Author Topic: Formula Four Toyota #004 Rebuild (Read 5436 times)

Volcom · « **on:** Dec 23, 2019, 06:52:34 AM »

Got the opportunity to purchase a four seater Formula Toyota chassis from a good friend of mine (ColoradoToy91).

https://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/toyota-formula-toy-forum/1030496-co-formula4-build.html
He took his engine, transmission, t-case, and axles from this F-Toy and is in the process of moving it into a Rock Lizard chassis.

I've been wheeling a 1984 Toyota 4Runner for the last 15 years. Started the build in 2004. Typical 1st gen 4Runner build with Toyota axles. I've been wheeling with buddies with buggies the last 5-6 years and being full bodied has been tough. Especially tough on drivetrain parts. Had my fair share of broken R&P's and twisted t-case outputs.

I haven't babied this 4Runner at all. Its been wheeled everywhere in Colorado, Moab UT, South Dakota, and the Hammers.

Original build up thread posted on the Marlin board
https://board.marlincrawler.com/index.php?topic=14334.0

Decided to sell the 4Runner to a good friend of mine. Part of the deal was I kept the axles and t-cases. Those will be transplanted into the F-Toy.

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Volcom · « **Reply #1 on:** Dec 23, 2019, 06:53:28 AM »

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Volcom · « **Reply #2 on:** Dec 23, 2019, 06:53:56 AM »

Picked up the F-Toy chassis this summer

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Going to suck building a buggy in a small 2 car garage with too much stuff in it already

This what it looked like right before he tore it down

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Volcom · « **Reply #3 on:** Dec 23, 2019, 06:54:36 AM »

The 4Runner ran before I pulled the engine but it ran poorly. Tons of white smoke out of the tail pipe. Figured it had a blown HG. Pulled the engine apart and got the heads off it. HG didn't seem to have any signs of a HG failure. Decided to have the heads pressure tested and they were both cracked internally.

Picked up another 3.4 from a 99 Tacoma with 180K on it. This motor had a manual 5 speed behind it.

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Looked good inside. Got a new timing belt, water pump, blah blah blah

Volcom · « **Reply #4 on:** Dec 23, 2019, 06:55:04 AM »

Had to pull the t-cases apart to get the stock 21 spline input in the front reduction block out. Going behind an auto, it has to be upgraded to 23 spline.

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Before the t-case surgery

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Little size comparison

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After

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With the auto to gear driven case adapter

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Stand alone 3.4 swap wiring harness that I bought

Volcom · « **Reply #5 on:** Dec 23, 2019, 06:55:35 AM »

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Prepping for motor mounts. Thanks for the help guys!!

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Finally getting the engine into the buggy!!

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Joe built some factory style motor mounts for his project and couldn't end up using them. They worked perfectly for my F-Toy

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Engine is in! Pushed back as far as I could.

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Got the t-cases mounted to the transmission and figuring out how to flat belly this thing.

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It's tucked up above the bottom of the frame rails. Only thing sticking down is the drain plug.

Zs Confederate Toy · « **Reply #6 on:** Dec 23, 2019, 07:56:11 AM »

Dude! This is gonna be rad!

Matty · « **Reply #7 on:** Dec 23, 2019, 08:06:40 AM »

can't wait to see them both back on the trail!

cbeers · « **Reply #8 on:** Dec 23, 2019, 10:02:55 AM »

congrats!
i enjoyed reading your build when i first got on mc.
i watched this today....you right?

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=CWjxY3fZe2w

CB

Volcom · « **Reply #9 on:** Dec 23, 2019, 11:50:48 AM »

Quote from: cbeers on Dec 23, 2019, 10:02:55 AM

congrats!
i enjoyed reading your build when i first got on mc.
i watched this today....you right?

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=CWjxY3fZe2w

CB

Holy blast from the past! Yup, that's me in the maroon, silver, cream colored 4Runner (before I painted it orange).

I hadn't seen that video before, good find!

camhays556 · « **Reply #10 on:** Dec 23, 2019, 01:42:27 PM »

Stoked to see a new build on here!

cbeers · « **Reply #11 on:** Dec 23, 2019, 04:16:09 PM »

camhays556
you wheel with Colin Smith and i see SLO....any chance related to Justin?

CB

camhays556 · « **Reply #12 on:** Dec 24, 2019, 08:13:29 AM »

Ya I live in SLO and wheel with Colin! Which Justin? Whats his last name?

cbeers · « **Reply #13 on:** Dec 24, 2019, 09:45:27 AM »

Justin Smith...would be his dad

a friend of mine when I went to Cal Poly....looong ago!

