shouldbeasy's 'can't stop now' 2001 Toyota 4Runner build

[shouldbeasy]

Moving this thread from my old profile to the new one - my name is the same across all the forums I visit now. Yay for continuity!

It's been a work in progress for quite some time and it's now just starting to come around.

After writing off my 06' Tacoma in March of 2010 I decided a 3rd Gen 4Runner would fit the bill as a capable replacement. As with any build, the mods will be on going, and I will try to keep this list updated to include the most recent additions. This rig has spent presently spent too much time in the garage and not enough on the trails - that being said, I think... I think it's done? Damn close anyways.

What started as this:

Is now this:

Front Suspension
- Poly Performance 10" Limit Straps
- Fox 2.5 CO's w/ 650# Eibach Coil
- Camburg UCA's
- Replaced Remote Reservoir Lines with Longer, Blue Lines (accommodates body lift)

Rear Suspension
- Poly Performance 14" Limit Straps
- Fox 12" RR Shocks
- Fox Rooster Guards for Rear Shock Shaft Protection
- Fox 2.5" Bump Stops
- OME 850J LC80 Front Coils Installed In Rear
- Sonoran Heavy Duty Rear Lower Links
- Toytec Adjustable Rear Upper Links
- Toytec Adjustable Panhard Bar
- Custom Upper Shock Mounts


Mechanical
- 2nd Gen TRD Supercharger
- URD 2.2" Supercharger Pulley
- URD 7th Injector Kit
- Doug Thorley Long Tube Headers
- Borla Pro XS Muffler
- ARB Front Air Locker
- Rear E-locker Retrofit
- 4.88 Nitro Gears
- Cadillac CS144 Alternator
- A340 Automatic Transmission Valve Body Shims (1-2, 2-3)
- Sonoran Tapered Front Diff Drop
- Total Chaos Weld On Spindle Gussets
- Tundra 231mm Calipers - Stock Toyota Pads
- Brembo Rotors
- Custom Blue Extended Brake Lines (Front and Rear)
- All-Pro 1.25" Wheel Spacers
- Hayden Transmission Cooler
- ARB Breather Kit - Front and Rear Differential, Transfer Case
- ARB Snorkel
- AirRaid Intake
- AFE Air Filter
- Addco Sway Bar
- Custom Extended Sway Bar End Links
- 6" Deckplate Mod
- Moroso Oil Catch Can
- Odyssey PC-1700 Battery
- TRD White Face Boost Gauge
- PLX DM-100 Gauge
- PLX SM-AFR Wideband O2 Sensor
- Aeroforce Interceptor OBDII Gauge


Wheels
- Summer:
- 315/70/75 BFG All Terrain Tires
- 17" SCS Stealth 6 Matte Bronze
- Winter:
- 315/75/16 Yokohama Geolander G072
- Stock 16" 5 Spoke Rims


Armor
- Shrockworks Front Bumper with Custom Stinger
- CBI Rear Bumper w/ Tire Swing Gate, High Lift Mount, Gas Can Mount, Fold Out Table
- Bud Built IFS Skidplate
- Bud Built Belly Pan Skidplate
- Lil' Skip Offroad Gas Tank Skid
- All-Pro Sliders w/ Kickout - Custom Plated
- Lotus Development Rear Lower Link Skid
- Inchworm Offroad E-locker Actuator Guard


