My kid lost interest so I'll build it for the Lil Mrs. build

Banged out (most of) another project on @RobertsT4R today. Mounted the BMW seats. Will wire them up tomorrow.

 

I really like those seats in there!

 

The fit really well. Wasn't too hard to make work. Only thing is they sit up a little higher than the original seats. I tend to lean back pretty far so it's not that bad... Robert is quite a bit shorter than I am, so he actually likes it better with the new seats.

BMW seat are WAY more comfortable... lol

 

Drove the rest of the old gas out of Robert's truck. Added octane boost and a full tank of 91. Replaced plugs and plug wires. Tighted up a bunch of loose shit on the air intake tube. Plugged the hole I found in the air intake box, and replaced the air filter.

I think this bitch is ready to go back for smog.

 

Did you get it to pass smog yet? Very interested on how this turns out.

 

Took it to our mechanic. He can't find a fault code or any reason why it should not have passed.

 

That sux, I may be in the same boat if Nevada makes me smog my 4runner. It was sitting for over a year because the PO lost the keys and it still has a half a tank of gas. Hope you figure out this mess.

 

I'll let you know what happens

 

Damn, it's been a while since I updated this thread.
Ok... well... things have changed on this build!

Robert really didn't have the means to get this thing off the ground. Understandable. It was fun working on it with him, and it's been a good vehicle, to get him where he needs to go. But now he has moved to Florida, where the highest spot is, like, 309 ft elevation. And he's got other things to prioritize.

So... now... the question is, what do we do with the 4 runner.

The answer is... I buy it from Robert, and build it for Jen

Hopefully, some of my go to bros will be here for moral support, and in some cases wrenching support, and give me sound advice that I may or may not take (but it will be appreciated none the less)

@Blue Canary @essjay
@Kwikvette @foxrcing07 @Impoy47 @rob1208 @Speedo @nDub @10YSON @Ricardo13x
@realsystem @MattJakobs @theesotericone

 

This build should be a lot more streamlined than the Tacoma.
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/el-taco-diablo-mall-crawlin-now-with-lt-for-tall-curbs.523955/

I know a lot more about what does, and doesn't work. (I think I've been through 6 or 8 iterations of lifts on the Taco). What our needs will be with it. And I have a much better idea of where to get the parts etc.

 

I think I'm giving myself a somewhat realistic timeline that this rig needs to be ready to roll out for King of the Hammers next year.

We missed out on Hammers this year due to circumstances out of our control. I'd like to make a come back with Jen driving her own rig.

I'm planning on making a build series for this thing. We'll see how that goes. I really need to get myself more accustomed to being in front of the camera, while working, if we're ever going to get that channel off the ground.

Check it out if you haven't already. I do already have more content to edit. A couple of trips and other projects.

https://youtube.com/@theventurebeyond?si=e5g9BlZLAUdsukyu

 

So... with the goal of getting this thing to Hammers 2026, this is where the shit is going to hit the fan, lol.



This thing may not be in it's final form for Hammers. But it needs to be built in such a way that it'll make it down there, let Jen have some fun with it, and it's gotta at least look cool

At least, this build I won't be doing a bunch of trial and error, trying to figure out what we need/want out of it.

The idea of another rig actually really works out in some of the discussions we've had about what would benefit us on the trail.

We've talked about getting an off road trailer, to move some of the weight of all the shit we carry on to another axle. This way... we're moving that weight to 2 other axles instead. It would really be helpful for weight distribution on the truck, and give us a lot more space, to possibly have the dog(s) ride around with us.

And... most importantly... Jen has the bug to wheel. Judging by how good of a spotter, and driver, she is, I think she'll be showing me up pretty quickly.

 

Dude, Jen’s going to show us the easy lines . I’m looking forward to seeing this take off and I’ll try to keep up. Wrenching and moral support are always there. ❤️❤️❤️

 

The functions:

This Runner will need to be able to, at least, keep up with me.

I'm long travel front, long travel width back on Chevy 63s, locked front and back, twin cases, and on 37s.



I'm not sure she'll be that built by Hammers, that's going to be a matter of finances, and how extremely stupid I want to be over the next year. We'll see how that goes, I definately have a proclivity of being an idiot.

First step is definately armor. Front and rear bumpers, sliders, skid plates (IFS, trans, tcase, gas tank) must be done relatively soon.

Next, we'll need to build a drawer system for the back, and platform for fridge. The plan is to have all the food items in the T4R. That will get them out of the Tacoma.

Another important item is comms. I'll need to install a HAM base unit. Since we won't be able to just talk in the truck, I'll still need to be able to give her shit over the radio.

Suspension. Here's where I don't know how far we'll get before Hammers. Right now it's on Bilstein 5100s all 4 corners.

The end plan is:
Long Travel 3.5 - Brand yet to be determined, but I want to have manual hubs. I ran auto hubs with my LT for a season, I don't like it... at all. I have my reasons, they are good reasons, auto hubs are dumb.

LT width in back - I'll probably build another Ruff Stuff housing with full float, except this time with an 8.4 diff instead of the 9.5 I built for the truck. I don't think a T4R needs a 9.5 (I'd be interested in what other people think on this)

I plan on doing outside the frame shock mounts with 3 link in the back. 14 inch shocks.

My plans will require a 1 inch body lift, which is not bad, I have a 1 inch on the truck. It helped in a lot of ways.

Lockers front and rear will be Harrop e-lockers.

It will have dual cases, not sure if I want to do another Trail Gear, or if I want to go with something that can be clocked to flat body. (Something else I'd be interested to hear some input). Re-geared to 5.29. = I'm reasonably certain this category won't be done by Hammers.

I plan on clearancing for 37s with stock width axle/IFS and BEFORE the body lift. If it fits before LT and body lift, it will definately fit after. Yes, I'm aware that's a LOT of cutting, I've done once before

 

Starting off, I ordered the body lift.

 

The bumper is on order.




But I went with the full hoops, like this.

 

Rock sliders are on order. The same as mine (only shorter for T4R instead of DC Taco). These sliders have taken some massive abuse on my truck.




Summit is free shipping... on sliders... if you can believe that.

 

I purchased the plans for a drawer platform. That should be interesting.




I'm no stranger to wood working, but I do prefer metal.

 

Hell yeah brother! So far the list looks awesome! I’m currently on a NWF EcoCrawler and that things it’s fucken amazing! Quiet, leaks free, all Toyota guts and clockable!

 

I really wish they had 4.70 ratio available

I really like having the 2.28 or 4.70 or 2.28x4.70. I actually spend a lot of time in 4.70.

I've read some about the Eco Crawler it might be an option for this one. I do like clockable aspect.