87 4runner going big(ger)

[RascoBuilt]

Been building this over the last couple of years and figured I should start a build thread. I need to go through all my pictures and post them but here’s what I have so far:

Bought bone stock, swapped in 1uz, did a blazeland WIY kit, ran it on 33s and had a blast, decided I needed to cut all that off…

Edit: Found Pictures

Day I brought it home, bone stock ifs rig with 22re and an auto trans. It was a tuuuurd

Pulled the garbage steps off and put some better tires on

Did some painting because I can’t leave anything alone (probably looked the best here)

Drove it daily like this and did some mild wheeling until I decided I was done with the 22re

This was most of the way through the 1uz swap. Donor was a 93 sc400. Used the trans from the car and a t100 case. I don’t remember specifics but could find them if someone is interested.

 

[RascoBuilt]

Finished up the 1uz swap and wanted more suspension

Ended up going the Blazeland weld it yourself route. Pretty straight forward and it drove nice!

Paired with Chevy 63” springs and a welded rear end, this was basically a point and shoot for anything within reason for 33s.

And I could jump it

 

[RascoBuilt]

I bought a 14b and Chevy D60 somewhere in the middle of all that and they sat beside my house for a while. Had a kid, new position at work, and other Toyota projects kept me from ever taking the plunge.


Until now. Found a set of 40” nitto trail grapplers for free on marketplace. They’re worn out but figured they’d be good for mockup. Mounted them on some h2 wheels and I got to see the axle and wheel/tire combo. Got me pretty excited.


I have the rear axle in place already but it’s saying my pictures are too big. I’ll try again later

Stock toyota axle with 63s

Looks like i wont have to move the front hanger after all. This is with the 3" shackle

Put on a 7" shackle. May need a 1.5-2" block. im going to trim the fenders regardless, so we'll see.

Hoping this is ride height. Thats me hanging off the back to level it out some haha

How its currently sitting. gotta start hacking everything off and plate the frame. I unbolted all of the IFS stuff to use on my custom cab build.

 

[RascoBuilt]

Couple pictures with it’s Toyota siblings

And the old tow pig

 

[grapehead]

What's the story on the blazeland stuff? Are they a thing of the past? Website says new website coming soon (from 2022), no fb posts since 2020

 

[RascoBuilt]

What's the story on the blazeland stuff? Are they a thing of the past? Website says new website coming soon (from 2022), no fb posts since 2020

He hasnt stayed very active with it. He was trying to work with another company to manufacture and sell but they ended up screwing him over a bit. He announces on instagram every now and then about running another batch. I just bought another weld it yourself setup from him just because theyre getting kinda rare. He might have a few left.

 

[Squamch]

He didn't have any left as per his last post I saw. He got everyone paid for a batch, then got them and sent em out.

 

[7.3_6speed]

Following

 

[McBastard79]

In

 

[RunningProblem]

When you mock everything up make sure to leave clearance for NEW 40s. They’ll have more tread so plan an extra 1-2” of clearance so you don’t hate yourself later.

 

[RascoBuilt]

Got the front mocked up. I’m using OME CS010R RUF and 3 leaf Chevy 63s. I’m already on 7” shackles. Thinking I might need to find some 4 leaf packs with a little more arch. Maybe a 2.5-3” lift pack. I feel like the front is a little too high but i know the spring will settle after time.

When you mock everything up make sure to leave clearance for NEW 40s. They’ll have more tread so plan an extra 1-2” of clearance so you don’t hate yourself later.

I have a set of Pro Comp 40s that I need to swap out before I get it all finished up. Scored them for $900 and the guy gave me a bunch of random stuff.

 

[Hodgiemoto]

How well did the Blazeland kit hold up with the abuse? Been thinking about doing that to my 88.

 

[RascoBuilt]

How well did the Blazeland kit hold up with the abuse? Been thinking about doing that to my 88.

