So I take it the Budbuilt and Sky's Off Road center skids won't work with the auto? Just for my records.

 

From what I found, neither of those will support an auto with dual cases, but admittingly, I didn't do alot of research because I had intended on making my own anyway.
However, if you don't clock the t-cases, it looks like you could get away with using the stock crossmember and mount, since you leave the reduction housing from the auto t-case in place and just bolt the duals to the rear of that. I currently have the stock crossmember bolted up supporting the duals, it's just not seated properly since my cases are rotated 10*. The only downsides that I see of going this route are the strength of the stock mounts (which can be upgraded through Marlin or Trail-gear) and the lack of clearance provided by the rock magnet stock crossmember.

 

Got the crossmember finished up and installed.

 

Nice work! It turned out really good!

 

Wow i like!!

 

Thanks guys!

I've got a little more progress to report. It's been slow moving but I just keep chipping away at it.

Chopped up the trans tunnel to fit the triple stick. Bent the shift levers to accomodate the 10* clocking and made a new lever for the middle shifter so that it would match the other two.

Then I had to cover up the hole. This is what I came up with. Made from an old ammo can and some stainless sheet that I had laying around.

Welded and painted.

Installed.

 

Ingenious!! Consolr and cover in one!!

 

I really like the ammo can center console idea, it turned out sweet!

 

Any updates?

 

Nothing new. It's been way too hot to work outside lately. Plus, I started on a trailer project, so on the rare occasion that I work up the guts to brave the heat, it's been to work on that.

 

As much as I liked my customized factory front bumper, it just didn't seem to be serving it's purpose anymore.

I took advantage of some decent weather this weekend and built a new front bumper, loosely based on the stock design.



And I got a deal on some 30 spline Longs and chromoly hub gears, so the front axle will be getting some love before wheeling season starts.

 

Do you have to clearance the knuckle balls to fit the longs?

 

Sweet work! Loving that low profile/low interference Front Bumper!!!! NICE! WOW on the nice new axles..... STOUT'R'NATOR that thing! haha.

Love this thing, man

 

According to the Longfield website, they fit in the stock housing, but I seem to recall reading that some people have had to do some clearancing. For 40° of turning radius and the ability to withstand 9,000 ft/lbs of torque, I don't mind a little grinding if necessary.

Thanks alot Chef!!!

 

Is that hitch removable? Nice score on the axels

 

Thanks.
Yeah, the drop hitch is removable. It just slides into a piece of 2.5x2.5" square tubing under the bumper. The 2nd pic above shows it with the hitch removed.

 

Lol oops over site lol

 

NICE BUILD! Love this truck. Good to see you got rid of the spacer...looked terrible...

 

nice thread!! im glad im not the only one building an automatic 1st gen 4runner. thanks for the inspiration...i gotta long way to go.

 

Thanks guys!
The automatic leaves a lot to be desired, power wise, but its totally worth it to not have to tap dance on pedals. I wheeled a Toyota 5 speed for years and definately prefer the auto on the rocks. I would anticipate putting a geared case behind it eventually if you plan to climb with it though, makes all the difference!

Me testing the dual cases. Video by Lofreqjeff: