Project Adventure Runner
Pics coming soon
Current:


Bought condition:


Mods:
future mods
current mods
work in progress mods

Engine:
Optima RedTop
OEM Cooling fan
OEM Radiator
OEM Radiator hoses
Gatorback Belts
OEM Waterneck
All new front OEM seals
New Denro Spark Plugs
New wires
overhauled injectors

Drivetrain:
Reman'd CV axle half-shafts
Toyota 4.875 gears

Body:
Light weight front bumper
Tube rear bumpers

Suspension:
OME HD 2901 Coils
SDORI 1.5" BJ Spacers
MOOG Upper Ball Joints

Tires/Wheels:
31x10.50/15 Wild Country XRT III - scored for $400 after the blowout

Internal Mods:
Dual head unit for iPod hookup
New speakers, stock ones aren't in good condition
Rear Aux Power Outlet


-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Backstory:
Yotas run in the family; everyone has one but I've been the black sheep for a while. I've had a 98 Camry for a while but it's now my sisters and I wanted something off road capable so I bought a Jeep... mistake! I paid $3000 and then lifted it and put new shoes on it and still got stuck a lot. And then couldn't even pull anyone out. Then it started acting funny. Funny to a heep is 7 grand in repairs so I dumped it and though trading I got a 01 Landrover Disco and while it's pretty great "off road" it's not cheap to keep "off road" and my wife wanted it as her grocery getter so I saw a 94 4 runner sr5 on Craigslist for $5k and I figured I could get him down. Thank God for casinos, he needed cash and I picked it up for $2200. 130k miles and super stock and clean. Now I'm on the path to make it my trail buggy to get me anywhere I want to hike or backpack.

 

Parts:
4Crawler -
Ball Joint Spacers:
He shipped them ASAP and I had them almost next business day.


Advance Auto:
CV Axle half-shafts:
Got 'em! **Ignore my wife's pink mat**


Sierra Expeditions:
OME 2901 HD Coils:
Got 'em!


Toyota Dealership:
My grandfather has worked for Toyota for almost 40 years so parts are cheap and easy to get

Flex-a-lite fan: I get it this weekend! Not sure if its the one for this Yota but shop guys said it bolts right on.

MOOG Ball Joint:
Got it!


--
All the tools you'll need (or you'll make them work):

 

Mine! Reserved.

 

Unexpected upgrade:
I got an Optima Red Top battery! But not how or when I wanted.
I came out to the 4Runner popped the hood and found:



A box of baking soda in about 10 gallons of water and a pressure wash (talk about funny looks - taking about your vehicle in a car wash stall is frowned upon apparently). Then its all bare metal - Battery acid and paint dont mix.
A trip to Advance - I return with some engine paint and an Optima.

Paint:



And all better.
Now to find a better way to mount the optima...it like to slide even super tighten down.

 

I got the OME springs installed myself and had to have someone install the CV axle shafts. Now my runners about 8 inches taller in the back and you feel like you're going to slide off the seat. The TBars are locked up tight and I cant budge them.

 

I like what your doing here and I'm always excited to see some 2nd gens here in the build up section, but you pictures are huge! I can't quite make out what is going on in them.

I'll keep an eye on this build for sure.

 

I got the SDORI BJ spacers from 4Crawler installed.
At the same time I replaced an upper ball joint that was worn out.
Installing:


Installed:


Battle Scars:

Doesn't look that bad but it wouldn't stop bleeding and had lots of crap in it. Ha.

 

After a long break and many many miles I'm back.
I just moved to FL, after traveling to MO. Put a few thousand miles on the 4 runner in 3 weeks. Also hauled a tandem axle UHAUL through the Ozarks loaded with all our stuff. The poor 3.0 did good though. Ill post pics when we get internet at our new house.
On the way to MO we had a blow out at 75mph on the interstate near Memphis. Not fun:


All our stuff hooked to the overloaded 4runner:


The new digs:

 

So my power steering reservoir is leaking bad. Empty in three days with regular fluid, two weeks if I use Lucas fix. Any suggestions short of replacing it?

 

Finish:
Shortly after this I found out my rear main seal was leaking and my 3rd gear didn't want to always go in so I traded it. I was looking for a Yota with a 3.4l but I couldn't find one for a good price so I traded even for a 95 Jeep Wrangler, then for a 01 Chevrolet 1500, then for most of an 03 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, which was sold. With what I sold the Jeep for I paid came out with enough cash and I bought an 03 4Runner SportEdition V8, a brand new Honda CTX 700.