Project Blue Ox

[RU55ELL]

Since I am trying to move further into expo build territory with my 4runner, I figured it would be worth starting a build thread for. The details of the build prior to now can be found thru the link in my signature but essentially this is what happened:

This is what I started with, '86 4Runner, 22RE, W56 tranny. Completely stock, everything worked except the rear cargo light.

Then one night, the IFS fell off of it:

And a solid front end appeared!

Right now it sits a little low in the back. I am running 63" chevy leafs and 6" shackles. I pulled two leafs out of the packs in the front to get it closer but it still needs more in the rear.

Everything added will be documented here.

 

[RU55ELL]

This is a list of what has been replaced and what is in need of replacing:

Starter - replaced 11/4/09
Oil leak - sleeved balancer shaft 1/22/10
Transmission (whines and grinds in 3rd)
Rear diff
Driver's side caliper leaking -replaced both calipers 1/16/10
Needs new cat

 

[daverami]

Looking good.

I had an 87. I sure wish I still had it.

 

[RU55ELL]

I stopped by O'Reilly's on the way home from work and got new calipers, pads and a new cat. Magnaflow high flow for 75 bucks. I also got some tubing and fittings to extend my diff breathers. The cat will go on tonight, the calipers this weekend. I have to modify them first. Details in the link.

 

[Asha'man]

Did you do the SAS yourself?

 

[RU55ELL]

Yes, all by myself in my garage.

 

[SilverBullet]

nice work, I have a set of 2" blocks for th erear if intrested, I know not the best way, but I don't have my 87 any more and these were never installed.

 

[RU55ELL]

No thanks. I am going to move my shackle mounts back and if needed, space them out with square tubing.

 

[cruiseroutfit]

Nice

(from one Blue-Ox owner to another )

 

[Jean-Seb]

Great build so far, can't wait to see more.

 

[RU55ELL]

I actually have it up for sale right now. We'll see what happens with that before anything else happens. In other news, I replaced the leaking caliper today.

 

[soonenough]

I actually have it up for sale right now. We'll see what happens with that before anything else happens.

What?? What sent you over the edge? Yesterday you were still teetering :sombrero:

 

[RU55ELL]

LOL, just a bit of everything. Every time I have to fold up to get in it, it makes me want to sell it. I want something newer but I sure don't want the payment. I have it on TTORA to see what kind of interest it gets.

 

[RU55ELL]

I got out in the garage last night and removed the balancer and found that it had a worn groove in it at the oil seal and oil was ever-so-slowly leaking out around the balancer shaft. Fel-Pro makes a repair kit for it that includes a metal sleeve that goes around the balancer shaft and red locking compound to keep it on tight.

What happens is, dirt/grit gets stuck in the front oil seal and grinds against the balancer shaft. After a long time (24 years for mine) it wears a groove into the seal. You won't really notice a leak until you put a new seal in like I did when I replaced the head gasket and pretty much the whole front of the engine. Now it has a seal with no dirt and a leak path is formed. The sleeve locks around the shaft so there is no more groove to leak past. No more leaky for me.

I also forgot to mention that I replaced both front brake calipers last weekend. Very easy job, 30 minutes per side.

 

[RU55ELL]

Looks like I have a for sure buyer coming from Dallas on Sunday. Looks like I'll be starting a new thread next week.