The Black Mamba Build

[Jonny]

thought I would keep a log of the Runner's progress.
Started with a 2010 FJ cruiser with some nice mods
got tired of beating on a 30k vehicle that I was paying on So I parted out and traded in for a fun DD and swooped the Runner cash.
there she was....
1990 4runner, V6, 4wd, 5 spd, new clutch, 265k miles on the odo and rebulit 75k ago. $3k price tag.
Went and checked it out and found that it was puking power steering fluid from the box and needed tons of love. (random broken handles and switches that didnt work)
Talked the guy down to 1600 bucks and I was on my way with a new project/weekend beater

Current Mods:
1.5" BJS +1.25" rear spacer.
Rough Country shocks
Replaced both cv axles
Cobra 75wxst with 3' firestick + quick disco & spring
Ford Taurus Electric fan mod
285/75/16 BFM km2's
16x8 KMC Enduro's
TG front bumper with xrc8 winch
Black widow roof basket with axe,shovel, and 60" hilift attached
on board air via- hardwired masterflow 1050
removed the rear bumper.
Aisin manual hub conversion
Chevy CS130 alternator swap
oznium in cab winch controls
jensen vm9512/ kicker components and a kicker 10" sub
92-95 front end swap
(waiting to trim my 1st gen roll bar for my 2nd gen)
More to come.
f+r locker coming soon.:bluejump:

 

[Jonny]

Pic of the old rig haha
and a few of the Ford Taurus electric fan mod imp:

 

[Diverse4runner]

Nice!

 

[helo-mech]

Ford Taurus electric fan mod? Never saw that one before. I am assuming more cooling.

Runner looks lice. I really want one of those rear tire carriers.

 

[Jonny]

Ford Taurus electric fan mod? Never saw that one before. I am assuming more cooling.

Runner looks lice. I really want one of those rear tire carriers.

thank you
Followed a few write ups out there. I was having some over heating issues with my 4runner when I first picker her up. Pulled the thermostat...there was a rubber gasket that had fallen off wrapped around the spring...looked down in the radiator...tons of calcium rocks and debris.The fan clutch was squealing so I thought...
ANYTHING to keep this 3.0 running cooler. New radiator, new 180 degree thermostat (usually tripple digits here in the summer) pulled a ford taurus electric fan from the local pick a part. Grabbed the adjustable thermostat kit and probe.
Thermostat pops at 180..Electric fan cools @ about 185 degrees... keeps nice and cool with the AC blasting and driving in tripple digit heat. I did not hook up the High speed on the taurus fan. the low speed keeps it cool enough.
Still want to wire in a manual kill switch for water crossings.

 

[BucknutBob]

I really want one of those rear tire carriers.

If you plan to go up much in tire size, I'd be very cautious with the factory carrier--it really isn't designed for heavier tires combined with the stresses of offroad bouncing and slamming. Instead of the factory body-mount design, maybe consider a frame-mounted bumper design, which could also be fitted with mounts for Hi-lifts, gas cans, etc..

As for the truck, it's looking really good, Jonny! Keep us posted on future changes. Oh, for the record, a "black" mamba is NOT black (LOL)--the inside of their mouth is, but not their skin.

 

[Jonny]

If you plan to go up much in tire size, I'd be very cautious with the factory carrier--it really isn't designed for heavier tires combined with the stresses of offroad bouncing and slamming. Instead of the factory body-mount design, maybe consider a frame-mounted bumper design, which could also be fitted with mounts for Hi-lifts, gas cans, etc..

As for the truck, it's looking really good, Jonny! Keep us posted on future changes. Oh, for the record, a "black" mamba is NOT black (LOL)--the inside of their mouth is, but not their skin.

:roadkill:
Knew that...actually googled it before starting the thread. lol
The Mazdaspeed is the black panther....and black Mamba sounds bad @ss BUCKNUT!!!
haha jk

 

[BucknutBob]

Are you suggesting there's something wrong with my screen-name??? LOL! It's legit, anyway--that's what Buckeye fans (I'm originally from OH) are often know as. Yeah, Black Mamba DOES have a cool sound....especially when compared to a nut!

 

[Jonny]

Are you suggesting there's something wrong with my screen-name??? LOL! It's legit, anyway--that's what Buckeye fans (I'm originally from OH) are often know as. Yeah, Black Mamba DOES have a cool sound....especially when compared to a nut!

haha makes sense now...
I was wayyy off arty:

 

[Jonny]

bumped for KV

 

[Jonny]

Scored at pick a part.
finally found some Aisin manual hubs
$24 bucks and they were mine.
(sorry Mario, I wanted to snag your Warn's, but got all ansy in my pants when I saw these sitting there ) :ybrick:
Cleaned them up and plastidipped them. Waiting for the PD to fully dry so I can peel off the center on the red dial (got most of it off, just need the inner part peeled off)

 

[Jonny]

Another pick a part trip
scored the cs130 alternator from a chevy lumina & bracket from an 88 v6 camry.
was walking out... and saw a 94 4runner with the front clip still attached.:boink:
was leaving (again) and saw a 1st gen and the roll bar was still there... :reddance:

really need to stay away from that place. lol

 

[Jonny]

should probably note that this was NOT a simple bolt on mod haha
found out the hard way. I did not feel like going back to the junk yard and trying to pull the whole front radiator support/front end from a 92-95. broke out the drill & dremel and "made" the front end fit
nice and solid... need to adjust the headlights a little

 

[Footofgod]

I plan on doing this when I can find one. Any detailed tips?

Are you mounting the roll bar?

 

[Jonny]

I plan on doing this when I can find one. Any detailed tips?

Are you mounting the roll bar?

the corner lights actually...how can I explain this...
They kind of pull back/secure the grill and headlights and its a VERY snug fit. I had to remove the lower grill attachment brackets and dremel out a few mounting holes on the 1990 radiator support. The wiring was easy...the wires are the exact same color/stripes. I snipped mine and crimped them to the new bulb assembly.
I still need to make a few adjustments but it is going to be a pain in the @ss removing it all. *IF* you have the spare time and coin...try to get the 92-95 front support...but I cannot weld...so I chose option B. lol
Overall...I really dig the new look. Probably going to get a set of 4500k drop in hid's and aim my headlights correctly.
The roll bar needs to sanded & repainted, then shortened by 2" then I will install. Will be eye candy I guess. Probably mount an extinguisher to it. Saw a guy make a rack that bolts to the 1st gen roll bar- VERY sweet!

 

[Jonny]

Finally wired up my oznium switches for my in cabin winch controls.
left activates power to the momentary on/off/on. love it....

and a pic of my two money pits. :driving:

 

[Jonny]

CS130 alternator swap

couple pics of the swap and also moved my electric fan controller inside..keep it nice and dry :dance:

 

[SV_Dude]

Your 4runner is coming along very nice! Keep it up!

 

[Jonny]

Your 4runner is coming along very nice! Keep it up!

Thanks man...
you're has had quite the transformation as well :biggrin1:

 

[SV_Dude]

Thanks man...
you're has had quite the transformation as well :biggrin1:

Yea. I added 2 more doors, a permanent hard top, a solid front axle and 4 more cylinders