WeakSauz's 2000 SR5 "Resto-Mod" Build Thread

[WeakSauz]

Oh no! Not another build thread! :lmao:

I am brand new here, and brand new to 4Runners in general. I'm not new to cars and have been somewhat of a gear head my entire life, however.

Last month, the opportunity arose to pick up a 100% bone stock original 4Runner:

• 2000 SR5 4x4. Plain Jane basic with OEM steelies.
• 217k Miles, but elderly owned and great condition
• 100% rust free
• Millineum Silver and Moon Mist interior (ehh.. it' s alright)

The cool thing about this Runner was the comprehensive service history that came with it. Every single oil change. No history of Pink Milkshake. It was literally the safest I've felt buying a used car.

Goals:
- This will be a 3x a week driven vehicle
- I love the OEM look with OEM bumpers. I strangely do not like the look of armor. I'm weird, I know
- I do want to find a good 96-98 front bumper to swap over
- I want this to be tastefully done, not "overdone", and still capable offroad while having good manners otherwise

Here she is on Evening 1 of ownership, in all of her plain jane glory:

That same evening, first order of business:

• Remove running boards
• Remove mud flaps

Ahh.. Much better:

 

[WeakSauz]

Moving onto the interior, the previous owner had 2 white Labrador Retrievers.

So, naturally, I spent about 8 hours removing dog hair with a "Furz-Off" tool and fabric softener. I can comfortably say that we're hair-free now:

That's hair.

Interior before:

Interior After:

The best thing I've done so far.. Ozone Bomb to remove all odors:

 

[WeakSauz]

Time to go Junkyarding!

The factory bumper has a little bend in it:

I got lucky and found a perfect replacement in the you-pull-it:

But, because I'm OCD, let's refinish the hitch first:

Done!

 

[apohl17]

Looks like you are off to a great start already. If it's rust free as you say, you have yourself real contender to get to something like 500k. Rust is the killer for these trucks!

Definitely sub'd for future updates and to see how the build goes!

Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk

 

[WeakSauz]

More of the boring stuff before getting to the fun stuff:

Wire-wheeled the entire undercarriage and refinished it:

Super-quick 30minute cleanup of the engine bay:
Before:

After:

 

[wettRunner]

Is it me, or does the passenger door look a bit different in color?

Was this car in an accident?

Great looking vehicle, and I look forward to the progress.

 

[WeakSauz]

Since I'm an old man at heart (even though I'm less than 30yrs old), I love the look of Steelies. I think of Steelies and the old Land Cruisers come to mind and how down-to-business they look.. and I need a cold spoon

Found some 16" Tundra Steelies:

I had these Powdercoated in a color by Prismatic Powders called "Cool Charcoal"
They shift color with sunlight from a light silver to almost an anthracite color

When deciding on tires, I did a lot of research. I considered the following:

1. This truck doesnt have SR5 flares
2. I do not like the look of fender flares
3. I do not like tire-poke beyond the fenders
4. I'm going to be driving this quite often 3x a week, so mileage is somewhat of important
5. I like the tall and skinny look on these... well.. tall and skinny SUVs.

BFG KM2 255/85/16

They arrived!

Mounted up

 

[WeakSauz]

Is it me, or does the passenger door look a bit different in color?

Was this car in an accident?

Great looking vehicle, and I look forward to the progress.

Good eye! I've noticed this too- It's actually both the passenger and driver's door that are a slightly different hue.

There is nothing bad on the CarFax. And, the VINs are still on the doors, all OEM stickers, etc. I am not sure if they were resprayed for some reason in the past, but judging by the paint mismatch it is highly likely I'd say.

It doesnt bother me too much considering what I paid for this truck

 

[Joelzy]

How long did it take you to wire wheel the undercarriage? also what product did you use to recoat? I've used the rubberized stuff in the past with only some success.

 

[WeakSauz]

I typically hate center caps and find them annoying.

But, I did decide to go with OEM landcruiser FJ60 rear center caps on all 4 corners.

Man they were not cheap.

A MAJOR PITA to install on the rims.

 

[WeakSauz]

How long did it take you to wire wheel the undercarriage? also what product did you use to recoat? I've used the rubberized stuff in the past with only some success.

My undercarriage was rust-free to begin with, so it only took about 2 hours.

