JT's '88 4 Runner Build (1 Viewer)

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Minor update - link and panhard material came in yesterday during the hurricane. All that remains is the brackets, which I plan to order from Barnes 4wd or RuffStuff in the next month or two.
 
Picked up my spare power steering box from a buddy who tapped it for hydro assist.
 
Quick update on this - 3 Link brackets showed up today. Guy on Pirate was getting rid of them at a great price and couldn't pass up.

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Still need coil overs, limit straps, and bump stops.
 
This project is getting a bit closer to being ready to start. Picked up a set of used 12" 2.0 Sway-A-Way Coilovers for a smoking price
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Messing around with them quickly, they are in really good shape, shafts are clean and straight, no leaks, mounts have the mis-alignment spacers and the spherical bearing rotates nicely, reservoir hose is in good shape and the threads on the shock body are perfect.

Ordering up dual rate kits next and then springs. Plan is to run 175# over 250# - should be pretty close.
 
nice progress on the build....a bit off topic here but are you towing the 4runner and if so, are you using the 05' 4runner? ..im trying to see if i can tow my Scion FRS on a steel car trailer behind my FJ Cruiser to the road race track.
 
Thanks - dual rate kits and coilover springs will be here Tuesday :)

Yep, the 05 4 Runner is my tow rig. I have a Dively/Econo-Trailer car hauler trailer that weighs in at 1,350 pounds that I use to haul the 88 4 Runner. I am right at or probably just over the 5,000 pound limit, but it has no issue pulling it around at 65-70 MPH on the flats at 2500 RPM and 55 MPH on the hill on 81 through Ravine going to Rausch at about 3000 RPM. MPG is around 12 or so. It accelerates and brakes well too. I do not use a WD hitch and it pulls straight with no sway up to about 75 MPH, then I get a little sway, but I don't hit that speed often, typically only when passing a big rig near an exit or something.

I think you would be fine towing your Scion FRS with the FJ Cruiser. Nice car by the way, was eying one up the other day at the dealer - looks like it would be pretty fun to drive.

Hell, if you want, come borrow the trailer and see how it does if you don't have one yet. Would just need a brake controller in the FJ.
 
Had a minor set back with the coilovers. They were advertised as 2.0's, so that is what I purchased dual rate kits and coils for, went to install everything and it wouldn't fit because the coilover body is bigger than the hardware. Son of a bitch, turns out I have 2.5 coilovers, I should have measured before ordering parts.

All the 2.0 parts have been sent back and are being refunded. 2.5 parts are enroute along with seal kits, wear bands, and shock oil. One of my buddies is going to go over them, give them a rebuild along with verifying what valving they currently have and making the appropriate adjustments, and install the shaft mounted bumpstops I have for them. Should be pretty much new once done.
 
Picked up a set of triple rate kits off Pirate the other day. May use them, may not, but couldn't pass them up for the price.
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Had a few more parts come in such as the lower frame mounts for the lower links that I got from Barnes4wd along with some shock mount tabs. These are his 10 degree mounts, which should work nicely.
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Here is a picture of the shaft mounted bumpstops I picked up at the GM dealer for a Chevy Malibu
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And finally a pair of 14" 250 pound lower springs from PAC Racing Springs that I found on Ebay for half price. They are brand new.
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Overall this project is on hold until I finish the FJ40 swap and wheeling season is over. Addy and I got out last month and she made a list of things that she wants to do to teh truck to make it more user friendly to her and faster :)
 
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Ever since I installed the Corbeau Baja SS seats in the front of the 4 Runner, they felt too short, headrest at my neck and no chance of using the harness slot. They do however fit my daughter perfectly with a booster base. So I have been on the lookout for some new front seats and found a guy selling some slightly used Corbeau Baja Ultras for a song.
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Going to hit them with some fabric paint from Duplicolor to make them black again and they will bolt right in and get me a headrest that works and be able to use the harness slots. The Baja SS's will be moved to the back and replace the folding bench seat so that my daughter can sit back there with a friend and be in a harness versus the lap belt that is there now.
 
Nice find JT. I need to get some comfortable seats for my rig one of these days. The ultras look sharp.
 
Thanks Bill, they are pretty confy.

Took a little time this afternoon and fixed up the Corbeau Ultra's. Turned out pretty decent. Next is to swap them out with the Baja SS's.
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Not much has been going on with this rig, has been sitting since the last trip out, but I have been getting a few parts. Picked up a slightly used Aussie locker for the front axle last week, couldn't beat the price. Also picked up a set of Longfields to finish out the front axle.
 
Picked up a set of Longfield Chromo hub gears for use with IFS hubs to go along with the 30splines. I figured go with hubs versus the drive flanges I have now in hopes of putting the 4 Runner back on the road in the future. Only worry now with the front axle is the pinion since it is a coarse spline. Going to keep an eye out for a fine spline diff.
 
I have been doing a little bit to get the front axle ready for the SAS. When I first built the axle I was going to run leaf springs and regular hysteer running 3/4" heim joints, but with the 3 link, I wanted the steering much lower, so here is what I came up with.
I took two pair of stock steering arms, mounted one set on top like regular and flipped the other set side to side.
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Obvioudly they don't line up, so I cut, bent, and welded them so that they would. I used a 5/8" bolt to align everything. Single sheer wouldn't have been good enough, so I started to make the top where the drag link connects double sheer.
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I also wanted to put the draglink in double sheer, so I added some 5/8" I.D. chromoly tube and got this as the final setup.
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Will install them next and get the tie rod cut to length.
I also came across a killer deal on a set of 5.29 gears for the front axle, so I picked them up and will be getting a solid pinion spacer next.
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One other change that came about in anticipation of running this on the road, was I picked up a set of OG 37" MT/Rs that are near new.
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Kids and work have taken over :)
 

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