Accessories / Mini Mods
- Recaro Seats (JDM Purchase - 1999 Mitsubishi Lancer GSR Turbo)
- T-Max 10,000 lb Winch
- Master Pull Winch Stop Thimble
- Amsteel Blue 100' 3/8" Synthetic Winch Line
- Black Hawse Winch Fairlead
- Cobra C75 - WX-ST CB Radio
- Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir Relocation
- 60" High Lift (mounted in swing gate)
- Toytec 1" Body Lift
- WeatherTech Floor Mats (Front, Rear)
- WeatherTech Window Vent Visors
- Bushwacker Flares
- Long John Mud Flaps - Rear
- VIS Carbon Fiber Sport Hood
- Redline Hood Struts - QuickLIFT Elite
- Pressure Operated Hood Lights
- Custom Satoshi Grill
- Custom Made Dog Platform with Storage
- ARB Awning and Awning Room with Floor
- WeatherTech Pet Ramp
- Puma PD-1006 Air Compressor
- 5 Gallon Air Tank - mounted where spare tire was
- Air / Water Separator
- Klein 2 Stage Air Horns
- Custom Limb Risers
- Lev-O-Gauge (x2 - Front to back, side to side)
- JDM Field Monitor
- Customized Baja Rack - Long Rack - with Custom Wind Deflector
- Shovel and Axe Mounted on Baja Rack
- Raingler Cargo Nets - x3 on Sleeping Platform, x1 on Baja Rack
- Specter 20 Gallon Black Military Style Gas Cannister (x2)
- Specter 10 Gallon Blue Military Style Water Cannister

Electrical
- OTRATTW Contura II Switches - Zombie Lights, Rock Lights, Offroad Lights, Front Locker, Air Compressor, Rear Locker
- Rear Locker 'Stock Wiring' with Blue LED Indicator Light
- Hella Relay Block (x4 relays)
- Hella 80A Relay for Air Compressor and 80A Blue Sea Fuse Holder
- Blue Sea ST Blade Fuse Block with Bussman 120A breaker
- 'Big 3' Upgraded Wiring with Bussman 150A breaker
- BlueSea 300A Winch Power Disconnect
- Interior Center Console Mounted Winch Controls
- 3000W Whistler Inverter with Blue Sea Cut Off Switch
- ARB 50qt Fridge - Wired for Constant Voltage
- AutoPage C3 RS-1100 LED Remote / Starter / Alarm Combo

Lighting
- PIAA 510 Crystal Ion Fogs with HID Upgrade
- Morimoto D2S HID Projector Retrofit
- Morimoto 32" LED Light Bar on Roof Rack
- Lightforce Striker 240 HID's - Bumper Mount
- TUFF LED Rock Lights (x8)
- TUFF LED 2x2 Offroad Lights (Passenger Side Mounted)
- WeatherTech 3M Protectors for Headlights
- LED Brake Lights (including 3rd)
- LED CREE Reverse Lights
- Interior Lighting LED Kit


Audio / Visual
- Pioneer AVH-P4300DVD
- Back Up Camera
- BlueTooth Adapter
- iPod Cable - 80GB Classic
- JBL GTO Speaker Upgrade - Front, Rear and Tweeters
- iPad Mini with GPS


Mods to Come
- Shower Bladder and Heated Water System (Through Radiator)


Wish List
- Long Travel
- Fiberglass Front Fenders
- Hutchinson DOT Approved Beadlocks
- URD Crankshaft Pulley
- URD 2.1 Supercharger Pulley

 

[shouldbeasy]

Reserved # 1

 

[shouldbeasy]

Reserved #2

 

[mtnkid85]

Great looking build, how do you like those Geolander tires? Do they clean out well or do they get packed full of snow? Have you had them in real deep snow?

 

[ZWilson07]

Following your new thread. Ever decide to revamp this one as well?

 

[shouldbeasy]

Great looking build, how do you like those Geolander tires? Do they clean out well or do they get packed full of snow? Have you had them in real deep snow?

I haven't pushed the limits of the tires in deep snow but I feel that they will clear the voids relatively well as the grooves are wide and and plentiful - the tread on these 35" tires is super tall.

Following your new thread. Ever decide to revamp this one as well?

Yes... I really need to get this updated as the pictures are all gone (thanks Photo****it) and I do have a few updates to add in. That dang Sprinter is taking up a lot of my time.

 

[shouldbeasy]

Well, time has come to part with this rig - very disappointed but life has me using the van and my little pocket rocket (Fiesta ST) a lot more than the 4Runner and so, it's on the chopping block.

