Ripcord_4Runner

2002 TOYOTA 4RUNNER SPORT 4X4


After meaning to for quite some time, here is the Build-up of my 2002 4Runner.
My plan is to build an excellent camping, hunting, snow wheeling, light trails vehicle.




I bought my 4runner in June of 2008 for $13,200. At the time, it had just over 74k miles.
I found my 4runner on Craigslist from a guy in Denver, CO.


In Denver on date of Purchase:





Most recent picture: (taken with my Droid X for any techies who care)




/\/ Modifications \/\

Suspension:
3” Complete OME suspension
Front: 3"
OME 883 (MD duty) Coils & Nitrocharger shocks
Rear: 3.25"
OME 891 (MD duty) Coils & Nitrocharger shocks
panhard bar drop bracket
1" diff drop kit
Wheelers offroad sway bar bushings/ Bump stops

Wheels & Tires:
Definity Dakota MT 285/75/R16
American Racing 16” Black Steel Rims
Quick tire deflators
WabFab 1.25" front wheel spacers

Engine Mods:
Block heater
Deckplate Mod
ISR
K&N High flow air filter
NGK dual ground spark plugs (pn:bkr5ekb-11)

Stereo/ CB Mods:
Uniden 520XL CB Unit w/ PA speaker
Kenwood eXcelon KDC-X794 Head Unit
(4) Kenwood Premium speakers, door speaker replacements.
USB Stereo port

Interior Mods:
LED Dome lights (neutral while) - Passenger & Cargo area
VSC/TRAC on/off lighted rocker switch
Grip tape door sill
Black leather steering wheel cover
Ash tray mod

Exterior Mods:
Yakima Load warrior Roof basket w/ spare tire mount
Fire-Stick CB antenna mounted on rear quarter panel
Removed Horn buffers
Rear Differential breather
Black Emblems
Removed stock running boards
Mud flap mod
Bug Guard
Lots ‘o Decals

Electrical Mods:
AndyMod 2.0 (To disable TRAC & VSC)
Disabled DRL’s
Disabled keyless entry door chirp


Future Purchases:
~Tundra Brakes (199mm), Rotors, and Pads (maybe new SS lines). (Brakes are getting bad, I need these soon)
~Shrockworks / ARB Deluxe / TJM-15 front bumper
~Scanguage II
~Tube sliders and rear tube bumper w/hitch by Savage offroad or Addicted offroad



/\/ Cheap Mods Links \/\
*pics of most of these can be found farther down in this build.

Andymod 2.0 (Disable VSC/ TRAC)
Black Emblems Mod
The Ashtray Mod
Deck plate mod
Disable DRL's
Disable Keyless Entry Chirp
Intake silencer Mod('96-'01) >> 2002 Version
LED Dome Lights
Mud Flap Mod
Rear Differential Breather Mod
Grip Tape door sills ~ Do not have a link, just scroll down for pics and description
Post-It Note Mod ~ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^

Ripcord_4Runner

/\/ 3" OME Suspension Lift \/\


I finally ordered my Lift from Darrick at Toytec lifts on 5/20/2010 (My early B-Day present to myself)
I ordered the “Complete OME suspension” with 883/891 (Medium duty front and back), OME nitrocharger shocks, and pre-assembled front coils/ shocks.

After the discount code, which was worth $40 on my order, it was $820 shipped to my front door.
(PM the user ‘Toytec lifts’ on Yotatech forums for the current discount code)

Everything arrived by 5/26/2010 even with the rear shocks on back order.







The install took my two friends and I about 7 hours. That is including 2 trips to auto zone to rent a torque wrench and a spring compressor.

We installed with just basic jack stands and some bricks. It was exhausting, but very fun.

Install Pictures, started with the front:







Front done, got some bro lean going on.



Working on the back:








And done:



Many more install pictures can be found on my Photobucket album, Here.
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After the lift, I noticed my rear axle had shifter over about an inch to the right. After getting under the truck I figured it was the trac bar geometry.

So I ordered up a panhard trac bar drop kit from Toyteclifts. Also ordered a diff drop kit, see below.
While I was under there, I replaced all of my sway bar bushings. But that was not picture worthy.


Here is the before of the trac bar. please excuse my rust, ill get to that eventually.



Trac bar bracket on, welded and painted.
Cleaned off the dirt form the axle, still needs the rust removed though.




Now on to the 1" diff drop kit..
I had been hesitating to take it off road because I was worried about my CV joints, the angle looked pretty bad.

Here is the before of the CV joints:



And here is the after, you can see how the diff side of the CV joints is a bit lower, decreasing the angle. I hear good things about diff drops and the angle looks a bit better, so I guess I can sleep at night now..


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Went to the lake recently, Here is how the 891's handle a boat.

Ripcord_4Runner

/\/ Stereo/ CB \/\


One of the first mods I did to my truck was the Cobra 29 LTD Classic CB radio. Back in may 2009.

