A few years back I graduated high school and went to work for my fathers business in automotive repair and I could not have been more excited to be able to work and finally buy a 4x4 truck. I was willing to have bought anything I could afford as long as it was Ford, Chevy, Jeep, or Toyota. One Saturday coming home from breakfast it happened. Love at first sight occurred when I saw a 1986 4runner for only $1700 with brand new paint, 31" tires, and an interior equal to that of a car 15 years newer. I only had $1600 at the time and the man was persist.ent so the next day after a $100 loan from my dad I had possession of a 4cylinder, 5 speed, 4 wheel drive machine that in my mind equaled freedom from pavement. I knew I was going to modify it but I was not aware of how deep I would end up going

 

Really nice truck, and a heck of a price!

 

Looks like it's in pretty good shape. Welcome to the family.

 

For the first few months I owned what is affectionally called "Truck Norris" I was pretty good about not letting the mod bug get me too bad as I kept everything stock minus adding some fog lights and little stuff but a few months ago I bought a new FJ Cruiser to drive a lot so I plan on building up the 4runner a little bit more.

 

I noticed my tires which probably had less than 10,000 miles had substantial wear on the inside which alerted me to put it on one of my lifts and see what was going on only to find that I was about to replace the upper and lower ball joints, Inner and outer tie rod ends, Idler and Pittman arms, and basically everthing else underneath there. I'm also going to drop the front and see whats leaking front axle fluid....

 

Nice Find and heck of a price. I love a White and Black Rig.

 

So after replacing all of my front suspension basically short of the shocks which aren't old anyways and removing and inspecting my front diff which I replaced both seals I reassembled truck norris. When I took truck norris to get aligned I found out the frame was bent so while I'm waiting on the guy to bend my frame back I am writing this and thinking up bumper Idea's. I'm thinking of using 2" square tubing that is 3/16" thick to build off of my winch plate. I do not plan of smashing into many things and really just want protection so I think I will be alright. My 9500lb superwinch needs to be doing all the work up there anyways. I will upload updated pics later whenever yotatech's pictures are working again...

 

My frame is straight and I'm aligned and everything so back to the mods. I got my winch all mounted up and working to get ready to build my bumper which should be done in a week depending on my schedule. Instead of paying to get the bumper powder coated do ya'll have any suggestions on spray paint type materials to use?

 

Did you get an estimate for powder coating? Too many zeros eh?

You guys got more water than rocks in SC right, see about an electroplating or atleast a zinc dip to keep the rust at bay.

Por15 ~50$ a quart but you can brush it on and it's tough as nails. For the same price you can pick up 3-4 cases of generic big box paint(Home depot, lowes, both have discounts on full cases) and repaint every week if you want. Todo a rattle can "hardened" (aka 2part paint) you'll likely spent as much or more on a hot box and rattle cans as you would on powder coat or chrome dip. Rustoleum hammered finish looks good on body armor, so does the rubberized bed liners.

 

I haven't got an estimate on powdercoating yet and I'll probably get a good deal because since I'm in the auto industry myself I can usually trade out services. I'll ask my restoration guy what he will do it for and If it's too much I'll just do something myself since this truck is somewhat a budget build.

 

Guess what I'm building tomorrow?

 

sliders?

 

nah... it's a basket for his roof rack...

 

haha I would do a roof rack but as soon as I have an extra garage space its getting the soft top put on and staying inside

 

Also what is everyones opinion on making the grille emblem say Hilux

 

Awesome build man, makes me wish I had a runner

 

Absolutely a must do... it's on my to do list.

 

Im guessing Sliders. Looking good man. I need to get cracking on a swingout spare tire holder. Its getting real old having a 33" spare ride in the back. haha

 

Same here since I'm about to put 33's on it I'm going to have to do something, I have a swing out off of a Kia so I'm gonna see if I can build something starting from that if not its off to the drawing board

 

Good looking truck and great deal.

My money's also on sliders

regarding the need for a tire carrier for 33" tires....I think you can use the stock (between the rear leaf springs) carrier for up to 33"? My buddy at work has a third gen pickup and he is rocking 33s, with a spare. Maybe that's only for 4runners that it's narrower between the springs? My 32" spare is pretty snug back there....