My 4Runner is back from the shop, all the headgasket and related repair work is done. Grand total is................................................ ...............

$2,710.26!!!

On the plus side, the entire top end of the engine was rebuilt, so it should be fine for a long time.

Here is the list of what was done:
-machine heads
-new knock sensor
-new knock sensor wire
-new water pump
-new exhaust bolts/studs (manifold)
-new idler pully assembly
-new idler tensioner pully
-new thermostat
-new head gaskets (kit)
-new head studs
-new air filter
-new AC belt
-new power steering belt
-new alternator belt
-new coolent
-new valve seals
-new cam seals
-Replaced a few missing bolts on the tranny bellhousing too



So now the build-up can continue. Lift and tire/wheels in a week or two.

I'm still fighting with Toyota and Cain Toyota over all this, I will be sure to post the results of that...


Lamm

 

holy ÅÅÅÅ!!

What do you do for a living? Your mod list to be done is frigging huge man. I need a better job. hah.

 

I'm a firefighter/EMT. Pay is OK for someone my age, but sucky compared to most careers. It won't happen overnight, but other than the normal stuff (food, clothes, bills) my 4Runner is al I spend money on.

Lamm

 

Well thats cool!!

I was just thinking that if I blew a head gasket right now, I wouldnt be able to pay it off for like 6 months....

That is neat that you can afford such a fix!

 

It did sort of wipe the bank dry for the most part. Payday for both jobs is tomorow though and I already made the car payment and insurance this month. Now I can lift its pathetic saggy butt and ditch the Michilen street donuts.

Lamm

 

Lamm, sorry to hear about the loss of the old gal. I tried to check it out but....

https://www.yotatech.com/forums/showthread.php?t=69004&highlight=fire]4Runner Fire Thread[/URL]
Linky no worky for me.

Edit: Oops, found the other link in the middle of this thread. That one works.

Good luck with the '95. My '92 is starting to rust away. I may consider doing what you did with the rust proofing.

Edit: Wait a minute.. you're a fire fighter and you lost your truck to Something just isn't right here

 

Thats the same thing I was thinking...

THat is weird

 

The probability of paying out this amount of $$$ is what prompted Cebby to begin transplanting a used Lexus 1UZFE V8 into his 2nd gen.

 

When things are said and done, I will end up having roughly $2500 into it. But this will include a low mileage V8, new (to me) auto - also low miles, and a dual ultimate setup. This is after I sell off the stuff I don't use.

 

Yeah, If I had known it was gonna add up so quick I would have swapped. Whats done is done though.

Lamm

 

I see in the image of your 4runner that you have '96 wheels on them, did they bolt right on or did you have to do some sort of modding. I have the same year (95) 4runner and was advised that these wheels will only 96-00 4runners. Is this true?

 

They come in 2 sizes. You want the 15x7s. Then you have to use a hole saw to make some cuts in the 2 front center caps so the AD hub greese caps can stick out a little,(its easy, they are plastic) than just put em on. The 16x7s would work to, but it make tires too expensive and dosent look any better.

That's all there is to it, just wheels.

Lamm

 

Well, after a lot of hard thought I have started ordering all the stuff for lifting.

For now I will run OME HD Coils, OME Nitrocharder Shcoks and steering damper. This will be paired with Downey SS brake lines and brackets. 25mm Sway-A-Way T-bars with some crank to level the whole thing out. This will easily allow me fittment of 32x11.50R15 Cooper Discoverer STTs on some 15x8 (3.75" BS) AR Outlaw II rims.

A year or two down the road (when tires wear out), I will buy 5.29:1 Thirds with TADs, sell my 4,88:1 Thirds and get SDORI balljoint spacers and SDORI coil spacers installed, this will allow me to run some 33x12.50s easily and I will have all the traction I need, along with great gears. I would have been able to do this all at once, but my head gaskets blew and pretty much wiped out my play money...

Anyway, thats the update. Payday is Friday and I'm ordering my OME stuff from Strapp22 then, I have the T-bars now, need to call Downey tomorow and get the brake stuff.

Lamm

 

Wondering why you didn't get OME T-bars ? I had a chance to finally see them in action last weekend (paired with BJ spacers) and was impressed at how good they flexed.
I've read complaints about S-A-W's being too stiff. Hope you like 'em though...

 

Sounds like you're getting it all squared away, congrats man! Can't wait to see pics!

Fink

 

Sounds nice, but we are all picture people. I'm sure that it's going to be a very nice rig when you get done with it.

 

Well, I had SAWs on the last one and I was OK with them. I do have a Heavy TJM and such. OME T-bars seemed like a rip off for $170 for about a 1mm increse in diameter. Also people have said they rust easily in coastel environments (ocean salt) and road salt and rust is a big time problem here in OH. Plus, most of my wheeling is not like most peoples. I'm not big into the rocks and such, mostly mud, steep hills, water crossings and stuff like that, flex is not top priority for me at this time. So I went with what I had had a good experiance with before.

As far as pics, I'm hoping on a new digicam for X-Mas, but for know I have been shoting on the 35mm and using the scanner. Either way, there will be before and after pics and such.

I'm also working on a website.

Lamm

 

I ended up changing my mind once more....

Summit had Edelbrock IAS shocks for $20 each, rears only so I ordered those than had to track down the fronts. Edelbrock has discontinued making them, so it was pretty hard. Anyway, everything is set:

-Sway-A-Way 25mm Torsion Bars
-OME HD Coils
-Eledbrock Performer IAS Shocks
-Downey SS Brake Lines and LSPv and ABS Bracket
-AR Outlaw II Rims with Short Caps and Mcaurd Lugs
-Cooper Discoverer STT Muds in 32x11.50R15 size

Lots of before and after pics soon...

Install will be in about a week.

Lamm

 

Can't wait for the pics.

 

Ahhh nevermind, the Custom Trucks place just now discovered they were discontinued, lame. I cancelled the Summit racing order.

Back to OME's...

Lamm