JT's 88 4 Runner Build

[jtaco1]

Here is the brief build of my 88 4 Runner thus far, been building it the last few months to replace the Tacoma. I am building it around 35's with no lift other than a rear shackle to level it out and a 1" body lift so I can lift the drivetrain a little.

Here is what we started with

Pulled the truck into the garage and pulled the old engine that had 280K on it

Next we prepped the new engine to go in

We pulled the old tranny and transfer case and pushed the truck out into the yard. We then began to tear the tranny and t-cases apart

used the original case as the crawl box since it was in worse shape than the other t-case I had for the swap. Tore the donor case apart

Installed new tranny output seal in tranny

Assembled dual transfer case and tranny, yes it is oily, haven't pressure washed anythign yet.

After the tranny and t-cases were assembled, we rolled the truck back into the shop and put the engine back in

Then installed the tranny and transfer cases.
Completed Engine compartment

Dual cases and shifters

Interior stripped and ready for bedliner coating, which will happen when it warms up

I then cut the firewall and rear fenders back, approx 2-2.5" in the rear to fit 35's with no lift.
Then put 35's on the front

And then the rear after I got the 5" shackle installed and rear u-bolt flip

I am going to be putting V6 calipers and a 1" MC in it since the current brakes don't work at all. Then I will be putting the 1" body lift on and doing a 1" drivetrain lift with a BudBuilt crossmember. After the body lift goes on, I will weld on the Trail Gear sliders I have for it and then build some bumpers.

I also picked up an 85 front axle and another set of rear springs to drop in when the IFS blows, I will be running rears up front and 56" chevys or fords with a buggy spring in the back, may try some 39" Iroks at that point as well

 

[2ndGenToyotaFan]

I like low with big meats!!!! Nice build man!!!

 

[jtaco1]

Thanks, got the rear shock done the other night and went to start the front brakes, but the IFS calipers that are on teh truck don't have fittings at teh caliper to my surprise, so couldn't bolt my V6 calipers up. Ordering a set of custom lines that go from the hard line directly to the caliper, long enough for the SAS as well.

Once I get the brake in, I'll give it the flex test, then install the body lift for a little more clearance that I am sure to need.

 

[fortysixandtwo]

Haha that is sweet. I think you are the first person I have ever seen who has done dual cases while retaining the IFS. hell yeah buddy, nice work!!! You are going to love the duals

 

[jtaco1]

I love driving it around in double low to move it around since there are no brakes It is defiantely slow, just right for now

 

[GAS-A-LOT!]

keep us posted on your updates. I will begin working on the 87 4runner soon. already found a replacement block....

 

[jtaco1]

Will do, Right now the 4 Runner build is being put on a bit of a hold since Toyota decided to buy back my Tacoma. Now I have to have everything aftermarket pulled off. I have the rear elocker and 4.88 gears in it and am going to swap that in to the 4 Runner, just need to get things in line then it will be back together.

 

[jtaco1]

Well the BudBuilt crossmeber with drivetrain lift showed up yesterday and the front spring hanger and frame sleeves showed up today, just need high steer and an axle rebuild kit and we are ready to go with the SAS. Gonna finish the brakes over the next week or two and body lift on the 12th, then we'll hit the trail wth IFS until the fall and then start the cutting, by then i should have everything else and have the axle rebuilt and can put the rear TRD axle in as well

 

[crawyota]

looks good , can't wait to see the 4runner @ Rausch Creek.

 

[jtaco1]

Shooting for the trail ride on April 19th, hopefully get everything done on the 12th and get permission from the wife

 

[4runner Freak]

Update?
Did you do the rears up front?
Little or no lift?
Post some pics and info.

 

[jtaco1]

It is still IFS, I wheeled it a few times over the summer/fall and it works amazing. It is so stable and even though it doesn't flex a lot in the front, it works quite well. I am holding off on the SAS until I break something in the front, which hasn't happened even with the beatings it has had, I think the open diff helps. I have everything to do the SAS now, except for a few little things, but it should take long to complete once it happens. I have about 6 sets of leaf springs now to build my RUF packs and also going to put a buggy leaf setup in teh rear when I swap in my F150 springs. Overall I figure I will have about 2-3" of lift when done. Next set of tires will be 38's or 42's if I find the right priced Dana 60.