The purpose for wire-wheeling was to knock off loose paint flakes (things that dirt could get stuck behind)

I then wiped everything down with alcohol to make a clean surface, and painted the whole frame, mounts, suspension, axle, etc with Ceramic engine enamel

I am not a huge fan of rubberized undercoat, as it runs a slight risk of having rust form underneath if not applied correctly. I have seen a friend's T100 get it's frame eaten from the inside out (under undercoating)

 

[wettRunner]

Good eye! I've noticed this too- It's actually both the passenger and driver's door that are a slightly different hue.

There is nothing bad on the CarFax. And, the VINs are still on the doors, all OEM stickers, etc. I am not sure if they were resprayed for some reason in the past, but judging by the paint mismatch it is highly likely I'd say.

It doesnt bother me too much considering what I paid for this truck

That's good to know! I really like what your plans are with the wheels.
It gives the vehicle a "safari" runner look.

 

[WeakSauz]

More fun stuff, none of which is installed yet as of 10/11/2018!

I bought this kit from Wheeler's:
https://wheelersoffroad.com/i-31259...er-e80-82-005-01-22.html?ref=category:1447158

I have yet to see this exact kit on a 3rd Gen. If you have it, please let me know!

• Also bought the following:
• Steering rack bushings
• UCA bushings
• OEM Toyota Lower Ball Joints
• Front and Rear sway bar bushings

The steel wheels are heavy, so let's get the braking in order:

• New OEM Tundra brembos
• Tundra 231mm calipers
• OEM Brembo pads

Other things to get maintenance up to date:

• OEM Toyota radiator, cap and hoses
• B&M Tranny cooler
• Toyota red fluid
• OEM Trans filter
• OEM fuel filter
• OEM plugs and new wires
• OEM PCV kit (valve, hose, grommet)
• New wiper blades
• New battery

:snacker: More fun stuff to come :snacker:

 

[WeakSauz]

I was on the fence about the Gen 1 rollbar mod. But I found this one at a reasonable price with the OEM pad included.

What do you guys think for color:
Black, or Millineum Silver body color?

 

[DaMonkey]

love the wheel tire combo. well done! i like the hub caps but i'm thinking would be very cool with manual hub conversion. doooo itttt

 

[WeakSauz]

love the wheel tire combo. well done! i like the hub caps but i'm thinking would be very cool with manual hub conversion. doooo itttt

You read my mind...
It could be happening!

 

[phattyduck]

But, because I'm OCD, let's refinish the hitch first:

We have may to discuss your definition of 100% rust free again. Look at those spot welds on the body and the little bits of surface rust on the bumper brackets.

I would agree there are no actual issues here, but it isn't truly 100% rust free.

Looks like it may have been a "very well taken care of but close to the ocean" truck.

Oh, have you tried fitting those new wheels on the truck with those center caps installed? It looks like they will interfere with the hub interface... Hope that's not the case!

-Charlie

 

[raKnizek]

Cant wait to see the wheel/tire combo mounted.

I like the idea of body color matching the roll bar. Would be unique. Do you have plans to use it in a functional way or is it more of an aesthetic mod?

Nice job on the underside too btw.

 

[WeakSauz]

We have may to discuss your definition of 100% rust free again. Look at those spot welds on the body and the little bits of surface rust on the bumper brackets.

I would agree there are no actual issues here, but it isn't truly 100% rust free.

Looks like it may have been a "very well taken care of but close to the ocean" truck.

Oh, have you tried fitting those new wheels on the truck with those center caps installed? It looks like they will interfere with the hub interface... Hope that's not the case!

-Charlie

Man, you're killing me! Haha! Ok, fair enough. I see you're in CA, so I get it. this level of rust seen in the pics is unheard of in NC. Not saying I have some sort of Gem here, but the ones I see in the junkyards around here are there due to frame rot / mounting points rotting. I guess what I was saying is there is zero actual frame rot on this one, unlike a lot of the coastal NC 4Runners here.

But you are correct- maybe 100% rust free isnt literal

And I am nervous about those center caps. I am hoping and praying they'll work, because they were not easy at all to get on. I only installed 2 for this reason- I will check after Hurricane Michael passes

Cant wait to see the wheel/tire combo mounted.

I like the idea of body color matching the roll bar. Would be unique. Do you have plans to use it in a functional way or is it more of an aesthetic mod?

Nice job on the underside too btw.

I can't wait either. No functional use for it. I'll likely mount a flashlight and some etc small items. I know its mainly an aesthetic piece. Silver may look good!

 

[128keaton]

So excited to see what the truck looks like with all the new parts. You've got me inspired to deep clean my interior at some point. Looks great!