I decided to have it mounted on the passenger side of the center console, with the handset just to the right of the steering wheel. I got a skyscraper sized whip antenna with it; if I ever get a roof basket, I’ll change that to a 3 or 4 ft Fire-stick antenna and mount it on the basket.



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Just one year later, and it was time for a change of decoration in my interior!

For my birthday this year, my dad got me a Kenwood eXcelon KDC-X794 Head Unit.

It has a (useless?) remote, USB and Aux inputs, and is HD and satellite radio ready.

I plan to mount it with my CB in the slot where the stock stereo is now.

I will have the USB port installed in the little cubby hole to the left of the penny tray (some might call it the ash tray, not me).



Because the Cobra CB unit was too deep, I needed a smaller unit to fit in the dash..
I picked up a new Uniden 520XL CB unit, a PA speaker, firestick antenna, and rear quarter panel mount:



Got $30 for the old stock stereo.

Installed:



PA speaker in the engine bay:


The new Firestick 'firefly' antenna:

Ripcord_4Runner

/\/ 'Under $50 Mods Collection \/\


AndyMod 2.0 :
^ ^ It's a link! ^ ^

First up was the fix to the most annoying thing about 4runners, the VSC/ TRAC system, and the glorious AndyMod 2.0!

The VSC is what prevents sideways vehicle movement (ie. donuts, drifting). And the TRAC is a remedy for an open differential (when one wheel has no traction/in the air and gets all the power). The TRAC, which stops the spinning wheel, also hinders donuts)

For this mod, I ordered a pair of ‘Carling Contura’ lighted rocker switches from waytekwire.com ('soft black with blue lens' is the same one ARB uses for their Diff-locks)
The total was just under $20 after shipping and handling.


My dogs managed to get to the package while I was at work when Ups delivered it..

The rocker bodies were fine, but I needed a new set of actuator face plates.
Brian from Waytekwire generously sent me a new pair, free of charge!


Edit: after getting the switch in, I realized having a lighted rocker for a trac on/off switch was a bad idea, so I ordered an OEM fog light rocker.. I will save the lighted ones for some Aux lighting.

The switch working:

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Disable DRL's:
^ ^ It's a link! ^ ^

Next, I disabled the 2nd most annoying thing about 4runners, the DRL’s (daytime running lamps)

It is as simple as cutting the pin 12 black/ yellow wire on the DRL module and capping the loose ends. You can also wire in a switch if you want to be able to turn them back on, but I was done with them for good.


It also helps if you are not a complete idiot and forget to plug the DRL module back in, which I found out after a late night return from indoor karting and Ironman 2 with my two best friends..

The headlights, fog lights and high-beams were inoperable, but the parking and hazard lights still worked and we used one of the giant sized maglites sticking out of the sunroof for light!

(Due to the dead driver's side bulb, both parking light bulbs have since been replaced)


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And yes, the little things like VSC/TRAC and DRL’s really do annoy me. The main reason I traded in my 2001 double cab SR5 TRD Tacoma was the placement of the clock.. Right where the steering wheel was in the way!.. Plus it was a 2wd (prerunner), haha! Also, the Tacoma didn’t even have VSC.. That is how much I hated that dang clock.

It’s all good though because I made about $300 after the switch to my 4wd 4runner was finished. And that easily paid for registration in NM.
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Deck Plate mod:
^ ^ It's a link! ^ ^

I do recommend this mod. While I have not noticed a significant increase in power, the throttle noise above 2.5k rpm's is much deeper and louder, and it sounds pretty cool.

I picked up this 4" white deck plate from 'Taylor Marine' in Albuquerque for $9.95
You will also need 6 screws and some waterproof sealant.

There is a reason you want to use a deck plate and not just cut a big hole. If you find yourself in deep water or dusty roads, you will want to screw the deck plate lid back on to re-seal the intake box. Otherwise, you will be screwed.
(a snorkel helps in the water instance too, but those are expensive)



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Intake Silencer Removal Mod: <for '96-'01 4runners.
Intake Silencer Removal Mod: <for 2002 4runners.
^ ^ It's a link! ^ ^

(on 2002 4runners) All you need is a section of exhaust pipe that is 5.65in long and 2.75in outside diameter and about 2ft of vacuum hose.
I painted mine with black high temp frame paint.


I noticed significantly faster throttle response, a bit more power in the power band, and even louder and deeper throttle noise(when combined with deckplate)

Here is my before and after: I can reach my spark plugs now!


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LED Dome lights mod:

I ordered a pair of LED dome lights ‘neutral white from Oznium.com (The ‘thin flexible 5mm LED dome light’)

The shipped total was $35.
I got one for the passenger area, and one for the cargo area. The install takes literally 10 minutes.

Each LED comes with a set of ‘dummy bulbs’ with easy plug-in wiring to the LED board.

Let me tell you, these suckers are freaking bright! Here are some pictures from in my garage at night.

