Topic: Trail-runner's "better late than never build"

[Trail-runner]

Well as some of you know, This has been a on again, off again type build. I have had this 85 4runner for 5 years now. It's been retired from DD service, and it's time to get serious. Here's a pic of the 4runner, right after I bought it. I drove it home from Houston,TX, with 198,000 miles on the dial.

[Trail-runner [OP]]

Here's what it looks like now. It has a 2" body lift, 2" drive train lift, Aussie lockers FR/RR, LC vented rotors, V-6 calipers, marlin sliders, and custom rear bumper. I have already rebuilt the front axle and replace the bearings. The rear axle has one side that has new axle bearings and seals "hate the concrete, hate the concrete, hate the concrete". If you ever replaced the rear bearings on a Toy, then you now what I mean. I "hated" the job so much....I decided to wait on the other side.

[DanS]

Freakin clean,    plans?
keep us posted, DanS

[unclejpl4x4]

wow purrdy

[Trail-runner [OP]]

I took care of some of the clean I had it for 5 years... the prior owner would've cried if he seen it now.  The plans are MC07-r10 ultimate crawler, 4" lift, 5.29s, cross-over steering, FROR cross member, 36 swampers, and what ever else my budget will allow.

[Trail-runner [OP]]

I got the donor case took apart. I cleaned and bead blasted the reduction housing. MC07-R10 #313 installed. Had a little issue with the left side shift rail. The shift rail was real tight, so I called MC. I talked with rocky. He told me to tap the shift rod back an forth with a hammer to loosen it up. Did that and add a little grease.... worked like a champ. Good OL lucky #313 LOL. Next job pull the T-case and trany to install the 4.7 gears. While I have the trany out, I have some seals that need attention.

[Gittinit]

can't wait to see this thing on the trail. Wahoo! heres one for getting it done!
 

[Trail-runner [OP]]

I took the IFS steering box apart to drill and tap for hydro-assist.  I'm going to plug the box for now.  I felt like a dumb-ass for letting the 44 little balls fall out   Then, I checked the FSM, "don't let the balls fall out" Thats a quick way to ruin progress.  After doing a little search, I didn't feel so bad.  Seems this happens often.  O well,  got it back together.  I will drill and tap the box tomorrow.

[Trail-runner [OP]]

Got the box drilled and tapped.  It really isn't that hard of a job. Unless you let the piston unscrew, and drop all the little balls.

[Blazer707]

looks like ur on the right track!

[Volcom]

Got the box drilled and tapped.  It really isn't that hard of a job. Unless you let the piston unscrew, and drop all the little balls.

I did the same thing, drill and tap before the box gets installed.  After just installing hydro assist, you will thank yourself for doing that.  It was so easy just to pull the two plugs and connect the hydro lines!

Nice 4Runner!

[Trail-runner [OP]]

volcom, how is yours on the road.  Is it real twitchy?  I have some trails that are 30 miles away. I don't want to have to trailer it all the time; is that possible with hydro-assist?  The parts to go hydro-assist are not that much more than a steering stabilizer.  What other mods did you do (bigger tank, stock cooler, larger cooler, drilled out orifice)?

[Trail-runner [OP]]

I got the T-case pulled and cleaned up the worst of it. Time to tear it down and install the 4.7 gears.


Took this picture for the oiling tube position.


T-case clean and ready for 4.7 gears.

 

[twistedtoy92]

nice!!! i love transfer cases!! especially duals!!

[unclejpl4x4]

sweet     i pkan on doing that soon  kinda

[Volcom]

volcom, how is yours on the road.  Is it real twitchy?  I have some trails that are 30 miles away. I don't want to have to trailer it all the time; is that possible with hydro-assist?  The parts to go hydro-assist are not that much more than a steering stabilizer.  What other mods did you do (bigger tank, stock cooler, larger cooler, drilled out orifice)?

Mine drives great on the road.  I haven't had much time behind the wheel on the street but I've had it up to 60 mph down the highway and it was fine.  My tires are so out of balance I couldn't go any faster   The other great thing about hydro assist is it totally took care of my death wobble on the street.  It's now streetable whereas before HA, I couldn't really drive it much.

