The Turbo Rock Lobster

I supposed i've been pretty horrible about keeping track of what i've done to this pile in the past few months. Let see if i can somewhat remember what i've done/changed

Going back to like August, i changed out the Split Second/URD tuning computer for the AEM F/IC 6 computer which makes tuning much easier. On the fly adjustments are awesome and the ability to control the injector pulse width makes tuning it much easier in general

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Hacking into the main engine harness was fun :lmao:
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Not long after that, i upgraded to the 2JZ Supra twin turbo MAF which allows for much more airflow through it. Check out the difference in size!
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It was about this time that i decided it was time to do an overhaul of the front suspension. It had been beat on pretty heavily over the years and just wanted to do a fresh rebuild.

I started by replacing my laughably worn LCA bushing with the poly Whitelines. Only picture i got because i didn't want to be reminding of how horrible a job this is.
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Next up, i did a set of Total Chaos UCA's and i found some Sway Away coilovers that needed a rebuild so those got rebuilt and went on as well. Now that i've also done ball joints and new inner and out tie rods within the past year, the front end should be good to go until i decide to LT it or just chop the whole front end off.
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Now with the front taken care of, it was time to give the damping in the rear a solid upgrade. I had been running some ICON 2.0 remote resi's that i loved but i ended up blowing one out in May of this year. I contemplated getting them rebuilt but then decided i wanted some 2.5's since the front will either get LT or SASed and i wanted the rear to have a chance of keeping up. After seeing what my options were, once thing led to another and i had ICON build me a custom set of 2.5 remote reservoir shocks with their Compression Damping Control adjuster.

Behold the baddassery
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Thats all for now. Got a few more tricks up my sleeve though.
 
Just noticed that you used the Supra MAF! If you are still reading this, what size intake do you need to run it, or was it just a simple adapter on the end to 3" piping or something like that?
 
I never update this anymore. Those of you that see this thing on Instagram know that it can't really be called the Rock Lobster anymore

Behold the Rock Turtle

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I like the front bumper. Corey did a great job (as always). Would you mind if Corey makes one for me. I would probably go with thinner steel. - Sunny
 
I like the front bumper. Corey did a great job (as always). Would you mind if Corey makes one for me. I would probably go with thinner steel. - Sunny

Bumper is all my design but he should still have the cut files for it. Its not a simple bolt on design though as it requires a lot of cutting and welding to the frame.
 
Hey, Dylan! It was cool to see the Lobs... er... Turtle in person at RT and check out the updates in person.

I'm starting to think about upgrading the rear shocks on my rig and wanted to ask if you have any build specs / more info on your icons... I was going to ask at RT but you were busy spinning a wrench. Feel free to send a PM.
 
Really great build thread, I've been lurking for a while, I just picked up a 97 4runner it's my second 3rd gen and is gone stock this thread has definitely got me thinking.
Cheers!
 
Man, what a great build thread. Just put off homework for two hours being puzzled by your Marlin Crawler setup, as well as that snail setup. I go to school up in Bozeman, MT and my roommmate said he met you while getting a tour of the Earthroamer HQ. Thanks for all the inspiration, Dylan!
 
Looks like its time for some new plugs

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The 3 on the left are from the driver side head and the ones on the right are the passenger side head. The driver side head plugs will wear faster due to the waste spark system but i didn't think the difference would be as drastic. I have about 35k miles on these plugs which are the Denso IK22's. Not super happy with the life but it could be worse. I couldn't find any IK22's locally and i didn't want to run these any longer so i just replaced them with some 2 step colder NGK copper plugs. We will see how long those last but i'll probably swap them from side to side after 15k or so.

Old post but do you see that as average for spark plug life? I’m shopping for a 3rd gen runner and I’m one of the adds the guy listed out like 8 years worth of service and it seemed like he was replacing spark plugs every 2 years. That seemed a little frequent but I don’t know what kind of mileage was put on the truck in those intervals or the reputation of his mechanic/his level of OCD.
 
