That couldn't be more true. I have never done anything like this and figured what better way to learn than to take on a rig that will pretty much need attention top to bottom.
Wabbit this thread is for you

Here we go...

The story starts with an 85 4Runner that nobody wanted. Seems like a bad flashback from high school...she was ugly I was desperate...

Here is the pic of the rig when it was posted here.

At the time I owned a 2000 4Runner w/ all the popular mods, including Sonoran rear bumper, TC skid, blah, blah, blah...

I have since sold it and purchase a Sequoia to eventually tow the 85 around.

Specs:
85' 4Runner
22RE (Clean and runs)
Auto
185K miles
Rusty

Basic Plans:
Marlin 4" Lift
Marlin Crossover
5.29 Yukons
Aussies front and rear
V6 Calipers up front w/ LC vented rotors
Stock calipers/rotors in rear (more on that later)
33" MTR's until I can find a deal on 35's
Frame plating
Sticker Removal

I brought it home last Sept and have been spending my time since then removing rusty parts and rebuilding the front axle. I should have the front all buttoned up tomorrow night.

Wish me luck...

 

Wabbit has a brother?

 

Pic of axle before cleanup


Pic of axle after cleanup and paint


Pic of v6 calipers after cleanup and paint

 

Glad to see you starting a buildup thread. I will be doing my 85' 4runner also. Good luck to you & I'll be following your progress.

Ryker

 

cool I got quoted in a build up thread ...

 

I was visiting with the guy that set-up my gears (Duane w/ Techtafab) and he showed me his brackets and adapter plate he is making for a rear disk conversion.

Here is the thread on Pirate w/ the details:
http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=432279

 

subscribing.

 

Awesome Randy...I'm looking forward to watching...and givin you a hard time.

 

Well as is par for the course the axle rebuild took twice as long as anticipated.




Items that held me up along the way...
I'm not real confident I got the preload right on the wheel bearings, it sure seems like it takes alot of force to rotate. The scale says something like 30lbs.

The FSM's instructions were pretty squirrly so I just followed Roger Browns way of doing it. I'll have a friend over in a few weeks to check it out.

QUESTION:
The stock bolts for the calipers won't fit through the V6 calipers. The hole seems to be a tad too small. Has anyone else run across this. Not sure if I should grind out the holes in the calipers or not. It would seem that if I ordered v6 bolts they would be just a tad too small for the threads on the knuckle housing.

 

Well it seems I've answered my own question.

ERROR: I assumed the bolt that was in the caliper was stock...WRONG!

I picked up my new bolts from the dealer and took them home. Three of the bolts fit perfectly the third wouldn't tighten down...hmmm

Well it turns out that the previous owner had stripped out the threads on the knuckle housing - Recut new threads and used a larger bolt. SO...looks like I will be grinding out one hole in my calipers so the old larger bolt will fit.

 

Good thread, can't wait for more updates. Good luck with the build.

 

any more updates ?

 

Well I have been doing battle with the steering box. Most of the mounting bolts are difficult to get to and in my case very rusty, so I have been calling on my best friend PB Blaster to help me out. I am one bolt from being able to remove it. It is the fitting connecting the pressure line to the steering box. It is on there TIGHT! I won't beable to get back to it until Thursday night.

Both shock mounts have been removed - the only thing left to cut off up front is the torque rod bracket.

I'm trying to schedule my buddy to come over and weld up all the necessary front suspension/steering parts the first weekend in april.

Good to hear from you Ric...it has been awhile...a lot has changed in my Toyota world since you left KC.

 

yea, i see that, but looks good so far, keep up the great work...

 

me like

 

I love watching buildup threads. Keep up the good work!

 

Received my last few parts from Marlin today. Looks like all this stuff will be put on the middle of next week.

I spent the past weekend, grinding down all the surfaces AND I finally got that pesky fitting off the power steering box. All it took was a GOOD set of flare end wrenches, 3-foot cheater pipe and 4-days of PB Blaster.

Couple of things I'm tracking down between now and then include:

1. I purchased the 12" Bilsteins and saw on Tatums build thread he ended up swithcing out to the 14" length...posted on Marlin to see which will work.
2. I have a question concerning mounting the "regular" shock hoops. The mounting points aren't flush with the frame as the shock bracket comes in contact with the wheel well.

Not flush w/ frame


Shock bracket in contact with wheel well

 

What I did...


All the other pics on my website under the front axle.

 

What size Bilteins are you running up front 12 or 14?

 

Whatever came w/ the AP 5" Extreme Lift kit...seems like they are 14" of travel...I can go look at the part # if you gotta have it.