.

 

[shinyblackdeer]

Transmission work

According to our service records, our transmission had been replaced by a Toyota dealer a year ago with a used one from a yard. We planned to do a complete flush and fill and install a Magnefine filter ourselves, but since we also had leaking seals, we opted for a complete service at a reputable local transmission shop. I love taking care of this truck because it drives so well in return!

Plus, after replacing the oil deflector on top of the transfer case, we now have a clean and leak-free underside :clap2:

It looks like we're going to be freed up in the next weekend or so to do our (2nd) front diff swap. Time for that air locker!

 

[txbonds]

I'm super envious of how quickly you guys moved on this project. Mine is taking forever it seems. It is looking great though.

Just curious what prompted you guys to drop the coin on the new ARB front diff since you mentioned it would spend almost all of its time on the road. Not questioning it as I wish I had one, but just curious if your plans changed to spend more time off road or what not.

Keep up the good work.

According to our service records, our transmission had been replaced by a Toyota dealer a year ago with a used one from a yard. We planned to do a complete flush and fill and install a Magnefine filter ourselves, but since we also had leaking seals, we opted for a complete service at a reputable local transmission shop. I love taking care of this truck because it drives so well in return!

Plus, after replacing the oil deflector on top of the transfer case, we now have a clean and leak-free underside :clap2:

It looks like we're going to be freed up in the next weekend or so to do our (2nd) front diff swap. Time for that air locker!

 

[shinyblackdeer]

Just curious what prompted you guys to drop the coin on the new ARB front diff since you mentioned it would spend almost all of its time on the road.

Good question. This 4Runner will definitely spend more time on the street, but we do have future vacation plans for a visit to Moab and the Overland Adventure Expo in AZ next spring. Plus, we live in the snow belt, and the first thing I learned when working on vehicles: Don't get stuck with stock.

Thanks for your comments!

 

[quicksilvr]

Holy cow. By some mystery, I had never seen this build thread until today. And I just read the whole thing.

:first: Awesome work!

 

[dd210]

loving the color matched fender flares

 

[TNRunner99]

Great build. What width flares did you order your CBI to fit? Does it stick out past the flares too much. This is the exact setup I'm going to put on mine, bushwackers and CBI.

 

[shinyblackdeer]

Great build. What width flares did you order your CBI to fit? Does it stick out past the flares too much. This is the exact setup I'm going to put on mine, bushwackers and CBI.

I would suggest calling Nathan at CBI to place your order, rather than doing it online. I remember talking with him about the flares, but there's nothing on my invoice that indicates anything about them. Bushwacker only makes one style for the 3rd gens (to my knowledge) and my CBI bumper fits flawlessly with them.

Here's what my invoice says:

3rd Gen. Toyota 4runner Rear Plate Bumper
Body Lift for Rear Bumper (1")
Swing Away tire carrier for CBI OffRoad Rear Bumper
* Triangular swing away
* Tire centered

Also note that the Bushwacker flares come in several pieces, some of which you won't install, depending on what bumpers you go with front and rear. Here's a photo of our unused pieces:

 

[TNRunner99]

I would suggest calling Nathan at CBI to place your order, rather than doing it online. I remember talking with him about the flares, but there's nothing on my invoice that indicates anything about them. Bushwacker only makes one style for the 3rd gens (to my knowledge) and my CBI bumper fits flawlessly with them.

Here's what my invoice says:

3rd Gen. Toyota 4runner Rear Plate Bumper
Body Lift for Rear Bumper (1")
Swing Away tire carrier for CBI OffRoad Rear Bumper
* Triangular swing away
* Tire centered

Also note that the Bushwacker flares come in several pieces, some of which you won't install, depending on what bumpers you go with front and rear.

Thanks for the reply. Yeah I'm clear on the bushwackers and was definitely gonna call to place an order, there are several aspects of the bumper I want to be sure of when ordering.
I asked because they make several different widths depending on what flares you have or if any. Some on here have said that the bumper for limited/bushwacker flares stuck out beyond the flares and didn't line up right and they didn't like the way it turned out. That's why I was wondering which one you had because it looks like it lines up perfectly. Thanks

 

[hrt4me]

Here's a photo showing what wires to tap into when wiring up your license plate light. Green is power, white/black is ground. As you're looking at the back of the taillight assembly, tap into the bottom plug of wires (there are 3 plugs). Easy.

I used bullet connectors at the license plate light, so I can easily disconnect the wiring if needed.

thanks, this helps as I'll be doing my own in the next few days

 

[shinyblackdeer]

Installed front diff w/ ARB air locker and compressor.

Jeff finished up the ARB CKMA12 compressor wiring this weekend to complete our front air locker install. The compressor is wedged in tight with a custom aluminum bracket, after moving the cruise control module. The bracket is going to need some gussets for support due to the vibration of the compressor. I'll get some detailed photos when complete. Next up is to install the set of Lotus Development axles that have been sitting patiently in our basement for a couple of months.

 

[awpsome]

THIS BUILD IS JUST PURE BEAUTY.
Every time this build pops up I have to see what you guys did because it's just awesome.

 

[sschaefer3]

HEY ! Are you guys still coming to the Overland Expo 2014 in Flagstaff? I'll head up there and meet you, if you want, I'll take you wheeling, this is my back yard, if you want. Let me know !!!

Good High Desert Trails around there, much better than the Expo people will show you. Not hard, Moderate, but very scenic. Sedona has some hidden Jems. Mini Moab. Bradshaws, Etc.

 

[toyoKühl]

either i pretend i never saw this build and not be jealous or let this build motivate me!

So well done, i will let it motivate me!

Best build Ive seen and i think its safe to say we've seen em all

 

[shinyblackdeer]

HEY ! Are you guys still coming to the Overland Expo 2014 in Flagstaff? I'll head up there and meet you, if you want, I'll take you wheeling, this is my back yard, if you want. Let me know !!!

Good High Desert Trails around there, much better than the Expo people will show you. Not hard, Moderate, but very scenic. Sedona has some hidden Jems. Mini Moab. Bradshaws, Etc.

Hello! We've changed our plans and aren't going to the expo. HOWEVER, we'll be in Phoenix to pick up our Turtleback trailer on May 5th. I only have a week off, so we're going on to the Grand Canyon, then back through Utah and Zion, then Ouray and home. It will be a whirlwind shakedown trip!

We'd love to meet up with you in Phoenix if possible, or wherever.

I've neglected our build thread all winter, but updates are coming soon!

Thanks for reaching out!

 

[sschaefer3]

Ok let me know! I'll be here.

 

[shinyblackdeer]

We're fast approaching our 1-year 4Runner anniversary! Lots of updates coming soon...

 

[shinyblackdeer]

Finished the ARB CKMA12 compressor install

We had a friend CNC an aluminum mounting bracket for the compressor, but realized pretty quickly that it needed some gussets for support:

Worked like a charm. Here's another angle of the finished install (the new Airaid intake tube helped free up some space):

 

[shinyblackdeer]

Lotus Development chromoly axles installed

These poor things have been sitting in the basement all winter long. The passenger axle got extra attention though, since we forgot to replace the axle seals the first time and it sprang a leak. Lesson learned.

 

[shinyblackdeer]

UBJ/steering knuckle install

I ordered a set of upper ball joints from Toyota and they came attached to shiny new steering knuckles. Awesome! Jeff installed these at the same time he had the front end apart for the Lotus axle swap. Our friend at Professional Muffler replaced the bearings/seals, pressed out the old and in the new. Done.