I bought a Hayden 401 transmission cooler ($30) at Checkers.  I also drilled out the ofiface on the stock PS pump.  I stuck with the stock resevior.  After taking it on one trail run this year, I will be adding a larger resevoir.  My stock pump started to get whiny after a couple of miles on the trail when the fluid was getting hot.  A larger resevior would help out with that.  I also might end up getting a pump from TG or PSC to pump more fluid to the ram.

For the money I have inversted, it works great!

Here's my writeup on it
http://www.rockfrogs.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=2027

[kiyul4130]

does your crawl box shift ok? i just put all my stuff together and the actual adapter wasnt machined all the way through where the shift fork slides. a few friends thought that i didnt put it together correctly and i knew i did. something didnt look right about the adapter and sure enough it wasnt machined out all the way. we just used a dremel and the shifter slides easy now. it just sucked to have to tear it all back apart.

[Trail-runner [OP]]

No, it shifts pretty smooth.  Did you trim the shift rail per the directions?

[kiyul4130]

it would only slide in about an inch before it would hit the roof of the adapter real bad. we took a dremel to the already existing spot and just notched it out even more. it works perfect now.

[Trail-runner [OP]]

Here is a pic of the t-case before I took it out of the truck.  258,000 miles worth of oil build-up. My next project is to find the tranny leak that caused this...


Here are the cases built and ready to be bolted up.

[Volcom]

You're going to love having double low with a low range of 10.8 to 1 

[Trail-runner [OP]]

Ya, I can't wait to get crawler in the 4runner.  Vocom thanks for the link to your hydro-assist.  I like the slip over the TR bracket you made pretty sweet.     I was just going to weld it to the TR.  I never thought of the TREs unscrewing.  I think I'll put a tack on the nuts.

[Trail-runner [OP]]

Is anyone using the FROR crossmember.  I like the way it looks.  If anyone has one, let's hear your likes and dislikes.  Also how did you run your exhaust?

[DTB]

Ya, I can't wait to get crawler in the 4runner.  Vocom thanks for the link to your hydro-assist.  I like the slip over the TR bracket you made pretty sweet.     I was just going to weld it to the TR.  I never thought of the TREs unscrewing.  I think I'll put a tack on the nuts.

I wouldnt tack the nuts....

If welded my brackets to the tie rod but am planning to make a moveable bracket to get a better angle. Mad4wd and ballistic fab both sell tube clamps that are pretty sick..they arent in the right size but all you would have to do is sleeve a part of the tie rod to make them work. or if you're ambitious you could make your own

[skipnrocks]

I wouldnt tack the nuts....

If welded my brackets to the tie rod but am planning to make a moveable bracket to get a better angle. Mad4wd and ballistic fab both sell tube clamps that are pretty sick..they arent in the right size but all you would have to do is sleeve a part of the tie rod to make them work. or if you're ambitious you could make your own

I love it,  I have been looking for those to mount my snorkle, so it will be stronge but I can take it off If i need.... But good crap at 30bucks per sleve thats insane, probably a dollars worth of tubing and 6 tapped holes, then cut the thing in half....I think I wil build my own.

[DTB]

I love it,  I have been looking for those to mount my snorkle, so it will be stronge but I can take it off If i need.... But good crap at 30bucks per sleve thats insane, probably a dollars worth of tubing and 6 tapped holes, then cut the thing in half....I think I wil build my own.

if u are making your own I would do something like this....>>>

[skipnrocks]

if u are making your own I would do something like this....>>>

I would if it wasnt going to be on the outside of my cage,  I like the smooth, clean look...

[Trail-runner [OP]]

I wouldnt tack the nuts....

If welded my brackets to the tie rod but am planning to make a moveable bracket to get a better angle. Mad4wd and ballistic fab both sell tube clamps that are pretty sick..they arent in the right size but all you would have to do is sleeve a part of the tie rod to make them work. or if you're ambitious you could make your own

That looks like a good option... The second pic is something like volcom's except he has a stop sleeve tacked to both sides of the "pinch bracket"

[DTB]

That looks like a good option... The second pic is something like volcom's except he has a stop sleeve tacked to both sides of the "pinch bracket"

I have not actually done this myself but I dont beleive the extra sleeves or tacks would be needed.

[skipnrocks]

I have not actually done this myself but I dont beleive the extra sleeves or tacks would be needed.

seems like it would just take a light tack on either end to ensure that there is no slippage...  I like em!!!