Swede's Build Thread...

[Swede]

1st of all here's a link to my YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCY92MZkjTbTFvqpfcUb4NjA

So here's my distraction :ballchain::

I bought this '98 SR5, V-6, 5-Speed, E-Locked 4Runner in 2003. It had 72,000 klm's on the odometer and was in pristine shape.

First thing I did was put in a 2'' body lift:

And add a set of 285 Revo's:

After that I did the usual mods like "the Deckplate Mod", "the D Gasket Mod", and a new stereo, etc.

I then installed a Revtek lift:

New Trail Gear Sliders and I also upgraded the Body Lift to 3":

Flipped my rear receiver hitch over to get more clearance:

By this time the Revo's were getting pretty worn and since I had cut a sidewall out on a rock out wheelin' I upgraded to a set of 3 ply sidewalled 35'' Baja Claws on 17x9 wheels:

From there I got rid of the stiff Revtek lift and went with the Tundra/ LC coil set-up:

(Old coil/Revtek spacer vs. LC coils)

Little bit of rake huh???

I also installed a Front Receiver/Shackle mount and made up a Portable Winch set-up for my 8500 lb Superwinch:

Later, as the kids were piling up :shocked: I added a 3rd row seat (from a TJ) as well as an auxiliary battery and sub box into the cargo area. I also made provisions for the winch to slide into the base of the seat so that it is tucked away and secure when not needed:

Since we were planning on getting a travel trailer I swapped in a set of 4.88 yukon gears (no pics) and after that some Air-Lift bags to help with the tire size and towing issues:

It was at this time that I started having the irritating issue of the cursed "High Idle" issue and also where I discovered my cure for it! ( My High Idle... CURED!!! - YotaTech Forums ) :

 

[Swede]

So this winter I've added an 180amp HO alternator from DC Power and upgraded all the cables to 4AWG:

And rear LCR's from Toytec:

Last thing I did was add a set of four 130 watt spots lights to the front bumper and cleaned 'er up:

Of course there is a ton of other mods that have been done but if I listed them all I'd be here all day!

Next up is going to be the Tundra Brake upgrade and the rear cargo area redo. It never ends!!! :bigok:

 

[fish0281]

I like your wheels, they go really well with the chrome bumpers! You're gonna rattle the kids out of the truck with the sub right next to the third row... maybe that's your intention? ;-)

 

[Swede]

The wheels looked good to start but the chrome finish started to peel off within the 1st couple of years on the inside of the wheels and American Eagle wouldn't cover them under warranty! Never again will I buy anything from them again!!!

The rear seat came out this winter as the kids have now outgrown the seat. My oldest two will be driving soon so that takes care of the need for the extra seats. I'm in the early planning stages of adding a fridge and storage back there now.

 

[JWaldz]

Nice additions man. I like the cargo boxes and that alternator is badass! You got a part number for it? Tastefully done.

 

[Swede]

Nice additions man. I like the cargo boxes and that alternator is badass! You got a part number for it? Tastefully done.

Right here is my install thread:

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/132875-look-what-i-got-mail-today.html

Here's the DC Power link:

https://www.dcpowerinc.com/fit/Toyota~4Runner~1998~3.4L-V6-5VZ-FE/13671-180-hp.html

 

[Jc12]

i love what you did with that cargo area, beauty. Did you make that front winch receiver yourself.. i noticed a BC plate.. and maybe you want to make me one ..

 

[Swede]

i love what you did with that cargo area, beauty. Did you make that front winch receiver yourself.. i noticed a BC plate.. and maybe you want to make me one ..

Yup, my design but I got a Millwright buddy to make it up. They are out there for the Tacoma (from Warn I think) that may fit the 3rd gen but not sure.

 

[blcktpgsr]

I knew there was heck of alot more to this beauty than some random pics circulating on this site. Glad you decided to get a build going atlast.

That alternator is looking really yummy right now.

 

[JWaldz]

Right here is my install thread:

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/132875-look-what-i-got-mail-today.html

Here's the DC Power link:

https://www.dcpowerinc.com/fit/1998~Toyota~4Runner~3.4L-V6-5VZ-FE/13671-180-hp.html#tab-product_overview

Wow, that thing is badass. With a not so badass price lol! Do you think it's worth it? Give us a review

 

[Swede]

I knew there was heck of alot more to this beauty than some random pics circulating on this site. Glad you decided to get a build going atlast.

That alternator is looking really yummy right now.

Thanks! I'll see how the alt performs this summer. I mainly got it for the 120 amp idle output to keep the auxiliary battery up (winch, lights, stereo, 1500 watt inverter etc.), plus keeping the dual 6 volt golf cart batteries up on the trailer while camping as well. Time will tell I guess.

 

[mcgyver0302]

Very nice build thread. I will have to write mine up soon. Thanks for the motivation! ...oh, and like everyone else here, I want one of those alternators now too! :thumb3:

 

[Fishwerks]

Sick rig! Those toytec lower links are beefy!

 

[Swede]

Sick rig! Those toytec lower links are beefy!

Yeah they're definitely beefy. I gotta get out and see if they're going to interfere with my sway bar links though. It looks pretty close. I'm hoping the lowered bumpstop/airbag combo will restrict it enough from making contact. If not then I'll pull the sway bar off.

 

[Cuff]

hey swede, i saw the other day in the "what did you do to your 3rd gen today?" that you fixed your cargo light. i have the same problem and was wondering how you fixed it. the light works sporadically with the hatch open and always works when the switch is in the "on" position. thanks

 

[Jc12]

hey swede, i saw the other day in the "what did you do to your 3rd gen today?" that you fixed your cargo light. i have the same problem and was wondering how you fixed it. the light works sporadically with the hatch open and always works when the switch is in the "on" position. thanks

Try maneuvering the switch a mm or two while keeping it on the "door" position. Sometimes they get worn and you just don't get a solid connection.

 

[audiness]

good lookin' truck!

 

[Swede]

hey swede, i saw the other day in the "what did you do to your 3rd gen today?" that you fixed your cargo light. i have the same problem and was wondering how you fixed it. the light works sporadically with the hatch open and always works when the switch is in the "on" position. thanks

Try maneuvering the switch a mm or two while keeping it on the "door" position. Sometimes they get worn and you just don't get a solid connection.

There is a ton of info on the cargo light issue here on this forum, u just gotta do a search. The problem for me was fixed by removing the latching mechanism and banging all the dirt out of it and spraying degreaser inside the latch until it worked. Very easy!

 

[Swede]

Got the front end done on resealing the frame, just got the last 2/3rds to do!

So I started rust treating the frame by wire brushing, "Rust Converting" and then "EZ Lining" ... :ballchain:

 

[Swede]

Frames all done now so on to other things...

After a winter of trouble shooting a finicky charging system, I wanted to know immediately how good my charging system was working and the condition of both my main starting battery and my auxiliary battery.

I picked up a set of digital voltmeters off of eBay, much like the ones in the 1st pic except that I ordered the 3 wire version.

After much deliberation, I found a nice spot to put them...

The voltmeter here is telling me the alternator output voltage at each battery with the engine running.

This pic shows the voltage with the engine off but in the accessory position. This is the most useful part of this mod I think because I usually have the stereo playing for hours at a time and at the same time the 1500w inverter is usually charging the kids phones or ipods while were are at camp.

It's one of the easiest mods to do and I find it to be one of my favorite ones too!:whoo: