Topic: 85 4runner and the work never ends....

[Shamb]

 haven't checked your thread in awhile... looks like you and me have the same kind of luck, i've been through a ton of electrical problems with mine as well... p i t a!  sounds like you've got most of it figured out, divide and conquer! 

[John Doe [OP]]

Just my luck something else is not going right.....

I drove the truck the other day. When I got back I disconnected the battery and did some welding on the rear bumper. I went to head to the store, jumped in the truck and its not starting. Battery is connected and has 12.6 volts, and I am getting fuel.

I know the tank is low but I should be starting up and its not.  I tried to start it with the battery charger on it to give it a little extra juice and that did not work either.

And ideas? 

[Shamb]

check the main fuse's next to the battery?  that's where alot of my troubles come from... sounds like your getting voltage back into the electronics somehow.. welders blowing fuses?

[John Doe [OP]]

The battery was disconnected, all the fuses were fine. I went inside for about 40 min to cool off. When I went back out it fired right up. Its very possible that I flooded the engine but that does not explain why the truck did not start up to begin with.

I did not make as much progress on my rear bumper as I needed. I might not make MCR... Going to be a mad dash tomorrow 

[86yoter]

Hey so are you making it. If so what time I think I am going to miss my group do to work. It I will be there and need someone to roll with.

[John Doe [OP]]

leaving in 5 hrs (530 am friday)

I am sure there will be plenty of people heading up late.

[86yoter]

Nice I am working unroll then then I have a four hour drive home so see you up there bud

[Shamb]

 Running through your build, looking for pictures of your shock hoops. How far forward is your axle?  The only picture I found is when you sent it in for the SAS and the guys standing there holding the shock hoop up against the frame.

[John Doe [OP]]

I do not know the exact measurement from stock that my front axle pushed forward. If you let me know specifically what you are looking for I will see what I can do.

[John Doe [OP]]

Made it to MCR. Went and out from the Tahoe end. Got to the Springs mid afternoon on Friday and hung out until mid morning Sunday. For some reason my rear E-locker was not working, aside from that everything went well. I am really liking the new longer wheelbase. It looks like that my rear leafs have seen better days though.  The combination of wider fj80 axles and longer wheel base my rig performed amazing. Time to finish cleaning up the body work.

[Shamb]

just looking for pics of your shock hoops mounted... you running 12's on the front?

[John Doe [OP]]

running 13" rancho 9000's. I'll try and see if I can get a measurement from the back of the core support to the center pin.

[Shamb]

Where did you get the shock hoops? Or did you make your own?

[John Doe [OP]]

Where did you get the shock hoops? Or did you make your own?

They are from Marlin, I believe they were the 12" tall set. I measured from the back of my front body mount to the leaf spring center pin and I got apx. 21.5" I have no clue what stock is though.

A shot of the rear bumper that I put together just before MCR. I have a few more spots that need a little welding and some finish grinding then I'll rattle can it black and call it done.

I still have many hours of work ahead of me to finish the bed sides both inside and out. I will slowly get them cleaned up.

[86yoter]

Nice I was thinking about a rear bumper and I real wanted to go with sq tubing and plate. It just seems weird with the regular four runner tail gate. Since you choped yours its straight across like a pickup. So it's nice and tucked

[John Doe [OP]]

it's nice and tucked

That was the idea, and very strong too. I landed on it pretty hard during the MCR, inspected it later and found where the bumper took a bite out of the rock  Bumper 1, Rock 0

[86yoter]

nice i hung up on mine a few times, on my way out right at soup bowl i slammed down on it on the drive side and i have to pound it down so i can open my tail gate all the way. but i need to come up with a nice bumper that is as tucked as it can be

[jbarrett]

glad to see you went forth with stretching the wheel base. looks good.

[John Doe [OP]]

glad to see you went forth with stretching the wheel base. looks good.

Thanks. I'll  tomorrow. I look forward to picking your brain for the finish work.

I never did post my few pics from MCR. I did not have a passenger/ camera girl this year. I did not get any shots on the way in and ended up handing my camera off to a Lady on the side of the trail as I went up Cadilac hill on Sunday morning.

I walked up this spot with out any issue. I know alot f it had to do with the longer Wheel base.



As always the work is never done. I am going to try and make a little progress this weekend between working on home work.

[dropzone]

Great build...
any updates on the stretch job?

[John Doe [OP]]

In all honesty, no. I have been busy with school and have not had the chance to clean up the work. Once I get it cleaned and a new paint job it will be obvious that the stretch will appear like a bob.

[havik]

Dang John I just read the whold build start to current. Awesome work you have done. It was both motivating and discuraging due to the advances and set backs of building a custom truck.
I cant wait to see this thing all painted up and blinging. Do you have a paint scheme in mind?
good job on the wright ups for each phase.
Props!!

[John Doe [OP]]

Thanks man.
I am going with a military Tan for my paint color. Been busy with school, when my winter breaks comes early Dec I'll be pulling out a few dents and finishing the paint.

[havik]

Right on man. My last build I went with the flat tan after being inspired by one of our mil trucks when i was still in. Check my build
http://board.marlincrawler.com/index.php?topic=30384.180

I really liked the flat rugged look until i seen my buddys bright yellow fj40 driving down the street in all its glory. Now my next build is going to need to have nice paint as well. I know alot of people here will disagree but for a dd/ weekend warrior it makes a built truck look that much more sick.

[John Doe [OP]]

Right on man. My last build I went with the flat tan after being inspired by one of our mil trucks when i was still in. Check my build
http://board.marlincrawler.com/index.php?topic=30384.180

I really liked the flat rugged look until i seen my buddys bright yellow fj40 driving down the street in all its glory. Now my next build is going to need to have nice paint as well. I know alot of people here will disagree but for a dd/ weekend warrior it makes a built truck look that much more sick.

I had looked at your build years ago when you were working on it. I know what you mean about the paint looking good, and standing out. But I am going to stick with the desert tan as my truck back in Iraq was.

[John Doe [OP]]

Been busy the past few days...

Parked on top of a Ford

Test fitted my york

clearance at the frame

Started opening up my rear fenders today


where she sits now...

A little taller then I wanted but I am going to have to live with it.

[John Doe [OP]]

Well I am going to have some reading up on engine swaps to do. I picked up a project 4runer from a local kid. A complete body frame and drive train from a 99 3.4 auto tacoma. Including all the wiring, and chilcak 22re to 3.4 motor mounts.


The hardest part should be the wiring, need to splice into my body harness for the steering column. And the exhaust, not looking to trying to fit it on the passenger side with my front drive line.

I have also made progress on my new front bumper, adding a front stinger and painting it tomorrow.

Not much other progress. Had to replace the radiator, and t-stat last week.

[pumkin toy]

so the 3.4 is going in your 4runner I assume?  how much did you pick up the project for?

[John Doe [OP]]

The 3.4 will be going in mine. The rest of that 4runer tub and frame will be scrap.

[THK Matt]

swap dashes? ive always liked the newer 4runner and tacoma dashes.