This thread will be an ongoing build I started a few weeks ago for a friend of mine. We both had a vision for this 1990 22re 4runner as a “modest” build, more of a oem plus look to everything but still perform well on and offroad. We were really trying to take after an oem hilux with a 2 or 3 inch lift and 35’s. He wants to drive down the road straight and be comfortable throwing the family in the back and going camping/ wheeling.
First things first was to cut out all the ifs, this has been documented over and over so wont go over that too much. We went with ruffstuff frame plates, welded them in and drilled for the steering box. When we ordered parts he already bought a drop pitman arm and we felt with the max tire size being 35’s we would be fine leaving the steering box in the factory location for now. If we think its worth it later on we can always move it.
To keep everything low we used an all pro low profile front spring hanger. It looks a lot cleaner than most hangers and lowers the front an inch or so compared to a trailgear style hanger. We used the trail gear rear frame sleeves, cutting those holes is a PITA, i need a plasma cutter bad.. then we built some temporary shackles and set it down, we did this to check height so we knew what shackle size to buy. 5” shackles seem to do the trick.
For the axle he had picked up an 84-85 axle a while back, I stripped it down, cleaned it up and we trussed it, fabbed knuckle gussets (coppied ruffstuff), built shock tabs and welded a ruffstuff bash plate on.
We decided to go with Barnes 4wd shock towers to give it a bit nicer oemish look and obviously they’re stronger than hoops. (Might use them for coilovers eventually)
We’re putting in 4.88’s and auto lockers front and rear. I picked up a rebuilt w56 with a 4.7 Tcase from a friend of mine so I am in the process if putting that in with a new Asin clutch at the moment.
For the rear we are using Eibach 2” springs and im trying out 3rd gen rear lift bilstein 5100’s. Eventually he wants to go with a 57” leaf for the rear but for now this should get him on the road.
At this moment the frame and axle parts are all painted ready to go together. He bought new 3rd gen pickup rear leaf springs. I am swapping some of his transmission and transfercase parts to the new one and getting it ready to put back in.
We are in the final process of putting things back together so I should have some significant updates soon. Questions, comments concerns are always welcome here. Positive criticism is always good for learning so have at it.
First things first was to cut out all the ifs, this has been documented over and over so wont go over that too much. We went with ruffstuff frame plates, welded them in and drilled for the steering box. When we ordered parts he already bought a drop pitman arm and we felt with the max tire size being 35’s we would be fine leaving the steering box in the factory location for now. If we think its worth it later on we can always move it.
To keep everything low we used an all pro low profile front spring hanger. It looks a lot cleaner than most hangers and lowers the front an inch or so compared to a trailgear style hanger. We used the trail gear rear frame sleeves, cutting those holes is a PITA, i need a plasma cutter bad.. then we built some temporary shackles and set it down, we did this to check height so we knew what shackle size to buy. 5” shackles seem to do the trick.
For the axle he had picked up an 84-85 axle a while back, I stripped it down, cleaned it up and we trussed it, fabbed knuckle gussets (coppied ruffstuff), built shock tabs and welded a ruffstuff bash plate on.
We decided to go with Barnes 4wd shock towers to give it a bit nicer oemish look and obviously they’re stronger than hoops. (Might use them for coilovers eventually)
We’re putting in 4.88’s and auto lockers front and rear. I picked up a rebuilt w56 with a 4.7 Tcase from a friend of mine so I am in the process if putting that in with a new Asin clutch at the moment.
For the rear we are using Eibach 2” springs and im trying out 3rd gen rear lift bilstein 5100’s. Eventually he wants to go with a 57” leaf for the rear but for now this should get him on the road.
At this moment the frame and axle parts are all painted ready to go together. He bought new 3rd gen pickup rear leaf springs. I am swapping some of his transmission and transfercase parts to the new one and getting it ready to put back in.
We are in the final process of putting things back together so I should have some significant updates soon. Questions, comments concerns are always welcome here. Positive criticism is always good for learning so have at it.
What springs were you running? I noticed the alignment pin is 3 or 4 inches forward of the center of the spring. I know thats normal but wondered if that played a part in the issue.
(I'll still get around to them eventually)
