Xcmountain80's 2002 4Runner build
- Thread starter xcmountain80
- Start date
xcmountain80
Expedition Leader
Yes I cannot remeber which motor it was #2 or #3.....Learning the hard way seems to be my cup of tea. The original motor had no known issues. There was a slight coolant leak but would have been easily mitigated if I hadn't been so stupid at the time. So at 225,000 I and another rebuilt a donor motor #2 I had....it lasted about 90,000 before detonating and blowing two hole on opposite sides of the cast iron lower. Motor #3 was sourced from a place in Texas called JIS that rebuilds motors and seemed to have a good handle on the situation. The long block came packe awesome, headers were added, plugs and coil packs purchased new, everything else swapped.....oh and the AutoZone Alternator that to this day I hate because it's NOISY.
Hmmm, I do most of the mechanicals myself limiting the cost but lets see
-Pinion bearing and axle bearing and related bits $1100 (was outraged as I could have replaced with new gears, locker, and bits for a few hundred more)
-Original Alternator lasted to 298,000 I WOULD BUY OE
-CV shafts on occasion but usually due to driver error
-I replaced all the front suspension and steering components last year (coil overs, UCA's, LBJ's, OTR, ITR, steering rack, ALL Bushings, and oh that reminds me I have a PS Pump to Install.
-An odd item was the Throttle body and had to buy a junk yard unit $100, the TB on the drive by wire 4RUnners and Tacomas will wear a spot on the contact of the electrical that becomes dead or numb resulting in a lag spot.
- Replaced the front seats with newer leather that had much less wear than my previous ones.
- Charcoal Canister OE Only as an aftermarket option does not exist $385
- The transmission has thrown a code P1760 and I'll know what that will cost tomorrow.
I love this vehicle and it really does wear well, though keep in mind I take care of it like it was a family member.
I replaced my OE alternator at 115K miles after it failed with an AutoZone unit and so far it's been every bit as quite as the original.
Oh, and great build thread!
xcmountain80
Expedition Leader
That last engine from JIS ENGINE REBUILDERS OF TEXAS was a total POS. It lasted about 10-20k before I pulled the oil pan to determine what the hell this noise was. I checked the side to side play of the rod end bearings, 1,2,3,4 were ok 5,6 had never been replaced and were worn on a taper. JIS would not replace the engine just the crank shaft. Either way you had to pull the motor. I opted for a $1100 motor from a Japanese motor import company out of Miami, FL. I swapped it in over a weekend and OMG it purrs like a sewing machine.
https://vimeo.com/105865652
4RUNNER has 358k
285/70/17 Fierce MT 21k
Japanese Import Motor 12k
https://vimeo.com/105865652
4RUNNER has 358k
285/70/17 Fierce MT 21k
Japanese Import Motor 12k
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xcmountain80
Expedition Leader
With close to 50k on the Fierce Attitude tires and 10mm of tread remaining I moved on. I debated over the Nitto Ridge Grappler in a 285/85/17......(but at the time there was no availability and Nitto had yet to list the specifications), and the Toyo RT in a 35/12.5r17..........which won because they were available, more aggressive, and well they were 35's.
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xcmountain80
Expedition Leader
Since I deleted the fog lamp out of my stock bumper I have always wished for something that mounted lower than the upper deck of thenTJM, now ARB bullbar. Enter LabRak ARB bumper inserts. http://www.shop.labrak.com/ARB-Bumper-Fog-Light-Assembly-Upgrade-LR-02-0024.htm
A sale came up and I made the purchase. Once the inserts arrived, I made a template and began the cutting.
A sale came up and I made the purchase. Once the inserts arrived, I made a template and began the cutting.
SurferJacoby
日本車???最高
Love the setup
Those Trail wheels do a lot for the setup. Nicely done!
Those Trail wheels do a lot for the setup. Nicely done!
soonenough
Explorer
Truck looks awesome, nice work keeping it running for 358k! Mine has 182k and I often wonder what will happen when that day comes that it's time for a new motor. I've heard so many bad stories about rebuilt engines (like yours above), it's hard to know who a reputable vendor would be. I don't even wanna think how much Toyota would charge for a long block / crate engine 
xcmountain80
Expedition Leader
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xcmountain80
Expedition Leader
Update on my 2002 w 434,000 miles.
Wilco Off-road Swing away tire. Saved some $$ on not getting the swing away hitch model. Plan on welding a 2” on myself and adding a better hi-lift cradle. Also will be sliding it all the way into the hitch and cutting the 2” then resetting the tension nut.
After neglecting to secure the swing away I went for a drive. Damage ensued and a replacement was necessary. Ughhhh ok fine I’ll upgrade the original lamps to an LED model. Very pleased with this updated look and performance.
I have wanted to cut in a flush mounted Baja Designs S2 sport in the bumper as a backup light. But for whatever reason $100 bucks and some cutting wasn’t on my immediate list. I did find another product via Instagram then again for almost 1/2 as much on amazon. LED reverse lights, I was skeptical. They work, I can see through my tint now and backing up isn’t like finding your flashlight in the dark tent.
I recently replaced the headliner for the 2nd time in the life of the vehicle.
I also upgraded the poor tired but bright head lamps. Stock housing with aftermarket wiring loom and NON DOT 90/130 bulbs. With a better functioning system. HID Projectors.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Wilco Off-road Swing away tire. Saved some $$ on not getting the swing away hitch model. Plan on welding a 2” on myself and adding a better hi-lift cradle. Also will be sliding it all the way into the hitch and cutting the 2” then resetting the tension nut.
After neglecting to secure the swing away I went for a drive. Damage ensued and a replacement was necessary. Ughhhh ok fine I’ll upgrade the original lamps to an LED model. Very pleased with this updated look and performance.
I have wanted to cut in a flush mounted Baja Designs S2 sport in the bumper as a backup light. But for whatever reason $100 bucks and some cutting wasn’t on my immediate list. I did find another product via Instagram then again for almost 1/2 as much on amazon. LED reverse lights, I was skeptical. They work, I can see through my tint now and backing up isn’t like finding your flashlight in the dark tent.
I recently replaced the headliner for the 2nd time in the life of the vehicle.
I also upgraded the poor tired but bright head lamps. Stock housing with aftermarket wiring loom and NON DOT 90/130 bulbs. With a better functioning system. HID Projectors.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
xcmountain80
Expedition Leader
After adding the Wilco off-road High Clearance swing out I knew I needed to add a 2” receiver like their more expensive model had for the bike rack or other accessories. I measured, remeasured, then waited. I also picked up a Kuat 2” Hi-Lo extension so that I could run a rack prior to adding another 2”. I purchased a 18” 2” receiver with plans of cutting and welding in place. Then I did it.
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Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
xcmountain80
Expedition Leader
xcmountain80
Expedition Leader
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk