I am new to the 3rd Gen group and also a 80’s group member. I like to share my 4runner build.
Build Rics 97 4Runner build
- Thread starter Rics4rnr
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I
wanted to post some of the things I have done on my 4Runner for the last couple years. The 4Runner was my first SUV purchased with my wife back in February 2001 that had 39,000 miles. This was our family vehicle that we used for work installing cable TV and Direct TV installation throughout 6 states, camping, fishing, and vacations so the 4Runner has a lot of sentimental value to me and my family.
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In 2017 I started to upgrade and replace some old parts which included Ivan Stewart wheels, Tundra brake upgrade, new radiator, 2" lift, headlight Retrofit and TG DIY Rock sliders.
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It took several years to get it to where I am today. I slowly through a couple rebuilding front knuckles for a manual locking hub conversion. I had Purchased a lot of junk yard parts from the west coast to do the manual locking hub conversion.
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With the help from my son I was able to press new bearings and hubs.
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Next was finding the time to do the conversion.
Nice truck & great mods!
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Thanks!
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Here are some more modifications I have done through the years.
Sonoran Steel LCA bushings
Eimkeith LCA Supports
JBA UCA
LBJ Anonymous Fab Uniball conversion
Sonoran Steel LCA bushings
Eimkeith LCA Supports
JBA UCA
LBJ Anonymous Fab Uniball conversion
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Next on the list after saving a couple years front and rear lockers with 4.88 gears.
Rear Toyota Elocker retrofit with Ninja Gears (aka Yukon Gears) rebuilt myself with help from Zuk on the patterns
Front Harop Elocker with Ninja Gears (aka Yukon Gears) built by Zuk out of Chandler, AZ
Rear Toyota Elocker retrofit with Ninja Gears (aka Yukon Gears) rebuilt myself with help from Zuk on the patterns
Front Harop Elocker with Ninja Gears (aka Yukon Gears) built by Zuk out of Chandler, AZ
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A lot of fixing and upgrading to the 3rd Gen and I wanted to add the head gasket replacement a couple years ago I had on the 5VZ-fe engine. When I started to notice white smoke, I knew it was time for the head gasket. Before removing everything I done a compression check on each cylinder and found that the #6 cylinder had low compression. Next was to find a local machine shop and found a machine shop in Princeton close to my house. The machine shop I found specialized in 2JZ engines on the Mark 4 Supra. They cleaned both heads, new valve seals, reseated valves, and machined the cylinder head.
What size tires are you running?
Nice job on passing the 20 year mark. Buy it for life. I just passed 15 years with mine.
Nice job on passing the 20 year mark. Buy it for life. I just passed 15 years with mine.
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Thanks!
The picture in this thread I was using 265/70R16 Bridgestone Revo 3 tires on a Ivan Stewart TRD wheel and my current setup is a 315/70R17 Mickey Thompson Baja MT tires with SCS Ray 10 wheels.
Baja Designs
Supporting Vendor
Love the build man. What bumper is that? It looks like those Squadrons fit perfectly in that opening.
Best,
Brandon
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- #15
Brandon,
I love those lights and the front bumper was a DIY weld together True North Fabrication bumper.
V/R, Rich
I love those lights and the front bumper was a DIY weld together True North Fabrication bumper.
V/R, Rich
Baja Designs
Supporting Vendor
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So after the last wheeling trip I broke a CV axle, so it was time to look around for a rebuild candidate and I found one from Ebay. I like purchasing used CV axles because I can do the extend boot modification and rebuild it my way. Here are a couple pictures of the CV axle before and after. Thanks to Avi and Ryan for helping me replace the CV axle out on the trail.
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Couple of pictures after cleaning up the used CV axle. I ended up painting the outer CV housing and powder coated the inner housing to protect it from the salt brine
they use on the roads during the winter.
they use on the roads during the winter.
I'm curiuse if you have any regrets with this tire size and your current predicament. What did you do to clearance these tires?
Can you describe the events that led up to the broken axle?
Can you describe the events that led up to the broken axle?
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I have no regrets on the tire size but had to do a lot of cutting and welding the fire walls in the front fenders. The rear you have cut the upper section of the wheel well and the rear fender and bumper. The lift and tire setup I have went through the tougher sections at Rausch Creek and AOAA so I have no regrets at all.
So the reason why I broke the CV was because I had my front locker on when turning and it was on a black trail. So it was my fault that the CV broke.