Smitty's 1996 Toyota 4Runner SR5 Build Up....

BIGJAMESCRU

BIGJAMESCRU

New member
So I've actually been working on this project for a couple of Month's now, here's the story. I bought a 1996 4Runner SR5 4x4 5MT, from a shady fly-by-night dealer in Dallas, I picked it up for 2,700, because it needed a new clutch, and the CEL was on... Fast forward, replace the clutch, brought her home to Galveston County, and this is where the fun begins... Pull code Misfire CYL #2

Replaced all Plugs and Wires- No Luck
Replace #2 injector- No Luck- No Luck
Compression Test Cylinder #2- 80lbs :Cry:
Leak Down Test... Blowing air out of the exhaust pipe...

She needed a valve job... Well after about 3 weeks of begging the woman, and much discussion, I bought a 5VZ-FE from a rolled over 99 runner, that had 98,XXX miles, extracted it from the truck, an proceed to replace:
1. Timing Belt
2. Water Pump
3. All Six Injectors (rebuilt by Witch-hunter)
4. Spark Plugs
5. Cap/Rotor
6. Rear Main Seal
7. Timing Pulleys
8. Both Valve Cover Gaskets
9. Flywheel Resurfaced

On the Truck itself
1. Throw Out Bearing
2. Drive Belts
3. Vacuumed and Recharged the A/C
4. Cleaned the Engine Bay
5. Replaced all Motor and Transmission Mounts.

She's all put back together now, and she runs like a top... Now for the pics...

Here she is the day I brought her home.

<a href="http://s621.photobucket.com/user/BIGJAMESCRU/media/Facebook/Instagram%20Photos/959302_683362221301_1758418026_o.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i621.photobucket.com/albums/tt293/BIGJAMESCRU/Facebook/Instagram%20Photos/959302_683362221301_1758418026_o.jpg" border="0" alt="The ol' #4Runner is serving its purpose.... #sidechick #dailydriver #Toyota photo 959302_683362221301_1758418026_o.jpg"/></a>

This is the Old 5VZ-FE
<a href="http://s621.photobucket.com/user/BIGJAMESCRU/media/Project%20Gismo/973776_686974796671_1706698861_n.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i621.photobucket.com/albums/tt293/BIGJAMESCRU/Project%20Gismo/973776_686974796671_1706698861_n.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 973776_686974796671_1706698861_n.jpg"/></a>

Leaking CamShaft Seals
<a href="http://s621.photobucket.com/user/BIGJAMESCRU/media/Project%20Gismo/973832_686975320621_796095809_n.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i621.photobucket.com/albums/tt293/BIGJAMESCRU/Project%20Gismo/973832_686975320621_796095809_n.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 973832_686975320621_796095809_n.jpg"/></a>

Leaking Rear Main
<a href="http://s621.photobucket.com/user/BIGJAMESCRU/media/Project%20Gismo/972442_686975300661_1194863091_n.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i621.photobucket.com/albums/tt293/BIGJAMESCRU/Project%20Gismo/972442_686975300661_1194863091_n.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 972442_686975300661_1194863091_n.jpg"/></a>

Empty Engine Bay
<a href="http://s621.photobucket.com/user/BIGJAMESCRU/media/Project%20Gismo/989874_686975365531_576928429_o.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i621.photobucket.com/albums/tt293/BIGJAMESCRU/Project%20Gismo/989874_686975365531_576928429_o.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 989874_686975365531_576928429_o.jpg"/></a>

And Here is the new one
<a href="http://s621.photobucket.com/user/BIGJAMESCRU/media/Project%20Gismo/983328_687034796431_1612453449_n.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i621.photobucket.com/albums/tt293/BIGJAMESCRU/Project%20Gismo/983328_687034796431_1612453449_n.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 983328_687034796431_1612453449_n.jpg"/></a>

<a href="http://s621.photobucket.com/user/BIGJAMESCRU/media/Project%20Gismo/991247_686975440381_1930363466_o.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i621.photobucket.com/albums/tt293/BIGJAMESCRU/Project%20Gismo/991247_686975440381_1930363466_o.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 991247_686975440381_1930363466_o.jpg"/></a>

