Topic: The Almost "COMPLETED" 36 Hour SAS build (updates 10-24-06)

[gotrocks]

Well my BRAND NEW 4 Runner engine hit the crapper this weekend on my 87.  I was about to cry when it went out and so now I'm faced with a big delema.  WHAT TO DO NEXT.  I have a wheeling trip planned for the 19-25 of March to Moab with blackdiamond.  I'm not about to miss out on another year of wheeling in moab and so I have to scrap something together now to wheel.  Today as I was trying to cut my looses I came up with this crazy idea.  Do a SAS next weekend and have it driveing by the 16.  I know this is short but I think its doable. 

GOAL:
1. Turn a bone stock 88 4Runner into a capable wheeling in 6 days.
2. Do the SAS in a weekend.
3. Put in a marlincrawler.
4. Put in Marlins 4 inch springs.
5. Fab up some Rock Sliders.
6. Drive it by the next weekend.

So what do you guys think is it possible?  I'm confident I can do it.

[BLACKDOG]

If you're confident that you can do it, then go for it   make sure you get plenty of pics





why not swap said 88 motor over to the 87?? 

[gotrocks [OP]]

Here is the victim.

[gotrocks [OP]]

why not swap said 88 motor over to the 87??

well we eliminated almost all of the vacume lines on the 87 motor and we looked over the wireing harness today to see what if it'd work.  We found enough differances that we didn't want to chance doing all of that work and find that we have eletrical issues with the swap.  I HATE engine work and know that I can swap suspension systems so much easier than engine parts.  We gave it alot of thought but decided that it'd probably be easler to just rebuild another rig ( I know it might sound stupid but the challange sounds fun)

[sloyota]

you can do it...double check your measurements..take lots of photos

[whiteman]

You should not have a problem at all completing it in 36hours, jut make sure you have plenty of monster energy drinks on hand and you will be good. 
Remember in the middle of each step to take pictures.

[Hyena]

what went in the new engine?

[MiniSimp]

You can do it, just prep everything you can without taking apart the truck.

[alwayzbroken]

Use large amounts of alcohol to lure some buddies over to help. An extra grinder will help the most to speed up the process. One person can work on each side. I think you could easily keep a buddy of two busy to get it thrown together the fastest.

[IronClad]

a guy on pirate did it in a weekend with like 1 buddy.. its posible ive done it before too.   if yer a good fabber  you should have no problem

[blackdiamond]

            

This isn't the news I was hoping for...

Gotrocks  blackdiamond (for 4runner)

Gotrocks    blackdiamond (for Super Bowl)

You gotta get one going, the group is getting smaller by the day.

Bruce's brother Duane can't come until the following week due to a work conflict so Bruce is now planning to arrive Wednesday night only giving us 2 days with his winch for extra support.  I want to do Pritchett Canyon, but it isn't a good idea without having a winch along.

Somebody...Pimp His Ride!

I have faith that you can pull off the build, how confident are you in the motor in the 2nd Silver 4Runner?

Why not the red 4Runner one or the FJ40 or the pickup?

No cameras unless you have a camera man so you are not wasting time 

YOU CAN DO IT!

[blackdiamond]

Keep in mind that we can still have a ton of fun with an IFS truck with a mild lift and lockers.  Many of the Moab trails are fairly forgiving for ground clearance.  When I had 32's and a 3.5 inch lift I was limited by my stock gears and open differentials more than anything else.  I think that you could easily do everything but Pritchett Canyon, and a few select spots, that I was planning to run.

  You still have several weekends available, why the 36 hour limit?

[gotrocks [OP]]

well many blackdiamond here's why I'm building the Gray 4Runner.

The engine on the Red 85 Runner is experiencing an electrical  problem that we spent a couple hours trying to figure out.  Yes it has EFI and its a 85 with the Straight axle but I don't trust the drivetrain on it.  I'm not taking the 90 ex cab because it is up for sale and I don't want to have any problems with it.  Besides it as well has engine problems that I can't figure out right now.  As fas as the FJ is concerned it is not a candate because its going to have a restoration done to it sometime later and it doesn't have any gears or lockers under it.

I'm going to be taking my axles from under my gray (my built one with the bad engine) 87Runner and put them under the silver (bone stock) 88Runner.  I want to do this in a weekend because I need it to be done quickly to make sure that all of the kinks are ironed out.  I need time to do all the odds and ends projects in the remaining time before our trip.

Oh and Gotrocksgirl siad she'd be the camera girl so that we don't have to stop.  Also by doing this I'll have my winch on for pritchett canyon  

[gotrocks [OP]]

what went in the new engine?

I did a complete overhaul on the engine and replaced EVERYTHING internally.  Bored .40 over (found that it had previously been worked on) new crank, pistons, cam, oil pump, valves, springs, etc.  We were braking it in last weekend and it just didn't like how I broke it in.  I was wheeling with it but it sure didn't like it.  I didn't rev the enine very high and was in the snow but I guess it'll be a lesson learned.

