Topic: JT's 88 4 Runner Build

[jtaco1]

Ever since I installed the Corbeau Baja SS seats in the front of the 4 Runner, they felt too short, headrest at my neck and no chance of using the harness slot.  They do however fit my daughter perfectly with a booster base.  So I have been on the lookout for some new front seats and found a guy selling some slightly used Corbeau Baja Ultras for a song.

Going to hit them with some fabric paint from Duplicolor to make them black again and they will bolt right in and get me a headrest that works and be able to use the harness slots.  The Baja SS's will be moved to the back and replace the folding bench seat so that my daughter can sit back there with a friend and be in a harness versus the lap belt that is there now.

[jtaco1 [OP]]

Took a little time this afternoon and fixed up the Corbeau Ultra's.  Turned out pretty decent.  Next is to swap them out with the Baja SS's.

[jtaco1 [OP]]

Not much has been going on with this rig, has been sitting since the last trip out, but I have been getting a few parts.  Picked up a slightly used Aussie locker for the front axle last week, couldn't beat the price.  Also picked up a set of Longfields to finish out the front axle. 

[jtaco1 [OP]]

Picked up a set of Longfield Chromo hub gears for use with IFS hubs to go along with the 30splines. I figured go with hubs versus the drive flanges I have now in hopes of putting the 4 Runner back on the road in the future. Only worry now with the front axle is the pinion since it is a coarse spline. Going to keep an eye out for a fine spline diff.

[Nation]

The IFS has surprisingly held up great for what I have done with the 4 Runner.  I think being open in the front helps.  It defiantley does not flex much and will pull a front tire when things get twisty, such as in those pictures above in the Gauntlet. 

The dual cases with 4.7's make it really nice to wheel, plenty of gears to choose from, although I picked the wrong one on Saturday, which caused the roll.

The only problems I have had with this 4 Runner have been related to rust, such as my brake line and fuel line breaking.

From what i have seen multiple times on an 87 ifs runner. Its the front diff, pass side output shaft. Or the part where the cv bolts to the diff. That is what snaps clean. The trick is to take it apart and remove that shaft. You will see a factory weld on it where the flange and the shaft meet. Weld the crap out of that and youll be fine. If you ever run into any issues that is. Ifs front ends dont like lockers from what ive seen. But again. Weld that piece and smooth sailing.  For the most part.

[jtaco1 [OP]]

I have been doing a little bit to get the front axle ready for the SAS.  When I first built the axle I was going to run leaf springs and regular hysteer running 3/4" heim joints, but with the 3 link, I wanted the steering much lower, so here is what I came up with.

I took two pair of stock steering arms, mounted one set on top like regular and flipped the other set side to side.

Obvioudly they don't line up, so I cut, bent, and welded them so that they would.  I used a 5/8" bolt to align everything.  Single sheer wouldn't have been good enough, so I started to make the top where the drag link connects double sheer.


I also wanted to put the draglink in double sheer, so I added some 5/8" I.D. chromoly tube and got this as the final setup.



Will install them next and get the tie rod cut to length.

I also came across a killer deal on a set of 5.29 gears for the front axle, so I picked them up and will be getting a solid pinion spacer next.


One other change that came about in anticipation of running this on the road, was I picked up a set of OG 37" MT/Rs that are near new.

[Nation]

Sits nice!

[jtaco1 [OP]]

Some updates coming in the not to distant future hopefully.

[jtaco1 [OP]]

"Final" piece for the rear 3 link came in today. Combination upper link mount and panhard bracket.

[THK Matt]

Damn dude!

[John Doe]

Damn dude!

X2

I am looking forward to where this goes!