884Runner intro

[abecker]

Hi all,

I just got back from picking up a new rig. My TJ was t-boned last april and it took me some time to figure out what I wanted. After stumbling on this I couldn't pass it up. Wish it had coils but oh well, it had everything else I was looking for. I still have to transfer pics, so this is all i have for now. I don't have much plans for a build on it.....

Cheers,
- Aaron

 

[BlueCruiser84]

22re? What’s its deal??

 

[abecker]

22re? What’s its deal??

heh, heh...you took the bait! 3.4L

 

[BlueCruiser84]

heh, heh...you took the bait! 3.4L

That looked like a lot of weight to ask the poor 22re to haul around.

That’s awesome. What a cool build.

 

[abecker]

That’s awesome. What a cool build.

yeah, and i didn't have to hunt down parts, or get grimy, or lay on the concrete floor, or wait hours/days/weeks/months/maybe years for it to be done - instant gratification this time!

That looked like a lot of weight to ask the poor 22re to haul around.

5.29s too - i figure I have 5 surprises left.

 

[yotadude520]

yeah, and i didn't have to hunt down parts, or get grimy, or lay on the concrete floor, or wait hours/days/weeks/months/maybe years for it to be done - instant gratification this time!



5.29s too - i figure I have 5 surprises left.

Nice 4Runner! Your're going to love this thing much more than you ever could love that TJ. I'm a reformed Jeeper myself.
Can I guess the other surprises? Or some of them?

Solid axle swap, automatic transmission, lockers front and rear and dual cases.

Was I right?!

 

[joseywales]

yeah, and i didn't have to hunt down parts, or get grimy, or lay on the concrete floor, or wait hours/days/weeks/months/maybe years for it to be done - instant gratification this time!
5.29s too - i figure I have 5 surprises left.

All you need to do is get out your zip cut wheel and get rid of the mad max exo cage! That should go quick!

Nice 4Runner! Your're going to love this thing much more than you ever could love that TJ. I'm a reformed Jeeper myself.
Can I guess the other surprises? Or some of them?

Solid axle swap, automatic transmission, lockers front and rear and dual cases.

Was I right?!

Why do I feel like you saw an add for it??

 

[yotadude520]

All you need to do is get out your zip cut wheel and get rid of the mad max exo cage! That should go quick!




Why do I feel like you saw an add for it??

Nah, didn’t see any ad for it. It definitely has a SAS since you can see the hoops for the shocks in the wheel well there.

And I firmly believe any rig that’s caged like that, has a 3.4l and a solid axle swap just has to have dual cases and lockers. I figured they kept the auto when they did the 3.4 swap but I could be wrong.

A man can dream right?

 

[joseywales]

Just for that I’m going to cage my ‘Runner so everybody assumes it’s badass too!


Which it is... (said in the voice of Anton Sugur)

 

[yotadude520]

Just for that I’m going to cage my ‘Runner so everybody assumes it’s badass too!


Which it is... (said in the voice of Anton Sugur)

Hah! Fantastic movie.

And do a 3.4l swap too that’ll give you some more cred!

 

[joseywales]

We best not derail Aaron’s thread any more. Maybe he will post some more pics and info on “skeletor”??

Ok, one more tiny derail... I’m going to rock the 3.0 until it backs, then decide what to do, but a 3.4 is the likely candidate. Maybe a VW TDI if I’m feeling really saucy that week.

 

[abecker]

sorry guys, was away from computer for the last 5 days, so here goes:

Nice 4Runner! Your're going to love this thing much more than you ever could love that TJ. I'm a reformed Jeeper myself.

I have some time in landcruisers and understand the advantages, but I have to say I really enjoyed the drivability of the TJ - short wheelbase, coil springs, 4.0l 5 speed very responsive, fuel injected, solid axles, 4X4 on the fly up to 55mph, endless customization parts available, affordable, could seriously drive it like a slot car - just wish i hadn't been stuck with the D30/35 axles.

Can I guess the other surprises? Or some of them?

Solid axle swap, automatic transmission, lockers front and rear and dual cases.

Was I right?!

SAS check, 2003 e-locker in rear check, 5 speed I believe from 22re [its still on the carrier from denver] - i prefer to row my own. xtra 5 speed and dual xfer case strapped down inside the back

All you need to do is get out your zip cut wheel and get rid of the mad max exo cage! That should go quick!

no way! i need that thing to keep the body as straight as it is, especially on days its in boston. plus my daughter didn't want the 4runner, so i had to sell her on the jungle gym aspect.


