Builds Rich’s 3rd Gen 4Runner build (2 Viewers)

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Rich fantastic work breathing some new life into the 4 runner! When you rebuilt the rack what did you determine was wearing out. What causes the racks to fail? Just so I can keep an eye on mine- it doesn't leak or anything.
 
Rich fantastic work breathing some new life into the 4 runner! When you rebuilt the rack what did you determine was wearing out. What causes the racks to fail? Just so I can keep an eye on mine- it doesn't leak or anything.
The steering rack seals go bad through time and here are a couple pictures where the seals have to be replaced. The seal kits run anywhere’s between $50 to $100 depending if you buy a seal kit from Rockauto or an OEM kit but it beats spending $400 plus for a new steering rack from Toyota.
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So I had to address a couple things on the 3rd Gen 4runner.
Rebuilt the Steering Rack
New P/S pump
New valve cover gaskets and spark plug seals (red wrinkle coated)
Upper intake plenum refresh (red wrinkle coated) Valve body cleaning
New Doug Thorley headers
Rebuilt brake calipers, new pads, and new DBA rotors

Thanks to Avi help I got this beast back up and running again.

I found a couple connections that were broken the coil pack connection and the throttle position connection.

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Love the ball joints on the headers! My 40's header has them and they are awesome!!!!!
 
I have been busy with the family but I have done a couple mods to the 3rd Gen. I redone the center section to have a flush mount Vioswitch panel, replaced the oil cooler o-ring, upgraded the steering rack bracket for the billet aluminum 333 bracket, and installed some new fiberglass fenders from McNeil Racing.
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Here’s the link for the steering rack bracket from OPT Off-road made by 333 and the fenders are from McNeil Racing. Here’s a picture of the center console with the flush mounted switch panel.



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My steering rack clamp got a little deformed when the bushing popped out. I was able to massage it back into shape but I may look into the new clamp should be easy enough to swap out.
 
My steering rack clamp got a little deformed when the bushing popped out. I was able to massage it back into shape but I may look into the new clamp should be easy enough to swap out.
I did the same thing to steering rack bracket and I came across this bracket.
 
Just finished a welding a rear hitch tire carrier and in finial paint before the classic. I wanted to make something custom to the 4runner that I can easily attach and remove when going on off road trips. See everyone at the Classic.

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Thanks Gary! I remembered the first trip with Keystone Cruisers in my 3rd Gen I had 32” tires and a open differential, I had to use momentum to get through the tougher trails. Now the 4runner can get through most of the trail with 35’s and double locked.

I remembered Andy telling me I will never finish doing up grades to the 4runner and he’s right. I just finished getting the transmission valve body upgraded by IPT Performance Transmission, now the it has smooth shift at every gear. Before the upgrade it had longer shifts and it struggled a little going up hill. Now it brings a little life back in the way it drives.

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Here’s a link to IPT Performance Transmission and they are specialist in import transmission.
 
Rich explain the benifits of the shift kit. Also i just installed the 333 bracket I noticed on your rack the stud is on the bottom and the bolt is on the top- on my rack it is opposite! My bushing ended up being torn under the old clamp so I put a new poly busing in as well.
 
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