I originally posted this in the non build up section and was unable to add more pictures. I'm posting it in the build up section in hopes that can keep adding pics and updates as I would like to document my build. Mods feel free to delete my other post.

Hey everyone. I've been lurking on here for a long time and have learned a lot from all the fine folks here so I finally decided to join and I figured I would post the slow progress of my 84 4runner.

I bought this truck back in 2016 with every intention of making it into a full blown crawler.. while working at a mountain bike shop and living paycheck to paycheck. Needless to say it didn't quite go that way. I took it out to the sand dunes with some friends on some brand new 37s, a spool, and factory steering. Plenty of beer and getting in way over my head didn't do it any favors and I limped it back to the flatbed, got it home, put a marlin crawler high steer on and knuckle rebuild, and there it sat until about two years ago when I finally started to work on it again (read. SLOWLY)

​​​​​​I hope to use this thread to post my progress, receive some feedback, and keep myself motivated to see it on the trails some day soon. I have a grown up job now, but much less free time. My wife and I just welcomed our first daughter into this world a week ago, so between that and work I won't have a ton of free time, but I'm hoping to make good use of the time I do have. Finally, if this is the wrong place to post this or I am violating any posting rules, please feel free to remove. I am a big time forum lurker but not a big poster so please bear with me.

Ok enough of all that, here's some pics of the rig.



The one and only dune trip above. Can't say we didn't have a good time though.


No shortage of rust. I decided to cut these out and weld in some sheet metal.



Wife helping make the pattern





Once I started I figured may as well fix some other spots while I'm at it


Ready to trim

Some Bondo glass to seal it up

 

Fenders turned out pretty good!

More body work. These corners were crushed and rusted out. Welded in some new sheet metal and then my father in law did the Bondo. He's much better than I am.

More patchwork started

After lots of reading i decided it was time to upgrade the front suspension from the crappy blown out pro comp springs the previous owner had put on. I decided to do the RUF swap and went with some Old Man Emu CS009r springs, a Low Range Off Road front hanger, and some Sky's Off-road boomerang shackles.



Used the tow hook bolts to mock up the front hanger. Shackle angle is a little on the steep side but I think it will get better when the springs settle.



Also snagged some Sky's shock hoops. Top quality stuff

 

Started cutting off the old shock hoops and unnecessary brackets from the frame to prep it for the frame stiffeners and shock hoops

Cleaned up

Tacked in

Driver's side welded out

Passenger side welded out



Shock hoop welded out and braced



I ordered these knuckle gussets from slag factory off road. Tacked in for now

Some good ol Rust-Oleum on top of it all

Also started welding the front truss from Ballistic Fabrications



Front hanger welded out

 

Progress looks good!!

 

Finished welding out the truss and upper shock mounts/gussets. I went super slow to avoid getting anything too hot. Hoping to start the Chevy 63 swap in the next weekend or two.

 

@rattlewagon thank you! Slowly getting after it