And Back in the Truck
<a href="http://s621.photobucket.com/user/BIGJAMESCRU/media/Project%20Gismo/961830_688009747621_1606184692_n.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i621.photobucket.com/albums/tt293/BIGJAMESCRU/Project%20Gismo/961830_688009747621_1606184692_n.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 961830_688009747621_1606184692_n.jpg"/></a>

I also replaced the Steering Wheel with a 4Spoke
<a href="http://s621.photobucket.com/user/BIGJAMESCRU/media/Project%20Gismo/992130_689497930291_135950399_o.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i621.photobucket.com/albums/tt293/BIGJAMESCRU/Project%20Gismo/992130_689497930291_135950399_o.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 992130_689497930291_135950399_o.jpg"/></a>

And Had the Windows Tinted
<a href="http://s621.photobucket.com/user/BIGJAMESCRU/media/Project%20Gismo/1007248_689360380941_1461418626_o.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i621.photobucket.com/albums/tt293/BIGJAMESCRU/Project%20Gismo/1007248_689360380941_1461418626_o.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 1007248_689360380941_1461418626_o.jpg"/></a>

Painted the Center Caps
<a href="http://s621.photobucket.com/user/BIGJAMESCRU/media/Project%20Gismo/983361_689577530771_93472843_n.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i621.photobucket.com/albums/tt293/BIGJAMESCRU/Project%20Gismo/983361_689577530771_93472843_n.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 983361_689577530771_93472843_n.jpg"/></a>

And Cleaned her Up
<a href="http://s621.photobucket.com/user/BIGJAMESCRU/media/Project%20Gismo/1006480_689610579541_815737932_o.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i621.photobucket.com/albums/tt293/BIGJAMESCRU/Project%20Gismo/1006480_689610579541_815737932_o.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 1006480_689610579541_815737932_o.jpg"/></a>

Now that I have spend about $3,XXX in parts, she's running good, and looking good... Next on my list is

99-00 Limited 5 Star's (Painted Graphite) on 265-75-R16 BFG All Terrain TA/KO's
Satoshi's Grill Mod
Shrockwork Front Bumper Replacement...
Shrockwork Rear Bumper Replacement...
Roof Basket...
Audio System Upgrade... (Still plotting on this one)

She's a work in progress guys... Stay tuned for updates...
 
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Classic Auto Group
13510 Vargon St,
Dallas, TX ‎
(214) 683-9795 ‎

They described my 4Runner as "Great Shape" needs plugs, and a Clutch... Lol... When I took the motor apart, it had 6 different spark plugs in it, 3 different wires, the valve covers had been changed but they hadn't been put back on right... Luckily for me, I have the smarts to do most of this shit myself, so I saved alot in labor, but had some kid bought the vehicle, he would have been screwed... My Girlfriend told me to sell it, and just not tell the next owner (because it ran fine, just had a slight miss) but, I operate on a high code of ethics, and I think I would murder someone if they did my kid, parents, or any of my loved ones like that... However, I did get my revenge against them...
 
What's the revenge?

Props to you for fixing it up and not selling it dishonestly. We need more people like that... Nice work! Hope it works out great in the long run! :yo:
 
I can't disclose the full story... But I got that dickhat good, he'll know next time not to f*** with an honest funeral director....
 
BIGJAMESCRU said:
I can't disclose the full story... But I got that dickhat good, he'll know next time not to f*** with an honest funeral director....
Click to expand...
Who better to hide a body, right?

Looks great, same color as mine (I think--Desert Dune is so weird in pictures.) Hope you have better luck with the new innards!
 
LOL... I know right... Is that the name of the color? I thought it was like sand or something like that... I am going to have it resprayed at the beginning of next year, the same color, the paint job on it right now its about a 5 footer (looks good from 5 feet away), but once you get close its got a few scratches here and there... for the most part its very clean, whoever owned it before me took excellent care of the paint, and after looking at the inside of the old motor, it seems like they used pretty good oil, and fuel as there was hardly any sludge... Hopefully it'll be a good truck for years to come, I try to take pretty good care of my stuff...

