3rd Gen 4Runner build

[konayota]

In the process of putting tons under my 4runner. Pretty slow build, will try and update here as much as possible.

99 4runner sr5. All stock, 3.4/ auto

Supporting the engine to cut the frame

2x3 .188 wall Rec tube for the frame sections

Getting the panhard bent to clear everything, 1.75x .25. Using a 1” heim and 1” poly joint on each end

3 link front, 39” lowers, 38” upper, metalcloak duro flex joints on all links minus the upper front

Squeezing an fj80 box in there, panhard bracket is just temporarily for now until I finish getting everything cycled and finalized.

Full bump

 

[konayota]

More pictures

 

[F***roads]

nice work so far

 

[rockota]

best frame splice I've seen... well done.

 

[RunningProblem]

Any particular reason you built the links with the joints threaded all the way in?

 

[FleshEater]

I love these builds, but it always stings a little to see these nice, rust free Toyotas get hacked up.

Anyways, nice work so far.

 

[konayota]

nice work so far

Thanks, it’s been a long time coming. Years of gathering parts and now I have some time to build.

 

[konayota]

best frame splice I've seen... well done.

Thanks, it took a while to figure out what I wanted to do, but it worked out pretty decent. Took a lot more effort and work than I anticipated though.

 

[konayota]

Any particular reason you built the links with the joints threaded all the way in?

Not really, they were tubes that I had for a previous project that I didn’t finish. They originally had heims, so they’re longer with the new joints. I’ll eventually cut them down a little to get the adjustment back in.

 

[konayota]

I love these builds, but it always stings a little to see these nice, rust free Toyotas get hacked up.

Anyways, nice work so far.

I understand, however this 4runner is a lot rougher than it looks. It has typical surface rust and some of the body mounts are starting to rust a little more than I’m happy with, but it is a decent Colorado toyota.

 

[chays2464]

Clean work! You raise the motor at all?

 

[konayota]

Clean work! You raise the motor at all?

Thanks, yeah it’s raised about 1.5”. I used duro flex joints for the motor mounts, I have a lot of room for the upper on the driver side.

 

[chays2464]

Lookin good, you running 12" coilovers?

What are your frame height and uptravel numbers lookin like?

 

[konayota]

Lookin good, you running 12" coilovers?

What are your frame height and uptravel numbers lookin like?

They’re 14s, and right now I have 4” of uptravel. I might redo the lower shock mounts to put me at around 5.5”. I’m not sure on the frame height, I haven’t measured that yet. I’ve been trying to get as much up travel as possible without having it sit too tall. It’s definitely been a challenge so far haha, would’ve been easier to package with a toyota based axle.

Rough ride height:

 

[konayota]

Sitting at 22.75”, probably be around 21-22 when done. Lower link mounts are at 18.25 right now.

 

[chays2464]

Nice work! super low with good uptravel still! That's hard to do. Im struggling with that on my taco even with the new frame and motor raised

 

[YotaAtieToo]

I was told by a reputable tuner to keep down travel below about 8"

To little up travel and its hard to get the spring rate correct iirc.

Actually using a full 14" shock is tougher than most realize.

 

[konayota]

I was told by a reputable tuner to keep down travel below about 8"

To little up travel and its hard to get the spring rate correct iirc.

Actually using a full 14" shock is tougher than most realize.

Yeah when I ordered the shocks from accutune they tuned them for 5” up and 9” down, which is the limit for a 14” shock. I’m going to try and get closer to 6” up. The lower shock mounts are preventing this, so I just need to change it up and I’ll get more uptravel.

 

[konayota]

Not a real significant update, haven’t had much garage time. But, the NWF eco crawler got delivered.

Started with the rear case prep, pulled a VF2 from a taco at pullnpay because it already has a speed sensor installed.

Pulled it apart to install the low range planetary on the new input shaft and got the shift rails prepped for the triple shifters.

Got it all back together and now I need to pull the planetary from another VF2 to put in the crawl box

 

[Team_Jake]

Do you plan on clocking the t-case? I'd be curious to know how much the NWF split case be clocked on a 3rd gen.

 

[konayota]

Do you plan on clocking the t-case? I'd be curious to know how much the NWF split case be clocked on a 3rd gen.

Yes, I'm going to clock it in a couple different positions to see what works best.

 

[konayota]

Got the front crawl box done, clocked the case 6*. Hopefully I can get it installed sometime within the next couple weeks.

 

[YotaAtieToo]

That nwf box is sweet, glad to see someone using one. Honestly, marlin should have had this out about 20 years ago instead of trying to push the antiquated gear cases

Also wasn't aware of their triple shifters until this thread

Should be plenty of gearing with the auto also.

 

[konayota]

That nwf box is sweet, glad to see someone using one. Honestly, marlin should have had this out about 20 years ago instead of trying to push the antiquated gear cases

Also wasn't aware of their triple shifters until this thread

Should be plenty of gearing with the auto also.

Back then gear cases were everywhere and cheap so it was the preferred way, while people were scrapping the chain cases. Now it’s the opposite lol.

 

[YotaAtieToo]

Back then gear cases were everywhere and cheap so it was the preferred way, while people were scrapping the chain cases. Now it’s the opposite lol.

Only because marlin was telling everyone they were junk

 

[konayota]

Only because marlin was telling everyone they were junk

That's true, hell of a marketing tactic

 

[konayota]

Installed the duals, fits pretty good clocked at 6*. I thought about pulling it and clocking at 10*, but I think I’ll keep it where it’s at. The rear case shifter linkages are pretty tight to the body, if clocked all the way to 16* I’d have to hack the trans tunnel for sure. Now to get a crossmember fabbed up.

 

[YotaAtieToo]

Able to keep the rear heat?

I missed the rear heat after I ditched it in my 2nd gen for dual cases.

 

[konayota]

Able to keep the rear heat?

I missed the rear heat after I ditched it in my 2nd gen for dual cases.

Yep, on these the rear heat lines run down the body near the pass side frame rail then come through the cab right behind the front seat. No need to worry about them.

 

[YotaAtieToo]

Yep, on these the rear heat lines run down the body near the pass side frame rail then come through the cab right behind the front seat. No need to worry about them.

Well shit, now I have almost no excuse not to put a doubler in my 96