Hi folks. I am proud to finally start posting my renovation and buildup. I would like to thank all YT gurus, journeymen, and novices alike, since everyones input on these forums has been invaluable for me.

After getting skunked and discouraged on a couple of eBay auctions last year, I put my SFA 4runner dream on the back burner. A few months ago, I randomly found the goods on craigslist - it was nearby, had a reman engine and LCE header, new radiator, hoses, relatively new clutch, american racing wheels, smitty rear bumper, and more. It was a well documented and maintained single-owner vehicle, originally from Canada with ~440,000 km or ~275,000 miles. And was kept in stock condition. With minimal body rust and blown front and rear axle seals as the only visible problems, I made a fair offer ($3200) and took delivery ASAP. For me, this was the perfect starting point to build a decent daily driver, casual drop-top weekend town and country cruiser, transport to summer trails/trailheads, and winter slopes and backcountry. Here she is:



I had the top off of her faster than prom night, and got a bikini from Downey. A little pricey, but the install was painless and the quality is good... I think they probably did a $150 better job than I could have. The bikini can be viewed from some links below. I also replaced the compromised stock muffler with a Dynomax Super Turbo Muffler from Summit (http://store.summitracing.com/partde...&autoview=sku), and had a local shop weld it on with 2.25" pipes. With the header, it flows real well and is suprisingly quiet.

Getting down to business, I took down the front axle to the bare knuckles, and rebuilt it using a complete kit from Marlin Crawler, and a couple pints of Mobil 1 grease. I estimate that I spent 2 days cleaning the grease/oil/grime buildup over the knuckles/axle/springs/etc that resulted from too much driving on blown seals - this was an insanely messy job. I re-filled the diff with M1 as well. I have the MC rear axle kit also, and that job is next. Here's only a few photos of the naked front axle, since there is no point in documenting the process further.

http://picasaweb.google.com/bkgpub/4RAxleRose

While I was down there, I noticed one caliper had a piston fully extended, and dripping fluid. Instead of screwing around with it, I replaced it with a new one from Napa. At about $40 apiece, I decided to do them both, in hopes of not having another front breaks issue for years to come.

As stated, the ultimate objective is a p/t dd, and so I want to concentrate on comfort a well as competence in this renovation. I ordered a vinyl kit for the cargo area, and a carpet kit for the passenger area, from these guys http://www.auto-interior.com/toyota1.htm. The vinyl is really tough stuff, and went in clean and easy. I did not bother with the wheel well covers. I also have a replacement drivers seat on back-order from summit racing - I will post again when it comes in. I like the contico box alot, with a pad lock it keeps wandering hands and summer showers off of misc gear and tools under the bikini. The passenger area is not yet complete, but here's the cargo vinyl install:

http://picasaweb.google.com/bkgpub/4...AreaRenovation

Future plans include a suspension upgrade (I'm liking OME so far), larger tires (probably 31" dueler AT Revos), gears and lockers (thinking 4.88 and ARBs, although I keep waffling about an e-locker in the rear and truetrac in the front), and a nicer set of steel protection (plenty to choose from, but haven't ruled out home grown yet). I am planning on hitch receivers for the steel, and then a portable winch plate. While I'm at it, I want a Can-Back topper, and a pony. Unfortunately, the total estimate for these good is more than twice what the truck cost me; fortunately there is no rush.

Happy trails- bk