DaveInDenver
Rising Sun Ham Guru
6'0" with 34" inseam and I fit fine in the 2008. Shrug. It's taken me a little while to really warm up to it but I absolutely love the Access Cab. Brilliant.
Adventures in 4Runner'ing
- Thread starter DouglasVB
- Start date
Does this thread really have 60+ posts in two days? You guys are doing some serious writing! Keep up the good work because I am finding this thread interesting. I have an 88 as well - mine is an XtraCab pickup that is slowly being built.
I am on the fence as to the direction that I take the truck. Right now it has a good clean stock SR5 look with chrome wheels and 31" mild all-terrains (plus the typical rust on the bed). However, I did a 3.4 swap last fall and have all the basic maintenance sorted out. Now it hauls ass and is fun to drive so I have that covered.
I originally bought the truck thinking I would do the engine conversion and then a low SAS swap. Previously, I had a 79 that was mildly built and I learned a lot with that truck. I have also previously owned a 92 Xtracab with a 22re, a 99 Tacoma with a 3.4, and currently own a 02 Tundra. So I have had a wide spectrum of Toyotas.
I am re-thinking the original plan to SAS because I am liking the stock and sleeper look of the truck. That, and honestly I can probably drive where I want with lower transfer case gears, a locker in the rear, and sliders. I am planning to add sliders within the month because the trails are starting to dry out and open up and I have an elocker I am going to put in the rear.
While the stock suspension is in good shape for the year and mileage (215k), the shocks need to be replaced. What are you guys running for IFS upgrades in the front? Basically, if I want to keep the truck close to stock IFS what would I want to replace and maybe upgrade?
I want to run 265/75s (32s) on the truck which I think will fit at stock height or with minimal lift. I might consider running skinny 33s, but then I would likely want to change the gears which adds considerable expense.
I am on the fence as to the direction that I take the truck. Right now it has a good clean stock SR5 look with chrome wheels and 31" mild all-terrains (plus the typical rust on the bed). However, I did a 3.4 swap last fall and have all the basic maintenance sorted out. Now it hauls ass and is fun to drive so I have that covered.
I originally bought the truck thinking I would do the engine conversion and then a low SAS swap. Previously, I had a 79 that was mildly built and I learned a lot with that truck. I have also previously owned a 92 Xtracab with a 22re, a 99 Tacoma with a 3.4, and currently own a 02 Tundra. So I have had a wide spectrum of Toyotas.
I am re-thinking the original plan to SAS because I am liking the stock and sleeper look of the truck. That, and honestly I can probably drive where I want with lower transfer case gears, a locker in the rear, and sliders. I am planning to add sliders within the month because the trails are starting to dry out and open up and I have an elocker I am going to put in the rear.
While the stock suspension is in good shape for the year and mileage (215k), the shocks need to be replaced. What are you guys running for IFS upgrades in the front? Basically, if I want to keep the truck close to stock IFS what would I want to replace and maybe upgrade?
I want to run 265/75s (32s) on the truck which I think will fit at stock height or with minimal lift. I might consider running skinny 33s, but then I would likely want to change the gears which adds considerable expense.
AxleIke
Hard Core 4+
First of all, it sounds like you have a really sweet truck. Post up some pics! I too love a sleeper
http://www.risingsun4x4club.org/forum2/showthread.php?t=22689&page=2
I posted up a bit of what I did with my 87 in post 13. Have a read through and I'd be happy to answer any questions for you if any of it seems interesting.
DouglasVB
Rising Sun Member
You keep singing the siren song of IFS, Isaac! I might just start listening to you soon.
Are you coming out on the Argentine Pass run tomorrow? Barring something stupid happening on my 4runner, I'll be there. I want to see what the ball spacers look like in person. Did you get your ball spacers from 4crawler?
DaveInDenver
Rising Sun Ham Guru
Roger Brown sells the ball joint spacers you want. They were originally designed by SDORI, who was Frank Falcone. They are the only ones I'd trust to be made well and work. There was a bit more to it than just a hunk of aluminum. My set I think are on Rick's truck now.
Isaac had them on his old '87. He's got a 3rd gen 4Runner now, so different lift.
Isaac had them on his old '87. He's got a 3rd gen 4Runner now, so different lift.
