This is more of an evolution thread than a build thread, but I wanted to keep record of my newest toy. Meet “Caitlyn”, named for how much work she has done to her… (If you don’t get that reference, PM me. LOL!)

First, a little background: I unexpected sold my old 4Runner to a buddy of mine and found myself needing a new wheeling toy. Luckily Amy and I also have a 5th Gen 4Runner that works very well as our adventuring vehicle, so I could focus on a more hard-core wheeling rig. Before I even had the money from selling my old 4Runner, the Craigslist search was on! I had a budget that I wouldn’t go over and the goal was to find the best deal I could. After a week or so, I found this in Northern California. The seller was nice enough to let me put a deposit down on it and I bought it sight unseen based on a description, some pics, and a video.

1995 4Runner; 5VZ swap; 5-speed; dual cases (stock gears); raised front frame; 3-link front suspension with Fox coil-overs; hydro-assist steering; Dana 60 front with 5.38 gears, 35-spline shafts, and a Spartan locker; Sterling 10.5 rear with 5.38 gears, welded; body chop; hybrid cage; flat belly; new 40” tires… Needed to be finished.
Here are the pics I got from the seller:

 

After that a deposit was sent, a trailer was rented, and Amy and I took a road trip to California. Caitlyn ended up be exactly what the seller said she was! We drove her up on the trailer (with the brakes not working...) and headed home.




She is basically what I would have built if I would have had the money to build something like this. I have had some really nice wheelers, but nothing ever this built. I am beyond excited! The plan is to start at one end and work my way through it completing all of the little things that are undone. All of the hard stuff is completed, it just needs to be dialed in. I will keep everyone updated on the progress here.

 

So I have pulled the front clip so I can better see what I'm working with. It looks like the PO was in a hurry at the end, so there are wires all over the place. I'm having to do a lot of "Where does this go?!?". It is a tedious process, but I am taking it one step at a time and hope I don't screw anything up.

 

Nice score. Gonna be awesome!! Looking forward to watching progress.

 

Chad that thing is pretty frigging awesome.
the more I see the avalanche look on a 4Runner the more I like it
How well does this thing seal in the back?
21 or 23 spline cases?
Looks like it must have sat for awhile.

old owner lose interest?

 

Thanks! It's actually sealed very well. I have a couple more spots to dial in, but I'm impressed so far. I believe it's 23-spline all the way back. Eventually I will get 4.7 gears for the rear case and swap everything for chromo, but that will be down the road for sure.

This was a 2 year long project that the PO lost interest in, then he threw it together enough to drive it on the trailer.

 

Congrats on making the front page of YT too!

i take it your got a smoking deal...
it would be cool to check out sometime, looks like you aren't too far in wilsonville, am out in beaverton

will it see any street time?
does the rear window go down?

 

Thanks! I was shocked to see it on the front page.

I did get a really good deal on it! You are more than welcome to come check it out. Right now I'm doing most of my work on the evenings, so if you are free some night message me. I will probable be tinkering with it... Or staring at it drinking beer trying to figure out what to do next. LOL! However, I am no longer in Wilsonville (thanks for reminding me to change that!). I am now in Forest Grove. By the way, Cascade Cruisers is having their monthly meet and greet tonight at Buster's BBQ in Tigard at 7pm. You should come down! I would love to see your Runner.

The plan is to make it streetable, at least to some degree. I'm only 15 min from the trails up at TSF, so I would rather drive up there than trailer. In 3 years, I will put Special Interest plates on it and that will help. The cops are a lot more lenient with those plates since they know it isn't driven often.

The back window doesn't roll down. It is welded in place. However, I was talking to a buddy of mine last night about how cool that would be.

 

do like.

You need some blingin' LED lights scattered around

I'm very interested to see where this build goes. Good luck!

 

wish i could make it out to Buster's tonight but have the grandkid over
Forest Grove is a bit easier for me to get to, about 20 minutes or so. I'll send you a PM sometime, always great to meet folks

 

Oh I'm sure it will get an LED or two by the time I'm done. LOL!

@Dropzone: I look forward to it!

 

I am pretty sure I can hook you up with a few LED's really cheap if you want, I have way too many

 

Sweet! I will take you up on that.

 

Wow, it has been a while since I have updated this... Sorry! I got a bit distracted with my wife's 5th Gen 4Runner and spent a bunch of time on that (Icon suspension, LabRak roof rack, new Freespirit Recreation RTT, 285 Duratracs, etc.), but I did get some time in the garage with Caitlyn. Nothing really pic worthy, but she is coming along. I got most of the wiring figured out. The downside of taking over someone else's project is once I fix one thing, I find three more things to fix. I really wanted to snow wheel her, but I don't thing that is going to happen. I have made the decision that I'm going to do it right instead of piecing it together just to pull it all apart. I will try to do better with updates, but looking at pretty taped wires makes for a boring picture. LOL!

 

Looks great. Can't wait to see the progress.

 

Saw the 5th gen upgrades on IG, she's a lucky gal!!

 

Thanks! I feel luck that I get to use it too. LOL! That Icon suspension is amazing.

Here is a pic for those not on my IG:

 

I got to work on Caitlyn a bit yesterday. There is still so much to do, but I'm progressing slowly. I just need to make it more of a priority to get out in the garage and work on her!

I finished wrapping up the wiring in the engine compartment.


Then I moved on to the front core support. With all of the cutting, the bottom was only supported by the radiator. I could see this being an issue! LOL. So I broke out the CAD (Cardboard Assisted Design):


And quickly realized my welding is way out of practice... (Fail). Oh well, good enough for this purpose.


The last thing I managed to do was cut the wings off the front bumper. They were not symmetrical and there was no way to heat and bend them to make them look right. This was not the route I wanted to go, but it will be easiest and look the best in the long run.

 

welds don't look too bad.

 

That was the second go around.