Hey guys i'm new to THIS forum so i'll throw a little background in with my truck build too, hope you don't mind.

I have always toyed with stuff, I could never leave well enough alone. Ive had 2 TJ's (is that a dirty word around here?) a 98 and a 01. Then I got interested in fast cars (or ones I could afford).

2005 PT Cruiser GT 2.4L Turbo with a Getrag 288 5 speed.


not so much stock...


after 2 years I had her tuned on a holset Hx35 pushing 25psi. It was proper fun for a FWD car. Carbon fiber everywhere I could get it, etc. I liked the "different" aspect of that car, it hurt ALOT of feeling. Her final numbers were 413whp and 436wtq.

Life happens and you have kids... settled down for a little while and sold my "extra" car.

About 3 months passed and it killed me to only drive a Prius... no it didn't come with a matching purse, I drive 1100 miles a week so I had to get something to not break the bank at the pump.

I stumbled on to a 1995 sc300 with a 1JZGTE NON-vvti automatic, for stupid cheap ($2800).




it had a few things done, but not much. I just couldn't turn it down, or keep my hands off of it.

UPS showed up with a few toys.


and so it began









looking at her (lexi) you would have never guessed she could run like a rapped ape.

video VVVVV




BUT, LIFE HAPPENS AGAIN... we have another baby coming in November . Racing just isn't "family friendly" and being gone at tracks for days at a time isn't good either. I will always have to have a toy so I spoke with my wife and got the blessing to get a truck/rig.

I found "Betty white" as a trade on Craigslist for "lexi". I feel I got a good deal and so did he. She is a 1994 v6 3.slow automatic (not really a fan). interior is ok for 19 year old truck and EVERYTHING works, windows, AC, Heat, etc. Its kinda nice. and no, it wasn't a straight trade, he put $3k cash on his end.





that's my 5 year old Sara Jo. The tires are to big (33x14) but the wheels are nice (15x10)







The Immediate Plan:

4crawler Body lift (end of August)
Yank the trans and source a pin hole leak (I think it the pump gasket)
Rear Disc
and something to help this big girl stop better.

Future plan:

I have a 2jz sitting in the garage as well as a carbed 350. Who knows man

Tune her on megasquirt V3 standalone (you can megasquirt anything)

i'll keep this updated as things happen. Hopefully I can contribute something g around here.


what I want out of betty white? a streetable, fun, trail riding, beach driving, reliable rig that occasionally hits a few mud holes and logs while out hunting and playing.

 

Looks like you have a nice base to start with!

I just bought a core 5.3 for mine, hope to start the GM driveline swap next spring.

 

the 350 would be fun and cheap but I might stay puriest and stay Toyota motor line. 1uz can be had for cheap, I have a 2jz, there are plenty of options for under $700... I just haven't decided yet

 

there was no carpet in the back so I did a DIY bedliner.





I didn't pull the side panels because ive used this product before and am comfortable with the spray pattern. I am pleased with the results

 

the sun was going down so the light isn't great, but this is it with the trim on.

 

looks good man

 

nice story so far

 

Looking forward to seeing this. Looks like you solidly have the wrenching bug.

I agree stay Toyota but do a 2UZ swap so I can watch.

Nice clean looking 4Runner.

_

 

work has been busy so I took her to the woods she did great!


hit with a slug





hit with my 7.62x39



just a sprinkle but the 14" wides threw it on the roof, hood, and windshield lol it was a fun day. I ended up with about 120# of meat.

 

Eventually the constant dirt all over the vehicle gets annoying, for me it does anyway. I'm going to be getting some flares and some smaller mud flaps.


How is wild pig? Never had it.

They good for roasting? Stronger flavour than regular pork I assume.

 

Tires: these are almost shot. I'm dropping down to a 33x12.5 (from 33x14) the should sit flush.

Pig: for meat hogs (what I eat) I always try to stay below 120#. The bigger hogs have a stronger flavor. The red was a boar (I usually don't shoot them for meat) but was young enough to still be good. I know it sounds aweful but the best and pigs that have given birth in the last month or so, still fat and milky... Good eatin!

 

It would only be awful if they where not an over populated pest animal.

I've heard that about parts of the Southern US. Is it true?

I learnt to be a bit more cold about pest animals in Australia. Rabbits, cane toads and kangaroo's are out of control. I couldn't be part of a cull but I understand why it needs to be done.

At least pig is tasty, not a fan of kangaroo.

 

Sweet projects!!

 

Down here it's pigs. My family has property in Alabama and it coyote. You can legally kill as many as you see. Shouldn't really eat coyote, I have, but it ain't good.

I do love some rabbit. Those little guys are too fast lol. The place I hunt here is actually referred to as "hog valley". There are a few farmers around who pay us for removal. They tear up crops, fences, everything. It's a fun helpful hobby who am I kidding... I just love shooting guns! Haha

 

Well, shooting guns is a pile of fun.

I just got my first last summer. I've shot lots in Cadets and a bit in the reserves but never had my own.

 

sorry for the delay, life happen... and then a suspension lift shops up at the door



I was going to stick to BJ spacers and ome springs but the shocks are a little splashy. I didn't like the "non-branded" shocks in the $699 emu kit (i'm sure they are fine, but it was my preference) so I went with Rough Country N2.0 and a nitro steering stabilizer. 4Crawler BJ spacers, after reading quality (weight) differences about knock off brands. OME springs (900).

My goal isn't to go car jumping big, but high enough to comfortably clear the tires. I hope to have this lift on and aligned by this weekend. I also have a (almost dead) power steering pump to address and a coolant temp sensor (the one that reads to the cluster).

 

thanks bud

 

I have been really happy with my Trailgear power steering. I went through two replacements in a year before I got it.

 

that's what I was looking at BUT with not wheeling much, maybe once every other month, its hard to justify $500. id rather do rear disc through WabFab for that price range and address it later.

www.rockauto.com offers a rebuild service for $49. Since Betty white isn't a daily driver I was probably going to go that route first.

is the trail gear setup the same one on the WabFab site?

 

correction, that's lowrange off road, not wabfab