Hey guys
I'm baaaaaack......

Here comes my 2nd build thread of my 2nd red 4runner...

Part 1 - https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f199...le-aav-226237/


Well, the new 4runner was found on Craigslist yesterday. I grabbed my trailer and drove 82 miles to snag it. More details coming soon! I'm off to ski for a few days and am writing this in the plane.

 

Well, I promised you pictures... then disappeared off to ski for a week... Now that I'm back, here we go!

I was browsing craigslist the other day, not really looking for another 2nd gen... until this popped up. It was a standard listing... 3.0.. blown head gasket... but then it had "Come get it, I'm moving tomorrow. Asking $600, but open to offers."

Now, I'm not normally one that turns down a good deal... so I grabbed the flatbed and headed out 80 miles to find this.

When I arrived, the guy started loading the runner... I was like "dude, I'm not sure I even want this... let alone want to pay you $600." He said "Make me an offer.. I need it gone, and you're here."
"$40..."
He said "make it $100, and I'll give you the engine stand as well..."

Well, needless to say... $100 later...













This Runner has every option available, which makes me a happy guy. My last one didn't have the sunroof, or the stock 5 speed.. or the rear heater. 3 options I really wanted.

I'm in a different place now than I was with the last runner, my boat has a permanent home on the river, so I don't have to tow it (except during the winter, you can see it in the garage) but I have the tahoe to tow that with. I'm back into camping a lot more, and I miss having a vehicle I can throw the bikes on and disappear into the woods for weeks on end.

I'm going to build this very similar to my last one. There will be a few minor changes, but I will be having another 3.0 built just like I did before. The 4.88's came stock on this, and they will stay most likely.

I am DEBATING a SAS, but I have to do some more research first... and, it's going to have to be a low lift SAS if I do it. I don't need a TON of flex... I need to have great handling on the highway to get me to where I want to camp.

There will be an onboard shower... just like my last one.

So here's to a new build! As before, I'm always looking for advice. I'll be doing most of the work on this one myself... so let the games begin!!

 

Im curious to see what you decide to do. I say SAS it, but thats just because I like seeing them like that. Im sure the IFS would work just fine tho. Is this one a manual or auto? I think only the autos came with the 4.88s (Im sure you know that tho).

 

It's a manual. G144 - 4.88


I have no idea how that happened..

 

Anyone have a maroon gas door they want to sell?

 

Well, the 4runner is being loaded up and shipped to Portland to have a 3.4L swapped in... I've said for years that I wanted to do this... so here it goes!

 

Welcome back. Great looking runner. If I was swapping in a motor, that is the route I would go too. Mechanically probably not so hard to do but the wiring is the tough part in my opinion.

 

So on this one, it looks like I'm going to keep the IFS for a while, until I can determine if I am going to need a SAS. My BJ spacer kit has been ordered, new pan hard bracket, and 901 coils for the rear. I'm picking up a new set of rims today, those will go to powder coat on Monday, then go in for tires as soon as they come back.

I'm in a debate on the tires... I love the Firestone Destination MT's. I've had them on a few different vehicles and they've been great. However, I'm starting to lean to the Hankook Dynapro MT's. I've got to to some more research here over the next few days.

My goal is to have all the parts for all the things I want to do ready to go when the truck comes back from the engine swap. Then it will literally be a day or 2 of throwing everything on, and it'll be ready to go.

 

Dropped the 4Runner off for its heart transplant.

 

I was pretty terrible last build about posting prices and such... so this time around I will keep you all better informed of the expenses

4runner - $100
Sold the running boards, stock radio, 2 sets of injectors, 2 extra 3rd members, 2 extra cams, 4 extra rims and tires, and a spare R150 trans that came with it - $-2620
Craigslist rims and black paint - $53
R150F Rebuild - $800
5VZFE swap - $3500
A/C parts and install - $450
BJ spacer lift and rear springs - $299
Panhard drop - $53
Detroit locker for the rear + install - $400
Firestone Destination M/T 33x12.5x15 - $730 shipped

So, I'm basically right under $4000 for now... I'm sure there will be more expenses along the way.

3.4 swap should be done by the first week of march, then I'll fly out, pick it up, and drive it back.

 

Your getting the 3.4 swap done for $3500. Im guess that's including the motor? That's a good deal. Whats even a better deal is what you got sell those parts lol.

 

Yes, the $3500 includes a low mileage motor, installed, so I don't have to do a thing. Which makes me a very happy guy.... I'd rather be skiing than installing a motor

Yeah the part sale was shocking for me as well. 2 guys bought all that stuff. I didn't ask what they were doing, nor did I care. It was gone, cash in hand, smile on my face as they drove off.

 

The pile of parts is accumulating in the garage.... It's beginning to look like a Toyota parts warehouse in there.

All that I need is the 4Runner back...

 

Boom!

Shop called today. I will be making the drive home with the 4Runner (282 miles) 1 week from today!

3.4 swapped!
Transmission rebuilt
Rear Detroit installed
Exhaust done with a Magnaflow and 2.5 throughout
A/C added
3/8" body lift is all it required

All set to install:
BJ spacer lift
2 new CV joints
Aisin Hubs
33x12.5x15 Goodyear Wrangler MT/R Kevlars on refurbished rims
Alpine 6.5's up front and rear
Double Din Kenwood DPX500BT (Gotta have handsfree calling)
Onboard Shower
Oh, and the entire interior except the driver seat... which is already in.

Until then, here are some photos

First, the new rims... a craigslist find that I sandblasted and painted.


Had to get the garage cleaned up a bit


But then realized I didn't have enough storage for "car and boat stuff." So I built some storage and accidentally found a screaming deal on a tool cart at HF.


The wife found the invoice for the 4runner 3 days ago... so I've been busy building this in the stairs...

Maybe she'll get off my back now.

Anyhoo, 4runner will be here soon. Then the photos of it will continue.

 

This was a welcoming sight today



They should be mounted tomorrow

 

Nice. Im curious to see pics of the completed swap.

 

Expect them monday or tuesday... depending on how lazy I am when I'm in Portland

 

As promised

 

Ok, now that I have a free minute...

Went and picked up the 4runner today from the shop. As it turned out, I used a different company to do the swap than originally intended. Long story short, the guys I ended up using charged more, but are the shining definition of professionals.

I ended up going with NW Team Yota to do the swap. With the A/C system getting replaced (it was removed before) a whole slew of extra parts that needed some love and care... and a full magnaflow 2.5" exhaust. I was out just over $5,000.

The drive home was AWESOME.

WHY DIDN'T I DO THIS SWAP BEFORE!!!!! (Yes, you ALL told me to do it.... I was stubborn)

So, now that it's back in the garage, the parts continue to fly onto it.

This afternoon I got the BJ spacer lift installed. Tomorrow will be the rear 901 springs.

After I get the springs in, it's off for an alignment and a stop by the tire shop to have the new tires and rims installed.

 

I like it, throw some $5k at it and it comes back with many many a less headaches

Waiting on your impressions with the tires you got.. Road noise and ride quality?

good job on the wheels!