I have a set of Corbeau Baja SS seats to put in along with a full roll cage this spring, I am also looking at putting a set of 4.7 gears in the rear case to go a bit slower, along with a twin stick.

 

[Kris]

So let me see if I understand you. You put 35's and dual cases with a stock front suspension? That's sweet! Did you do any regearing in the diffs?

 

[jtaco1]

You got it, I have the factory 4.10 gears front and rear. It is a little slow on the street when you encounter hills, but still works well. I would daily drive it if I had a set of tire that were in tighter to the body, since in PA you can't have any tread outside the body. I may bend up some fender flares out of tube and skin them to cover the tires.

Any questions, fire away.

 

[Kris]

Did you cut the front fenders as well? I think it looks pretty sick. How does the front do in the rocks?

 

[corax]

Next set of tires will be 38's or 42's if I find the right priced Dana 60.

How about this for the front axle? I think it's a Dana 60 . . .
Here's the site link to Coleman's Surplus where you can get this Chevy axle for $295 - Colemans' is about 45 minutes from you up in Millersburg. If you go there, look for the place with all the 53' commercial trailers behind it.

"Chevy front axle with rotors and calipers. 6 lug. 3:08 ratio. Differential is on the passengers side (right side). Spring pad center to spring pad center measures 32 in. Lok out to lok out is 78 in. Lug to lug is 67½ in. These axle assemblies fit 73-91 4x4 Blazer, 73-87 4x4 Chevy and GMC Truck, and 73-88 4x4 Chevy and GMC Suburban 10 Series. Unused in crate."

BTW, just got a set of flares off your neighbor today

 

[jtaco1]

Did you cut the front fenders as well? I think it looks pretty sick. How does the front do in the rocks?

Yep front fenders trimmed, pinch seam beat back flat and a little bit about 2" of the firewall cut out in front of the body mount, along with a bit of the body mount webbing.

The front does ok in the rocks, it doesn't flex very well, but with the rear elocker and dual cases it can push it over stuff. It definately make trails fun and the look on peoples faces is priceless when they see it coming down a hard trail.

How about this for the front axle? I think it's a Dana 60 . . .
Here's the site link to Coleman's Surplus where you can get this Chevy axle for $295 - Colemans' is about 45 minutes from you up in Millersburg. If you go there, look for the place with all the 53' commercial trailers behind it.

"Chevy front axle with rotors and calipers. 6 lug. 3:08 ratio. Differential is on the passengers side (right side). Spring pad center to spring pad center measures 32 in. Lok out to lok out is 78 in. Lug to lug is 67½ in. These axle assemblies fit 73-91 4x4 Blazer, 73-87 4x4 Chevy and GMC Truck, and 73-88 4x4 Chevy and GMC Suburban 10 Series. Unused in crate."

BTW, just got a set of flares off your neighbor today

Yeah I wish colemans had Dana 60's, those are 10 bolt axles which are pretty weak.

Hope Christian took care of you, I know he had quite a few parts there. He built his 90 pickup similar to my 4 Runner.

Hope to get out on the trails next month around Easter, I have been going crazy since not wheeling since July last year.

 

[Wayneraintree]

Hey JT,

you going one tons when you SAS? Nice way to skip to the end instead of turning each page, LOL!

Hope to wheel with ya this year, your rig is nice and I am helping a buddy do something similiar on a 95 4Runner.....

 

[jtaco1]

Thanks Jeff. If I can find the right set of 1 tons for a good price, I will. I have all of the stuff to put the Toyota axle in, just waiting to break some stuff before I swap it in. Look forward to seeing you this summer.

 

[knixen]

Nice way to skip to the end instead of turning each page, LOL!

The best way to skip to the end would according to your statement be just to ship it to a wrecking yard now!