Supercharged 98 LTD TacoRunner

[I'mStock]

Hello. I've always wanted a Limited 3rd gen, just really liked the way they look. Never been in to off-roading in any way shape or form as my automotive hobbies have always seemed to involved speed of some sort. I recently unloaded my '95 LS400 daily and was lucky enough to snatch up a friend's '98 Limited, auto, 4WD, e-locker, 207k and always serviced by a family friend. Timing belt, etc was done 2k ago.

$3,000.

Now like I said, I've never really been interested in "off-road"... hell, my LS could barely navigate parking lots with speed-bumps but I find myself wanting to drive on pavement lees and less. It's like I just want to see what this thing can do, I'm familiar with it's "pedigree" but I', honestly amazed at where I'm able to go and with how confidence inspiring it is. I keep pushing it's limits and it keeps surprising me!

My old LS:

My racecar:

And what all you guys care about, my 4Runner:

 

[I'mStock]

Oh yeah, do I have a 7th injector?

 

[I'mStock]

Plans are virtually non-existant. I really intend to just drive this thing but as this is a "build" thread I'll post my wish list...

I'd like a 2" suspension lift and a 1" body lift eventually.
Some sort of F&R bumper solution, might be able to convince a buddy to fab me something.
Same with a roof rack, I'd like him to make something full-length but I've got a sunroof..?
Lights, clearance, storage I guess...

I like exploring, no real interest in "crawling" or "mudding" so just a capable trail vehicle.

 

[GSPRunner]

Ill admit it. I'm kinda excited about this build.

 

[TRDteen]

sweet ride dude! jealous of the SC'er!

 

[I'mStock]

Hi.

 

[TRDteen]

Hi.

:wow2: :wtf:

 

[crazydubman]

Plans are virtually non-existant. I really intend to just drive this thing but as this is a "build" thread I'll post my wish list...

I'd like a 2" suspension lift and a 1" body lift eventually.
Some sort of F&R bumper solution, might be able to convince a buddy to fab me something.
Same with a roof rack, I'd like him to make something full-length but I've got a sunroof..?
Lights, clearance, storage I guess...

I like exploring, no real interest in "crawling" or "mudding" so just a capable trail vehicle.

If your looking for a full length roof rack you would be hard pressed to not love the Whitson Metalworks racks.
- Whitson Metalworks

I have one and absolutely love it. Very well made and for the price, it really can't be beat. All the fab shops I have been to want double what the whitson rack runs to build a custom one. Worth a look at least.

For suspension, if you are just looking at a basic setup, take a look at Toytec lifts for an OME/Bilstein combo. I think that would be the cheapest complete suspension you can get in to. Or just take look in the classifieds.

Once again, if you are just looking at mild wheelin and camping, are you sure you need a bumper? Stock 4runners are very capable as they sit stock and with a mild lift, you would be hard pressed to ever hit the bumpers if you are only into "exploring" mild fireroad types.

Good luck and welcome to the forums.

 

[541joseph]

I font think he's looking for a roof rack anymore I think he wants his truck back in general.

 

[TCMach]

Tacoma front clip?

Welcome to the forums also! Nice LS by the way.

 

[99 sr5 highlander]

OOOO. Tacoma front clip! I like! I would love to do that, its one of my dream mods, to go along with a supercharger.

 

[98Roamer]

I'd be interested in your front bumper if its in good shape. Even though my sister is in Las Cruces, I'm in Ohio so shipping might not be fun.

 

[4runneraddict]

Looking good, good choice on the front clip mod. I'm also in Cruces.

 

[I'mStock]

If your looking for a full length roof rack you would be hard pressed to not love the Whitson Metalworks racks.
- Whitson Metalworks

I have one and absolutely love it. Very well made and for the price, it really can't be beat. All the fab shops I have been to want double what the whitson rack runs to build a custom one. Worth a look at least.

For suspension, if you are just looking at a basic setup, take a look at Toytec lifts for an OME/Bilstein combo. I think that would be the cheapest complete suspension you can get in to. Or just take look in the classifieds.

Once again, if you are just looking at mild wheelin and camping, are you sure you need a bumper? Stock 4runners are very capable as they sit stock and with a mild lift, you would be hard pressed to ever hit the bumpers if you are only into "exploring" mild fireroad types.

Good luck and welcome to the forums.

A lot's changed since I made my initial post....

Thanks for the rack info, I'm really hoping to get my buddy to fab me a rack, he's caged all my track cars and helped with other misc metal work and he works for almost free when I can coax him into picking up his welder. If not, you're right, for the price the one you linked looks tits.

Suspension-wise, 5100s and more spring. Not so much to lift, but to stiffen for towing. I watch the classifieds but I haven't had a lot of "fun money" recently.

New bumper plan is just paint. Picked up an '02 "sport" front bumper to go with the new Tacoma front and color matching the rear, going monochrome, I think. I'm gonna hold out on the side cladding and see what I want to do.

I font think he's looking for a roof rack anymore I think he wants his truck back in general.

Pretty much. It's been too long without.

Tacoma front clip?

Welcome to the forums also! Nice LS by the way.

Yessir! Wanted to do this before I even picked the Runner up, ended up in a fender bender that I paid out of pocket for so I decided if I was spending money I didn't "want" to, I'd at least change things up.

OOOO. Tacoma front clip! I like! I would love to do that, its one of my dream mods, to go along with a supercharger.

Thanks! I'm stoked with how this thing is turning out.

I'd be interested in your front bumper if its in good shape. Even though my sister is in Las Cruces, I'm in Ohio so shipping might not be fun.

It's junk, sorry.

Looking good, good choice on the front clip mod. I'm also in Cruces.

Thanks man, hope to see you around. I work parts dept. at Vescovo Toyota, let me know if you need anything.

 

[I'mStock]

Couple more, nothing special.

Happy how well they blended, I was super worried about the new panels looking out of place.

Still missing Tacoma latch, corner lights showed yesterday, grill is in the mail and needing some misc clips. Also nabbed some '12 Tacoma wheels when the owner upgraded to a TRD set so the exterior will essentially be totally "new" once it's all said and done.

 

[spongerx]

Tacorunner mod is the best. I'm pumped to see the end results.

 

[I'mStock]

You an me both!

I'm bummed that the 96-98 bumpers use different mounts than the 98-02... I was hoping modding one bracket or the other would be an option but front the quick peek I took I'm probably gonna be netter of fabbing new ones, which just pushes 100% completion out even further.

It's hard to find time to work on anything with a 6 week old.

 

[4runneraddict]

Hey there I'm giving you a Chiltons repair manual. I sent it with Eric a mechanic from Vescovo Toyota. I hope you can use it my 4runner is a 2002 there were way too many changes for my 4runner. The manual says toyota trucks and 4runners 89-96 but there were very few changes between 96-98 4runners.

 

[I'mStock]

Hey there I'm giving you a Chiltons repair manual. I sent it with Eric a mechanic from Vescovo Toyota. I hope you can use it my 4runner is a 2002 there were way too many changes for my 4runner. The manual says toyota trucks and 4runners 89-96 but there were very few changes between 96-98 4runners.

Thanks a lot man, that's really nice of you! Eric got it to me earlier this week, appreciate it.

 

[I'mStock]

Small, boring verbal update:

Grill and turn signals are here, should have the truck back next week and then we gotta mount the '02 bumper up and swap out the wheels for the Tacoma wheels I've had sitting at work for a month.