So i picked up a 97 4runner in not so good shape from a buddy of mine for 100 bucks and carburetor from a 68 Buick. Due to a certain furry friend the grille, bumper, head lights, radiator and fan were scrapped. Radiator support wasn't too bad. My plans are to make it useful in any disaster situation i.e. mass pandemonium. Always looking for new and interesting ideas to make this thing ridiculous, lemme know.

 

New headlights, corner markers, grille and fender. bent out the rad support and straightened everything out. All the lines match up, and I don't need someone to help me open the hood anymore 3 row aluminum radiator, separate trans cooler, and a 16" pusher fan. Runs smooth a little bit of a high idle when shes cold but no matter. I order a trail gear rock defense bumper, Rola roof rack, and a full exhaust system for it today. Once they get here shell be road ready and I can start the fun stuff. Also would someone be able to instruct me as to how I can put pictures directly onto post instead of in a thumbnail at the bottom?

 

Upload your pics to Photobucket, then attach the image code into the thread.

For a second I thought you were trying to put a carburated 68 buick motor in there. Nice to see you plan to resurrect the thing.

 

Thanks, for the help man. Nah no buick engines going anywhere near this thing. I'm planning on going the whole 9 yards so any advice, tips, or ideas would be great. I'm pretty new with 4runners.

 

Alright so my bumper and roof rack came in two days ago. Unfortunately I had to work so yesterday I squeezed in a little time to put them on. Love the rack, I have to cut the frame a little bit to make the bumper fit but i really like the look of it as well. I added a kenwood head unit and grant gt steering wheel too.

 

OK finally got the bumper welded up and painted. Im more than happy with it. I also painted my wheels black and got some mikey thompson baja mtz's as well.






one next to my buddies stock 2000

 

I like where this is heading. Looks great so far.

 

Thanks. Once the whole things done I plan on having a sleeping platform with storage in the rear, secondary fuel tank, on board air, recovery equipment, sas, better coms, and the huge project I cant wait to get done is making her amphibious. Its going to take quite a while due to a lack of tools time and money but itll be worth it in the end

 

100 BUCKS? i hate you

 

Haha Thats a line from a movie, I got the runner from a buddy of mine in a trade.

 

Can't wait to see it when it's done! good luck!

 

Looks bad a$$. Like the way this build is headed. Similar thing happen to my 86 truck. Havent got as far as you have tho, $$$ has got in the way.

 

What size tires? Any lift on it? And, is it 2wd? looks good. you got rid of the airbag?

 

this build is going to be a lot of fun to watch lol keep it going!

 

305/70/16 Mikey Thompson Baja Mtz's for 100 bucks at a yard sale with pretty good tred left, 3 inch Daystar coil spacer lift. Unfortunately yes 2wd, for now she gets around just fine but once im in flight school ill have a lot more time, and a lot more money. Whats the best axles to use for sas in ya'lls opinion? And yeah airbags gone, got a seat belt dontcha haha

 

Back from a well deserved week vacation in Navarre Beach, FL I decided to remove the faded out carpet and put in a new color. Lemme start this by saying prior to this I had no clue what I was doing and got my upholstering experience from watching West Coast Customs once. Whole job came out to $33.45 at Lowes, charcoal colored outdoor carpeting was about 20 bucks and 2 cans of spray adhesive covered the rest. Took me about 7 hours from start to finish and I'm pretty happy about it all came out. This only covers the seating area, I didn't do the cargo area because I ran out of materials so that'll come later.

Materials needed:
6x8 roll of Outdoor carpeting
Loctite 200 High performance Middleweight spray adhesive
Rubber Mallet
1/2in drive ratchet
12mm 1/2in drive socket
14mm 1/2in drive socket
Philips head screw driver
Heavy duty scissors or something sharp, I used my Mark1
De-greaser and rags
Shop Vac
Half a pocket full of motivation

Start by removing all your seats with your 14mm no need to remove the back portion of the rear seats. They don't interfere with the carpet.


For non-power seats there's only one electrical connection to worry about under the driver seat, for power seating I believe there's 3. Feel free to correct me haha


Next remove the center console by undoing the two 12mm bolts inside, and the Philips head screws on both sides. There are 2 connections underneath, ECT, and back window.




Then the shifter cover, helps to put it in gear and turn the panel sideways.



These side panels are a pain, I found it helpful to give it a good judi chop and it comes right off.



Door sills and kicker panels pop right off, I put my screws back in so I wouldn't loose them.


Now that its all out you can start pulling up the carpet, from front to rear, cut the middle piece between the shifter and e-brake. Makes it a little easier.


Clean the floor pans up with your shop vac and De-greaser as good as you can. The better the clean, the better the stick so be a stickler!



Lay your old carpet on top of the new carpet, center it, and cut the tabs out of the rear portion for the seat belts. You wont need that much fabric but I cut mine really close and I almost had to take a Mulligan. I dont want you to have to do the same.


Lay it out over the entire floor and start out by molding the contours that will determine the length. I found it helpful to put the seat bolts back in as an extra few sets of hands. This is where it gets tricky, Once you have your length correct cut out your e-brake and shifter.


After you have all your cuts and bends its time to stick and mold, again from front to rear spray your adhesive heavily on both surfaces. Once you meet the two its a huge pain to take apart so get it where you want it molding and working the fabric the whole way. The rubber mallet helps to get it to stick in certain places. Clean and put all the panels back. Take your time and it'll come out like this.



I did a door too but I ran out of materials so I could only do one door haha


I also put some blue leds in the dash and center, and I mounted my gps.

 

ALMOST FORGOT!!!! Do not iron the carpet once its in, it burns the fabric. use the adhesive and your mallet to mold the carpet in better.