I'll get a complete recap of what's been done and serviced since I last posted - a For Sale thread will come shortly.

 

[shouldbeasy]

Well, I snuck in another trip to BC this summer in the 4Runner but alas, the van runs and can move my dump trailer around so time for the 4Runner to move on... Never wanted to sell this rig and so this has been a delayed posting for quite some time. Driving the van offroad also gives me some confidence knowing that I can get to the locations I want to, and now in a bit more luxury.

$19,500 - comes with all the spare parts you can carry.

https://www.kijiji.ca/v-view-details.html?adId=1533200699

2001 4Runner - Supercharged - Triple Locked - Regeared - Fully Armoured

Mechanical
- 2nd Gen TRD Supercharger - Rebuilt
- URD 2.2" Supercharger Pulley
- URD 7th Injector Kit
- Custom Tune 91 Octane - Unlimited Performance, Calgary. ~230 WHP and ~285WFT*LBS (on 35" snow tires and regeared) - 14 runs completed and videos available.
- Doug Thorley Long Tube Headers
- Borla Pro XS Muffler
- Catalytic Converter Delete with Spark Plug Bung offset for sensor
- ARB Front Air Locker
- Rear E-locker Retrofit
- 4.88 Nitro Gears
- Cadillac CS144 Alternator
- A340 Automatic Transmission Valve Body Shims (1-2, 2-3)
- Sonoran Tapered Front Diff Drop
- Tundra 231mm Calipers - Stock Toyota Pads
- Brembo Rotors
- OEM Rear Drum and Pads
- Custom Blue Extended Brake Lines (Front and Rear)
- All-Pro 1.25" Wheel Spacers
- Hayden Transmission Cooler
- ARB Breather Kit - Front and Rear Differential, Transfer Case
- ARB Snorkel
- AirRaid Intake
- AFE Air Filter + K&N Filter
- Addco Front Sway Bar
- Custom Extended Sway Bar End Links
- 6" Deckplate Mod
- Moroso Oil Catch Can


Rear Suspension
- Poly Performance 14" Limit Straps
- Fox 12" RR Shocks
- Fox Rooster Guards for Rear Shock Shaft Protection
- Fox 2.5" Bump Stops
- ToyTec Superflex Rear Coils and Bilstein shocks (96-02 4Runner)
- Sonoran Heavy Duty Rear Lower Links
- Toytec Adjustable Rear Upper Links
- Toytec Adjustable Panhard Bar
- Custom Upper Shock Mounts
Front Suspension
- Poly Performance 10" Limit Straps
- Fox 2.5 CO's w/ 650# Eibach Coil
- Camburg UCA's
- Whiteline LCA Bushings and OEM Alignment Cams / Bolts
- Replaced Remote Reservoir Lines with Longer, Blue Lines (accommodates body lift)
- Total Chaos Weld On Spindle Gussets


Wheels
- Summer:
- 315/70/75 Mickey Thompson MTZ (x5) @ 8/32nds evenly worn - balancing beads
- 17" SCS Stealth 6 Matte Bronze (x5)
- Stock 16" 5 Spoke Rims (x5 – all without tires – one could stand to be refinished)


Armor
- Shrockworks Front Bumper with Custom Stinger - Winch line ties (so you don't have to spool the winch all the way in each time)
- CBI Rear Bumper w/ Tire Swing Gate, High Lift Mount, Gas Can Mount, Fold Out Table - Gas can holder needs to be repainted
- Bud Built IFS Skidplate
- Bud Built Belly Pan Skidplate
- Lil' Skip Offroad Gas Tank Skid - Needs to be recoated in POR-15 or your preference of paint / powder coat
- All-Pro Sliders w/ Kickout - Custom Plated - Welded on
- Lotus Development Rear Lower Link Skid
- Inchworm Offroad E-locker Actuator Guard


