Yoda's Build Thread

[YodasYota]

Finally got a 4Runner half way through the summer, found a good one, now I believe I have enough done to start a build thread! Its a little high mileage but nothing to bad for a yota. Here she is.

99 Toyota 4Runner
SR5
4x4
Auto transmission
6cyl
208xxx miles(when I got her) 216xxx present

Very soon after she got home, the running boards came off. Better already.

Next thing was tires, the stock size was tiny and I knew I wanted something more aggressive, but not too much, so I went with 31x10.5 BFG ATs, the tire of choice on the ExPo. Also at the time of these pictures I was experimenting with taking the fender flares off, they are currently back on.

Soon after I had painted to stock 15in Enkeis black, and mounted up some Hella 500s. The wheels where sanded, sprayed with etching primer, a couple of coats of black and couple coats of clear. The Hellas are wired to come on with my high beams. Some time in there a trailer hitch was installed also.

Within the past few days I have added a CB radio, its a Cobra Ultra III, the cheapest around, $35 from walmart, and as of right now I have a cheap magnetic base antenna until I can get a fixed mount 3 footer for my rear bumper. The CB is wired to my power outlet, and can be turned off as not to drain the battery when the truck isn't running, since I have wired to power outlets to always have power. Haven't had enough time to see if the CB works well, but as little as I will use it I think I'll be happy with it.

I have also done the rear dif breather mod, and as mentioned above wired the power outlets to always be on. I bought some OME 891s yesterday, so a lift is in the works. Along the way she has also had both lower ball joints replaced after one failed on me, and all new front brakes(rotors and pads).

Future plans
-Lift
-Sliders
-Roof rack
-Front bumper
-Better CB antenna

 

[YodasYota]

Here are some more pictures just for fun.

16in of snow, every one else was stuck, but not a yota!

And a teaser shot of whats to come...

 

[YodasYota]

*Update*

So I have the OME rear springs and a Toytec dif drop kit(and a t-shirt), all I need are the front spacers and my lift will be pieced together. Then the job will be finding the time to put it on, as I am in college 2.5hrs from home and work every Saturday. Also need new shocks soon after, probably OME rear and Tokico fronts.

As exciting as getting my lift on I am more excited about getting a front bumper. I have a lot of money left over from tax returns so I think I have made my choice, a Savage Off Road front tube bumper. Haven't seen any of them on here but they look good, and have videos of them in use. I like the first front bumper style on the page, but the second I can get for about half the price, and I am on a budget.

http://www.savageoffroad.biz/search/label/96-02 4Runner

Let me know what you think if the bumper, if I get the cheaper style I may put a skid plate on it like the first style and a stinger. I wont be getting a winch anytime soon so that can be addressed when I reach it.

 

[LTFJC]

nice 4runner... im thinking of picking up one of theese trucks to build up... keep the pics coming!

 

[YodasYota]

Thanks! I really like it, lots of space and plenty capable!

 

[YodasYota]

So lots of work this past Thursday and Friday. Got to go home for 2 days over my spring break that I didn't work and wanted to get my lift, Savage bumper, and Firestik added to my rig. A lot of work for 2 days but it payed off. Here's the pictures. Lift first.

Struts out...

spacers in.

Old rear springs...

Getting them out...

Old Man Emu in. (sorry for the blurriness)

Comparison old vs new.

Finished Lift!

I also did the Toytec dif drop, but didn't take any pics of that. I still haven't been able to put my skid back on as it needs some trimming. Also still need an alignment but I have an appointment for tomorrow. Planning on Old Man Emu rear shocks, prob the new sport version. Since the struts were a struggle to get back in I'll probably leave the front shocks for a while how they are. Also see a panhard drop bracket or adjustable bar in my future.

 

[YodasYota]

Now to the bumper. Its a Savage Offroad tube front bumper. It has a winch plate, to shackle mounts, and a grill hoop. Came bare metal so I had my brother bed liner it for me. Used the duplicolor roll on stuff, didn't turn out so well I will have to work on it some when it drys out a little.

Need to mod my parking lights to blink so I can unzip tie my turn signals off of the bumper, also need to clean up the wiring for the Hellas. Planning on mounting some more lights, some fogs at minimum but maybe some more driving lights too. Skid plate also needs to go back on it finish it up.

Firestik and TRD decals, just for fun. Firestik uses an 18 wheeler mirror mount. Drilled holes into the bumper and mounted it there.

 

[YodasYota]

Light trail run today, Richlands Rd in Blowing Rock NC, I've seen someone else post pics from this trail as well. New suspension is awesome, so is the bumper, great approach angle when compared to the fat lip from before. The 4Runner keeps on amazing me.

Also looks a lot better since I put the turn signal in with the parking light. Just drilled a hole in the back of the parking light and used some epoxy to seal the turn signal bulb in hide all the wires and... presto! no more zipped tied turn signals.

 

[87FoRunner]

I think i changed the oil in that 4runner back when I worked in a shop...

Did you buy it off a younger black fellow? :Wow1: Has it ever been in Memphis TN or has the previous owner ever been?:coffeedrink: Or you have another high mileage clone, same wheels and everything...

 

[expeditionist]

Dude! Nice Ride! I see Colorado Tags in one pic and NC tags in another. Ironic, I used to live in Knoxville and spent many days on the trails in Tellico, Royal Blue, and other southern areas. I miss the trees and mud of the South, but the West has so much public land. Makes finding trails easy out here. Ill be checking in on your thread from time to time. Later.

 

[YodasYota]

Well the previous owner was an older white man, and I have no idea if it had been in Memphis, he used it for work, he was some sort of construction supervisor, he used it to get to lots of job sites near and far.

I like Colorado too, hence the plate :sombrero:, I have been once and we rented a jeep and did the Alpine Loop trail out of Ouray, of all the places I have been I would say this was my favorite. I like the South to though!

 

[Rab89]

Awesome looking runner!!!

 

[YodasYota]

Got around to putting bed liner on my rear bumper so that it matches the front, I think it turned out great!

 

[fjatheart]

I'm diggin your Runner. I was just on the Toytec site and drooling over all the lift options. Did you change your shocks to longer ones when you add the coils? Did you use a spring compressor for the rears?

Thanks and keep us posted on the build!

 

[SilverBullet]

Got around to putting bed liner on my rear bumper so that it matches the front, I think it turned out great!

Very nice. Is that roll on or spray on? I hate the chrome bumper and that looks like a great way to lose the chrome until I get around to a bumper build.