On another note, a guy I work with has a buddy who will sell me a front driveline and a set of four 15x8 black steelie rims for $100! That would give me a double Cardan joint to swap to my rear driveline. The rims I'll probably use on my 4runner, the back spacing should allow my tires to stuff in the rear wheel wells better than the 15x10's I'm currently running.

 

Alright cool. Just have to be careful on the power right?

 

Yeah.....I mean, I hot rod around in 2wd, but I don't burn the tires off or anything, lol. Its kinda hard to keep your foot off the skinny pedal, because its fun to drive, lol. In 4 low I try not to beat on it too hard, this is my daily driver for time being, so I can't afford for it to be down for very long. But once I get another W56 lm not going to baby it as much. There was a build thread ( on either the sas or the domestic engine swap build section, can't remember) but this guy had a black first Gen 4 runner with a 302 V8, W56 tranny, and I think he had dual t cases, and he wheeled the crap out of that thing and it seemed to hold up pretty good!

Are you planning a 302 swap?

 

Gotcha.
Haha I'm going to start with a truck swap first. lol I have a 84 xtra cab 4x4, but I have been dying to buy a first gen 4runner. There just so badass and I'm totally obsessed with them! I just missed the opportunity to buy an 87 sr5 that was loaded. I talked to the guy the day before I left on a trip and when I came back it was sold.. That was like three weeks ago and ever since I have been kinda depressed because it was soooo clean and only had 165k on the clock. Oh well long story short I keep telling myself another one will show up. haha but love your truck!

 

Rig looks great Ed. I know I've said it before but I really really love that center console. I need to make one.

Glad you are having some nice weather. Looks like rain in the forecast for us tomorrow. I need to take the top of mine and go cruising.

 

Thanks for the compliment! That sucks that you missed out on the runner, dont get to discouraged, im sure you'll find another one, although your xtra cab would make for a pretty sweet build! I'd love to have one of those someday!

Thanks buddy, I appreciate it. It's taken me forever to get it finished tho, lol. I had planned on getting the armrest padded and covered tonight, but I was too tired. My new work schedual is kinda crazy, I work 2 graveyard shifts, 1 day shift, then 2 swing shifts all in the same week, I'm not used to it yet! Hopefully I'll get some done on it tomorrow before work.

Yeah its supposed to be be in the 90's the rest of the week, although it looks like it going to thunderstorm tonight...I stole my wife's spot under the carport

 

Yeah the xtra cab is begging for some suspension work, sliders, and all the other sweet trail needed stuff, but daily driving it without A/C and the need to carry a few more people around is a little tough. Also being 17, I can't have both.. oh well

 

hey ed, you've got my mind rolling on these all-pro springs, what is the fender gap on your rear with the 6" springs?

 

Yeah that's understandable, the need for extra seating was one of my main reasons for getting a 4 runner, my 2 kids love riding back there especially with the top off!

 

Mine sits a little high in the rear at the moment, but I don't think the springs are done settling yet, also I have the top off, and no rear bumper. I went out and measured and the fender gap is at 9"....my front is around 10-1/2" for comparison. Hope this helps you out.

What made you decide to change from the Chevy 63's? From all your wheeling pics it seemed like your 4runner had some awesome flex!

 

I've changed out leaves on them about 9 times now trying to find a good spring rate for my setup. they're way too soft when loaded with camping gear (the last 2 trips i was riding on bumpstop) and i get a lot of sway on the highway. its just time to upgrade.
thanks for the measurements, i might look into the 4" or 5" ones, i'm setting a bit lower than you

 

I think you'd be happy with them, they absorb bumps and potholes pretty well, and I was surprised at how well they handle corners on the freeway ( i was expecting alot more sway/body roll) oh and they flex really well too, ha, ha.

 

Finally finished my locking center console project. What was supposed to be a quick project ended up taking me 8mths, lol!


enough talk, heres some pics!

 

looks good man. I gotta do something about mine. Im thinking ammo can tho. Im too lazy for quality stuff like yours

 

Thanks man, its strong, but I don't know about "quality" work, lol, thats why I wrapped it in fabric, I was too lazy to grind all the welds down smooth for a painted finish lol. I've seen people use ammo cans, that would be pretty cool!

 

Console turned out great. 8 months to finish, I know how that goes. Some projects get started and then everything else gets in the way. Swing shift are tough. Working grave yard takes some getting used to, but the hours go by so much faster then day shift and is usually alot more relaxed. I moaned and groaned going to graveyard shift and now I really like it. It takes a while to get used to.

 

Console looks nice! Im familiar with your engine in your runner i was obsessed with fox body mustangs for awhile,i had a 89gt and i loved driving it and racing whoever wanted to go at any given stoplight. Id like to ride in a runner with a 302. Is it the H.O.?

 

Looks awesome!! Really came out great.

 

Thanks Terry, yeah it was hard for me to stay on task with the console build, when I first started it it was Nov. and I couldn't stay motivated in the cold weather, lol.
Yeah I've never worked for a company before that operated 24/7. My shift is called "Relief Shift" and we basically work the days that the other 3 shifts are off for their scheduled "weekend". So twice a week I stay up for 30+ hours without sleep just trying to take advantage of my time off, lol. I'll either get used to it, or burn out!

Thanks Chris. I'm not sure of what the 302 came out of originally. I bought an 85' Toyota long box pickup that had this motor already in it with the Northwest Offroad bell housing and motor mounts to go with it. The PO of the truck couldn't really give me any specs on the motor other than it ran great. So I swapped the motor/trans/t-case and front axel out of the 85 pickup over to my 4runner. I'm really impressed with the power of the motor, I'm still debating on whether to keep the 2 barrel Carb, or switch over to a aftermarket 4barrel and intake, (I was thinking of the Eldelbrock Thunder AVS offroad series carb). Then again if i ever found a good deal on a 5.0 HO mustang it would be sweet to have fuel injection!

Thanks Mark! I used some tan canvas fabric (identical to what Carharrt carpenter work pants are made of) i plan on eventually reupholstering my seats with the same material.

 

Every time I think of a console I think of Open Space.........