Accessories / Mini Mods
- Custom HID Projector Retrofit Headlights - Morimoto Mini D2S
- Recaro Seats (JDM Purchase - 1999 Mitsubishi Lancer GSR Turbo)
- T-Max 10,000 lb Winch - With in cab control hardwired - 300A BlueSea Circuit Breaker
- Master Pull Winch Stop Thimble
- Amsteel Blue 100' 3/8" Synthetic Winch Line
- Black Hawse Winch Fairlead
- Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir Relocation
- Tundra Windshield Nozzle Mod - Better spray across windshield (fan instead of 3 jets)
- Toytec 1" Body Lift
- WeatherTech Floor Mats (Front, Rear)
- WeatherTech Window Vent Visors
- Bushwacker Flares
- Long John Mud Flaps
- VIS Carbon Fiber Sport Hood - CRACKED - Still functional and the scoop isn't cracked...
- Redline Hood Struts - QuickLIFT Elite
- Custom Satoshi Grill - Bit beat up and could use another coating of paint.
- ARB Awning and Awning Room with Floor
- Puma PD-1006 Air Compressor - NOT installed - can be included so that front air locker and air horns are operational - Still needs proper gauge wiring and connection to vehicle air system (tank, filter and lines etc)
- 5 Gallon Air Tank - mounted where spare tire was
- Air / Water Separator
- Klein 2 Stage Air Horns
- Custom Limb Risers
- Lev-O-Gauge (x2 - Front to back, side to side)
- JDM Field Monitor
- Customized Baja Rack - Long Rack - with Custom Wind Deflector - Custom limb riser mounts - Just sandblasted and painted with POR-15 and cut to clear sunroof
- Raingler Cargo Nets – x2 in rear, x1 on Baja Rack

 

[shouldbeasy]

Electrical
- Cobra C75 - WX-ST CB Radio (CB Radion NOT Included - ONLY hardwired plug in for handheld unit will stay)
- Odyssey PC-1700 Battery
- TRD White Face Boost Gauge - A Pillar Pod
- PLX DM-100 Gauge - A Pillar Pod
- PLX SM-AFR Wideband O2 Sensor
- Aeroforce Interceptor OBDII Gauge
- BlueSea Fuse Blocks x2- One ignition activated, one constant power
- Busman Circuit Breakers - 100A - Fuse block protection
- Pioneer AVH-P4200DVD Headunit with BlueTooth, Backup Camera
- Wiring for remote located second battery (large gauge wiring with fuse block in engine bay - wired to behind drivers seat as I was going to install a BlueSea dual battery system)
- OTRATTW Carling Switch Panel
- LightForce 240 HID's and Morimoto 32" Lightbar - 'Zombie Light' switch
- Tuff LED Lights Spot Pod (x8) - 'Rock Lights' switch - Front AND rear of each tire
- Tuff LED Light 2x2 LED Pod (x2) - 'OffRoad Lights' switch - Passenger side for lighting up camp
- OEM E-Locker Retrofit - utilizes factory wiring harness and sequencing - blue indicator light is off when e-lcoker is off, blinks when not engaged but button pressed, solid when e-locker engaged - provides positive feedback of e-locker engagement similar to how e-lockers were installed from factory (as it was not available on 2001's due to the multi-mode transmission).
- WeatherPack connectors and labeled wiring!!! I re-did all the wiring so that it's all labeled and VERY easy to understand. It may look overwhelming but as it's all labeled, it's just a matter of finding the matching labels to plug it back in if it ever has to be removed. Somewhat colour coded, all wires have labels from my label maker and clear heat shrink over them to ensure they stay labeled!

