86 4Runner Build

[azdirt3.0]

Well been a while since I worked on this, it got put on the side of the house while we built a cage for my friends RZR and worked on other projects. I accepted that this was no longer going to be ready for this winter that's now over. So I sat back and decided that I wanted to fast forward a few revisions. 4Runners back in the garage and starting to get back on it.

Sold the 22RE/W56/duals locally and have been sourcing parts for LS/4L80e/Ecobox/Flipped D300. This also means that the D44 wont survive either looking for a 99-04 D60 to build for the front now

 

[azdirt3.0]

Picked up a 5.3 long block to start mocking up mounts.






Also picked up a cheap Dana 50 to steal the C's and knuckles from to build a 609. Going to a driver drop with the flipped D300 so the front end will need to be redone again once that's ready.

 

[azdirt3.0]

Finally got the trans bolted up to see where it was going to end up in the truck. Gonna be sitting on it just about, had to lower the motor an inch or 2.

 

[azdirt3.0]

Got the engine and transmission mounts in the truck. Will add a halo to grab a mount at the back of the D300 when I figure out if I am going to go driver or pass drop. Depends on driveshaft clearances. Also put on the boatside tubes and started laying out interior to mount the seats.

 

[chaplinfj60]

oh my and the snow ball begins. hahahha

i wish i would have did the front like yours form the start would have solved alot of head scratching nights

 

[azdirt3.0]

oh my and the snow ball begins. hahahha

i wish i would have did the front like yours form the start would have solved alot of head scratching nights

I had a different plan when I originally built the front frame section. I wish I did it a little different now but it is way better than trying to use the original flat frame.

 

[azdirt3.0]

Slowly getting more work done. Front seat mounts and floor tubes with a new crossmember.







Worked on the rear cage and shock mounts

 

[YotaAtieToo]

Might be too late, but I wouldn't get overly obsessed with a flat belly. Having a 2-4" drop down smooth skid isn't going to hurt much and will make your life way easier once plumbing starts.

I'd also ditch the D300 for a Ford 205. That gets you a true 4 spd instead of just 3 spds since the D300 and crawl box are essentially the same ratio, unless you do 4:1, which seems excessive with the crawl box. With the V8 and auto, 5.4:1 should be plenty low for almost anything.

Bonus is it puts your driveshaft further away from the trans, it's not a leaky upside down pos and is all 32 and 31 spline out of the box.

 

[TRINDU]

I'd also ditch the D300 for a Ford 205. That gets you a true 4 spd instead of just 3 spds since the D300 and crawl box are essentially the same ratio, unless you do 4:1, which seems excessive with the crawl box. With the V8 and auto, 5.4:1 should be plenty low for almost anything.

Personally, 3 vs 4 spd it's a moot point with an auto. The D300 is also a great transfer case.

That being said, I agree than a Ford NP205 is the perfect candidate for this application.

 

[YotaAtieToo]

Personally, 3 vs 4 spd it's a moot point with an auto. The D300 is also a great transfer case.

That being said, I agree than a Ford NP205 is the perfect candidate for this application.

2:1 vs 2.7:1 is a decent difference. 2:1 is sweet for blasting around, snow, sand, ect. 2.7:1 is a little low for that. Then you have double low as ~7:1 which will probably be too low for most anything.

Nothing against the D300, I personally wouldn't run one flipped. I also think they're better suited for lighter rigs with a little less power. The 4:1 option is a huge advantage when needed. Most end up doing 32 spline outputs and whatnot, which puts you real close to an atlas.

 

[azdirt3.0]

Not dead set on the D300. This is not a complete case and is missing most of the internals. I picked it up a while back for the flip kit and found the crawl box second hand for a good price. The crawl box is the D300 specific case so would have to replace it also to go to a NP205.

Also not sure if I am going to go driver drop when I build a stronger axle. At this point I am trying to just get the majority of the build done with the parts I have on hand. The drivetrain still needs a lot of parts purchased and funds are a little dry. Going to finish the rear suspension, get the interior cage mostly finished, and work on the new floor pan.

 

[azdirt3.0]

Been a hot summer here so I only worked on the 4runner in short spurts and was not great at documenting the work done so here's a photo dump for where I've gotten.

Started to put floor tubes in and get the seats mounted and dog tested

 

[azdirt3.0]

Neighbor dropped off a bunch of old take off heim rods from Boeing jets. Used one to make the linkage for my ecobox shifter. Going to weld a rod and bolt to the top of that shifter and screw another one on as the shift lever also.





Started a center console to get an idea of where shifters can live





Thanks to HYDRODYNAMIC I got a fuel cell plate cut out for a GM fuel pump. then realized my cell was not going to work as it was way to shallow. Tried to modify a pump but couldn't get it to fit. Sat back and stared at it and decided I liked the foot print of the goat built tank for my build anyways so got one of those ordered.

 

[azdirt3.0]

Might be too late, but I wouldn't get overly obsessed with a flat belly. Having a 2-4" drop down smooth skid isn't going to hurt much and will make your life way easier once plumbing starts.

