vthokie's 2001 4Runner Build Thread

[vthokie]

Here is the mildly paced build thread for my 2001 4Runner. I'm going for a something that is capable off-road, but still practical as a daily driver.

Mods / Equipment

-OME 3" lift
-Toytec diff drop
-BFG KM2 255/85/16
-4x Innovations rock sliders
-Cobra 29 LTD CB Radio with a 4ft Firestik FS Antenna
-Rear Storage Box w/ slide out drawer and back compartment (based off of Duhockey's box)
-Added stock roof rack and Yakima Fat Cat 6
-B&M transmission cooler
-extended rear diff breather
-Trail Gear 2" receiver shackle
-ARB snatch strap
-Garmin Gps mounted in front of cup holders
-Scanguage 2
-Shovel
-Machete
-Hatchet
-toolbox


Planned Mods / Equipment

-Shrockworks Front bumper or Outdoor Logic Bumper
-CBI Rear bumper with tire swing out
-Budbuilt Skids
-Lil Skips gas tank skids
-On-board air setup
-ARB rear locker
-Possibly 4:88 gears
-Dual batteries
-Power inverter
-Maybe a fridge/freezer?

After a long summer of searching for "the one" I came up empty handed. I had to leave for school, so while I was away I had my dad go to look at cars I told him about. He picked up this one with just under 135k on it. It was in pretty good condition but it needed a the timing belt and water pump replaced, along with new rotors and pads. I got it for a pretty good deal, so I wasn't upset with what needed to be done.

Here is the first time I saw her.

After I went back to school I had a run in with a stick during a late night wheeling trip...Then came a new radiator.

At school, I dont have a job, so I didn't have much money to spend on mods, but that will changed this summer. I am finally at my internship in Spruce Pine, NC working for Unimin at a High-Purity Quartz mine.

Here is a picture from a cool trail near Virginia Tech with a bunch of water crossings.

Towards the end of the school year I got my tax returns in so i bought a few things...

Scanguage 2

B&M SuperCooler External Transmission Cooler

I went ahead and used the brackets that came with it to attach it instead of the zip ties.

Here is the storage box I built with my dad. It is a whole lot bigger than I expected it to be. It is tall enough for different fluids to be stored upright. It even fits a gallon jug of water, And probably a jug of toyota coolant too. I wanted to have 2 drawers next to each other, but it would have taken up more space than it was worth. In the back compartment I plan on installing an on-board air set up for airing up tires, and for my planned air locker. The design is pretty similar to Duhockey's. i went ahead and through my cargo mat on top for now, but I dont think it will stay.

There will be more to come soon.
Thanks for looking.

 

[vthokie]

reserved.

 

[Rc4r]

Looks like your off to a great start man!

Where did you get your scanguage?

 

[vthokie]

I ordered it from Advanced Auto. It was 10 dollars cheaper than the scanguage website, and they included a 15 dollar gift card, so it worked out pretty well. Free shipping too.

It is also an awesome tool. I dont think driving would be the same without it. I pay way more attention to the gauges than i used to which is a good thing.

 

[Rc4r]

Verry cool

 

[C C]

Where is that offroading spot you say has many water crossings near tech?
I'm interested in checking it out

 

[vthokie]

Eliot's Creek Road or Eliot Creek Road is out in christiansburg. If you follow 460 towards c-burg get off on the exit after peppers ferry i believe, then take that road all the way through town and then it eventually becomes a 1 lane road. You go down a mountain and its on the left near the bottom. It is a pretty easy trail, but still fun. It is mostly gravel, but on the sides are cool cut out trails that can be more difficult. the water crosings are fun there's about 6 or 7 i think. You should also check out the trail up off of mountain lake road. It is a lot of fun and more challenging. Brush mountain fire road is another cool one if you like bigger mud holes. That is where i put a hole in my radiator though. To get to the fun stuff there you have to drive past the fire circle at the top.
I take it you live around there? We should meet up sometime next semester it you want to go wheeling sometime.

 

[mireland4390]

GGGOOOOO HHHOOOKKKIIIEEESSSS!!!

good to see theres another hokie fan on here..hope we have a good season this year after losing some key offensive players.

oh...and of course...nice start to the runner

 

[vthokie]

Alright, Well over the weekend I Lifted the 4Runner with the OME 3" lift kit. Everything went smoothly for the most part. I discovered the beginning of a rear axle seal leak in the process. It is good that I caught it early, but bad that it happened. I have 883's upfront and i like the ride. there is no additional weight up front yet and they still seem okay. I have 891's in the back with comfort shocks. The back is slightly lower than the front which bothers me, but i am going to buy about 2 trim packers to space the back up just a little bit. Here are the pics i have so far, with hopefully more to come.

Oh and i recently purchased an Overland Warehouse heavy duty air compressor to take along for airing up my tires. It actually works really well, I am very impressed with it so far.

 

[Hepar]

Lift looks good. Now for some beefier rubber!

 

[vthokie]

I know, It looks pretty weak at the moment. I'm going to get some new tires in a week or 2, so that problem will be solved.

 

[fightman80]

Great decision on the trip packers.....that's my biggest gripe about lifts....when the front is higher than the rear.....

 

[vthokie]

Well I went ahead and got the BFG KM2's. They are 255/85/16. I got a pretty good deal, at least I think I did, so I couldn't turn it down. I also realized I am between .5-1 inch lower in the rear, so I think my next step is to go for a 1.5 inch spacer instead of 2 trim packers. I don't have any rubbing so far, but i haven't really been able to flex the suspension much.

 

[Hepar]

Now we're talking. Those KM's look G double-O D, GOOD!

 

[vthokie]

Hopefully I'll get a chance to play around with it tomorrow at work. If i do, then I'll take some pics for sure. I agree, they are awesome!

 

[driffter33]

The runner just grew up and now wants to go out and play! Looks great man! you will be very impressed with your new found off-roadability Enjoy!!!

 

[vthokie]

I did a little exploring today so I could see if the tires rubbed. I didn't really hear any, but I think I know the point where they will begin rubbing. I'll do some preventative measures for that in a week or 2.
Here are some pics. The tires are great so far and have awesome traction.

 

[vthokie]

Thanks for the compliment Drifter33. I definitely can't wait to see what it can do now. In the next few weeks I am planning on:
-getting some 4xinnovations sliders and installing them
-hard-wiring my gps
-buying and installing a new head unit (single din - anyone have suggestions)
-lifting the rear more with some 1.5 inch spacers from toytec
-mounting my scanguage 2 in a different location (below the new head unit similar to how bootown has his)
-possibly buying a smaller cb to put in the ash tray

I have also decided to postpone my onboard air set up. I have the compressor, so that is going to be good enough to get me by.

On another note, does anyone have an extra tool that lowers the spare tire from the rear? Apparently I don't have the correct one. I have one that fits in the location under the rear passenger seat, but it isn't from toyota? Basically I just need to find a new one, so if you have a parts truck or something with one and wanna sell it let me know!

 

[vthokie]

4xinnovations sliders have been ordered! Hopefully they will be on sometime next week.

 

[vthokie]

alright well i ordered some 1 1/2 inch spacers to lift the rear up a little more, and I ordered a panhard drop while I was at it. I will be ordering a new head unit in a day or two, and possibly some weather tech floor liners.

My 4x Innovations sliders came in the mail today!! I do have a question though. I want them to stick out enough to protect the truck, but at the same time I know i dont want to have them welded on flat. What kind of an angle do most people weld them on at?