The Good
- All the SPARE PARTS you can handle – extra CV’s, interior panels, door panels, upper control arm uniballs, sway bar bushings, – I never planned on selling this rig so I’ve accumulated a lot of 4Runner parts.
- Interior just detailed – very clean truck as I’ve pulled pieces from other wrecked 4Runners to fix the small issues that popped up on mine.
- NO body rust - I've kept good care of this 4Runner and it shows. I've parted out multiple rigs and they've ALL been rustier and in worse shape when I dive in to them. I use anti-seize on all my bolts and Fluid Film the doors and door jambs. Rear hatch has no rust either.
-VERY LITTLE frame rust - I had cleaned it up and covered the frame in POR-15 (when the regear happened) but my prep was crap and it's been flaking off for a while. Still protected the frame short term but the Fluid Film was the key in keeping the 4Runner rust free. There is ONLY surface rust - no major rust spots and I would not hesitate to use this frame again if the body was wrecked.
- Recently rebuilt supercharger (all bearings and nosecone fluid / coupler) along with timing belt and water pump
- Oil and filter just changed – Amsoil 5W30 and WIX XP
- K&N Air filter cleaned and oiled – also have AFE air filter (which I actually prefer, I just need to find it…).
- Wiring has been labeled and is all fuse and circuit breaker protected - all of the electrical systems can be isolated if one fails - made for troubleshooting in the back country!!
- No clunks, rattles, weird noise etc – drives ‘tight’ as all steering and suspension components are well within their lifespan.


The ‘Bad’
- It's a trail rig... it has cosmetic damage on the exterior - there are currently 3 'bandaids' on the body which cover some of the dents where paint was scrapped off.
- Air compressor was using too much power and my small gauge wiring wasn't cutting it - air compressor was removed and not re-installed - air system can be connected to show that it's all functional (air horns and front locker) - can include current PUMA compressor (needs custom install) or buyer can install their own
- Bluetooth - is currently wired up with the radio and are ignition activated - this means that your phone needs to be registered each and every time you start the 4Runner (PITA) - I need to split the wiring of the radio and Bluetooth box and have the Bluetooth box wired to constant power. This CAN drain the battery though so perhaps installing a cut off switch would be helpful too.
- Rear tail light has been smashed off and repaired - cracks were clean and I found all the pieces so it looks good, all LED's function, sealed properly and hasn't given me any issues since the repair
- VSC and TRAC Lights currently on - it's due to a fried wheel speed sensor cable (found it singed by the exhaust) but this one does bother me at all, the VSC was always too intrusive for my liking (VERY slow sampling rate means very aggressive corrections) and the 4Runner handles so well at speed with the front sway bar and rear bump stops that I found it was more predictable without the VSC. So.... I can fix this, but for now I find it more confidence inspiring to drive without the VSC and TRAC.
- Exhaust header 'leak' on cold starts - doesn't bother me and getting at the bolts on the passenger side is a nightmare... If I was doing this repair I would do new gaskets under the exhaust manifolds
- Valve cover seeping - as usual, on the 5VZ-FE the valve cover seals don't do their job and so there is some oil seeping out around the back of the driver side (and probably passenger side) valve cover. Only seeping, not actively leaking so I just tightened the bolts a bit and called it good (while monitoring wet spots in the garage – none, and oil level change – doesn’t).
- Wheels have trail damage - it's an offroad rig!!
- Rear shock lower mount tabs bent - it's an offroad rig!!
- Windshield needs replacing - good sized crack on driver side, vertical, hasn't bothered me enough to change it but may need to be done for inspections
- Seats are set up with 'aggressive' tilt to them so that my legs were supported while driving - the current set up favours tall people for sure - my (super) short friend found it very uncomfortable to drive and so I'd say the 'sweet spot' is 5'8"- 6'3".


The Ugly
- There is none! Nothing NEEDS to be done to the rig as it's been reliable for me – I wouldn't hesitate to drive this 4Runner across country, it drives phenomenally well for a vehicle on 35's. Plenty of passing power on the highway and cruises smooth and straight - ideal road trip vehicle if you ask me.

Current Mileage: 280,000 showing, closer to 300,000 based on tire size difference from stock