Man, it does great! Im putting this whole setup on my custom cab now because i liked it so much. It rides so much better than the stock setup and wheels crazy good.

 

[RascoBuilt]

Swapped out the 2wd 3 leaf 63s for a set of 4wd 4 leaf pack. Bumped the rear up an inch or so. Swapped out the worn out nittos for the new to me set of pro comps. Also pulled the lowest overload out of the front pack to get it down some. Got a few poser flex pics if they’ll load

Im 6ft

 

[RascoBuilt]

Approach angle is decent. I put the winch plate on after.

 

[RascoBuilt]

Had to take a break from building for a bit. Wife had our 2nd daughter a week ago! Stoked is an understatement!

Phone won’t post pics again. Go figure.

Have been building a 22r for my mini truck after everybody goes to bed though. Have a complete long block now. Waiting on a few more parts before I can toss it in. Also broke a bolt on the coolant plate on the bottom of the intake. Bummer dude.

The turdbox fleet in the driveway. 86 custom cab, 79 pickup, 79 fj40, and 87 mini truck (maybe for sale soon)

 

[RunningProblem]

Any concern about smacking those hubs on rocks?

 

[RascoBuilt]

Any concern about smacking those hubs on rocks?

Yes and no. They should be fine with the wheeling I mostly do. I am planning on buying some different wheels asap that should help with that. Also still have to pull the axles apart and rebuild. Theyre ford hubs on a gm d60.

 

[Boomtacoma01]

I remember seeing your Runner at Jambo. Nice progress so far!! Nice collection of yotas as well.

 

[Tydes]

Question about your hood louvers, did you make or buy that plate? Looks like it fits well but looks close to a yj setup.

 

[RascoBuilt]

I remember seeing your Runner at Jambo. Nice progress so far!! Nice collection of yotas as well.

Thanks man! I read through your build a while back and remembered seeing you out there too! Hoping i can run some of the better trails with you guys now. Fellow Lone Star Light guy as well

Question about your hood louvers, did you make or buy that plate? Looks like it fits well but looks close to a yj setup.

Its a poison spyder hood louver for a tj/yj. i just cut the top off where it said poison spyder. Ended up fitting pretty nice!

 

[7.3_6speed]

Congrats on the new baby.

 

[NorCalJalopy]

Congratulations on the baby, looks like you need a bigger rig now. I’ll send over a transporter to pick up this 4Runner.

 

[RascoBuilt]

Congrats on the new baby.

Appreciate it!

Congratulations on the baby, looks like you need a bigger rig now. I’ll send over a transporter to pick up this 4Runner.

thanks! Haha that’s why this one is getting built before the 84 pickup

 

[RascoBuilt]

Havent really made any progress lately. Its sitting in my shop next door to my office and i just stare at it every time i go out there lol. These 100+ degree days have been rough and its even worse in the shop with a welder going haha.

Got the passenger side frame brace welded on. Still need to do driver side and remount steering box. Bought steering links and hardware. Just gotta find time to do it all.


Side note: anybody in the DFW, TX area know anything about TDi swaps? I have a halfway finished 86 custom cab with a 2.0 BHW TDi mounted in it. Trying to get going on it as well lol. I have little to no time, so might as well try and build both

 

[RascoBuilt]

I needed this like a hole in my head buuut.....


Ive driven past this truck for years and finally decided to stop and talk to the guy. All of 10 minutes after i walked up, he said it was mine if i wanted it. We settled on $1500 and i winched it onto my trailer the next day. Come to find out He had a 20/22r hybrid, tri y header, dual mikuni side draft carbs, and pretty much everything to make it a runner again. Included it all in the price. Came from California and dont have much info on it before 2012. Trying to figure all that out now.

Im still working on the 4runner too! just slowly and havent taken very many pics.

 

[McBastard79]

Sweet

 

[rockota]

Helluva deal!

 

[rattlewagon]

That is rad

 

[Pitbullcruiser]

Solid Front Axle Race Truck!