87 4Runner SAS on 38's

[Fourx4sr4me]

Well I have been talking a lot about this vehicle I've been building. So here it is and how it got there. I forgot to take alot of pics throughout the process but did manage to get some.

For those of you that don't know me, I used to have a 95 Tacoma with 275,000 miles and Yes I wheeled it!!!





My Daughter wanted to be able to remove the roof and haul more people, so I started looking for a 4Runner. I found this one on craigslist and bought it.



It also came with a few extra parts!!!!





While I was waiting for the Tacoma to sell I was busy rounding up parts and found these axles on Pirate. They were located in St. Louis, so we made a short vacation out of it.
Thanks Honey!!!




First thing was to get rid of leaking fuel tank so I dont blow my self up and them get rid of that IFS crap







Picked this guy up before the buid to make my life a lot easier!!!

[Fourx4sr4me]

Once I started cutting shit out I forgot to take Pics. Oh Well.
Here is the frame all fround down and shot with some primer for the time being


I found a little more rust than I originally knew about. Time to make things stronger!!!

Here I am getting ready to cut out the soft front crossmember


Behind that, the frame was a little soft, so out with that also. I'm really loving that Plasma cutter!!!


Got things squared up for some new metal



I think this will be strong enough. I got some 2.5 x 3/16 thick square tubing for the front crossmember. I also welded up the front spring hanger. All the nuts were welded in the backside for the new bumper I ordered.


I replated the bad section of frame with some 1/4 since the steering box wwill be here



Made this nice little gusset for the front spring hanger


All welded in


Time to take care of the floorboards


This should be enough!!!

[Fourx4sr4me]

I cut the fire wall back 3.5" to make room for the tires I will be running.
Santa came a little early and got me a new garage toy. This baby jacks up to 32" Thanks Mom and Dad!!!
This is also a pic of my axle all gusseted up. And no, I did not weld the axle gusset in one pass. I would do a one inch weld on each side and wait for it to cool. Don't want to warp
the axle tube!!!!


Got some new metal in along with a new lower rocker panel. I sealed everything up with some good ole 3M seam sealer.


The passenger side was not as extreme, due to actually having some good metal








Time to work on the rear


Thanks for the extra hand when I needed it Corey!!! Even though you always told the wife how much shit cost!!!


Got the rear axle out. All the rust and fiberglass removed and the rear wheel wells tubbed.

[Fourx4sr4me]

Got the dual tranfercses built using a Marlin adapter and sat it all on an All pro Triple x crossmember with parking brake.


The new crossmember made a huge difference with ground clearance compared to the old one.
Before:


After:


I did have to modify the horseshoe collar to clear a rear cv shaft and make a few BFH adjustment to the tranny tunnel.
Before:


After:
I used a piece of 6"OD 1/4" wall dom tubing that my Dad got for me. Thanks Dad!!!



Hope I can remember what gear I am in.


Removed all the stereo wirng and Amps. Things were grounded to plastic inserts and unfused. Not good!!!


Time to work on the steering
Got the box all tapped and ready for Hydro assist.


Added a few plates to strengthen up the frame and got the box mounted


Got the box pushed pretty far forward but took it real easy on cutting the rad support. I only cut what I had to.

[Fourx4sr4me]

Modified my steering shaft ushing some 1" schedule 40 pipe


Finished: (Note I did not have to have the shaft pulled out this far when mounted on truck.)


Made up a front driveshaft sing Trail gears long spline kit and 2.5" schedule 40 pipe. I also clearnce this cv to optimize angle.


Made up a rear crossmember for the shocks to be mounted in the /\ format.


Starting to look like a truck again. Had to make some room for the front tires since I pushed the front axle forward an additional inch from the Trail gear SAS kit.


Lots of room now after I cut that fender bracket off


The new rear axle had a disc brake conversion and I eliminated the LSPV form the rear. I decided to mount a Summit proportioning valve in a handy spot for easy adjustments

[Fourx4sr4me]

I pulled the old rusty oil pan off to replace it with a nice one I had and found pieces of the timing cain guides. So I tore into the engine to find brand new looking guides. i was a little upset since I had the new metal backed ones sitting there. Oh well at least i got to clean up the engine a little and add some security. Those are LC engineering headers.





From here I was in high gear and forgot to take pictures but this is how it has ended.
I do have a full cage to install and will include those pics at a later date.

The truck is using trail gear 4" springs up front and 5"springs in the rear. I did remove one leaf from each pack to lower it a little.
This was my first build like this. I'm sure there are things that are going to need changed. For the most part the first run at the outback adventure went flawless. I need to get some good poser shots, but for know this is what I got.

[jeepxj3]

Wow, I love your 4runner, the truck was sweet, but this is way better!!!

[aman-fred]

Just kidding. That thing is sweet! Nice work

[Fourx4sr4me]

Thanks, I will probably not ever do this again. It was way to much work while working the midnight shift.

[Leady]

looking good buddy

[twiztidunit]

looks dam good!!I did the same with a toy p-up a few yrs back,I used rear springs inthe front,chebby rear springs(64"),bobbed the bed 14 1/2",chebby 305 4spd,205.Made the roof and doors removable,half doors,full cage...bla,bla,bla.Again nice job!!


This was at Roush creek
Looks like you have the nice little Miller challenger mig as I do.Is yours 220 as well?

[Fourx4sr4me]

No, Mine is the Millermatic 180. It works great!!!

[4runner]

first ive looked at your build tread. nice work. I havent started a build tread of my rigs. got to many projects to start treads about n not to good on this pc so i didnt bother. Lookin forward to the rest of your build n the next ride. keep up the good work

[cityslicker]

nice work man.
... I like those 4 runners... yours is nice as hell

[limegreentj]

fuckin sexy

[oldschoolyotaguy]

looks good man...i need a damn job... so i can finish the zuk

then we'll have to do some wheeeeeelin

those 38s dont look as big as i thought... i thought they were 36s... diggin the red too man!!

[Fourx4sr4me]

Originally Posted by oldschoolyotaguy

diggin the red too man!!

It's allis chalmers orange from tractor supply!!!

[oldschoolyotaguy]

red, orange, its all the same haha

[hardbodyty]

Holy shit... somehow, this is the first time i've seen this thread. Your 4 runner is awesome man. Props on all the nice clean work you did yourself. I like it a lot!

[DMG]

+1. That 4runner is awesome.

[Nothingface5384]

yeah, definatly a badass yota

[pittim]

Awesome Runner man! And you picked it for your daughter.

I kinda want to sell my 03 Tacoma and get a DD/slightly built first gen runner.

[Fourx4sr4me]

Thaks for the compliments. Figured i would update a few pics and include the new interior roll cage, bikini top, and rear 1/4 protection I have added.

This is how it sits to date.


Pics of the cage

[Nothingface5384]

bad ass...and just wondering...were you at the butler mega car cruise last month(jul 18th?)


pretty good for a motion pic with a 2mp camera phone haha

[Fourx4sr4me]

Ya we went over to hang out and watch fireworks. Which I later found out were cancelled due to the FAA