new member 95 4runner build

[N8URE2]

So here are some pics of the truck currently.

http://web.mac.com/jkharrison/iWeb/Site/95 4runner.html

so far I have:
K&N air filter
Husky Liners
Herculiner rockers and fenders
2.5 in Daystar spacer for rear spings to combat 4runner sag. longer ProComp shocks
BFG MTs 33x10.5 15
a few extra lights and some basic recovery gear

my future mods should come in this order:
rear bumper w/swing out
sliders
on board air
front ARB/winch

mods are slow currently, but planning and dreaming are always fun.

I've just started drivng offroad and need more experience. I'm gun shy to head out as a solo vehicle with the wife and 2.5year old son, so if any of you in the denver area have any day trips planned that I could tag along on, let me know. Or if anyone wants to get a trail run together?

 

[Brian894x4]

Nice rig! I really like the 33s with no or minimal lift. I think that's the way to go with the IFS 4Runners and pick-ups. Keep the lift as minimal as possible.

Nothing wrong with starting out slow. If funds are tight, considering picking up a hi-lift jack. They aren't really expensive and can be used a winch in a pinch to nudge you out if you get stuck, but not REALLY stuck.

If it were me, I would do the mods in the order that they would be most useful. For example, a winch/bumper "might" be a better thing to have first, so that you can get yourself unstuck. They tend to really come in handy in the winter during snow season too.

Then on board air, as you can air down tires to help get out of of a jam, then air back up.

Then sliders, if you actually off road to the point where you think you might need them.

Then the rear bumper. If you're looking for a place to put a spare, you should be able to fit a 33" spare under the rear for now.

Another modification to seriously consider, perhaps after the winch, but before anything else is a locker or limited slip for the rear. That will go a long way to improving off roadability in all conditions. An Aussie-locker, Lockrite, etc are fairly inexpensive to buy and install.

Make sure you get the steering rod recall done to your rig also. Toyota should fix it at no charge, if it hasn't been done yet.

Good luck.

 

[slosurfer]

Link isn't working for me.

Sounds like you have a decent plan going. I love my '93 4runner. I will throw in some suggestions for things that may have been looked over.

Idler arm brace or Total Chaos Idler Arm (also when installing the brace, you may just want to go ahead and rebuild your idler arm. It is cheap and easy about $15) This should be required before anyone is allowed to run 33's.

Truss for your IFS lower rear a-arm. Without this you are susceptable to bending the frame at this point.

Soon you will want to replace those rear springs and spacers. There are many options out there and your ride will greatly improve, especially when you have it loaded with camping gear and the family. You said you already have longer shocks, so that is a plus.

 

[N8URE2]

Thanks guys,
sorry about the first link. It worked until my wife decided to move the page.
Here is a working link
http://web.mac.com/jkharrison/iWeb/95 4runner/Photos.html

 

[bigreen505]

Hi Jeff :wavey:

Nice looking 'runner. I have to support his priority order. Getting the spare out of the interior is pretty important for space and safety.

 

[slosurfer]

Jeff, nice looking 4runner. The bedliner looks really good, that is one thing I still want to do to mine. And like others said a 33xx10.5 will fit as a spare, I had to go down to about 10 psi and use some muscle but it fits.

How hard was the herculiner to work with?

 

[N8URE2]

Chris,

The Herculiner was very easy to work with. I bought the kit at AutoZone for $79 and it includes a brush, 2 rollers, gallon of Herculiner (I only used about half), and a 3M scuff pad.

I started by removing both bumpers and all interior/exterior trim that was in the area where I wanted to paint.

My truck was in pretty good shape, only a few areas with some bubbling paint mostly right behind the rear wheels. I sanded those areas, and hit it with a little body filler just to smooth things out. I cleaned all the areas of dust.

Then I needed to mark the wheel wells for tape. I made a guide with PVC and a Sharpie and used this to trace the shape of the wheel well. Check out these pics for illustration http://web.mac.com/jkharrison/iWeb/95 4runner/Bedliner prep.html You can also see that I ran the bedliner in over the rockers and under the trim there.

I took advice from Cody at http://expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=6052&page=9&highlight=military+tires and used electircal tape to make the curves and straight lines, then widened that with the blue painters tape and some plastic (since I spayed primer)

I used Rustoleum Rust Reformer flat black paint (claims to seal any old rust and keep new rust from forming...we will see..) and primed all the areas. Then I scuffed that with the 3M pad.

I rolled on the Herculiner and dabbed with the brush in the smaller/tighter areas.

Here is what I learned:
WHERE GLOVES! (it took me over a week to get all of it off my hands.)
Put down drop cloths, it does drip of the roller from bucket to truck.
Stir the paint often.
I did 2 coats, but after seeing how much paint I had left over, I wish I would have done another coat or 2 while I had it all masked off.
Buy some cheap brushes, the brush is only good for about one coat, after that it just gets too gunked up and you can't rinse that stuff out of it.

Hope this helps, Let me know how it turns out and/or if you have any other questions. I have not applied the UV sealer to mine yet, but may soon.

 

[slosurfer]

Jeff, thanks, this is something I am thinking of tackling before I weld my sliders on.

Good idea on the pvc guide.

 

[N8URE2]

In response to Brian's comment to pick up a hi-lift,
What are the thoughts on 48 vs 60 in. allcast vs allcast/steel vs Xtreme?
Any good sources to purchase? with good price?
And which accessories are recommended?

 

[DaveInDenver]

In response to Brian's comment to pick up a hi-lift,
What are the thoughts on 48 vs 60 in. allcast vs allcast/steel vs Xtreme?
Any good sources to purchase? with good price?
And which accessories are recommended?

Tallest you can fit in where ever you store it. I have a 48" and haven't really been stuck helpless by it, though. The all cast is nice, but both have the same ratings and capacities. I bought the black cast/stamped one. The bar and climbing gear, handle and cradle are the exact same. The cast one has a couple of cast parts, it's not a night and day difference for the money IMHO.

They are heavy, so find it locally. I bought mine at High Country 4x4 near me in Englewood, but all 4WD shops will have them. I might also try McGuckin hardware up in Boulder, they have everything. This is one thing I'd also probably buy at 4 Wheel Parts. There's one of those not far from Boulder, on Federal close to 36 in Westminster.

 

[N8URE2]

Thanks for the input Dave,
McGuckin's is just across the parking lot from my office, I always forget to look in there. Now I have something to do for lunch!!!

 

[LiveRust]

I have a 95 4runner as well that I'm slowly building up. I took the stock rear springs off my lexus LX450 and put on the rear of the runner and have loved the lift and the ride it gave me. I've heard people who have used the landcruiser rear springs and haven't liked them as much, maybe the lexus springs are just enough softer that it works. I just know it has worked for me. I also got a set of FJ cruiser rear shocks that were new, just pulled off for a lift, and I put those on with the lexus springs.

Your's is looking good

troy

 

[toyrunner95]

dude thats the exact same truck i had! do you go through batteries every six monthes like i did?

anyway. i liked mine wish i still had it, i plan on buying another one.

 

[toyrunner95]

dude thats the exact same truck i had! do you go through batteries every six monthes like i did?

anyway. i liked mine wish i still had it, i plan on buying another one.

 

[N8URE2]

I've had no issues with the battery, I bought the truck in Aug of 03 with 133K on it. It now has 185K and still on the battery that was in it when I got the truck.

I love the ride, but I'm trying to sell it to pay some bills.

Then I'm on a 2 year plan to research and start a new project.
In 2 years, my wife's Suby will be paid off and my son will be in school so no more full time daycare costs!!!