YotaKyle's 3rd gen T4R build

YotaKyle

YotaKyle

New member
Well, I've been a long time owner of first gen tacomas (1997, and a 2000). I've always like the 4runners due to the exact similarities to the tacoma and being an Suv style. I also like to do alot of hunting and thought a 3rd gen 4runner would be a no Brainer because it would make an ultimate hunting rig and serve as great dry storage for my stands and clothes ect.

So the search began and after a month or 2 or vigorous searching I found a perfect opportunity on a 1997 SR5 4x4 in the North Mississippi Craigslist! I drove 1.5 hours to meet the guy who I could tell really just didn't care anything about a Yoter ( yeah those people exist [emoji12] ). I immediately knew there were a few tweaks to be done and some clunking to be fixed and basically just routine maintenance. Here was her fist pics to me!

-2.5inch Daystar coil spacer lift included
(Will be upgrading soon)

c3de16e514eb0d878f234afb0264829d.jpg

f98d5b0b44eea7b6d70048336de64baa.jpg
NEEDED A SERIOUS ALIGNMENT!
3da5ebd0858349238fdf4d998223d213.jpg


More pics and info to come...Stay tuned!

Sent from my SM-G935V using Tapatalk
 
Last edited:
Register to hide this ad
While driving her home in was about 15 mins from home and a terrible noise came from the engine and she started running poorly, I was pissed to say the least... luckily it only turned out to be a coil on cylinder 3 and also burnt the spark plug. Luckily I have a 3.4l engine sitting aside for parts so I stole a coil off of it and she was brand new again!
b661d5642ddadf4bcf9937b523db3d1b.jpg


Then, it was time for a good deep cleaning!

eb9805dfa814dd6a132bdb588880508d.jpg


Sent from my SM-G935V using Tapatalk
 
Last edited:
So I began tackling the m ost obvious issues that I noticed. I first noticed the automatic shifter was so sloppy, loose, and every time I hit the gas the shifter would jump back. I ran across a video by youtuber "iworkforbudlight" with a video on how to replace these bushings and made it pretty easy to do. 4 bushings and $9 later she is tighter than a tick!

Next issue was a bad clunk from the front end. With the help of a friend turning the wheel back and forth I began diagnosing various parts and narrowed it to LCA bushings that appeared to be wore slap out. I decided to change the whole shebang and picked up some new arms from advanced auto made by Driveworks. They looked good and I had a friend (owns a business) install them. I then began noticing my truck had a hard pull to the right when braking and a positive camber (all of this after an alignment). So I started diagnosing again and after 3 professional opinions later they all said the same thing, aftermarket arms are CRAP, especially the bushings. I called advanced back and they assured I could return the arms for cash back as long as I hadn't damaged them. I immediately ordered new lower control arms for $60 more from Toyotapartsdeal.com . I started removing the aftermarket arms yesterday and it wasn't not all that bad but time consuming. The most annoying part was moving the whole steering rack for TWO bolts!? A little elbow grease and couple of hours later and FINALLY! THEY'RE OUT!
c357a142054f46b42686ad19e42c0202.jpg

821249739919ab30a257f8a7140e1f0e.jpg


Sent from my SM-G935V using Tapatalk
 
The next task on the runner was the steering rack bushings. My whole rack was moving a good inch or so both ways when turning and the bushings were shot! I replaced them with energy suspension bushing and used a couple style press to get the old ones out and new ones in

Sent from my SM-G935V using Tapatalk
 
So I began looking through different sources for a set of wheels... I ran across a craigslist add for a set of level 8 wheels with 80% 265/75/r16 General Grabber At2s and little did I know the guy lived like 2 or 3 minutes from me! He was nice enough to meet me one day and let me swap out one of his wheels and tires on mine just so I could see how they looked and if I liked them. So I met the guy and immediately realized he was a pretty swell dude, and actually a part of this forum!
867400638bae933c823a8135a17bc07f.jpg


So I bought them from him along with another set of 5 split spoke style tundra factory wheels with brand new 255/75/r17 bfg KMs on them (true 32").

04c199a2dded706854c9de62ba8f2b19.jpg


I decided to put the level 8 / grabber combo on first and WOW ! They ride smoother and quite ride than I imagined they would and not to mention, they look great! Thanks [MENTION=118797]jpeaslee[/MENTION] !!

0072a6424d40e56be04e4b34b0fe78d8.jpg


Now I have been pondering for a few weeks and reading various ideas of a better lift setup besides the coil spacer 2.5" lift, but I want to maintain this height. I've been reading various post and forum threads on all the different setups. And I am going to go with the Tundra Bilstein 5100s front and rear and highly considering the Tundra TRD coils up front due to all of the positive reviews. I also am planning to buy [MENTION=118797]jpeaslee[/MENTION] OME 906 rear coils to put on to my ride and hopefully fix the sagging, bouncy springs and fix the notorious "driver's side lean"

I have also read many reviews where people also like the 5100s paired with the OME front 881 coils. So I'm still reading pretty heavy but pretty set on the tundra coils for now. Hoping I can get lucky and find some noce used ones! Haha

Sent from my SM-G935V using Tapatalk
 
Last edited:
So as I mentioned, I replaced the rack and pinion bushings with energy suspension bushings due to my rack would move over an inch when turning and man these things made a huge difference!

During this process is had to remove the sway bar so I went ahead and upgraded the worn bushing with energy suspension bushings as well!

Sent from my SM-G935V using Tapatalk
 
Congrats on the 4Runner man! I'm in Middle Tennessee. Hopefully, we can do a big Tennessee, Alabama, Georgia get together sometime in Chattanooga at Coppinger Cove and Prentice Cooper State Forest!
 
Chuckles89 said:
Congrats on the 4Runner man! I'm in Middle Tennessee. Hopefully, we can do a big Tennessee, Alabama, Georgia get together sometime in Chattanooga at Coppinger Cove and Prentice Cooper State Forest!
Click to expand...
Thanks bud! Thatd be awesome!

Sent from my SM-G935V using Tapatalk
 
Ahhhhh... here come the goodies for the next few day!! Today's special delivery consist of

-Lower LBJs
(43330-39585 and 43340-39465)
-New style Rack guide
(45504-35031)
-New style guide cap
(45524-37010)

Thanks Camelback Toyota!


5611014edcf527bfe491d2d760d922d6.jpg


Sent from my SM-G935V using Tapatalk
 
Chuckles89 said:
Congrats on the 4Runner man! I'm in Middle Tennessee. Hopefully, we can do a big Tennessee, Alabama, Georgia get together sometime in Chattanooga at Coppinger Cove and Prentice Cooper State Forest!
Click to expand...

I think this definitely needs to happen. Too many of us around here to not have some get-togethers!
 
[MENTION=143546]YotaKyle[/MENTION], I want to say that I saw it here in Athens. I always keep an eye out for modded 4Runners. If you are around again it would be cool to meet up. Great build so far by the way, sub'd!
 
DizzyDoyle said:
[MENTION=143546]YotaKyle[/MENTION], I want to say that I saw it here in Athens. I always keep an eye out for modded 4Runners. If you are around again it would be cool to meet up. Great build so far by the way, sub'd!
Click to expand...
Yeah I took it to Walmart once and Martin tire on 99. Haven't been driving on the new tread much until I get the new arms, lbjs, and tires rods on!

Sent from my SM-G935V using Tapatalk
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Members online

No members online now.
Total: 867 (members: 0, guests: 867)

Forum statistics

Threads
278,312
Messages
3,554,083
Members
248,016
Latest member
Advally Service

Share this page

Trending content

Back
Top