Rot Box 4Runner

[BiggusBuilt]

This is going to be the start of my build thread for my 4Runner built to hurt all the jeepers feelings. My parts donor vehicle is my already built XJ that works, but is too far gone to save and turn into a family rig. The unibody was backhalfed right behind the front seats and now the unibody is cracking and started to rot out behind the frame stiffners. There’s also A LOT of very bad fab work that I have done as this was my first project rig that was supposed to wheeled for a year and then scrapped. That obviously didn’t happen and ended up turning into a XJ on 05+ Dana 60/14 Bolt combo with 42s and full hydro steering. Which is what the 4Runner will have when I’m done. I’m not going to have enough time to chop the frame off up front so at most the frame will be chopped in front of the motor mounts. I simply don’t have enough time to get this done in a few months and ready to wheel by spring. I’m going to do my best with posting updates as I knock stuff off the list. Anything that has a value of $100 dollars or more I’m going to try and re-use on the 4Runner because I’m poor.

I’ll post a few pictures of how I treat my XJ and this 4Runner will end up receiving the same treatment. It will just look cooler because it’s a 4Runner and not a typical ****box crawler XJ.

 

[the_white_shadow]

What kind of suspension are you going with? Links and coils/shocks or coilovers? You will need a new oil pan from the 3.4 for the solid axle.

 

[Blase]

What kind of suspension are you going with? Links and coils/shocks or coilovers? You will need a new oil pan from the 3.4 for the solid axle.

Best source for that new 3.4 oil pan.....which i'm assuming is rear sump instead of the factory front sump.?

 

[the_white_shadow]

Best source for that new 3.4 oil pan.....which i'm assuming is rear sump instead of the factory front sump.?

Yeah, you will need a T100 3.4 pan. Lots of places sell a it with everything you need i.e pan, oil pickup tube, dipstick, etc. Skys Offroad Design has the cheapest kit that i see but they are all in the $400-500 range.

 

[Blase]

Thanks. I see the local pull a part list having a T100 with a 3.4L. May go check that out. My 4runner with the 3.4 and straight axle is not ideal......IE the axle and the front sump on the stock oil pan have met each other. LOL

 

[BiggusBuilt]

What kind of suspension are you going with? Links and coils/shocks or coilovers? You will need a new oil pan from the 3.4 for the solid axle.

2.5x14 coilovers up front with a 3 link and the plan is Chevy 63”s out back.

 

[BiggusBuilt]

Thanks. I see the local pull a part list having a T100 with a 3.4L. May go check that out. My 4runner with the 3.4 and straight axle is not ideal......IE the axle and the front sump on the stock oil pan have met each other. LOL

Make sure it’s a 2wd T100 oil pan.

 

[BiggusBuilt]

Oil Pan- Toyota T100 3VZ & 5VZ OEM 2WD Oil Pan (1993-1998) 12101-65030

I was planning on picking one of these up but I’m hoping to find one cheaper.

 

[BiggusBuilt]

Well after consuming a few adult beverages and a few measurements I decided it was best to just cut off the frame rails and get it over with once and for all. Once I removed the front half I noticed that these frames have internal frame gussets which I didn’t know. Makes a lot of sense on why people can just bolt on a long travel kit and go bomb thru the whoops and abuse these little trucks. With that being said how is everyone removing these? Plasma cutter?

 

[the_white_shadow]

Is that internal frame brace welded in? Can you take a vice grip and wiggle it out? Otherwise, id plasma out as far in as i could then build your new frame rails. Good call on starting it from scratch.

 

[chaplinfj60]

you just saved yourself so much time and frustration by just making two cuts and undoing a few bolts and starting with a new frame section the way you need it.

 

[Blase]

Great choice! I'll be watching closely as I'm about the redo the front of my 4runner buggy.

Edit: is your 4runner standard or auto? Plans for the T-case?

 

[BiggusBuilt]

Is that internal frame brace welded in? Can you take a vice grip and wiggle it out? Otherwise, id plasma out as far in as i could then build your new frame rails. Good call on starting it from scratch.

That was my initial thought as well. Once I got it off I called it a night in the garage and I didn't really get a good look at how those were held in there.

 

[BiggusBuilt]

Great choice! I'll be watching closely as I'm about the redo the front of my 4runner buggy.

Edit: is your 4runner standard or auto? Plans for the T-case?

Mines an auto with the J shift transfer case. I'm leaving those completely stock and will address issues as they come.

 

[BiggusBuilt]

Knocking these gussets out with my angle grinder. My compressor is acting up and won’t go past 50 psi so my plasma cutter is not working.

 

[BiggusBuilt]

Been busy the past few weeks have not had the time to really get a lot done on the 4Runner. I ended up cutting the out side of the frame to remove the gusset that way I could get the 2x3 to sit where I wanted it. I was able to get the Dana 60 out of my old rig and under the 4Runner to start mocking stuff up.

 

[BiggusBuilt]

I suppose I can update this thread with some of the progress I’ve made.

 

[BiggusBuilt]

Using RockHound off-road crossmember they offer for the Tacoma made this easy.

 

[BiggusBuilt]

Started mocking up the front axle.

 

[BiggusBuilt]

Some photos with the upper link mount mocked up.

 

[BiggusBuilt]

I want this thing to resemble a Ultra4 car so that’s why I switched to 1 3/4” .188 tube for the front.

 

[BiggusBuilt]

My research pointed towards everyone has good luck with the T100 boosters and 80s GM master cylinder. I got the booster to master cylinder adapter from Sky’s off-road and would recommend them over the other big companies.

 

[BiggusBuilt]

This was a rough mock up just so I can watch the axle go up and down. These coilover tabs were too long for my liking.

 

[BiggusBuilt]

Had to take a quick picture of the rig coming off the jack stands for the first time.

 

[BiggusBuilt]

GoatBuilt is a town over from me so it’s nice to hit those guys up with requests for tube chassis parts. This is there Ibex winch plate I’ll be using. Sadly my 4Runner frame rails were an 3 inches to wide. I found that Barnes4wd makes tube chassis flat tabs so I used those for the plate to sit on top. I need to add more tie-in points to it since it’s a winch mount. As for now it’s good enough so I can keep moving forward.

 

[BiggusBuilt]

Cut the fenders and slapped the 42s on so I could finally do what I do best and that’s destroy perfectly good fenders.

 

[BiggusBuilt]

Gotta keep the Fox’s and Racelines out of the grinding dust. Also this is a really good hiding spot so the wife doesn’t see them because she knows how much these are she just doesn’t know I have them.

 

[Snowy]

Subbed

Also, you're right in my neighborhood. I live/work in Rockford area.

 

[Boomtacoma01]

Did yall just become best friends? lol

Looks great man keep the pictars coming..

 

[jhama78]

And Then?