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Well after 5 months, the 4runer is running again. I installed the rebuilt trans this weekend. It felt good to finally drive it again. I still have to go thru the front axle tho. The pinion seal was leaking and let water into the housing. I'm putting in a fresh 4.88 third in I got from a buddy with a Spartan locker.
I even replaced the speedo cable while I had it apart.
This week I'm hoping to knock the front axle out and weld on the brackets on my front bumper for my light bar I have yet to install. I'm ready to start enjoying this thing again.
what gears are you replacing with the 4.88? Same ratio?
I was looking at your picture and with 33's and 4.88 gears my 60mpg RPMS is a bit higher than yours... I think it's about 2500.
Yeah I have 4.88s already. Well ours will be different. I'm running a GM transmission. I'm gonna check my speedo with a GPS, but I think its pretty close.
Well the 4runner has been back together for a few weeks now. Ive made driving it a lot. Feels good to have it back going. I did start hearing some whining coming from the rear end. I checked the fluid and apparently I got a lil water in it back in June. Ive drained and refilled it. I'm gonna keep checking it for a while to see if I didn't mess it up too bad.
Yesterday me and guy from work went on a lil ride. I found a pretty good spot to test the flex. I now know where I need to set my front bump stops lol.
The locker in the front really helps out. Glad I finally have it lol. I need to trim the rear bumper big time lol. I actually just need to build a new one, but that may have to wait a lil bit.
Its been a while since I updated. Havent really done much to the 4runner over the past year. I installed a light bar, ammo can center consule/cup holders, and fixed a few things. We are planning a trip to Colorado this summer, so Ive got some things I want to do first before going. Im hoping to build some sliders and rear bumper, replace front square driveshaft with a balanced one, try to get the heat down inside the cab and some other things.
Center Console
20" Light Bar
Front Doorless. Helps alot with the heat. I may build some half doors with a spare set I have or may build tube doors.
Hood vents. Not sure where I want to mount them yet. Im thinking like they are in the first pic.
As you can see I painted the grill black, but the love bugs decided to remove some of that paint for me lol.
What do you want to do to keep the heat out of the cab? Floor insulation? That's all I have and it does the job really well.
The vents, definitely in the middle.
Are you legally allowed not to have doors?
The vents in the hood should help with the heat some. Im also going to put down some Als HNR (Heat and Noise Reducer) with bedliner over that. I dont want to run any carpet or mat.
I dont see why I cant run without doors. Jeeps do it all the time lol
I think by law, you at least have to have a driver's side rear view mirror, not sure about passenger side
You are correct about the driver side mirror. You dont have to run a passenger side I dont believe. I plan to make some removable mirrors for when Im running completely doorless. Or if I build tube/half doors, I will have mirrors on them.
Been a little bit since an update. Im currently getting this thing ready to go ride some trails in Colorado at the end of the month. Im finishing up my rear bumper build right now. Ive also got a Marlin front driveshaft kit and AC parts on the way. I dont know if Ill have the AC installed before we go, but I dont really think I will need it in Colorado, but I sure do need it down here in Louisiana lol.
Couple pics of the bumper. This is just it tacked together.
Rear bumper is done and painted, just needs to be installed.
Finally got around to installed the hood louvers. Hopefully this keeps the engine temps down in the summer and the floor a little cooler.
Started on the front driveshaft using the Marlin long slip kit. Just need to press them together, make sure its phased and somewhat true, and weld it up.
Well I guess I should update. I finshed the front driveshaft, cleaned the 4runner up pretty good (first time the engine bay has been that clean in a while), and made my trip to Colorado. Unfortunately, the 4runner didnt really do to well. Going up the first trail I realized a few things.... 1. the trans cooler needs to be upgraded (already have one just never installed it) and 2. the PS pump didnt like the locker in the front. And then while on the first trail, the steering box decided to start puking out fluid. I really couldnt tell where at on the box it was coming from so I limped it back down the mountain stopping pretty often to refill with PS fluid (luckily I put bought a gallon before I left). Once I hit the highway, I had a serious death wobble at about 35 mph (which just happen to fix it self when I got back home lol). Once I took a closer look, I realized it was the adjustment nut on top of the box that came loose and was leaking. A few days later while on top of Engineer pass taking pictures, the 4runner died and would not start back up. Ended up coasting back down the mountain with no power, getting pulled 14 miles behind my dads Rubicon to the closet town, and then rode 3 hours back to our condo in the back of the jeep with my gf and a 65 qt ice chest. Drove back with the trailer the next day to get it. Took a while to figure it out, but I finally figure out the crank sensor went bad. Now my to do list on it grew after this trip.
-Replace power steering pump and steering box
-Add hydro-assist (Parts will be here today for that) and separate reservoir
-Install new power steering cooler in different location and add a fan
-Replace right rear wheel bearing (replaced the left one before I left)
-Replace ujoint in rear driveshaft (started vibrating after i got back)
Well no progress has been made to fixing/upgrading. I’ve lacked the space to work on it. I’m working on getting my ducks in a row to build a shop right now. Hoping that’s about to start happening soon. Unfortunately more things have popped up to fix. A couple days ago, my transmission decided to add two more neutrals where 3rd and 4th used to be. So now the runner is parked until the shop is done.
I did buy a elocker with new 5.29 gears in it today. I plan to put it in the front. So I’m on the lookout for another 5.29 setup or I’ll just regear my original rear 3rd.
Small update. I picked up another e-locker, but it needs to be regeared. Yesterday I also picked up some new tires. 38.5x14.5 TSL SX. A little bigger than I had originally planned, but I like how they look on there lol.
Dec 12, 2016 | 10:19 AM
