stockwell45's 97 4Runner Build Up Thread

[SCRunner12]

Hmm, maybe I'll try to make a trip up this weekend. I have mixed feelings as well. I love the 60-70 degree days and not having to deal with the rain here, but I missed out on boarding all of last year, so I'm ready. Any chance you go wheeling this next weekend if I was able to make it up?

That's not a bad price at all for the rear bumper. There is a local fab company that made one of my favorite tube bumpers. I'm going to have to talk to them about my future bumper.

 

[Stockwell45]

Hmm, maybe I'll try to make a trip up this weekend. I have mixed feelings as well. I love the 60-70 degree days and not having to deal with the rain here, but I missed out on boarding all of last year, so I'm ready. Any chance you go wheeling this next weekend if I was able to make it up?

That's not a bad price at all for the rear bumper. There is a local fab company that made one of my favorite tube bumpers. I'm going to have to talk to them about my future bumper.

Yeah I'd defintely be down. If you are really desperate to board, there are some north facing slopes higher up on the pass that are still covered in about a foot of snow, you could hike up and board down. But if you do come up, let me know it would be nice to wheel locally for once, seems like I'm always going out of town to different wheeling trips.

Are you gonna get a front or rear tube bumper? I don't think I've ever seen a rear 3rd gen tube bumper in person before.

 

[SCRunner12]

Well I talked to the Fiance and she was not too estatic. I'll talk to her about it. I'm going to go with tube front and rear. This won't be for a while as I have to save up and sliders are going to be first. I'm thinking of going with the Badlands bumper that Hepar has and the local shop for the rear.

 

[Stockwell45]

If you cant make it, no big deal. Theres always next time and when you do go to your cabin, I'll be ready to wheel. Those Badland bumpers are sweet, definitely my favorite front tube bumper.

They are saying it may snow down to 2000 ft next week, so hopefully that will get the lifts running again.

 

[Stockwell45]

New rubbers are on.

Hopefully I can keep some tread on these this time!

 

[Stockwell45]

Had the first big wheeling trip since the new tires yesterday, and I had one big problem. The way my rear bumper was made wouldn't allow my new tires to stuff without hitting the bumper and digging into my tread. When the bumper was made, I had semi bald 33's and it wasn't a problem then. I didn't forsee that it would be a problem with larger tires. Today I plasma cutted parts of the sides off to clear 33's when stuffing, as well as 35's if I get them later down the road.

Before

After

 

[blcktpgsr]

Is it just me or the Photobucket link you provided of the rear bumper after image isn't working.:hello: Must've been an easy fix for sure, I mean making room for the new tires.

 

[Stockwell45]

All fixed! Yeah super easy, Glad a close friend has a plasma cutter I Can use whenever I want.

 

[tbst]

Have an ARB bumper on the way. Your story of going "off-roading" unintentionally and surviving makes me feel more justified.

Good looking rig, btw.

 

[Stockwell45]

Have an ARB bumper on the way. Your story of going "off-roading" unintentionally and surviving makes me feel more justified.

Good looking rig, btw.

Thanks!

I feel so much safer on the freeway and on icy roads knowing that I am surrounded by a steel cushion. I definitely believe that having a bigger, stronger bumper adds more safety to me as well as my passengers. A great excuse to cash out to buy one! Nice to hear one more has joined the ARB club.

 

[tbst]

Joined the winch club too! I live in deer country. I would feel bad killing Bambi. But I would feel worse killing my 4Runner and Bambi.

What next for the modding?

 

[Stockwell45]

Nice! Don't forget to do the frame endcap mod before you throw that bad boy on. Sadly, I actually hit and killed a fawn that was chasing after it's mother about 6 months ago. I was going about 40 at the time. I imagine it would have done lots of damage to the front bumper if it was stock.

I'm not sure what's next, I'm torn between Budbuilt skids, Tepui rooftop tent or ARB fridge. It's all coming sooner or later, but just not sure what to do first. Probably skids. Just gotta save those dollars

 

[t4r4life]

sup dude 26th to Frank raines, wanna roll?

 

[Stockwell45]

Unless something comes up with work, which I doubt, I'll be there!

 

[t4r4life]

Unless something comes up with work, which I doubt, I'll be there!

sweet 10 am at the gate, its nice to wheel with 4runners tired to wheel with buncha tacos

 

[Stockwell45]

I feel your pain, I'm used to wheeling with Cherokees most of the time

 

[BigFishAllDay]

The new tires look good man. I bet it stings just a little more having to buy 5 of them. Great job on the build, I remember checking it out awhile back over on YT.

I saw your comment on my '97 build about coming out this way later in the year. Once you firm up some dates for your month off, send me a PM. I get alot of time off, and I've VERY familiar w/N.NM and S.CO. Hopefully we can work something out and get in a little wheeling and some fishing.

 

[tbst]

Just checked out the tents. Pretty cool. Although having a cool tent and a branch jammed in your gas tank wouldn't be so cool.

And will def do end cap mod.

 

[Stockwell45]

The new tires look good man. I bet it stings just a little more having to buy 5 of them. Great job on the build, I remember checking it out awhile back over on YT.

I saw your comment on my '97 build about coming out this way later in the year. Once you firm up some dates for your month off, send me a PM. I get alot of time off, and I've VERY familiar w/N.NM and S.CO. Hopefully we can work something out and get in a little wheeling and some fishing.

Thanks! Yeah I'll definitely let you know. I'm thinking it be more towards September when it isn't so hot, and most of the tourists are home and kids back in school. Glad you know alot about it, everything I hear about that area makes me want to get up and leave now. I love the Sierra Nevadas and the granite, but I'm ready for a little change of scenery.

Just checked out the tents. Pretty cool. Although having a cool tent and a branch jammed in your gas tank wouldn't be so cool.

And will def do end cap mod.

Yeah that's what I'm thinking, better safe than sorry. Before I get the tent I forgot I need to get an elocker too. Since I ditched my Aussie I have been missing the traction. I just need to figure out the best way to get a complete 4runner elocked axle, I don't think I wanna try to modify mine to adapt to a new 3rd member.

 

[Stockwell45]

Replaced the lower ball joint bolts yesterday. Ever since the last Pismo trip I had to replace them with cheap Ace Hardware bolts because most of my other ones had fallen out on the dunes for some reason, guess I didn't use enough Locktite on them. I got some new factory bolts because I was worried about the old bolts not holding up if I head to the dunes again

New factory bolt on the right, cheap Ace Hardware bolt on the left. Plenty of Locktite this time.

The 4runner is due for a bunch of maintenance. Still havent replaced my leaky oil pan, need new valve cover gaskets, new cv's and new lower A arm bushings. Tired of the floor of the shop looking like this

Also the hunt has begun for a complete E-locked rear end for a 4Runner, made a few phone calls and will be hitting up a pick n pull or two this weekend. You don't realize how handy a locker is until it is gone.