AxleIke
Hard Core 4+
You keep singing the siren song of IFS, Isaac! I might just start listening to you soon.
Are you coming out on the Argentine Pass run tomorrow? Barring something stupid happening on my 4runner, I'll be there. I want to see what the ball spacers look like in person. Did you get your ball spacers from 4crawler?
LOL!
Sadly I no longer have my 87. I really miss that truck. I regret selling/parting it often.
Sadly I will not make the run tomorrow.
DouglasVB
Rising Sun Member
DouglasVB
Rising Sun Member
Has anyone gone up to see how sloppy it's going to be? Here in Golden we've had constant steady rain since yesterday. I suspect a whole bunch of us driving over the trail is really going to do some damage...
DaveInDenver
Rising Sun Ham Guru
Or you could dig a hole in your backyard and just throw cash into it. Whichever.Sounds like you have 1st gen 4runner fever. The only cure is to buy another one.
DouglasVB
Rising Sun Member
AxleIke
Hard Core 4+
Sounds like you have 1st gen 4runner fever. The only cure is to buy another one.
I do.. Though Dave hit the nail on the head.
DaveInDenver
Rising Sun Ham Guru
I think about this, keeping my '91 and doing something with it. Then the insurance renewal came for both trucks. Both trucks rolled up on oil changes and needed their tanks filled at the same time. Tires are about the same level of wear. Ugh, nope. Just one and it'll be the one with 46,000 miles on it...
AxleIke
Hard Core 4+
It'll be a project/fun vehicle. No time/coin/space for that at the moment. But, someday, it would be nice to be back in one. Though I also have interest in old cruisers. Its a fun "what if" game to play. Reality always come back around to kick you in the nuts though.
DouglasVB
Rising Sun Member
All you cool kids with your cool trucks yesterday at the Argentine Pass trail cleanup are making me think how hard it would be to run three phase power into my rented townhouse to setup a proper welding booth! (I'm only kind of joking)
I really liked the exo cage on this beautiful specimen. It really blends in with the rest of the truck well. And that rear bumper is great. Was that custom?
The Harbor Freight Special winch on the FJ40 was sharp. I need to do a bit more reading online before I'm convinced but aside from needing to do some waterproofing to it, it looks good. Add a little synthetic rope to it and it looks like a winner.
And while I can definitely rent my services out as a snow plow, being the lowest ground clearance on the trail does have its disadvantages.
A few of you suggested that I should check my valve clearance based on the clattering noise from my engine. I'll look into that tonight or tomorrow and see if I can get that done ASAP.
The transfer case seal replacement seems to have held up well although I am still having troubles getting the t-case from 4Hi to 2Hi. I have to use all my strength to jam it back into 2Hi. Maybe I'm doing something wrong? Unlock the hubs first? In gear vs out of gear? Moving vs stationary?
I'm going to do the backup light sensor replacement this week and change the transmission fluid while I'm at it. I might also get ambitious and do the differential fluids. Maybe I'll even put in diff breathers? We shall see.
This week also I'm going to rotate the tires to see if that changes the highway speed vibrations I get. It's a bit annoying and if I'm going to drive this thing out to California at the end of next week, I would rather not be vibrating the 1500 miles out and 1500 miles back.
Seeing all the recovery gear people had, I think it's time for me to pick up a good hitch shackle system for pulling from the rear. I also might get a second snatch strap. My current one is this from Amazon. I bought it when I first got my Subaru after moving out to Colorado after I got stuck in the snow on Boreas Pass and had to be yanked out by a pickup truck with an old rusty chain. Better recovery points up front will happen next month once the bumper I ordered arrives and I can better understand what the bumper offers in terms of attachment points.
I really liked the exo cage on this beautiful specimen. It really blends in with the rest of the truck well. And that rear bumper is great. Was that custom?
The Harbor Freight Special winch on the FJ40 was sharp. I need to do a bit more reading online before I'm convinced but aside from needing to do some waterproofing to it, it looks good. Add a little synthetic rope to it and it looks like a winner.
And while I can definitely rent my services out as a snow plow, being the lowest ground clearance on the trail does have its disadvantages.
A few of you suggested that I should check my valve clearance based on the clattering noise from my engine. I'll look into that tonight or tomorrow and see if I can get that done ASAP.
