Silver 3rd Gen in Florida - Build Thread

[antighboatye]

Well, I figured it was time to introduce myself and start a thread documenting my "build", which is less of a build and more of just an attempt to make the 4Runner my own.
I bought it in July 2012 with 206,000 miles on it for $3000. I have a 2004 Jeep TJ that has been my DD since I bought it in 2007, but I have built it beyond being a sensible driver to have to haul my two kids around during the week. The purpose of the 4Runner is to be my DD and wet weather wheeler/camping vehicle. Therefore, the work I will do is geared toward refurbishing, refreshing, and mildly modifying to my tastes, using what little money is left over from my Jeep fund.

2000 4Runner SR5 4x4

The interior, while in decent shape, was filthy.

First thing to do when I brought it home was to ditch the cheesy bug shield, and rescue the paint underneath. The PO had let leaves and dirt just sit in there and it took a bit of elbow grease to clean and remove the adhesive from the rubber paint protectors.

Next, every bit of the "soft" interior came out. I removed the seats, console, and all the carpet, and vacuumed the dirt and old food out of the bare floors. I took the carpet down to the local car wash and used the soap pressure washer on it, which worked incredibly well. While everything was out I armor-alled all the trim and dash pieces, febreezed the smoke smell out of the seats and headliner, and cleaned all the windows and door jambs. After getting everything back in, I realized this was probably the most satisfying interior detail I had ever done on any vehicle.

From my fortune cookie the day I stripped the interior:

Next I started with the tune-up process. I still have a few things to do, but started with all the simple things like replacing the PCV valve, plugs and wires, seafoaming the engine, oil change, and topping off all the fluids that needed it. I had a front brake that was dragging, so I replaced the pads (rotors still looked great). The PO told me that the valve cover gasket needed to be replaced, so I did some research and was fortunate to find what many others have: the bolts on the cover were so loose I could turn them by hand. I tightened them all down, cleaned up the oil, and haven't had any leakage since.
There are still a few things I need to address like the trans fluid (and adding a cooler), replacing belts, changing fluids in the TC and front and rear diffs, and replacing some steering components, but for right now I've just been enjoying driving it.

 

[imboredeveryday]

nice runner i like the rims i wish i could find a set of thoese in black thoe

 

[antighboatye]

I really enjoy listening to all kinds of music in my vehicles, and have really missed having decent audio in my Jeep. I replaced the factory head unit with a Sony CDX-GT350MP and the front door speakers with Polk DB651s speakers. I will eventually add an amp for the front speakers, but the head unit does a fantastic job of powering them by itself. I also have an MTX RT8PT bass tube that I may add eventually.

 

[antighboatye]

I plan to paint the front and rear bumper black, and the wheels to match. I had a friend photoshop a couple pics so I could see what it will look like and I like the look.

The passenger side rear bumper end has a decent size dent in it, so I ordered a paintable replacement end off of ebay for about $40 to swap in when I paint it.

I removed the grill and front bumper and painted it with a combination of semigloss black paint and Plasti-dip, depending on the material.

Primed grill

Finished product

I also Plasti-dipped the rear license plate bezel, but I'm not crazy about how it turned out. The surface was faded and cracked, and the plasti-dip didn't fill the cracks like I would have liked. I will probably redo this at some point.

Sprayed the rear spoiler at the same time:

 

[JadatheRottweiler]

great mods so far- thats how I started too

actually havent done much since then haha

wheres the jeep?

 

[antighboatye]

As you can see from the pics above, the tires were pretty worn. They were some 31x10.50x15 Spector all terrains that looked like a hybrid of the BFG ATs and General Grabber AT2s. They were probably a decent tire at some point, but were so worn they were about 28.5" tall(!) and provided very little traction. I had been scouring Craigslist for several weeks before I found a decent set of replacements. I came across these Dayton Timberline MTs for $300 that had about 90% tread on them still. I sold the worn out tires for $50, so for a net cost of 250 I had a decent set of tires. They are loud, but they're round and have a lot of tread. I can't complain.
As you can see, I added the obligatory TRD decal on the rear panels. It's been done a couple times, but I really like the look, so sue me. I also removed all the emblems on the rear hatch with the exception of the Toyota logo. I don't think I have any pictures of that, though.

 

[antighboatye]

And here is where the build gets hairy. I had noticed a slight squeal coming from the passenger side rear brake, so I set out to pull the drum and see what I could find. I had never messed with drum brakes much, but figured I could handle it. When I removed the drum, this is what I found:

Yep, gear oil in the drum, and nasty gear oil at that:

I replaced the inner seal and then started reading more about the wheel bearings. While the axle was pulled, I decided I'd check those, and sure enough, the backing plate flops around with some pretty severe play. To make matters worse, the driver side was even worse. After debating buying the tools and doing it myself, I decided to check around and get some pricing on parts and labor to replace the bearings. The local Toyota dealer wanted $800 for the job, even with the axles pulled. Everyone else I talked to basically told me they didn't want to do it. So... the 4Runner sat on jackstands, waiting for a miracle.

And instead of a miracle, it got a hit and run.

Some dbag was driving through my neighborhood and missed the curve in front of our house. They went through our mailbox, hit my jeep, and launched it into the front of the 4Runner. The trail corners on the jeep absorbed the impact to the body and bear no evidence of being in an accident except the scratched rattlecan paint job. The front bumper that hit the 4Runner had even less damage. Unfortunately, the 4Runner didn't fare as well. It was knocked back about 3-4 feet, off the jackstands and onto the rear wheels and axle. The front bumper, passenger fender, and a few trim pieces will need to be replaced.

The jeep missed hitting my wife's WK by less than two inches.

 

[antighboatye]

So here she sits:

I pulled the front bumper and straightened the fender as best I could, and during the down time, put a 1.5" spacer lift on it. I have the parts for the rear bearings on order, and have a shop lined up to do the work. Once I get the axles back in I'll change the diff fluid, flush the brake fluid, and begin replacing body parts.

That brings everything up to today. It's been mostly fun and a little bit stressful so far, but I'm looking forward to getting it back on the road.

 

[antighboatye]

great mods so far- thats how I started too

actually havent done much since then haha

wheres the jeep?

Here's a couple pics of the jeep from the last time I went wheeling with a friend of mine. There's not a ton of diverse terrain here in NW Florida, but we try to make use of what we have.

 

[BillIam]

truck fell off of jack stands noow it need a new rear axle, thanks driver at faults insurance company! :hiding:

 

[antighboatye]

Yeah, unfortunately being a hit and run, there was no insurance company to deal with. Still got an eye out for the POS though. :uzi: