Son-Uva-Driller's 97 Limited Family 4Wheeler Build

[Son-Uva-Driller]

Last year I discovered that 4wheeling had instantly become a hit with the whole family so I had to sell my 89 Toyota pickup cuz the kids car seats just won't fit in the back even with the Xtra cab. So I looked high and low and found this 97 4runner limited 3.4L V6 Auto E-locker with 170k. I'm now the third owner and the first to 4wheel it. As much as I'd like nothing more than to go crazy with the mods, this will also be the family grocery getter so the mods will be modest but that's cool because so is the budget.

More posts and pics to come.

 

[Son-Uva-Driller]

After getting my hands on it a little regular maintenance was in order. As per the recommended maintenance in the forum's 3rd gen buyers guide I immediately did the following:

Oil change (Mobil 1, OEM Filter)
Replaced spark plugs and wires (OEM plugs, NGK wires)
Replaced the PCV Valve (OEM parts)
Cleaned the MAF and TB
Replaced the fuel filter (OEM parts)
Reset the EFI relay
Installed aftermarket B&M Trans cooler

 

[Dephcon]

An Island Wheeler! Congrats on the purchase, nice low Km's to start with. What direction are you heading with the build? What's the plans?

 

[Son-Uva-Driller]

An Island Wheeler! Congrats on the purchase, nice low Km's to start with. What direction are you heading with the build? What's the plans?

VI born and raised! As for the build plans, this 4runner is also the family DD so although it is very tempting to go crazy on the mods I'll have to restrain myself within reason.

*EDIT*
Near Future Mod List:
Larger tires(stock to 285/75/16) DONE
Toytec Ultimate Lift (Ordered) DONE
1.25" Spidertrax spacers DONE

Want List:
Hilux 167 Snorkel Have it, waiting to instal
Front and rear bumpers (Probably Savage)
Cargo Basket DONE

The truck is in serious need of some new rubber and other day I saw a great deal on some Duratracs so I decided to give them a try but they're not going on until I install the lift I've ordered.

 

[Son-Uva-Driller]

Running board removal for instant lift (appearance only) complete.

 

[Son-Uva-Driller]

Spent the weekend paint the limited trim, flares and mud flaps with bedliner. Did the rear bumper as well. Also painted the wheels. Happy with the result.

 

[Dephcon]

Fenders look nice. I keep thinking I have to paint mine, their pretty beat up. Did you pull all the limited cladding off before painting it, or just do it on the truck?

 

[Son-Uva-Driller]

Fenders look nice. I keep thinking I have to paint mine, their pretty beat up. Did you pull all the limited cladding off before painting it, or just do it on the truck?

Just did the trim and flares on the truck. Pulled the rear bumper to sand all the chrome off. Was a PITA because most of the bolts were seezed. They all got a dab of never-seeze when i put it back together. Green painters tape a can of rustoleum sandible primer and a can of rustoleum bedliner. All from home depot. Ran of of paint before I got around to doing the front bumper. Oh and I used self etching primer on the chrome pieces.

 

[SupaSupra]

Looks good!

 

[Son-Uva-Driller]

Looks good!

Thanks. Should have a small box of parts arriving this afternoon ('99 clear headlights, rear diff breather extention) that I wanna get installed once the kids go to sleep tonight.
TG rock sliders going on tomorrow morning and I got an email saying my lift kit should be arriving soon, can't wait!!!

 

[Son-Uva-Driller]

'99 Clear headlight conversion complete.

 

[Son-Uva-Driller]

TG Rock Sliders

Had a set of 67" TG rock sliders installed yesterday at a local fab shop (NorthWest FabWorks - Innovative Products & The Best Deals On Offroad Parts). Extremely happy with the work they do, on time and under the price they originally quoted me. THANKS GUYS!

Won't know until they get tested on the trail but they look freakin solid.

 

[Son-Uva-Driller]

Mod List Update

Thanks to those who've taken a minute to have a look at my build thread. Sorry it's not as exciting as some of the other guys builds and that the pics are huge, but any advice, comments or critiques is always appreciated.

Anyways here is my updated mod list.

*EDIT*
-1.25" Spidertrax spacers DONE
-Hilux 167 Snorkel Have it, just waiting to instal
-Front and rear bumpers (Probably Savage or TG) tube or hybrid
-Cargo Basket DONE
-diff drop DONE
-Energy Suspension 8.5118 Front Sway Bar and Endlink Bushings Set - 27mm (1.06 inch) DONE
-Total Chaos Tacoma/4Runner Urethane Steering Rack Bushing Kit
-Lotus Bolt on Rear trailing arm mount skids

 

[ukrunner]

I was always under the impression you need to change the grille to fit the '99 clear headlights. If not, I'm going to get a pair and figure out a way to improve the awful light output the stock '97 setup currently produces.

 

[Dephcon]

I was always under the impression you need to change the grille to fit the '99 clear headlights. If not, I'm going to get a pair and figure out a way to improve the awful light output the stock '97 setup currently produces.

I have never heard of a grill change being required. There a lot of people with 99+ that do whats called a "Satoshi grill mod" which is basically a 96-98 grill and cut out the innards and install custom mesh and logo. I have not heard of anything special they have had to do to get the older grills to fit on newer years. Should all be the same.

 

[Son-Uva-Driller]

I was always under the impression you need to change the grille to fit the '99 clear headlights. If not, I'm going to get a pair and figure out a way to improve the awful light output the stock '97 setup currently produces.

No grill change necessary, the '99 lights/housing just fit right in. Got mine at lowrangeoffroad.com. $42 USD each I believe.

 

[Son-Uva-Driller]

Toytec Ultimate Lift Install

13 hours, 2 broken front sway bar end links, 2 hours spent tracking down a spring compressor and possibly 1 disgruntled wife later (won't know until i see her in the morning) the lift is complete.
Lessons learned:

Should not have attempted to do it by myself
Should not have relied entirely on Toytec's install instructions (they make it sound way too easy)
Should have done more research on removal of stock suspension prior to beginning the lift.

That said I'm 90% satisfied with the final outcome. I'll post pics and before/after measurements either tomorrow or on the weekend. It is sitting pretty much level, would have been 100% satisfied if the rear was a little higher.
The 3 options I guess I have are:
1. Lower the front coilovers a bit
2. Buy and install spacers in the rear (after all the messing around with the springs today not likely to do this)
3. Don't adjust anything and wait until I get an aftermarket front bumper and winch and the added weight should bring the nose down to the desired rake.

Any suggestions?

 

[Son-Uva-Driller]

Toytec Ultimate Lift Install Update

Well the good news is the wife was not disgruntled. Also I've replaced the broken sway bar end links with aftermarket ones that can be greased.
The bad news however is my inner cv boots started leaking grease as soon as the lift was installed. I've ordered a diff drop kit and it will go on as soon as it arrives.
Will hopefully be able to get the new tires on and an alignment done this afternoon. The front wheels are really pigdeoned toed at the moment.

 

[L3GT4R]

Sub'd, interested in how it looks with the tires on!

 

[Son-Uva-Driller]

Sub'd, interested in how it looks with the tires on!

That makes two of us hahahaha! The alignment was done today but I couldnt get the tires mounted because they were hitting up against the UCA's. Will have to get some spacers now. I'm having trouble deciding on 1.25 "or 1.5".