JT's '88 4 Runner Build

[jtaco1]

Got my new front brake line today, 36" stainless braid with nylon sleeve, bolts into the hard line junction and the V6 caliper. They are from Techna-Fit out in California, and cost less than $45 for the pair with shipping. Just gotta run down and get another stock rear line to double up the rear one.

Gonna have brakes soon

Then I'll swap in the elocker Tacoma rear later next month, just gotta figure out the ebrake setup since it is a little different from the 4 Runner.

[jtaco1]

Ordered up a front spring hanger setup today for the SAS, just a few more parts and I'll have everything for that project when it comes, gotta tear the axle apart and what not.

[zucruisers]

jt i think i have an extra pair of ford shock towers if you'd be interested in them for when ya do the sas

[Wayneraintree]

and I have nothing but encouragement for ya : )

your runner will be perfect with a SAS! refesh me on the springs you used?

[jtaco1]

Originally Posted by zucruisers

jt i think i have an extra pair of ford shock towers if you'd be interested in them for when ya do the sas

Sounds good, I was planning on using the Ford mounts anyway.

Originally Posted by Wayneraintree

and I have nothing but encouragement for ya : )

your runner will be perfect with a SAS! refesh me on the springs you used?

I will be using rears up front, I picked up a set of 85 rears with the front axle and use the ones off the Runner. For the rear I am getting a set of 56" chevys and may also run a buggy spring.

Gotta find someone getting rid of their Hysteer setup for a decent price yet and some other stuff to rebuild the axle.

Also ordering my BudBuilt crossmember with drivetrain lift today, so that can go in after the body lift.

[Lugboot]

Hey, JT, I wonder if I can use the rear shaft off your Tacoma for my front driveshaft?



Brett

[jtaco1]

I would have given it to you, but Toyota says the Tacoma has to be able to be moved around under its own power, so I gotta keep it :( I am keeping an I out for some others for you.

[Lugboot]

I figured there'd be some rule like that but it didn't hurt to ask! Thanks!

I've decided to go the Taco drive shaft route instead of buying a new one.

[jtaco1]

I would have loved to strip everything from the Tacoma, but trying to stay within the rules. Like I said, I will keep an eye out.

[jtaco1]

Well the BudBuilt showed up yesterday and the front spring hanger and frame sleeves showed up today, just need high steer and an axle rebuild kit and we are ready to go with the SAS. Gonna finish the brakes over the next week or two and body lift on the 12th, then we'll hit the trail wth IFS until the fall and then start the cutting, by then i should have everything else and have the axle rebuilt and can put the rear TRD axle in as well

[jtaco1]

Well, I got lucky and found a new, never used high steer setup for a great price, so that should be here next week. Now if I can unload some more Tacoma parts, I will have everything for the 4 Runner

[jtaco1]

New high steer kit came today with a new pitman arm, so that will be ready to install soon. Going to be doing the brakes tonight and maybe the body lift and crossmember this weekend. Hope to have it ready for the trail ride next weekend.

[Wayneraintree]

GET IT!!!!!

[jtaco1]

Well brakes are in, they are better than before, but still not great, I think the rear brakes aren't adjusted right or something, so once I get the Tacoma axle for it this weekend, I am going to thrash to get it installed, since I know the brakes are good on it. Also finally got to take it for a spin, does pretty good. Hopefully I can get everything finished this weekend and during the next week to make it for the monthly ride.

Jeff you running the Mini or the FJ60 next weekend??

[Wayneraintree]

Likely the 60 or riding along... the mini is coming along but not within reason to get it done before the 19th... : (

[jtaco1]

Well we had a jamb packed day on Saturday. Got everything swapped over to Jeremy's Tacoma and I got his 4.10 rear e locker axle. Also got my 1" body lift on. Last night I got a some time to install the BudBuilt crossmeber and skid plate, all I can say is BEEF. Have a bout 16-18" under the t-case with 35's on. Frame height is at about 20" as well.

Now the bad news, the Tacoma axle needs some major attention :( Was hoping to just bolt it in, but looks like I need to do a major cleanup on the brakes, both axle seals were blown. Got the seals to fix it, now just need to clean up the huge mess that is in the backing plates and maybe replace the rear drums. Should be able to get it all back together this weekend and then modify the e-brake setupfrom the 4 Runner to work with the Tacoma axle, since it is wider. Probably just lengthen the stock e-brake cables for now. Also since I don't want to re-do the brake hard lines, my rear brake hose is going to be pretty long since the soft line connection is on the drivers side of the axle and is on the passenger side of the frame. May get a custom stainless line from the place I got my front lines from, since they are cheap and great quality.

Just going to run the stock axle for now until I get everything worked out with the Tacoma axle. Defiantely going to make the next trail ride in May.

[zucruisers]

why dont you flip the two pieces of hardline on the taco axle so that the soft line junction is on the right side?

[jtaco1]

I had planned to do that, but the hard lines on a Tacoma rear have a bunch of weird bends in them, so it won't work. I may cut the hard line junction off and relocate it to the crossmember and then splice in some additional hard line, so I don't have such a long soft line. Pretty much put the junction in teh middle of the frame.

[jtaco1]

Got my sliders welded up on Friday afternoon and painted, just have to weld them to the truck now, probably some evening this week. Got the Tacoma rebuilt and that is ready for install. For the brake line, I am just going to modify the hardline on the frame and bring it over to the middle of the tubular crossmember and run the soft line from there. Should work well. I am also going to lengthen the stock 4 Runner ebrake cable to work with the axle. Just placed an order for the Off Road Solutions stand alone elocker wiring harness, so that should be here soon and be ready for the 17th.

Once I get the axle swapped in and put on different tires on it, I am going to get it inspected, so hopefully by the 17th it will be a state inspected and insured rig

[jtaco1]

Quick picture in the garage. Still gotta paint the front fenders and what not.

[jtaco1]

Got the sliders on 95%, ran out of welding wire on the passenger side so I still need to finish that off. Got the Tacoma elocker rear axle in, it realy isn't much wider, but the locker will be nice. Need to weld the ebrake pivot point to the axle and it will be done. Probably going to put the stock rear bumper back on to get it through inspection until I build one. With any luck I may also have a trailer for the upcoming ride on the 17th, planning on heading up on friday and camping.

[jtaco1]

Well I stayed out in the shop until about 3:30 this morning trying to get everything done. Well other than some new wiper blades for the front and putting smaller tires on it, it is ready to get inspected. Got it registered and insured yesterday, only $300 a year, not too bad. The only part that I am waiting for is my ORS Elocker harness, hopefully that gets here early next week, but I have a feeling it won't be in in time.

[OffRoadSolutions]

JT, Im pushin to try and get it done for ya! I can't promise anything since we have quite a few harness orders in front of ya, but I am trying I will let you know once it gets shipped!

~Una

[jtaco1]

Wow, Thanks, I really appreciate it. For anyone that needs Toyota stuff, Off Road Solutions has been great to work with thus far, will definately be gettting more stuff from them in the future

[jtaco1]

Well the truck had a major set back today, was driving it to the shop to get inspected and something in teh engine let go, not sure yet, haven't had time to tear it down. Looking for a 22re now :( So it doesn't look like I will make it to Rausch with it this weekend.

[Wayneraintree]

WTF!? that is pure bad luck...

[OffRoadSolutions]

Originally Posted by jtaco1

Wow, Thanks, I really appreciate it. For anyone that needs Toyota stuff, Off Road Solutions has been great to work with thus far, will definately be gettting more stuff from them in the future

Glad we could help. Really sorry to hear about the bad luck tho, that blows.