MFJ's 4Runner Build

Well here is my build process so far. I purchased this 04 4Runner with a slight head gasket leak and was thinking of selling after fixing it but decided to keep it and start the build process! Here is what I got so far and there will be much more to come! Going to be on here much more. Hope this post is in the correct spot.
As you can see it was kept so clean from the previous owner...
Let the tear down process begin

ANNNDDDDD Heres your sign! just a bit of coolant in cyl 6 and found burnt oil coating dam near everything. Let the rebuild process begin!
After sticking everything slept in the parts washer for a few days it was time to put everything back together!

Its looking like a motor again! Cleaned everything as much as possible without going crazy. As some of you may notice the timing chain guides on the heads are not there... Yes I put the cover back on before finding the guides upstairs, yes some choice words were used!

Decided to go with the quicksand color.

Alright all back together and in the runner!!! time to hook this up and see if it blows up!

ALL BACK TOGETHER!!! Yes added a catch can after seeing all the oil in the intake. It runs great all sounds so much happier!
Now that the motor was given a second chance its time to work on the suspension and armor next!

 

Nice work, did the HG on my 04 as well. Take a look at my build for motivation, I have all of the suspension items you have listed in the poll (King and Dirt King all around), makes a great setup.

 

Thanks man! I was actually drooling over your setup all day Saturday. Buying the front and rear suspension though the group buy today I believe. Going king front and rear with 3" springs. I am hoping to purchase my welder soon as well. I was actually going to ask you where your rear suspension setup was posted to so I am going to take a look at that now!

 

There have been quite a few iterations, but the meat of it is here:

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/wishbone-runners-build.238998/page-30#post-11982782

With the new lower shock mounts here:

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/wishbone-runners-build.238998/page-38#post-14699635

 

Is it required to pull the motor for a HG replacement or was it just easier that way?

Nice work.

 

It's not required by any means but it's so much easier to do it that way plus I had the lower and upper oil pan leaking and the transmission pump seal but if you don't have a lift it is doable.

 

Time to get some stealth custom wheels on this and then just waiting for my shocks to show up!

 

When you replace EVERY seal in the engine and you pull in up on the lift and find a leak Turns out that massive rear main leak wasn't just the rear main but the pump seal right behind the torque converter... Time to remove the trans and do all that work instead of just replacing it when the motor was out...

 

Can anyone on here shed some light on me here. I have my 4runner here with the back half having water entering somewhere. Going to be tearing it apart more today but if there is anyone with some known information with common water leak areas on these things would be greatly appreciated.