:peace:
 
So I haven't done much but drive the 4Runner for the past few weeks however, I have been lurking through the classifieds, like a hawk looking for his next meal and I was able to find these....
<a href="http://s621.photobucket.com/user/BIGJAMESCRU/media/Project%20Gismo/Wheels_zpsb8e9d320.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i621.photobucket.com/albums/tt293/BIGJAMESCRU/Project%20Gismo/Wheels_zpsb8e9d320.jpg" border="0" alt="5 Stars photo Wheels_zpsb8e9d320.jpg"/></a>

I picked them up for $140, and I am having them powder coated dark grey, I'm sure I'll have plenty of pictures to post once I get them mounted with new tires... I am considering running Bridgestone Dueler A/T 265-75-16's, Any thoughts?
:snacker:
 
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Suspension upgrades

So I'm thinking about running OME 881s on the front, and OME 906s on the rear with the Bilstein 4600 shocks.... I'm running 85% highway, and light off road the other 15% at the farm, and deer lease.... What do you guys think?
 
Nice work on the 4runner. I'd say the 881/906 combo is a great idea for a DD. It will be a little stiffer than stock, but will handle great and provide a good lift.
 
Lifts and Tires!

Well I got in a little wrench time yesterday, and everything turned out nothing short of amazing. I ended up going with the Bilstein 4600's with the 99 "Tall" Springs. I also replaced the LBJ's while I had it taken apart. I noticed that my rear passenger side axle seal was leaking, I will have that addressed this afternoon when I have the front end aligned.

Here is a shot of all the goodies before installation.
a>~original

and another
a>~original


And here is a before picture
a>~original


And an After with my buddy Brice's 4Runner
a>~original


And Right before Happy Tire Monday
a>~original


And the Finished Product... Running BFG All Terrain TA/KO 265/75R16's
a>~original


So after driving it with the new springs shocks and tires... the verdict is, it rides great... I actually ended up getting a little more lift than I had expected. The front Height from Ground to wheel well:
Before: 33.5"
After: 35.5

The Rear Height from Ground to wheel well:
Before: 34.25
After: 36.5

Since the 4runner is mostly my daily driver, this is the perfect height. I am very pleased. Now next stop figure out whats going on with the 4 wheel drive system, Audio, roof rack, and then... bumpers, and possibly another 4Runner... Stay Tuned folks...

 
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BIGJAMESCRU said:
Since the 4runner is mostly my daily driver, this is the perfect height. I am very pleased. Now next stop figure out whats going on with the 4 wheel drive system, Audio, roof rack, and then... bumpers, and possibly another 4Runner... Stay Tuned folks...
Click to expand...

you just missed the latest Shrockworks group buy...
 
So the axle seal wasn't as easy as it sounds... However it is fixed, also the 4 wheel drive issue ended up being a bad wire replaced that, and it worked like a charm. Drove the truck 3 hours up to the farm, and 3 hours back... Ran like a dream, was able to snap a few photos from the journey, and I even did a little wheeling...

Here is a pic inside the garage at work... Me and the maintainence guy fixed the seat bolt that broke off


One behind the house in "my" parking spot


Out by the barn


Photo shoot with my buddies Wrangler


Rescuing the Tacoma


Down by the Tank


Last one of the night

I order a new set of clear corner lenses and turn signals lights... I will post pics once I return and get the 4runner all cleaned up...
 
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And after a little wash and wax action, and I finally got around to replacing those corner lenses....

<a href="http://s621.photobucket.com/user/BIGJAMESCRU/media/Project%20Gismo/ee4e26db28634785ec4e58c5a7493a7f_zps802f4970.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i621.photobucket.com/albums/tt293/BIGJAMESCRU/Project%20Gismo/ee4e26db28634785ec4e58c5a7493a7f_zps802f4970.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo ee4e26db28634785ec4e58c5a7493a7f_zps802f4970.jpg"/></a>

So Roof Basket? Or No Basket.... To be determined....
 
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