Why do I feel like you saw an add for it??

Nah, didn’t see any ad for it. It definitely has a SAS since you can see the hoops for the shocks in the wheel well there.

And I firmly believe any rig that’s caged like that, has a 3.4l and a solid axle swap just has to have dual cases and lockers. I figured they kept the auto when they did the 3.4 swap but I could be wrong.

A man can dream right?

front is open at the moment. I'm going to drive as is, and see if I need the dual cases and/or locked front.

Just for that I’m going to cage my ‘Runner so everybody assumes it’s badass too!


Which it is... (said in the voice of Anton Sugur)

12k winch might be the last surprise, other than that the rear wheel wells were cut out and raised. I'll fill in the story next post/week.

 

[abecker]

oh dang joseywales - i just saw your location. I've always wanted to surf barra de la cruz - because I'm afraid of Puerto escondido! but your profile pic doesnt make me think oaxaca...???

 

[joseywales]

I’m not in Oaxaca, but Barra de la Cruz is an epic break! I usually stop driving south in the Ticla / Rio Nexpa zone.

My particular Roca Blanca is the southwesternmost town in mainland BC (Whiterock). My avatar on ExPo is however a photo of Cathedral Basilica Menor de Colima. Decidedly warmer spot than the snowcat photo spot! There is awesome kiting here, but no surf to speak of. The closest consistent spots are a ferry ride and 1.5 hour drive away.

 

[yotadude520]

Wow! What a sweet rig! I guess I was kinda close!

 

[abecker]

I’m not in Oaxaca, but Barra de la Cruz is an epic break! I usually stop driving south in the Ticla / Rio Nexpa zone.

My particular Roca Blanca is the southwesternmost town in mainland BC (Whiterock). My avatar on ExPo is however a photo of Cathedral Basilica Menor de Colima. Decidedly warmer spot than the snowcat photo spot! There is awesome kiting here, but no surf to speak of. The closest consistent spots are a ferry ride and 1.5 hour drive away.

funny, because the translation in your avatar brought me right to the oaxacan one on googlemaps.

View attachment 1887604

Wow! What a sweet rig! I guess I was kinda close!

very close indeed. was just looking at your 87. that thing looks really nice.

 

[abecker]

Before I forget [again], I wanted to make it known that I enlisted some mud help on this. I had at least 3 or 4 offers to inspect this for me in another thread. in the end Ben Edwards of Coeur d'alene did a great inspection, pics, videos and phone call that made me feel more comfortable about the purchase. Also, Aaron Frost at Summit Auto Transport was a huge help after 5 days driving from Spokane to Denver in getting it the rest of the way across the boring states. and of course to the mud members that directed me to these individuals!

 

[yotadude520]

very close indeed. was just looking at your 87. that thing looks really nice.

Thank you very much! It's been great to me so far and I can't wait to get it out onto the trails. It still needs a couple things before I truly go out and test it.

 

[joseywales]

Ben Edwards of Coeur d'alene did a great inspection. Also, Aaron Frost at Summit Auto Transport was a huge help after 5 days driving from Spokane to Denver in getting it the rest of the way across the boring states.

So your 4Runner came from Spokey? Cool. We were there last year again on our way to the Telluride/Ouray area. It was the first time my wife (respectable 40 something lady in a $100,000 rig) was asked if she could spare any “crystal” by a guy wearing a duvet and a WW2 leather aviators helmet. That part of the world has some serious character!

 

[abecker]

So your 4Runner came from Spokey? Cool. We were there last year again on our way to the Telluride/Ouray area. It was the first time my wife (respectable 40 something lady in a $100,000 rig) was asked if she could spare any “crystal” by a guy wearing a duvet and a WW2 leather aviators helmet. That part of the world has some serious character!

it came from NW Idaho, but the cheapest way from Rhode Island was to Spokane, and the owner was kind enough to drive it to Spokane for me so I could jump off early on the journey.

I wasn't in Spokane all that long so I can't pass judgement, but we were told not to go to the 7-eleven 2 blocks away, and I also observed that there were bumper stickers that said "spokane doesn't suck"