DIRTCO's 1985 4Runner Build-Up Thread
#105
#107
i have one of the first sets of 30 spline longfields in my rock buggie.WAY stronger than the 27 spline. when i put on 37" mtrs the 27 spline axles broke. i called bobby long and bought a set of 30 spline and traded my 37" MTRS for 40"s. Since this upgrade ive broken 2 t cases, ring and pinion, arb, and a detroit not to mention lots of drive shafts. i love the 30 splines. only problem i noticed is if you bend your axle housing at all they are almost impossible to get out. i live in Arizona, i run toyota axles, 40" mtrs on full tube suzuki based buggy, 5.12 ring and pininons, 6.4:1 transfer case, spool front and rear, with hydro steer. My moto is if in doubt gas it!! and the longfields are still alive and strong.
#109
i have one of the first sets of 30 spline longfields in my rock buggie.WAY stronger than the 27 spline. when i put on 37" mtrs the 27 spline axles broke. i called bobby long and bought a set of 30 spline and traded my 37" MTRS for 40"s. Since this upgrade ive broken 2 t cases, ring and pinion, arb, and a detroit not to mention lots of drive shafts. i love the 30 splines. only problem i noticed is if you bend your axle housing at all they are almost impossible to get out. i live in Arizona, i run toyota axles, 40" mtrs on full tube suzuki based buggy, 5.12 ring and pininons, 6.4:1 transfer case, spool front and rear, with hydro steer. My moto is if in doubt gas it!! and the longfields are still alive and strong.
#110
I worked on the 4Runner a little bit this weekend, it's getting a lot closer to being out on the trail. I figure a few more weekends and it will be set.
Here's how it looked when I pulled it in shop.


Here's how it looked when I pulled it in shop.


#111
After I pulled it in the shop, I figured that it was a good time to flex it out. I wanted to check clearance and shock travel and make sure there was not any problems.
Everything looked good. I lifted the driver's front tire 35" before a tire came off the ground (with 28 PSI in the tires).

Everything looked good. I lifted the driver's front tire 35" before a tire came off the ground (with 28 PSI in the tires).

#112
The driver's front leafspring is just past negative arch and has 1 1/2" left on the shock up travel. You can also see how close the tierod end is to the leafspring.
I still need to get some bumpstops for the front and rear, I just want to get the suspension figured out first

Here is the other side. The shock still has room for some more down travel but the shackle is pretty much streched out. I'm sure that on a trail it will droop some more. The brake lines still have plenty of room to work with and everything else seems to look good.
I still need to get some bumpstops for the front and rear, I just want to get the suspension figured out first

Here is the other side. The shock still has room for some more down travel but the shackle is pretty much streched out. I'm sure that on a trail it will droop some more. The brake lines still have plenty of room to work with and everything else seems to look good.
#113
Here is one picture of the front to show the firewall clearance, I'm sure that when turned and on the trail it will rub; so I will have to tub the firewall (It used to with the old springs so I had already planned on it
)
I'm also thinking about pulling a leaf out of the front. These springs used to be under a 94 4Runner with a 3.0 V6 and a winch. That truck sat super low, but mine is a little taller. They also seem to be stiffer than the rear springs (and my old front springs). These things are used and abused, so they are not going to settle any more (without changing them)
)I'm also thinking about pulling a leaf out of the front. These springs used to be under a 94 4Runner with a 3.0 V6 and a winch. That truck sat super low, but mine is a little taller. They also seem to be stiffer than the rear springs (and my old front springs). These things are used and abused, so they are not going to settle any more (without changing them)
#114
And the rear ...
The shocks have more than enough travel in both directions. The spring is pretty much flat at uptravel and the other spring can travel down a little more before the shackle is maxed out.

I might have to trim the rear fenderwells some more




The shocks have more than enough travel in both directions. The spring is pretty much flat at uptravel and the other spring can travel down a little more before the shackle is maxed out.

I might have to trim the rear fenderwells some more




#116
Then it was time to brace up the entire rear tube work some more. I bent up a couple bars and cut some holes in the rear fenderwells. It should help to brace it up quite a bit.






#119
#120
I worked on the truck a little bit over the last couple weekends, mainly wrapping up some of the small stuff. It is getting really close to hitting the trail
Cooler lid latches, they are made by EMPI for Baja bug's

Also got the Sirius unit mounted, along with the amp and subwoofer.


Along with the new battery mount I made.
Cooler lid latches, they are made by EMPI for Baja bug's

Also got the Sirius unit mounted, along with the amp and subwoofer.


Along with the new battery mount I made.













