The 97 Limited "Daily/Adventure Rig"

[Dieselchessy]

When you get the console you need the brake handle, L shaped mounting bracket, and dish that the brake cable mounts in. Make sure to get all 3 from the donor rig.
You also need to match rear heat or not, and I believe 99 is best. It seems 2000-2002 may differ slightly on the L bracket and body holes.

 

[CT135]

Got the flares painted and re installed. Nice to have a smooth uniform finish. They were so faded and chipped. Now all of the new scratches will be my own work lol

Got to work on the costal offroad closed top bumper. Got it tacked together but didn’t take a picture of it mounted, was in the zone I guess.

4x innovations rear bumper also arrived

And finally I got a transmission cooler. Went with a tru cool 4590. It’ll be a tight fit but I won’t have to worry about tranny temps that’s for sure

 

[jacinda]

Great work

 

[CT135]

Got the tranny cooler in. Tight fit and had to modify some things but dang I’m happy with it

Got the costal offroad front bumper and 4x innovations rear painted and installed. Very happy with both of them!

Scored a sweet deal on a 00 center console finally

Next on the agenda: pck, build a swing out with removable jerry can holder and throw on the dobinson c59-210v land cruiser coils

 

[CT135]

Swing out done. I really dig the jerry can mount holding it sideways. Way better for approach angle.

License plate will do on the bars holding the jerry can mount.

 

[CT135]

Didn’t document very well but here is an update since the swing out:

4.88 gears from east coast gear supply
New steering rack bushings (energy suspension)
New lca bushings (white line)
New oil pan gasket since the PO put some cheap autozone crap gasket on that leaked like crazy

 

[CT135]

Had some fun on hunting trips this summer/fall, then got to hit the snow with the family.

It hauled out an antelope and 3 blacktail deer (myself, dad, brother) this year. Elk didn’t work out this time around.

 

[CT135]

Oh and I added the panhard correction kit, and even though I have a clean west coast frame, I went through and painted it anyways

 

[cblock406]

Nice work man, looks great.

 

[CT135]

Near future plans:
Cv reboot and stretch mod

Then the fun begins.. aggressive firewall tub to prep for 35’s.
If you have Instagram check out feelgoodperformace. They make giant cuts to the firewall, allowing for max clearance and an easy shape to match the sheet metal for. Obviously it’ll take longer to weld in for a bigger chunk but you’re saving time from jacking the tire up and trying to measure a cut (odd shape) to barely clear the tire. I have seam sealer and some Bedliner paint to finish the process.

 

[CT135]

Firewall tub on my 97 limited- pictures and mini write up

Got the firewall tub done a while ago. Have some konig countersteer offroad (16x8) wheels on the way. Dustin at FN wheels is great to work with if you're in the market for wheels.
Going with yokohama geolandar mt G003 tires. The weight of these tires and wheels should keep the unsprung weight decently low. Wheels and tires together are 80 pounds for 33's or 88 pounds for 35's.
Just for reference, my current TRD off road wheels with 255/80/17 wildpeaks weighs 82.5 pounds. And my brother has method 305's with 35x12.5/17 wildpeak MT's on his 99 and that weighs 110 pounds per wheel and tire. A 22 pound difference per wheel is huge!

 

[CT135]

Threw in the trakmotive to8043et cv’s. They do articulate better than my oem ones. Haven’t beat on them hard enough to give an honest review.

Also got rid of the trd off road wheels and pizza cutters. Got me some konig countersteer offroad wheels (from fn wheels) and some Yokohama geolandar mtg003 in 285/75r16. Wheels are only 19 pounds. Sitting right at 80lbs per wheel/tire. That’s 2.5 pounds lighter than my 255/80r17 wildpeak at3W with trd wheels. It also looks way better IMO.

 

[CT135]

Winch added, and I fixed what I considered the weak point of the coastal offroad bumpers. All of the mounts are on the bottom of the frame rails. That puts a heck of a lot of stress on that small area. So I threw some 3/16 steel and modified it to bolt in to the body mounts also (like it should have been designed IMO). This idea was reinforced when I saw a picture of a guys coastal bumper ripped off the frame rails from a winching job.

 

[T4topher]

Winch added, and I fixed what I considered the weak point of the coastal offroad bumpers. All of the mounts are on the bottom of the frame rails. That puts a heck of a lot of stress on that small area. So I threw some 3/16 steel and modified it to bolt in to the body mounts also (like it should have been designed IMO). This idea was reinforced when I saw a picture of a guys coastal bumper ripped off the frame rails from a winching job.

Looks good, been thinking about doing this to my addicted offroad bumper. It does have a through bolt in the frame but it just seems like it could benefit from another attachment point.

 

[Bad Luck]

Winch added, and I fixed what I considered the weak point of the coastal offroad bumpers. All of the mounts are on the bottom of the frame rails. That puts a heck of a lot of stress on that small area. So I threw some 3/16 steel and modified it to bolt in to the body mounts also (like it should have been designed IMO). This idea was reinforced when I saw a picture of a guys coastal bumper ripped off the frame rails from a winching job.

That's a great idea. I hope I can remember to do this when I get that front bumper.

 

[CT135]

Looks good, been thinking about doing this to my addicted offroad bumper. It does have a through bolt in the frame but it just seems like it could benefit from another attachment point.

Yeah the coastal has a through bolt also. I just hated the idea off all the pull coming from one location. For about $30, it was well worth it. I have a bad habit of getting quite stuck and making recoveries a pain in the rear so I want some extra security haha

 

[CT135]

Less modifying and more adventures in the 4runner lately. Took care of the leaky valve covers finally, simple enough job, just a bit time consuming.

However, a few weeks ago I installed some motor mounts from solid-offroad.com
Besides re gearing, I think this has been the best mod I have done. The throttle response is much better, I feel like i'm actually getting 100% from the motor, which always helps when you have extra weight and bigger tires.

Recent future:
I'm thinking i'll finally jump to 35's. Most likely will get wildpeak at3W's but the Mickey Thompson Baja Legend EXP (formerly Dick Cepek Trial Country EXP) have been catching my eye due to them being about 7-8 pounds lighter per tire.
Also considering adding a power steering cooler to keep temps down in the rocks/slow 4WD terrain. It's a $50ish dollar investment and I think it could help some, it would be a very simple install.