99nmtaco's 4Runner build

In 2013 we picked up a 2001 4runner for my wife and began building it up to be our family adventure rig. This build has been through a few changes over the years and it just keeps getting better and better!

How it currently sits:


Other pics over the years:



Build Specs:
2001 4runner SR5 with Sport Package

Under the Hood:
-Stock 3.4 V6
-Auto trans
-B&M 70268 trans cooler

Suspension:
Front:
-ADS 2.5 Ext travel coilovers
-650lb springs
-MCM fab UCA's
-1" diff drop
-swaybar removed

Rear:
-OME 890 springs (removed)
-OME 891 springs (removed)
-OME 861 springs
-Bilstein 5125 rear shocks (removed)
-ADS FJC piggyback shocks
-Front Tacoma swaybar endlinks on rear swaybar

Wheels and Tires:
-16x8 SCS Stealth 6 rims
-285 75 R16 Cooper Discoverer ST MAXX

Armor:
-4xinnovations rock sliders
-Addicted Offroad front plate bumper
-4xinnovations rear plate bumper w/tire swingout

Misc:
- Extended rear diff breather
- Tundra Brake Mod
- Knock off ARB snorkle

 

Got the lift on over the weekend and man what an improvement over the spacer lift that was on it when we purchased it! Also got some new meats! We went with 255 85 r16 BFG Km2s. Love um so far! Will try to get some better pics this weekend when we take it out on its first run.

Before:


After:


New meats!

 

Took the runner out this weekend for a little while to test the suspension and tires. Only had a little rubbing so I have a little trimming to do now before our first real trail run.

 

Got a new light bar mounted up and fabbed up a cb antenna mount. Next we'll be getting some rock sliders welded up!

 

We took the runner out for its first trail run today! Other than a little tire rubbing in the back it did great its first time out!

 

Lookin good! How did you mount the light bar?

This pic is sweet!

 

Thanks man! I just bolted the mounting brackets the light bar came with thru the top of the bumper and backed it with some pieces of steel plate.

 

Well it's been a really long time since I've updated this thread! While I was away for work the last few months I began ordering a ton of parts for the wife's 4runner. I managed to get in on the All-Pro UCA group buy just before Christmas, I also ordered up some new tires and wheels, steering rack bushings, and sway bar bushings. Before I could add all the new goodies when I got back I started going thru and doing some much needed maintenance on the 4runner. I started with getting the rear main seal replaced and drivers side rear outer axle seal. The rear main seal had been leaking a while and I just never had a chance to get to it. After getting it back from the dealership I wanted to fix any other oil leaks that may potentially become an issue. A big one I've dealt with before on the taco was the valve covers so I ordered the gaskets and tore into the engine.


This was a pretty simple job since having done my tacoma a year or so ago. While I was replacing the gaskets I figured it was a good time to do new plugs and wires as well.

 

This past weekend I finally got a chance to install the new UCA's.


The install process was pretty straight forward and it all came out great! A huge thanks to All Pro for the group buy they did and for the awesome customer service!

After finishing the UCAs I decided to knock out the steering rack bushings which were completely shot. The new bushings and UCAs made a huge difference in how the 4runner handles going down the road!

 

For tires I wanted to get something comparable to the KM2s we originally bought but also wanted to keep the road noise down since this is after all my wife's daily. While the KM2s were great tires they've just become obnoxiously loud as they've worn. I read a lot of great reviews about the Cooper Discoverer ST MAXX's so I decided to order them in a 285 75 16. I also decided to suprise my wife by ordering her a set of SCS Stealth 6s from Vin. I've gotta say they definitely pair well together and my wife was extremely happy with the set up.


A little comparison to the stock wheels and BFGs


It took a little bit of trimming on the front bumper and some love from a BFH on the pinch weld to get the 285s to clear without rubbing but the end result looks awesome!

 

Nice rig. I have built a few runners in the past also from making my Owen stuff. What I found works killer in the rear is the front stock coils from a 97-06 wrangler Or 86-01 Cherokee every one that has a jeep has stock springs sitting around easy to find. The only thing you need to do is to twick the pig tail on the spring but once you do that with will add around 3.5 inch to rear and it will handle any trailer load or roof rack tire And the ride still is great.

 

Sweet Runner! ​

 

Thanks man! I've never heard of anyone using Jeep coils before but that's awesome! I've been thinking about going with the LC 8 wraps when I change out the rear coils.

Thanks man appreciate it! It's definitely a work in progress.

 

Its been a while since my last update but with spring rolling around the corner its time to start getting the 4runner ready for some trips. I finally pulled the trigger on parts for the tundra brake mod.

Hopefully Ill have these on by the end of the weekend.

 

Well I finally got the tundra brakes installed! In the process I discovered my wife's been mall crawling too hard and tore a CV boot, which apparently dumped grease all over the front end. So I had some fun cleaning all of that up. Next I need to replace a leaking rear axle seal....again...for the 3rd time. One day Ill catch up on all the maintenance so we can actually take it wheeling again lol!

The tundra brakes went on super smooth and I cant believe I didnt do this mod sooner! Heres a before shot.


After the install


And the damaged CV which I replaced before installing the brakes.

 

Sweet 4runner! I like those wheels. What part of NM you from?

 

Thanks man, the Stealth 6s are awesome wheels and SCS is a great compay to deal with. Im originally from the Las Cruces area, where are you?

 

Yeah, they definitely fit your rig nicely!
I'm in Central NM, just south of ABQ.

 

So I think I finally figured out why the 4runner keeps blowing rear outer axle seals on the drivers side. After doing the tundra brake mod I started to dig into replacing the axle seal again.


This time around I went ahead and replaced the wheel bearing as well while I had it all pulled apart. I suspect the bearing was the reason I blew through the last 2 seals. It had a bit of play in it when I took it apart this time. So far its gotten rid of a slight road vibration I had started to notice recently and hopefully solved my issue with the leaking seals.

New bearing, tone ring, and clips.


New inner axle seal.


After I got the axle re-assembled I thoroughly cleaned the drum, installed new brake shoes, and changed the diff fluid. Hopefully I won't be doing this again for a loong time!