CB

camhays556 · « **Reply #14 on:** Dec 24, 2019, 11:32:12 AM »

I don't know Justin Smith but I am sure I will meet him at some point lol. I work at Polyperformance with Colin

:)bestgen4runner · « **Reply #15 on:** Dec 24, 2019, 11:07:37 PM »

Count me in
Tagging along

Wainiha · « **Reply #16 on:** Dec 25, 2019, 01:19:15 AM »

Jealous

Matty · « **Reply #17 on:** Feb 19, 2020, 11:40:38 AM »

get back to work Aaron!

Volcom · « **Reply #18 on:** Feb 26, 2020, 06:54:20 AM »

Quote from: Matty on Feb 19, 2020, 11:40:38 AM

get back to work Aaron!

On it!!! New PRP seats that I ordered at King of the Hammers are being delivered Friday!!

Volcom · « **Reply #19 on:** Mar 30, 2020, 02:06:34 PM »

Been working on this quite a bit just haven't uploaded any updates on it.

Went to KOH and got super motivated to get my buggy done.

Ordered some new front seats

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282115C6-E299-45A0-A87B-38B58EAF24F4

Going to be a PITA to build a sheetmetal tunnel between the seats and the t-cases. Not a lot of clearance

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CEC07F78-D388-4573-985A-877FB58A90A3

Finally got the drivetrain mounted where the front seats will fit and the t-cases and tranny pushed up almost flat

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Wanted to run full hydro but the budget isn't there so it's back to a steering box and hydro assist for now

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This was as low as I could get the engine without hacking the stock frame rails. It looks high but it's almost 3" lower than how this engine would sit in a 5VZ swapped truck or 4Runner. Optical illusion since the buggy fender bars are really low on an FToy

Volcom · « **Reply #20 on:** Mar 30, 2020, 02:07:32 PM »

Working on getting the radiator mounted and shroud built with the fan installed

This is the space I've got available to stick this thing

Building a 1" frame to hold the fan and shroud

Also started to try and figure out all the shifters and mounting locations. I think I'm going to end up ditching this factory auto shifter

Volcom · « **Reply #21 on:** Mar 30, 2020, 02:08:36 PM »

Working on trying to get this thing wired. Trying to tie the factory 5VZ auto engine harness, the existing buggy harness and the stand alone harness all together

10 gal Jaz poly cell with a hydramat in it. Holley is damn proud of those hydramats for the price they charge for them. Hope it's a kickass pickup for this buggy

Also picked up some goodies for the buggy! Used set of 39" Red's and a rear D70 that's narrowed to the same width as an IFS rear axle (58"). Not sure if they will make it on the buggy this season but we'll see!

Gnarly4X · « **Reply #22 on:** Mar 31, 2020, 03:04:40 AM »

Holy Moly Macaroni!

Gnarls.

Volcom · « **Reply #23 on:** May 04, 2020, 07:06:23 AM »

Fuel cell mounted

Mounted fuel pump and fuel filter

Starting to take some more shape and look like a buggy

Radiator mounted. Wanted to sink it lower in the chassis but the drag link would have hit the bottom of the radiator.

View from the front seat

Volcom · « **Reply #24 on:** May 04, 2020, 07:19:22 AM »

Cutting all the 4 link brackets off the Dana 70. I didn't have time to link it this season so it will stay on inboarded rear leaf springs.
#leafspringsareforpoorpeople

Can't believe the size difference between this and a Toyota 8" rear end. I'm going to be hung up rear diff all the time now

Sitting at ride height. 27.5" belly and 73.75" to the roof

New wheels!

Finally found a lower radiator hose that will work. Took way too long and way too many hoses to figure that out.

Volcom · « **Reply #25 on:** May 04, 2020, 07:22:28 AM »

Wanted to paint it something different than black so I'm using this grey. Frame and axles are staying black and skins and roof will be Kubota orange like my 4Runner

Wainiha · « **Reply #26 on:** Jun 04, 2020, 04:24:01 PM »

Nice wheels.

Do you have some sort connection to Volcom? I have friends sponsored by them.

And what are u taking your pics with? They're awesome.

4runner · « **Reply #27 on:** Jun 05, 2020, 01:38:19 PM »

I like where you're goin with this, I've been planning something very similar on the rebuild of my formula toy.

Volcom · « **Reply #28 on:** Jun 16, 2020, 07:42:01 AM »

Quote from: Wainiha on Jun 04, 2020, 04:24:01 PM

Nice wheels.

Do you have some sort connection to Volcom? I have friends sponsored by them.

And what are u taking your pics with? They're awesome.

Thanks, I like the wheels too! My first set of beadlocks!

No connection to Volcom minus the thousands of $$$ in clothes and gear I've bought from them

Pretty much all I wear. That's pretty cool to be sponsored by them

Photos are from my iPhone Xs Max. Nothing fancy but they do turn out pretty good!

Quote from: 4runner on Jun 05, 2020, 01:38:19 PM

I like where you're goin with this, I've been planning something very similar on the rebuild of my formula toy.

Thanks!

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