Old post but do you see that as average for spark plug life? I’m shopping for a 3rd gen runner and I’m one of the adds the guy listed out like 8 years worth of service and it seemed like he was replacing spark plugs every 2 years. That seemed a little frequent but I don’t know what kind of mileage was put on the truck in those intervals or the reputation of his mechanic/his level of OCD.
The 5vz is a waste spark ignition system so each spark plug pulses twice per 4 stroke cycle. Recommended service period is every 30k miles and use dual electrode spark plugs. (Supercharged owners normally use a single electrode spark plug that is 2 steps colder to help with knock.)
 
The 5vz is a waste spark ignition system so each spark plug pulses twice per 4 stroke cycle. Recommended service period is every 30k miles and use dual electrode spark plugs. (Supercharged owners normally use a single electrode spark plug that is 2 steps colder to help with knock.)

Thanks man, I ended up seeing the factory interval a couple posts down from the one I quoted but, I’ve got a better chance of it sticking in my now that I’ve read it a couple of times.
 
Thanks man, I ended up seeing the factory interval a couple posts down from the one I quoted but, I’ve got a better chance of it sticking in my now that I’ve read it a couple of times.

I replaced mine as part of comprehensive baseline maintenance when I purchased in 2010. Since then, I've put 48k on...guess it might be time to check the plugs. Now has 224k. The most significant "failure" in my ownership has been starter motor contacts which were replaced @ 199k.
Sounds like you probably can't go wrong buying that one.
 
I replaced mine as part of comprehensive baseline maintenance when I purchased in 2010. Since then, I've put 48k on...guess it might be time to check the plugs. Now has 224k. The most significant "failure" in my ownership has been starter motor contacts which were replaced @ 199k.
Sounds like you probably can't go wrong buying that one.

Yeah the hardest part at this point is trying to decide if I hold out for a unicorn or just get something decent and go from there. I had an 03 TRD 5 speed and loved it. The 4Runner would be White 5speed elocker jshift t case and sub 200k miles but I’m noticing that might be easier said than done. I just need to try to be patient and not too impulsive, I found one that checks all those boxes but the locker…
 
Yeah the hardest part at this point is trying to decide if I hold out for a unicorn or just get something decent and go from there. I had an 03 TRD 5 speed and loved it. The 4Runner would be White 5speed elocker jshift t case and sub 200k miles but I’m noticing that might be easier said than done. I just need to try to be patient and not too impulsive, I found one that checks all those boxes but the locker…

Sounds like a tall order indeed. When I got mine, the miles were easier to achieve, but getting the 5speed elocker jshift combo took a while to find. I probably looked at a dozen before I found it.
 
Sounds like a tall order indeed. When I got mine, the miles were easier to achieve, but getting the 5speed elocker jshift combo took a while to find. I probably looked at a dozen before I found it.

Yeah I’ve been scouring Craigslist, fb marketplace and now the classifieds here, I’ve found a couple that are like 95% and I’m starting to think that might be the route to go, I can always add a locker considering I plan to lock the front what’s another diff open while I’m at it *♂️
 
Yeah I’ve been scouring Craigslist, fb marketplace and now the classifieds here, I’ve found a couple that are like 95% and I’m starting to think that might be the route to go, I can always add a locker considering I plan to lock the front what’s another diff open while I’m at it *♂️
A locker is the easiest thing to change compared to repainting a car to the color you want or doing a manual swap
 
A locker is the easiest thing to change compared to repainting a car to the color you want or doing a manual swap

Yeah, I don’t like all the computer nonsense or having to add pedal buckets, but there will definitely be some amount of trans tunnel work as I plan to add a when either Marlin has the adapters available again or I’m able to find a used unit or the adapters. I’m kind of hoping after I find the 4Runner I’ll find someone that’s transitioning from a sturdy mild built rig to extreme build and I can get the , drive shafts and front locked diff to just drop in. Dream big right
 

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