2003 4Runner Limited 4wd V8 FJ tcased overlanding rockcrawling do-it-all build

Yeah, from FL it certainly is! I haven't been to Moab yet myself, so this should be a fun trip.

 

WHAT?!?!?

 

Group from 1st gen lunchtable.

 

Bummer, I've tried to follow that thread, but I get lost with how quickly things change on it from minute to minute.

 

Yeah, you have to ingore the older stuff. If you miss a couple days, just jump into the most recent stuff and ignore the rest.

They started a thread in 1st gen for the Lunchtable Moab trip tho. - https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/2020-lunchtable-meet-moab-ut.628568/

 

Thank you, but I have to go play army that weekend. I can't wait to get out of the guard, it ruins so many things in life...

 

So I just talked to the driveshaft shop and got clarification as to why he needed to get the new parts.

The stock shafts I have are fuse welded and he said there was little chance he could cut the pinions off and still have them useable. He did say that different models used different shafts as well. So it's very possible you 04 V6 had different shafts than my 03 V8.

Either way, I will possibly have the new shafts tomorrow afternoon.

 

Got the driveshafts back this afternoon. Unfortunately, either I screwed up on the measurement of the rear or the driveshaft shop did but the rear shaft it still too long, by about an inch, factoring in leaving 1" to 1.5" of free room in the slip yoke. I can't even collapse it enough to get it onto the flange.

Front shaft it perfect tho. I swear, i measured the length like 5 times too. Maybe it was the new rear links that made the difference. Anyhow, rear goes back tomorrow to get fixed.

 

Bummer

 

Were any parts reused or all new?

 

All brand new, complete driveshafts. Shortened shaft for the rear will be ready tomorrow. After talking with the owner, we figured it was likely because I took measurements with the old, worn rear links in and then installed the new, adjustable rear links while I was waiting. He said it was about 1/4" too long. He made it slightly shorter than the new measurement I gave him and isn't charging me for re-working the shaft. So I have no complaints. The guy is very stand-up.

 

this will help the next time:

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/front-diff-drain-plug-alternate-oem-part.604989/

 

Way ahead of you. I already have the Lexus drain plugs waiting on the next oil change. And a new Toyota plug in there with anti-seize.

 

Those suck to do on rust buckets up here

 

Yeah, I can imagine. If I had that much trouble with a rust free vehicle, I have no doubt adding corroded, rusty metal into the picture would have really made it suck worse.

 

4Runner is back on the road!

Newly re-sized rear driveshaft fits perfectly. Had to take it down the road to fill the tank. No vibrations up to 60mph so I think it will be good. Tested 4HI and 4LO in the street out front of the house, both worked as expected. I do get a little grinding going into 4LO with the trans in N and then again going back into 4HI but I'll see if that goes away with some use and when the engine and everything else is more warmed up. Fluid level in the tcase is good, running Redline 75w90 gear oil per specs for the tcase.

No more clunking in the rear end coming to a stop with the new rear links either. Feels much more solid overall back there.

I'll see if running in 2WD now will give any improvement in mpg or not. Not really expecting much, more curious than anything. As long as it doesn't get worse.

Probably take it out tomorrow for some light wheeling locally to make sure everything is good.

 

Before:



After:

 

4WD works awesome on the 4runner now.

Went and order up 5 new tires this morning, Toyo Open Country A/T III, since I liked the A/T IIs so much on the Tacoma. Jumping up from 265/70x17 to 285/70x17LT 10 ply tires. Should have them Monday afternoon.

After that, I went to the Reddington Pass OHV area and did part of a trail called Chiva Falls. Pretty fun, only did part of it because when I got to one part, it was pretty gnarly and I was running solo and didn't know the trail. Made the judgement call to turn around there for now. @esxcl would have a lot of fun climbing the falls there in his truggy, nice 2 step staircase that is about 4 or 5 feet each step. I figure at least 35s or 37s for that area for the hard shit. There is a bypass tho, still pretty rough looking.

Managed to drag the front skids, exhaust crossover pipe, gas tank skid and rear diff over a big ass boulder. Least I didn't get hung up, that would have sucked.

Video of Jeeps running the trail.

https://youtu.be/KSb84BJtkU8

The hill in the background here I had to come down and is where I scrapped the underside up. Need more lift and bigger tires. Part of that happening soon. And probably some better than stock armor would be a good idea.



4Runner was solid tho. Shifted into 4LO nice and easy. Gearing feels maybe a little lower than the stock tcase too. Rear link arms have really tightened up the rear end on the road and still flex good off road. They certainly aren't the limiting factor in rear travel right now.

No vibrations driving on the freeway, all the way up to just over 80mph. Very pleased with the changes so far!

 

I've done Chiva Falls in my Ranger, TJ and Hilux. The rock garden wasn't fun though, just a very bumpy section.

 

Yeah, rock garden was fine, I just wasn't too sure about the first "falls" section since I was solo and had never done it. I also don't have as much travel as the Tacoma did and no rear locker.

So, need someone to go do it with me next time or just hurry up and get the locker and lift done