LowDown
What an idiot...
Nice work. You front halfed your frame exactly how I imagined doing my 4Runner's frame. You don't have the dimensions of your new front frame rails do you?
Follow along with the video below to see how to install our site as a web app on your home screen.
Note: This feature may not be available in some browsers.
azdirt3.0
Red Skull Member
Here's my best rendition of my measurements. I basically chose to make the top of the new frame rails the same general height as the stock motor mounts. I have then raised the motor about 2 inches when I put the new motor mounts on.
azdirt3.0
Red Skull Member
Been awhile since I got much done as I'm still waiting on some parts and its consistently 110+ here now. 
Picked up some old Bilstein coilovers from a friend. 60mm body with 14" travel, need to be cleaned and rebuilt but that will be easy after I get the front mocked together.
Started the passenger side boatside/sliders. I wanted to get this mocked up so I can figure out where the A-pillar of the cage will go. I think the front most leg of the boat side and A-pillar are going to be all one mount
Drilled/tapped as well as resealed the steering box to get it ready. And resealed the PS pump and drilled the restrictor.
Picked up some old Bilstein coilovers from a friend. 60mm body with 14" travel, need to be cleaned and rebuilt but that will be easy after I get the front mocked together.
Started the passenger side boatside/sliders. I wanted to get this mocked up so I can figure out where the A-pillar of the cage will go. I think the front most leg of the boat side and A-pillar are going to be all one mount
Drilled/tapped as well as resealed the steering box to get it ready. And resealed the PS pump and drilled the restrictor.
dntsdad
Central California
Awesome! Looking forward to progress.
Is this the newest Harbor Freight Axle Stand that was 99% percent off ??
Is this the newest Harbor Freight Axle Stand that was 99% percent off ??
azdirt3.0
Red Skull Member
azdirt3.0
Red Skull Member
Not much progress lately with summer in full effect still in Phoenix. After YotaAtieToo inquiry about spring under rigs I decided I wanted to go that route for the rear rather than link it yet so to not spend a bunch of extra money. Sat way to low on the chevies as I expected
Swapped out the 63s for some 13 leaf with about a 61.5" top leaf and lots of more arch than the chevies. They should give me the height I am looking for with the front 3-link. Also moved the rear axle forward about 4" or so, with the chevies I had the rear axle pushed back over 12" and the front is pushed pretty far forward. So this should get me back closer to the 114-116" wheelbase I originally wanted. Still need to redo my rear frame and crossmember to bring the shackle hanger forward for the new spring.
Swapped out the 63s for some 13 leaf with about a 61.5" top leaf and lots of more arch than the chevies. They should give me the height I am looking for with the front 3-link. Also moved the rear axle forward about 4" or so, with the chevies I had the rear axle pushed back over 12" and the front is pushed pretty far forward. So this should get me back closer to the 114-116" wheelbase I originally wanted. Still need to redo my rear frame and crossmember to bring the shackle hanger forward for the new spring.
azdirt3.0
Red Skull Member
Been so hot here I haven't spent much time in the garage, but it was finally under 100 for 2 days so I cut out the floor and rear crossmember to get the new crossmember and shackle hanger locations dialed in.
azdirt3.0
Red Skull Member
Thanks man! Ya the heat has been rough and really kills my motivation at times. Feels good to finally get something done for once.
vikingsven
No Skull Member
Fun watching how you make the sheet metal disappear with no fucks given! 🍺 Good work!
Can I ask where you found new seals for the steering box?
Can I ask where you found new seals for the steering box?
Boomtacoma01
3rd Coast
I used the Gates 349030 reseal kit in the past.
azdirt3.0
Red Skull Member
I don't recall the PNs anymore but I used Gates reseal kits as Boomtacoma01 stated above
dntsdad
Central California
Is that rear spring pack a Frankenstein or dropout from a donor? Or a little of both?
Thefishguy77
Part time dumbass
Great work man. Keep it up. Hopefully when the fires are done I will start working on mine again. For now I need to repair A pillar so I can get a windshield sealed in there again before the rains get serious.
azdirt3.0
Red Skull Member
Rear pack is a long travel pack I bought used. Closest I've found to this pack is the Deaver H70 pack but this is a 13 leaf rather than the 10. Guy I bought it from said he thinks they were National brand. Set up spring under how the desert trucks run leafs should help this run around the desert here in AZ. Alot of the areas I go have some high speed areas, so trying to build this with a little dual purpose.
azdirt3.0
Red Skull Member
Thanks man
Hope your projects safe from the fire. I know they're bad when the smoke makes it all the way to Phoenix.
Thefishguy77
Part time dumbass
Thanks man
If we hit phase 1 alert everything get packed. My runner will end of on a trailer stuffed full and the boat will go behind our other rig. Phase 2 and we leave And get the family to safety. At that point I am coming back and working to help improve my homes chances on the backhoe and if time throwing the backhoe on the trailer and leaving with it. If not she takes her chances. Also want to wait as long as possible to deter looters.
There is currently a fire about 30 miles away or less. Just got reported yesterday ish. So its time to get serious. We went through our check list of stuff to try and protect, take with, and are ready to face the reality if the wind shifts.
azdirt3.0
Red Skull Member
Well stay safe up there and hopefully it doesn't shift!
Thefishguy77
Part time dumbass
Thanks
azdirt3.0
Red Skull Member
Got the front links started in steel, reinstalled them and got the knuckles on to start getting the steering and panhard locations. Probably going to have to make some modifications to the frame for the amount of up travel I want to achieve. This frame was made when I was still going to run leaf up front, so it was not optimized for the 3 link yet.
azdirt3.0
Red Skull Member
Some more to this seemingly never ending build. Got the steering mocked in and it looks like the rest of the links can be cut and welded. Had to cut the passenger frame for clearance and will rebuild that as well as notched the driver side for tie rod clearance. Looks like I will get about 6" up travel with a 24" belly height on 39s. Need to get the rest of the tires mounted and build some shock towers and I should be able to roll it out of the garage again. 
Full bump:
Ride height
Full bump:
Ride height
azdirt3.0
Red Skull Member
Finally got the 4Runner out on its own weight
Bad Karma
Active member
Looking good! You're making me feel bad for not working on my pile this past weekend... :D The weather was finally decent here in Phoenix.
azdirt3.0
Red Skull Member
Alex123456
Red Skull Member
Looking great
azdirt3.0
Red Skull Member
Finally got a chance to bend some tube and starting to get an idea of how I want to set the cage up.
LowDown
What an idiot...
Hell yea - it's turning out great!
azdirt3.0
Red Skull Member
Thanks! It's been slow going but I have been motivating myself to actually get working on it so I can have it ready to take to KOH.
LowDown
What an idiot...
Stay on it, man - my son and I are watching close. A lot of the ideas we've talked about doing with our '88 4Runner, you're doing with yours so it's really cool to see you making progress. I'm psyched to see how you tube out the front and tie-in the front end sheet metal.
azdirt3.0
Red Skull Member
Ya once I get the main parts of the cab cage in I am going to finish the front frame rails and start the engine cage. I have an idea of how I want it to come out but we'll see how I get it all tied together.