(I finally got to use the night time long-exposure feature on my camera! Sorry for poor quality, it is hard to stand perfectly still for 10 seconds)

Passenger area:


Cargo area:

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Black Emblems Mod:
^ ^ It's a link! ^ ^

For removal, use a hair dryer and fishing line, then goo-gone the excess adhesive.

For re-installation, use 1/2" double sided molding tape from pep boys for $4.99

Primed:


Black:


Back on:



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Grip Tape door sills:

I used a spare roll of 2" industrial restaurant grade grip tape, not skating grip tape.


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Post-It Note:

All You have to do is get a standard sized post-it pad and a pen. I just folded over piece of duct tape, and slapped it on there.

Please excuse my bare foot, it gets hot during the summer..

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The Ashtray Mod:
^ ^ It's a link! ^ ^

For this mod, I originally just used some black duct tape. That method did not work very well though; the coins were just as loud as before.

So I went to the fabric store and picked up a 2ft x 2ft piece of beige felt cloth for less than $2. I used the leftover double sided tape I had from re-doing my black emblems.
I am still trying to find something to do with the leftover felt cloth..


Here is the finished product:


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Ripcord_4Runner

Heres a few pics I forgot to post, from when I got the new 285/75/R16 Definity Dakota Mud terrains and the Yakima Load warrior roof basket.







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Took the seats out and finally cleaned out all of the hard to reach dog hair from the previous owner..



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Just a Comparison:
2000 limited vs. my '02 sport

Rooke1991

Love your truck! just out of curiousity whats the PA speaker for? Road rage? i like the idea. ahaha.

Ripcord_4Runner

Yellin at hobos to get jobs, yellin at slow drivers to go faster, yellin when someone cuts me off, making police noises and scaring people (also helps with getting slow drivers to move), pranks on friends...

To be honest though, it was an extra $25 so I figured why not?

Rooke1991

ahha sweet. Im going to try to rig something like that up. would come in handy here, everyone sucks at driving.

MMyota

where did you get all your cb equipment from?

Ripcord_4Runner

Local shop. Mesa CB on Menaul & University.

Ripcord_4Runner

Updated with pictures of the ISR (intake silencer removal) mod.

Ripcord_4Runner

Trip to Jemez, NM.

aa1911

iTrader: (1)

nice rig dude, you have a newer version of my 4runner! the roof rack frees up lots of space and when the bigger tires go on, will most likely be the home of my spare tire also... I like the grip tape stuff, where did you find that again? I use skateboard tape on all my guns and whatnot but cool to know there is better stuff out there.

thanks

paynemw

do perkins performance for reals, I get my bumper done soon, within the month. Also, you will have 2 choices now for Perkins because he is modifying the bumper for my truck... I relocated my turns to my corner running lights and put in a bulb/harness that is dual filament... and curious, what'd you do with the vacuum line that originally goes into your IS, if you look at my ISR, I put a nipple for the hose to fit onto... good lookin' Runna brotha.

Ripcord_4Runner

Thanks!

I do like perkin's front bumpers, but I don't like that they are in Washington. I want to be able to visit the shop and talk face-to-face before I agree to give them hundreds of dollars hah.


And with the vacuum hose, HERE is what I did with it.

Ripcord_4Runner

Took a couple of trips out to Rio Puerco in the last few weeks.

Here is a little 6min video I made of those trips and the Jemez one.


[YOUTUBE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TCc4dnhyHvQ&feature=autofb[/YOUTUBE]

4 r u n n e r

Nice job. Wish mine was a SE. Where did ya get your parts from?

xskydivingdudex

nice job dude looks good... Ur ride reminds me of mine tho we have some differences. Oh and the "survival bracelet" is a nice touch added to the 4runner; i have two of them myself that my friend and i made for outdoor trips!

Ripcord_4Runner

Thanks guys!

Sorry for video double post, the site does that, not me.


Also, after having driven around town during the last couple weeks without sway bars (front and rear). I have concluded that the feel of the vehicle is "better" now.

I took the sway bars off before the first rio puerco trip. Left them off in anticipation for the second. Now they are staying off for good.

The vehicle leans more around turns (not too much though), leans when changing lanes, and leans when im standing on the door still re-centering the tire up top. That dang thing slides around way too much! Can't tighten it though or risk sidewall damage.

Anyway, I think that it really completes the 'off road' feel of the vehicle in terms of driving it. With the stiffer suspension, it still felt somewhat like a street car. Not anymore, all off roady and such.

Ripcord_4Runner

Well. Took the time off from labor day and detailed the 4runner.
But I didn't stop there, no sir.

I took a few wire brushes, some sandpaper, and the can of black high-temp frame spray paint I used on the intake tube.

I took a few hours and removed every spec of rust I could find on the undercarriage. Trailer hitch, frame, axle, shock mounts, axle link mounts.

Here is the after, compare that to back before I did the panhard drop bracket.