Backcountry 4runner build (3rd gen)

[verticaltrx]

I figure I'd start my first post on Expo with a build thread. :costumed-smiley-007

First a little about myself: I've been an avid off-roader for about 13yrs now and enjoy every aspect of 'wheeling. Aside from the 4runner I also have a '79 F-150 that I built from the ground up for technical trails and rock crawling (there's a build thread on Pirate4x4 from years back). While I love that kind of wheeling I also enjoy taking a stock rig out in the backcountry and just exploring and wheeling more mild trails. The 4runner I have now is a replacement for my '97 Tacoma which Toyota bought back on the frame rust recall. It was about as stock and small as they come: reg. cab, 3RZ/5spd, manual t-case/hubs, 235/75-15 mud tires, and a camper shell. I took that little truck places that no one thought a stock rig should go and always traveled in comfort, all while getting 25mpg.

I recently sent the Tacoma off (moment of silence) and picked up a nice clean '97 4runner with the intent of using it as my daily driver and back country exploration rig. Where I live in the Appalachian mountains there are hundreds of miles of old forest roads, logging trails, jeep trails etc that beg to be discovered. I also enjoy wheeling various trails around the country and exploring new areas. The goal is light, efficient, capable, and reliable. It wont be expressly setup for long distance overlanding, but the mods I'm doing also wouldn't hinder it for that duty either.

So here's what I'm starting with:

'97 4runner SR5, 171,000mi

-5VZFE
-5spd
-Manual shift T-case
-4.10 gears
-open diffs
-P265/70R16 tires

To do list:

-new tires
-suspension
-hitch
-roof rack
-storage
-sliders?
-sleeping platform?
And maybe some other small things along the way (I'll be looking for some input soon.)

Attached are a few pics of my 4runner as it sat off the dealer lot. I've already gotten a few of the mods done and will post details and pics shortly...

 

[verticaltrx]

The first order of business was to get rid of the bald P265/70R16 tires in favor of something a little more sturdy and with better tread. I debated over tire size for a while and decided on 235/85R16's. I chose this size because they are a 32" tall tire, narrow for better snow performance and mpg, a popular size the world over, and I dig the pizza cutter look (I run Q78-15 TSL's on my trail rig.)

I've run numerous different sizes of BFG AT's and MT's in the past and always liked them, but decided to try something different as the BFG's have become so pricey lately. The local tire store had some Cooper Starfire SF510's in stock so I decided to give them a try. The tire seems to have a decent carcass, good tread void for an AT, and plenty of biting edges. So far they have impressed me in the snow and the little bit of off-road I have gotten to do on my trails here at the farm.

Old Man Emu suspension up next...

 

[zidaro]

looks clean. 5vz manual- fun!

 

[verticaltrx]

Stock suspension = shot. Even a modest bump with an empty vehicle would bottom out the rear springs and then the rear end rebounds into orbit. Also some light towing and hauling duty will be in it's future so upgrading the suspension was a must. I didn't want much lift, just a better ride, more load capacity and better off road performance. I looked at various options including the Sonoran Steel 7.2 kit, '99 coils, and Old man emu. I decided the OME setup was the closest to what I wanted and ordered 880 front coils, 906 rear coils and the Sport shocks f/r. This should have given me about 1-2" lift front and rear.

Installed the front springs and shocks and all went as planed. Went to install the rear springs and realized they sent me 890 coils instead of the 906's I ordered. I needed to get this thing back together to drive it so I did some quick research and decided to install them anyways. They are actually a lower spring rate than the 906 coils, although taller. So I ended up with 880/890 coils and that gave me about 1.5" front, 2.25" rear lift.

With the OME suspension and sway bars disconnected front and rear the flex is greatly improved over stock. The ride on the highway however is terrible. It truly rides about as rough as my 2-ton dump truck. Is this normal for OME coils or will they break-in any and get softer? Maybe the shocks are to blame? Anyone running this coil combo or at least these shocks that could give some insight?

 

[verticaltrx]

looks clean. 5vz manual- fun!

Thanks, around here he 3rd gen's with a 5spd are really hard to find. I had to drive about 250mi to get this one.

 

[CA-RJ]

What PSI are you running your in your tires? I have OME on my 4Runner (though the older 881/891 springs and N91/N86 shocks) with E rated 285/75R16 BFG MT KM2's. I run the tires at 35 psi on the street and my 4Runner rides very nice.

 

[Cackalak Han]

Looks like a very clean 4Runner.

I had 235/85/16 BFG KO's and ran 32-35 psi. Ride was great.

 

[verticaltrx]

I'm running 30psi in the tires, the ride was great with the 235/85R16's before the lift. I'm wondering if the shocks are the problem. I'm running 90004 fronts and 60027 rears. I don't think you can even get the softer N91 shocks for the front anymore, seems like all that's available are these new Nitro Charger Sport shocks.

 

[Applejack]

With the OME suspension and sway bars disconnected front and rear the flex is greatly improved over stock. The ride on the highway however is terrible. It truly rides about as rough as my 2-ton dump truck. Is this normal for OME coils or will they break-in any and get softer? Maybe the shocks are to blame? Anyone running this coil combo or at least these shocks that could give some insight?

I have this exact lift on mine http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=53898&highlight=applejack I too wonder if it's the sport shocks that lend to it's harsh ride. The ride does get a little better once it's broken in a bit and I find mine handles far better than stock in all areas, but the rear end does seem a little bouncy and jarring over speed bumps. I've grown used to it though and keep 100lbs (minimum) of tools and recovery gear back there. Not sure if its helps the ride or not but I pretend it does.

 

[xcmountain80]

Not getting off topic but mine with FZJ80 coils in the rear rides rough unloaded but loaded it smooths out, could it be the coils and not the shock?

A

 

[OldSven]

Maybe try loading the rear end down with some weight and see how it rides, or unbolt the bottom of the rear shocks and take it around the block over some bumps and see how it feels. That should narrow the rear down to springs or shocks, the front I'm guessing just needs some weight to settle them in.

 

[Gerdo]

I had 890s on mine for a few years and Bilstein shocks. They rode better than stock. Even when empty. I have since moved to 891s and I can feel that they are a little stiffer but are still nor rough by any means. (even when the vehicle is empty). I'm guessing that it is the shocks.

 

[java]

my ome broke in a fair bit. putt a few hundred pounds in it and drive it for a bit. itll help a little. im on the older shocks and a different rig tho,

 

[verticaltrx]

Thanks for all the replies. I drove it more today and decided it's not really the bumps themselves that make it ride rough, but more like the rebound after the bumps. It kinda looks/feels like those low riders that sit on the bump stops, the way they bob up and down a few times after a bump. I guess bouncy would be a better description of the ride vs harsh. It's not like riding in a vehicle with bad shocks where you bounce and bounce, but more like small rapid movements up and down of about an inch following a bump. I've got to pick up 560lbs of Quickcrete tomorrow so well see what that does, lol.

Anyways, back to the build. The next thing I need is a good 2" receiver hitch. While not really a mod that will help for wheeling, I want to make sure it doesn't hinder it either. Are there any hitch options out there that don't hang down as low as the factory units? Something maybe that the receiver tube is on the same plane as the cross tube, not below it like Toyota uses. Recommendations?

 

[Gerdo]

Sure sounds like shocks.

As far as a hitch. Either a replacement offroad rear bumper with a hitch built in or http://www.hitchcorner.com/cgi-bin/get_final_data.cgi (scroll down tho the curt brand at the bottom). These have the hitch receiver inset into the cross tube. As you probably know the stock one hangs down below the cross tube. These will be ~3" higher.