Jon64l 3rd Gen build

Snagged this 2000 4x4 off craigslist when the lady expressed she wanted a rig to drive. Only stipulation it had to be automatic. So I hit the search button and this popped up for a reasonable price since it needed a new false water pump. Made the deal and got her all fixed up with a genuine Aisin false water pump, new radiator and hoses.

Bonus! This rig came with Icon 2.5" coil overs up front! I didn't even notice when I looked at it, and the guy didn't mention it either. I took them off to clean and crank up a few notches. Not too much, as I still wanted to have droop travel. Feels good and takes washboard/ small whoops very well.

To match the front suspension, I found some Icon piggy back resiviour shocks for the rear (used) and some new Omw 906 springs to pick up that saggy bottom. Well the Icons ended up snapping off on the trail. I had the shock rebuilt at Icon (new top hat, mount, upper hardware, oil change, lower spacers). I went with some Bilstien shocks and they actually feel better for the type of driving this truck sees, (80% D/D, 20% offroad). Also did new factory rear upper arms. Looking to do aftermarket lowers at some point.

I found a 4.30 locker axle and swapped that in along with a front diff to match the ratio. Noticed a little better acceleration vs the 4.10 gears, but not much to write home about. It was nice that the truck was half pre wired for the e-locker, made things very easy. Just plug and play all the parts. Only had to extend the 6 wires from the relay box to the harness that mounts under rear seat. Works great! Also did the Gray wire mod (blue w/red) and now donuts couldn't be easier!

The rig has been a great daily/camp/weekend wheeler for us! Recently broke off one of the fender flairs on some rocks going out to a mine. So I modded some frame sliders from a Tacoma to fit.
Cut the length to fit. Happened to be just in front of one of the ladder braces, so cut that just behind the weld. Made some caps for both sides and tigged them on. Salvaged the 1st and 3rd tube mount to frame and moved them to clear factory 4runner cab mounts. Prepped frame and 220 migged on.
Now I'll probably hit something else besides the sliders, but that's to be expected.

Couldn't be happier with it! Ac is cold, trans shiftes smooth, and every power option works!

 

Awesome!

 

I finally got around to ordering some clips for the fender flairs that ripped off. The first one from a slip from a rock, the 2nd from a tree grabbing the edge. Also added a few extra mount points by welding on some M6x1.0 nuts to the inner metal brace. I'm happy the truck looks one piece again.

 

Put together a Tundra 13wl big brake swap with all Toyota parts.
New Oem rotors, pads, shims, hardware and rebuild kit.
On my way to put on the parts, the power steering went out, so ended up doing re-man rack with new Toyota pump and Tie Rid ends. Also noticed Cv axle was leaking, so grabbed a re-man from Toyota along with new upper and lower ball joints. When I took off the factory upper joint, I noticed the UCA bushings were beat, so I swapped in some low mileage arms from a truck that went Uniball. Basically everything that moves is new now! Going to get some Whiteline Lca bushings soon to finish it off.

 

I was out on a trail and tried a big ledge that some Jeeps were trying. No body made it up, but I did manage to smash my gas tank pretty good. I found another from a 97 and swapped it. Also put in a new Toyota fuel pump for peace of mind. Well turns out fuel level sender is different 97 to 00. Made guage go down to E after about 80 miles. Had to drop tank again to swap them, at least it isn't hard. 97 on left, 2000 on right.

Finally got around to getting the Sonoran Steel rear lower links. These things are beefy! New bushings feel good too, made the clunk shifting from reverse to drive go away. Rear end is tighter over bumps too.

While I was at it, I got the lower link mount protection from Lotus. Another stout product!

 

Finally got around to installing the Whiteline Lca bushings, also did Total Chaos rack bushings and another rack since this one was already off for the job and had loose inner joints. They replaced it for free so why not.

The rear pan hard bar was also upgraded to a Sonoran Steel adjustable unit with poly bushings. It was adjusted to center the axle under the rear end.

The truck feels so much better! It used to pull and dart under heavy braking, which wasn't very comforting. All the bushings and ball joints are replaced throughout the vehicle and handling is spot on.

While the PS system was drained, I added a bar and plate PS cooler. This should help out cooling in slow moving or hash situations. Also added a Auto Trans cooler to help out during summer camp trips. Both coolers fit behind the grill with some simple mods and one bracket each.