Murph's Build - 2001 4Runner Limited 4WD - 6 Passenger

The box in that last post contained a couple of other parts that I used for some small fun projects.

I decided to give the 4Runner a retro OEM look with the FJ40 "4 wheel drive" badge.




I extended the rear diff breather…


Many people push the breather through the gasket around the gas filler neck. I chose to run it up behind but not through that gasket.


I cleaned and painted my drums and hubs to give the 4Runner a cleaner look…


And, since my hubs were clean and black, I decided to show them off by removing the center caps from my wheels. I like the utilitarian look of it.





I found this Uhaul tube style trailer hitch on Craigslist to replace my OEM hitch. It tucked up under the 4Runner a little better than the stock hitch offering a touch more of a departure angle. I ended up giving my OEM hitch to @fjatheart. He used it until he bought a replacement rear bumper with a built in hitch.


(Feb & March 2013)

 

Details of the CB install from post #15.

Posting this for those of you looking for a semi detailed CB install in a 3rd gen 4runner.

I installed my Cobra 19 DXIV in the ashtray of my 2001 4Runner. I had to do a little cutting of the ashtray area and the mounting bracket that comes with it to make sure it was a secure install.

I used a Dremel to cut out the back of the ashtray mount. Before cutting I slid the cb in to determine how much needed to be cut and marked cut lines.


I took the top panel off of the CB to drill holes. Those holes (about 3/4" from the edge) were used to mount the top of the cb with the ashtray mounting screws. (Holes closest to the edge were due to trial and error. The CB was too deep to attach the antenna.)


Top installed.


Slide the rest of the CB in and reattach. I had to use the mic mount screws in the appropriate holes because the original screw holes were covered by the dash trim.



I cut a mounting tab from the CB's mounting bracket to secure the back. I used JB weld to attach. This will keep the CB from bouncing.


Use a 90* elbow for the antenna so you'll have clearance in the back.

Right angle coax adapter


All mounted up.


For power, I ran the positive through the firewall directly from the battery with the supplied inline fuse close to the battery. I ran the ground wire to a ground near the fuse panel under the dash. This model has no power plug connector, so I added male/female plug connectors close to the CB for easy removal.

 

The Old Man Emu lift that I installed on the 4Runner was the "Heavy" lift that included the 891 coils and 60027 shocks in the rear intended for 4Runners with extra weight in the back. Since I didn't have a heavier aftermarket bumper or a drawer system in the back, the ride was a little rough and jarring. Trying to remedy that problem, I tried a couple of different solutions. In March of 2013, I found a good deal on a set of front coils from a 1997 FJ80 to use on the rear of the 4runner. I purchased them and installed them keeping the OME 60027 shocks. The FJ80 coils were 7.5/8 wrap coils and gave at least 1-1/2" to 2" more lift than the OME 891 coils.

This picture shows the unloaded height difference between the LC80 coil and the OME 891.


The FJ80 coils lifted the rear even higher and created a lot of rake with the OME 883s in the front.


I rode around with this setup for a couple of weeks. At first, I didn't mind the rake. But, after awhile I decided I would prefer it be closer to level. Obviously the FJ80 coils offered a ton of flex, but the ride was still pretty rough. After more research and learning more and more about how coils and shocks work, I determined that the harsh ride wasn't because of the coils. I decided to try a different set of shocks. I ordered some Bilstein 5100 shocks that were built for the rear of a Tundra with 0 - 2" of lift. Bilstein part #

$106 24-100144 5100 Series Shock Absorber

24-100144. These were a near direct bolt-on for the 4Runner. The shocks came with a vulcanized bushing that did not fit the lower shock mount of the 4R. I pressed out the vulcanized bushing and pressed in a Daystar bushing that would fit the 4R's lower mount.

The new shocks…


and installed…


Since I was starting to not like the rake of the FJ80 coils, I went ahead and re-installed the OME 891s.

I have kept this setup since then and have been pleased with the ride quality. Whenever I end up putting a replacement rear bumper/tire carrier on, I will probably want to go back to a heavier shock such as the OME 60027.

(03/22/13)

 

The next trail ride was coming up, so I picked up a couple of "just in case" accessories.

Recovery…


and Safety…

 

In March of 2013, I had my first chance to go on a trail ride at Coppinger Cove near Chattanooga, TN. I had heard some great things about riding there and was excited to be able to go.

We met up with a great group of guys including two FJ40s, two 4Runners, two Wranglers and a Chevy LUV. Yes, a nearly stock Chevy LUV!

Enjoy the pictures…

Met for breakfast and getting ready to head out.






This is an old block building church that holds a service once a month for the "locals".


This is Brian and his Chevy LUV. He taught us that LUV stands for Light Utility Vehicle.


Two of my favorite trail buddies. And @FJatheart's T4R in the background.










One of many caves in this area. The opening was over 50 ft high.


From the inside out…


@FJatheart…


The Cove is full of God's beauty…






One of the many creek crossings…


Look at that flex…


The kids enjoyed playing in the rocks as much as we did…

 

Very cool.

 

Thanks.

 

Adding a couple of videos from that last trail ride at Coppinger Cove.

This is a fun little movie trailer that I created with iMovie using several clips that were taken on that trip.

http://youtu.be/3m1X-_GZTSU

 

The trail went into a creek around a corner and back up the other side. Come to find out it was a rocky bottom creek that wasn't quite as deep as we thought. We could have taken our time with it and not worried about getting stuck. You live and learn.

http://youtu.be/TE34PYPQ8xA

 

This was one of the long uphill climbs that was less rocky than most. A good break from the bouncing and jouncing of the cobblestone creek beds.

http://youtu.be/CZgNDtMls74

 

http://youtu.be/bu-gGqxO9-c

 

This is one of my good friends and wrenching buddy, Trae (fjatheart on 4runners.com and T4R). He and I help each other as much as we can; not only with wrenching on the 4Runners, but also in just living life.

Here, we were working on installing new steering knuckles on his 2001 T4R.

 

Trae gave me this steel box that I use to pack all my recovery gear and tools in when I hit the trail. I packed it up getting it ready for STLCA's Great Smoky Mountain Trail Ride (GSMTR) in May 2013.



Spoiler alert…. GSMTR pics coming up!

(05/14/2013)

 

Trae invited me to come along with him, his dad and his son to the Great Smoky Mountain Trail Ride put on by the Southeastern Toyota Land Cruisers Association at Wind Rock Park in Oliver Springs, TN. We spent 3 days riding many of the trails in the 72,000 acre park. The group there included all kinds of Toyotas including FJ40s, 4Runners, FJ Cruisers, Iron Pigs, Tacomas, Hilux and the list goes on. Our group of friends included an FJ40 owner driving a fun little Samurai.

On to the photos:

Our crew..


The Sammy three-wheelin' on trail 22..



As always, a non-action shot of my T4R, because I'm always the photographer..


Andy Scott in his FJC. The ATRAC system in these things is amazing.


Eric coming up trail 22.


What a view!


This was a great spot for lunch.


The boys laughing at cutting up while eating lunch.


Visiting the windmills. These things are huge!


Eric Scott wanted to have some fun on the challenging trail 15.

He ended up smacking this tree with his passenger side. The trail was wet, slick and hard to control.


The nights were capped off with a little socializing around the campfire.


Here are a few pics of other rigs that were there.



and a very colorful FJ40 motor..



And, one last poser shot of my rig…"Do you even wheel, bro?"


(May 16-18, 2013)

 

Awesome great to see another TN 4runner lover! Nice 4runner man!