1988 4Runner: Summer Beater
- Thread starter ssapach
- Start date
ssapach
Adventurer
My job requires me to be hard on other people's work, so sometimes I can't help but be hard on myself too.
In other news, I picked up this little gem the other day:
This is just the 4Runner's stock headlights. High beams too!
And this is just the light bar, the headlights were shut right off.....
The LED bar puts out amazing light! Before, I wasn't quite sold on them because they are quite pricey and all, but now that I have one and have driven at night with it I think they are just incredible!
In other news, I picked up this little gem the other day:
This is just the 4Runner's stock headlights. High beams too!
And this is just the light bar, the headlights were shut right off.....
The LED bar puts out amazing light! Before, I wasn't quite sold on them because they are quite pricey and all, but now that I have one and have driven at night with it I think they are just incredible!
ssapach
Adventurer
So......time to prep for a SAS. I'm not sure if I will regret this later or not. Perhaps I would have been happier with that long travel IFS kit, but I didn't even know it existed until after I had purchased all my parts. Such is life I guess.....
First up is that the ARB bumper won't agree with the front spring hanger.
I figured I could manage this without removing the bumper, as it's sort of a pain in the ***.
Need to do some trimming....
Need to modify the supplied front spring hanger to mingle properly with what was left of the bumper brackets.
Sort of fits....
And then on to the frame tubes for the shackles for the front leaf springs. The SAS kit came with templates to mark the holes and the instructions simply state to cut the holes in the frame with a hole saw, torch or plasma cutter. Well that would work out quite swell if there wasn't a bunch of hidden reinforcement inside the frame. I basically butchered the holes through the frame on both sides.....
After a bit of blasting the crap out with the plasma cutter. I'm positive that the gas axe would have worked better for this, but it was damn near out of fuel and oxy.
And frame tubes.....
I can put the springs in place with all the current IFS components in tact and even drive around like that. Just a bit of a hint as to how much higher it will be sitting, although I got the lowest lift possible with the SAS kit........3" lift. I might have to take a leaf out on each side and let it sag more, might ride a little nicer then too!
I also have new springs for the rear, as well as hangers, shackles and greasable bolts. I'm trying to do this in stages so I don't have to have the 4Runner parked in the shop for too long at a time, seeing as how I go away for work for a couple weeks at a time.
First up is that the ARB bumper won't agree with the front spring hanger.
I figured I could manage this without removing the bumper, as it's sort of a pain in the ***.
Need to do some trimming....
Need to modify the supplied front spring hanger to mingle properly with what was left of the bumper brackets.
Sort of fits....
And then on to the frame tubes for the shackles for the front leaf springs. The SAS kit came with templates to mark the holes and the instructions simply state to cut the holes in the frame with a hole saw, torch or plasma cutter. Well that would work out quite swell if there wasn't a bunch of hidden reinforcement inside the frame. I basically butchered the holes through the frame on both sides.....
After a bit of blasting the crap out with the plasma cutter. I'm positive that the gas axe would have worked better for this, but it was damn near out of fuel and oxy.
And frame tubes.....
I can put the springs in place with all the current IFS components in tact and even drive around like that. Just a bit of a hint as to how much higher it will be sitting, although I got the lowest lift possible with the SAS kit........3" lift. I might have to take a leaf out on each side and let it sag more, might ride a little nicer then too!
I also have new springs for the rear, as well as hangers, shackles and greasable bolts. I'm trying to do this in stages so I don't have to have the 4Runner parked in the shop for too long at a time, seeing as how I go away for work for a couple weeks at a time.
ssapach
Adventurer
No, it's still only bolted on. Well at least I tried my best to not weld it to the frame at all!
I added a bit of a plate in the front to bolt it through the newly added front spring hanger. I also added a couple small brackets that loop underneath the spring hanger and bolt to the frame......similar to the older mounting, but I had to make these brackets removable separate of the rest of the bumper, otherwise the bumper wouldn't be able to come off. Hard to explain and I don't have a good picture of that situation.
I added a bit of a plate in the front to bolt it through the newly added front spring hanger. I also added a couple small brackets that loop underneath the spring hanger and bolt to the frame......similar to the older mounting, but I had to make these brackets removable separate of the rest of the bumper, otherwise the bumper wouldn't be able to come off. Hard to explain and I don't have a good picture of that situation.
onemanarmy
Explorer
wow...great work man. A first gen 4runner in next on my list.