The transfer case seal replacement seems to have held up well although I am still having troubles getting the t-case from 4Hi to 2Hi. I have to use all my strength to jam it back into 2Hi. Maybe I'm doing something wrong? Unlock the hubs first? In gear vs out of gear? Moving vs stationary?
I'm going to do the backup light sensor replacement this week and change the transmission fluid while I'm at it. I might also get ambitious and do the differential fluids. Maybe I'll even put in diff breathers? We shall see.
This week also I'm going to rotate the tires to see if that changes the highway speed vibrations I get. It's a bit annoying and if I'm going to drive this thing out to California at the end of next week, I would rather not be vibrating the 1500 miles out and 1500 miles back.
Seeing all the recovery gear people had, I think it's time for me to pick up a good hitch shackle system for pulling from the rear. I also might get a second snatch strap. My current one is this from Amazon. I bought it when I first got my Subaru after moving out to Colorado after I got stuck in the snow on Boreas Pass and had to be yanked out by a pickup truck with an old rusty chain. Better recovery points up front will happen next month once the bumper I ordered arrives and I can better understand what the bumper offers in terms of attachment points.
DaveInDenver
Rising Sun Ham Guru
What you linked to is this.
That is not a snatch strap. If you're using it to snatch you are putting yourself and people around at risk.
They are tow straps.
It's OK for that, but I cut the hooks off of them personally (I prefer the connection be bow shackles and that they remain with the vehicle if the strap breaks). They are useful for pulling someone on pavement or once they are unstuck and they might run over your strap. But they are meant to be slowly tensioned and don't store any energy like a snatch strap. They are essentially nylon chains.
That would be the absolute first thing I would add to my truck. Go to Slee, ask for the 2" one, that's all you'll need for a mini truck. Pay him whatever they are asking for one now (list is $63).
http://store.arbusa.com/ARB-Snatch-Strap-17600lb-ARB705-P3619.aspx
That is not a snatch strap. If you're using it to snatch you are putting yourself and people around at risk.
They are tow straps.
It's OK for that, but I cut the hooks off of them personally (I prefer the connection be bow shackles and that they remain with the vehicle if the strap breaks). They are useful for pulling someone on pavement or once they are unstuck and they might run over your strap. But they are meant to be slowly tensioned and don't store any energy like a snatch strap. They are essentially nylon chains.
That would be the absolute first thing I would add to my truck. Go to Slee, ask for the 2" one, that's all you'll need for a mini truck. Pay him whatever they are asking for one now (list is $63).
http://store.arbusa.com/ARB-Snatch-Strap-17600lb-ARB705-P3619.aspx
DaveInDenver
Rising Sun Ham Guru
If you're getting a rattle from the engine I would definitely check the valve lash ASAP. When you pull the valve cover off you get a chance to look down into the timing chain cover. You need to make sure your chain guides and chain tensioner are working and that the chain isn't wearing into the cover. If that's your rattle (does it sound like a diesel at start-up and go away after a few seconds?), you may not have 1,500 miles before damage occurs. The timing chain system is the Achilles Heel of the 22R. Toyota used a double row chain on the 20R with metal-backed rubber-faced guides. They are bulletproof. With the 22R Toyota went to a single row chain and nylon guides. This works fine but has a finite lifespan, so they need to be inspected periodically and replaced eventually.
ScaldedDog
Hard Core 4+
This is common, as there's some tension in the driveline when in 4WD. I find it easier when moving, and you can just keep a little forward pressure on the shifter as you speed up and slow down. At some point, it'll slide right into gear.
Mark
ToyodaTocco
Hard Core 4+
I have to back up several feet in 4 hi and then come to a stop and try shifting then. I also unlock my hubs once it's in 2 hi.
DaveInDenver
Rising Sun Ham Guru
When my 4WD winds up I dump the clutch in reverse on dry pavement for a few feet, not enough to kill the engine or anything but enough shock to untwist everything.
ToyodaTocco
Hard Core 4+
The badlands 9 lbs from Harbor Freight is the same price as the Smittybilt xrc 9.5 at 4wheelparts. If it was my money, I would buy the smittybilt. For an extra $150 you can get it with the synthetic rope. I've read too many bad reviews on the HF winch.