[gotrocks [OP]]

Oh and don't worry everyone I will take LOTS of pictures.  My buddy who helped rebuild the engine said he'd help do the swap.  He and I are pretty proficient fabricators and with each of us taking sides of the truck to work on we can crank it out pretty quickly.  I'm going to make the crossmember this week and gather all of the parts needed.

[blackdiamond]

I am a big    supporter, but...

    

This is the second time my parts have been seriously delayed to the point of canceling the order.

Thanks to work, I have no choice but to take my axles to the shop to get rebuild, I don't have learning time this week and I have to have it by next week to work an odd shift.  The shop was ready for the axles tomorrow and the parts should have arrived today...but they were shipping today late so I had to pay 2nd day air and hope they make it by Wednesday.     

[alwayzbroken]

I am a big supporter, but...

 

This is the second time my parts have been seriously delayed to the point of canceling the order.

Thanks to work, I have no choice but to take my axles to the shop to get rebuild, I don't have learning time this week and I have to have it by next week to work an odd shift. The shop was ready for the axles tomorrow and the parts should have arrived today...but they were shipping today late so I had to pay 2nd day air and hope they make it by Wednesday.

That sucks. I have been there before. A few times.

Keep in mind that we can still have a ton of fun with an IFS truck with a mild lift and lockers.

Keep in mind, big black solid axle Ford Super Dutys with mild lifts and swampers make for a good time as well. Forget hurrying to build the Toyota in a weekend. Trash that big Ford instead. Don't forget to take pictures.

[Ramrod]

36 hours should be doable.  I did mine by myself in 5 days.  This included all suspension, front end rebuild, dual cases, new drivelines, making plates for steering.  I could have done it faster but alot of the days I started at like noon and was missing alot of parts

[gotrocks [OP]]

alwayzbroken there is no way I'm taking the tow rig on the trail.  Way to big, and I think my dad would kill me if I screwed our truck up and hey I like the challenge of doing a build in a weekend.  Oh and btw the ford isn't exactly a mild lift 7 inches with 37's and its a diesel

bigbluewillys thanks for the reassurance.  I know its possible and I know I'll be able to do it.  I have to get a heep out of my shop this week before my rig gets to move in for the transformation.  I'm getting excited to start. 

You guys want to help me get a list together of everthing I might need before we start the build.

[88-REDRYDER]

I think it can be done just make sure you dont half ass it

[motorider228]

its definitley do able if you have everything for it.

[gotrocks [OP]]

here's my to do list before this weekend.

1. Fab up the front crossmember
2. Do an inventory of all parts to go on and tools needed
       Leaf Springs F/R
       Shocks
       Rear Spring mounts
       Dual case crossmember
       Brake Lines
       Grinders X2 and lots of grinding disks
       Welder
       Plasma Torch and new torch tips
       Misc. Tools (wrench's, sockets)
       
3. Pressure wash the Runner so that there is less prep time for the torch
4. Clean the shop (always annoying to work in a messy shop)

is there anything that might make it easier, let me know

[motorider228]

is there anything that might make it easier, let me know

get a few more grinders and some    and some midgets. They dont get in the way as much when your working under the truck as your friends would. 

[gotrocks [OP]]

thanks I'll keep my eye's out for those little guys

[yotaboy79]

get'er dun!!!!!!!!!!

[gotrocks [OP]]

well so far its not done yet.  I had hoped to get it on tires by the time I'm writing this but hey it just didn't happen.  My buddies that were suppose to show up Sat. night and help me with the tear down of the runner never showed up and I couldn't get a hold of them last night or today so instead of complaining about it I just starting doing it with my g/f (gotrocksgirl).  I have to say not many guys are lucky enough to get their ladies out in the shop, I'm glad she isn't scared to get her finger dirty.

[gotrocks [OP]]

what happened Saturday night.......

I got started about 6:00 pm



within an hour I had all of the metal measured and cut for the fabing of the front crossmember




test fit of the springs

[gotrocks [OP]]

after finishing the front crossmember I had a little help front my g/f.  I taught her how to change out head lights.  I recently picked up some H4 conversion kit from Auto Zone and had her put them on the runner




She was very proud of her self after learning that

[gotrocks [OP]]

Sat. night was a very dissapointing night since I was way behind schedule.  All that was accomplished was the front mount, headlight change, and getting it on jackstands.

Sunday.
With the wheels off and on jackstands the real work starts.  I first removed the torsion bars from the suspension.  This allows me to drop the upper A arm down to gain access for torching off the mounts.

[gotrocks [OP]]

Victory is ours.



But not without carnage.  When I was making the last cut my hand got caught with the falling IFS crap and it caught my hand while it was falling and seered my thumb and index figure on my left hand.  Its hard to see but that it part of my muscle trying to push out of the whole it made.  In all honesty it really doesn't hurt because it cotterized my fingers as it did its damage.