Good work on getting rid of the Bushwackers.....those things are an abomination on any vehicle.
Good work on getting rid of the Bushwackers.....those things are an abomination on any vehicle.
ssapach
Adventurer
Not much going on this weekend, but I tacked on some spring hangers for the rear springs.
I'm actually starting to feel a little more uneasy about this SAS and rear suspension upgrade. I mean, the solid front axle will be nice, but it's going to sit a bit higher than it does right now. Personally, I love the height this 4Runner is currently at. I probably could have just replaced all the rear suspension bushings with new, greasable ones. But I've dealt with leaf spring bushings before, and I have a feeling I'm going to wreck a bit of stuff just trying to get the bolts out in order to get the old springs out.
I guess if I don't like the final ride height, I should be able to remove a leaf on each corner and let it settle down a bit more. It's either that, or get custom springs made.......
I'm also contemplating getting a full floater kit for my rear end, seeing as how my brakes are pretty rough right now and it will make towing really easy......besides, I have to pull the axles to put my 4.88 gears in.
Too many dreams, not enough time.
I'm actually starting to feel a little more uneasy about this SAS and rear suspension upgrade. I mean, the solid front axle will be nice, but it's going to sit a bit higher than it does right now. Personally, I love the height this 4Runner is currently at. I probably could have just replaced all the rear suspension bushings with new, greasable ones. But I've dealt with leaf spring bushings before, and I have a feeling I'm going to wreck a bit of stuff just trying to get the bolts out in order to get the old springs out.
I guess if I don't like the final ride height, I should be able to remove a leaf on each corner and let it settle down a bit more. It's either that, or get custom springs made.......
I'm also contemplating getting a full floater kit for my rear end, seeing as how my brakes are pretty rough right now and it will make towing really easy......besides, I have to pull the axles to put my 4.88 gears in.
Too many dreams, not enough time.
ssapach
Adventurer
Do you mean that the steering linkages will have some connections with the frame if it's not lifted? I am putting in hi-steer/crossover steering......
This has also snowballed into something much more expensive than I originally anticipated. I figured that since I'm pulling the rear 3rd member out to change gears and put a locker in, I'll get a full floater kit at the same time.......seeing as how I will have the axles out and my rear brakes are fairly weak and needed attention.
No problem getting the full floater kit, but they don't have any calipers with park brake provisions. So I opt for the simple, bare calipers without park brakes thinking I will just add a t-case park brake. Well the problem here is that the t-case brakes are made for the 4 cylinder, gear drive transfer cases.
Now I've tracked down a gear drive t-case for rebuild, well I figure I'll give it lower gears, twin sticks and all new bits and pieces where I can........not to mention the adapter to bolt to the V6 transmission.
Ahhhhhhh......such is life with a 4x4 project vehicle.
bkg
Explorer
Yes/No... on an IFS frame, yes... On an SA frame? No. Ran a 2" lift w/ Hi-Steer years ago on an 85 4Runner. Biggest issue was the pitman arm, but that is easily fixed with new flat pitman arms and appropriate steering box placement.
EDIT: crap. Forgot to mention that a 3/4" engine lift was used on that 85.
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ssapach
Adventurer
That is good to know!
I'm going at it a bit cautiously I guess. I'm going to try to bolt up the springs and front axle without hacking off all the brackets for the IFS just yet. Then I can at least see how it sits before I cross the point of no return and cut the IFS brackets off.
I doubt I'll hate it, but I like the "just in case" buffer anyways.
I'm going at it a bit cautiously I guess. I'm going to try to bolt up the springs and front axle without hacking off all the brackets for the IFS just yet. Then I can at least see how it sits before I cross the point of no return and cut the IFS brackets off.
I doubt I'll hate it, but I like the "just in case" buffer anyways.
ssapach
Adventurer
It's -30 outside this evening, the 4Runner started and ran for 5 seconds and then died........I think my fuel is being stubborn or has some ice in it.
On the up side, I know it has the potential to start at these temperatures. This may put a slight hamper on my SAS progress this weekend though.
On the up side, I know it has the potential to start at these temperatures. This may put a slight hamper on my SAS progress this weekend though.