JT's '88 4 Runner Build - Page 8

jtaco1 · 05-13-09, 12:46 PM

Got it from Econo Trailer out of Claysburg, PA. Pretty close to you actually. http://www.econotrailer.com/Open.html They were great to work with and can add things if you want. Cost about $1950 with tax, but the nice part is that they are bringing it out here for free since they are bringing a bunch of trailers to the All Ford Nationals at Carlisle. This was the biggest factor for me with my schedule, since no one local had anything or could touch this price. I will be taking care of the tags and title work myself and my mechanic is going to inspect it so it is all legal and good to go.

kb3gun · 05-13-09, 03:17 PM

I'm going to have to pay them a visit. I like the open floor style (nice for wrenching) and the low weight is another plus. I didn't realize they were that close.

jtaco1 · 06-15-09, 01:38 PM

Well we went to Rausch the other weekend for EC4RJ and had a blast. Truck wheeled great and having a trailer is so nice. Here are some pictures from the weekend.

Who knew stock springs could droop that much

Wayneraintree · 06-17-09, 05:38 AM

Hey JT! Nice face on that last pic, LOL!

Looks like you owned it again, who says IFS needs swapped?

jtaco1 · 06-18-09, 09:26 AM

When I concentrate my tongue comes out, it is a family trait actually, pretty funny all of the males on my dads side do it, my daughter does to now.

Realy impressed with what the 4 Runner can do, only complaint is that the gas tank hangs down too low. I will be working on this soon by sectioning the tank mounting brakcets and adding a 3/16" skid plate instead of the tin foil one I bent up on Stout.

toypu17 · 06-18-09, 09:35 AM

4runner looks great JT! when will you be doing the sas?

jtaco1 · 06-18-09, 10:57 AM

When I break something

I need to get the shop cleaned up and a garage door isntalled so I can get the truck in, or get my concrete pad poured in front of the shop now that it is level, took 6 feet of fill

Still have a few more parts to get for the SAS, but it will probably happen this fall/winter if I get the time.

toyokev · 06-28-09, 07:36 AM

Hey JT,the 4runner is really coming along nice. great pics too.Does the new 4runner pull the old one on that trailer well?....I really need to find the time to get back into this..lol

jtaco1 · 06-28-09, 12:52 PM

Yeah it pulls it fine, it is no full size truck, but it gets me around no problem so far. We are going up to Rausch on July 10 and 11, you should make it up and see what the FJ Cruiser can do

jtaco1 · 07-08-09, 02:44 PM

Just picked up my IFS hubs that I had turned dow so that I can run Tacoma 4x4 rotors. Now to throw a wrench into things, I will be picking up a FJ60 front axle housing to build for the front of the 4 Runner. I figure I will gain a good bit of strength in the ring and pinion department with the Landcruiser diff and gain more width. Once built I will have an axle that is 62" WMS that will go nicely with my 60" Tacoma rear axle.

Next month I will be installing a 4.7 geared t-case and twin sticks.

We are headed up to CMCC this weekend to see what we can break.

jtaco1 · 07-13-09, 05:21 PM

We broke a few things, but made it out alive. Here is a quick picture of the 4 Runner on the trailer, perfect fit.

jtaco1 · 09-21-09, 07:09 AM

Brakes are fixed adn also upgraded to a dual diaphram brake booster. 4.7 geared t-case is in, just need to bolt the Budbuilt back in. Also got my 3/16" gas tank skid done. Will get pictures later this week as I am headed to the Pittsburg area for work over the next two days.

jtaco1 · 10-05-09, 05:00 PM

Well I finally have the 4 Runner ready to go again from when I blew the rear brake hard line. Whne I blew the line I also blew the master cylinder and booster. So I replaced both with units out of a V6 4 Runner.

I also beat the hell out of the stock skid plate on Trail 20, so I built a new one from a skid plate that Skid Row makes for a Nissan Xterra. I modified it a good bit, but it is good to go now and is made from 3/16" steel.

While I was at it I also pulled the rear t-case and had 4.7 gears put in it by Kajo Built. He did a great job and got it done fast. i also installed a set of Trail Gear Twin Sticks. It is great idleing along at 175:1

Finally here are what my Corbeau Baja SS suspension seats look like mounted to the stock sliders with a piece of angle.

Dana got me the seat covers for my B-day.

So that is where it is at this point, just a few more parts to assemble for the SAS that may happen this winter.

jtaco1 · 10-07-09, 11:39 AM

Forgot to mention that I also installed one of Trail Gears HD t-case mount. That along with my chained motor mounts makes the truck react instantly. There are a few more vibs, but not too bad, definately worth it.

jtaco1 · 11-09-09, 02:17 PM

Alright, I have a t-case leak at the rear output so I will be fixing that this week and then we are headed up to Rausch on Sunday for the day. Should be interesting wheeling, since I put the hardtop back on, hopefully it isn't tippy.

jtaco1 · 11-16-09, 07:22 AM

Well we went and ran some of the blue-black and black trails at Rausch on Sunday and the 4 Runenr did great. Only issue was I found out that the 3/16" plate used for the gas tank skid is not enough for the way I wheel and how low the trick is. The skid is bent up pretty good, so I am going to take the skid off, bend it back and weld some 1/4" plate to it since I have it in the shop. Yes it will add weight, but it will be nice and low for COG issues. If I bend it again, I am putting a fuel cell in the back and being done with it

Plus the t-case still leaks, so I need to order up a Marlin HD seal.

kb3gun · 11-16-09, 10:07 AM

You might want to look at adding some backing. The 3/16 on my FJC bent too. Once I straightened it out (for the most part) I welded in some 1"x1/4" angle iron to the backside of the plate and its held up since. Didn't add much weight either.

jtaco1 · 11-16-09, 10:30 AM

Yeah I thought of that, but I only have about 1/2" clearance, when straight, between the skid and gas tank. I am afraid the angle might go up into the tank. The more I think about it, it is just clearancing itself, so I am just going to run it as is and go from there unless it gets really bad. The tank just holds a little less gas now

Plus I would rather work on the SAS parts and what not then messing with the skid again.

How's the FJ40 coming Bill?