Well I was hoping I had gotten the drivetrain into a happy medium but also had not put the front clip on nor had an intake manifold or radiator yet to know where I was.

Well the motor doesn't nearly clear the original hood location Its back to the firewall and has about an 1.5" clearance to the panhard bar. After looking at it and knowing it's way easier to fix now while it's not fully welded. I think I can push it back 4-6" and down 1-2" after cutting the firewall. Already cut the entire floor out, so what's a little more cutting

 

[Mattygwheeler]

Sweet build! Are you concerned about the dana 300's case strength behind the doubler and a v8? There is a guy local to me that breaks 300s often behind an eco box and 4cyl. I have an ecobox/dana 300 i was gonna use in a suzuki based buggy.

 

[azdirt3.0]

Sweet build! Are you concerned about the dana 300's case strength behind the doubler and a v8? There is a guy local to me that breaks 300s often behind an eco box and 4cyl. I have an ecobox/dana 300 i was gonna use in a suzuki based buggy.

Ya I know YotaAtieToo has brought up questions on this as well. At this point I am just working to get it all together and I think it will work decently. I'm running stock gears in it and have an extra case and gears also. I'm sure I'll eventually be one of the many people that spent money on a doubler setup and still ended up with an atlas

 

[YotaAtieToo]

Ya I know YotaAtieToo has brought up questions on this as well. At this point I am just working to get it all together and I think it will work decently. I'm running stock gears in it and have an extra case and gears also. I'm sure I'll eventually be one of the many people that spent money on a doubler setup and still ended up with an atlas

Nothing wrong with a D300 at all, they just have the limits. I'd love one for my build, but I'm ~125hp and running 6.17s or 7.17s.

If it were me, I would search out a Ford 205 and off all the stuff you have. D300 fetch a decent amount these days. You could easily break even or possibly come out of top if you can find a cheap 205.

 

[chaplinfj60]

why ford 205? i thought they were driver drop

 

[azdirt3.0]

Nothing wrong with a D300 at all, they just have the limits. I'd love one for my build, but I'm ~125hp and running 6.17s or 7.17s.

If it were me, I would search out a Ford 205 and off all the stuff you have. D300 fetch a decent amount these days. You could easily break even or possibly come out of top if you can find a cheap 205.

why ford 205? i thought they were driver drop

Ya I have thought about selling this off and going to a 205.

We had talked previously about Ford 205 because at one time I was thinking about building a DD 609 but I think I will stay Pass drop when I build the new axle after this is done. There is a Titan box chevy 205 combo here locally, seeing what he would want for them.

 

[YotaAtieToo]

why ford 205? i thought they were driver drop

Ya, because he said he wanted a ford 60. It's a blank slate, so it doesn't matter right now, but 99% of front 60s available today are driver drop.

Also, Ford 205s are factory 32 spline outputs. GM and dodge had some that were, but most were not.

 

[chaplinfj60]

Ya, because he said he wanted a ford 60. It's a blank slate, so it doesn't matter right now, but 99% of front 60s available today are driver drop.

Also, Ford 205s are factory 32 spline outputs. GM and dodge had some that were, but most were not.

well dam now that makes since hahahaahha good to know. TY

 

[azdirt3.0]

Cut out the firewall and got the motor pushed back and moved down and inch or two. Remade the motor and trans mount. Still need to make the Tcase mount. Hood fits now, might need minor trimming to the underside structure when everything's in so we'll see.

 

[Hodgiemoto]

Sick build for sure man, lotsa fab work! Keep it rolling..

 

[azdirt3.0]

Sick build for sure man, lotsa fab work! Keep it rolling..

Thanks Hodgie been a fun build and like most taking longer than expected. Started out as just a classic SAS and now I think I would have been done if I just built a buggy. Learned alot about fab work and still alot to learn.

 

[YotaAtieToo]

Started out as an sas

Welcome to the group, snowballed projects anonymous

 

[Hodgiemoto]

I was actually going to question as to whether to just to build a full on buggy when you get to that pointf? But hey it's your build and it's still kind of Toyota so rock on

 

[azdirt3.0]

Started out as an sas

Welcome to the group, snowballed projects anonymous

And I might have completed it if it wasn't for this lot

 

[azdirt3.0]

I was actually going to question as to whether to just to build a full on buggy when you get to that pointf? But hey it's your build and it's still kind of Toyota so rock on

Believe me that thought has crossed my mind a lot I'm going to keep the 4runner body wrapped on it to hopefully not get kicked out of the Toyota world

 

[YotaAtieToo]

I was going to say that a heater and cab is nice for snow and cold trips, but then I saw the location

 

[azdirt3.0]

I was going to say that a heater and cab is nice for snow and cold trips, but then I saw the location

It gets down to a blistery 62 sometimes In all reality I am actually trying to get out of this oven and move to the mountains and tried to get a job for a company in Sandpoint