TrackVino's 4.3L 4 Runner

[TrackVino]

Its been madd crazy here. Been really busy at work, side jobs, family, and everything else. Did have some time to get some stuff done. January 22, Saturday, I took my axle houseings and some other parts to my brothers work. Dropped in Hot Tank. Sunday afternoon, Jan 23rd, we went to get them out and steemed them off. They have a really good steem cleaner, not pressure washer, what a difference. Here is a picture of the parts, looking like clean metal. Also, Sunday afternoon, took the axle housings to Deans house. He helped me modify the housing for the electric lockers. Got one done that night, and the second the next day, here are some pictures of the work, and completed and painted rear housing.

[TrackVino]

Yesterday, Febuary 1st, I was working in a small town called Mendota, for you local folk, and look what I saw sitting on the side of the road.     

Had to go back and get it last night after work. Just $500. Drove it home. Runs great. I will probably get the parts I need for my build, then sell the rest. There isnt much I need from it. Its a 1984 extra cab with a what looks like a 3" lift in front and blocks in the rear.

[TrackVino]

Dont have pictures of what I did tonight, but did have a few hours to spend in the garage, so I did. I did some grinding on the front axle houseing, took a couple of rattle cans and started painting that and lots of other parts. Also, painted the front of the frame, Hung the 44044 springs in the front, and set the front axle in place. Still need some paint on the flip U bolts and several other parts. Starting to look like a truck again. I will try to get the rear done really soon. Time to sleep. Later!!! 

[FATB0Y]

Lucky Rascal

[donkeykong]

Dave aint lucky he is determined....

[freefallencrawler]

Hey TrackVino,
Trucks lookin good, Hurry up man and get it done so we can go play!!!

Candy

[4THEWKN]

Candy what's the deal ?? We see Angelo in the shop but no Candy ... What gives???   Dean.......

[TrackVino]

Ok, countdown started. Im going to do my best to get this thing on the road by the end of March. Pretty much, I have just about everything I need, minus a few little things, plus the fuel tank modification, and the new radiator.

Ive been cleaning and painting a bunch of parts and part of the frame for the last week.

Friday night 02/04/05 - I installed the new 44044 front springs, put the high pinion electric locker in the front housing, and installed the housing under the truck. Dont know if any of you had any problems with the electric locker, but the right side rubs on the springs, so a little modification to get about 1/8th or so clearance was needed. Also had to flip the spring center bolt. Looks pretty good.

[TrackVino]

Today - Saturday the 5th, I worked on the rear suspension, and a few other things.

My two brothers came over so I put them to work. Dean found someone to take my old chevy blazer, so I had to remove the fuel tank, the engine harness and computer, and a few other little things. I want this thing out so I can have more room, plus I live in a new neighborhood and I dont want the neighbors to start singing the Sanford and Son song when they drive by.

My other brother happens to be a mechanic for a local CAT dealer. He is probably the best welder, fabricator I know, so guess what he helped me with ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Yup, you guessed it, the frenched hangers for the rear.

I dont know how many of you have installed these things, there not very difficult, but it is quite a bit of work. Its a very tight space under there if you dont have a body lift. So I pulled all the body mount bolts, put some rims ( as jack stands ) to support the rear of the cab, while I dropped the frame a few inches. This gave us the clearance we needed.

By looking at the hangers, there is no real explination as to how to correctly put these things on, because the angle to one side, it can be kind of confusing.

After talking to Dean, ( my 24 hour support ) I finally figured out how to put them on. I measured from the original hangers, six inches forward. After marking the frame with a marker, I put the hanger up, and figured the correct position, then traced the outside. This is where I will cut.

After a bit of grinding, I was able to align the hangers in place. I used a big C clamp to hold them in place, then put a couple of tacks. My brother then welded them up.

[TrackVino]

For those of you who have seen these hangers, I have a question, did you weld up the sides?

For those of you who have never seen these things up close, The hanger is basicaly a solid piece of steal, bent in the shape of a box. The sides are just bent together and not welded up.

Dont know if they have to be, but my brother thought it would be good to just throw a bead on the inside for each corner.

Here is a picture of the beads, and the finished hanger.

[4THEWKN]

In a word.  Yes ,weld it all up.

[FATB0Y]

weld the piss out of it

[TrackVino]

Had a little bit of time tonight, so I ground down where I cut the front hangers for the rear. Used a big wire brush attachment to my big grinder, so I cleaned up the frame, and gave it a bit of rattle can. Us Mexicans are good with the rattle can.

Check it out.

[TrackVino]

Just finishing up some grinding on the rear housing, then put it under the truck for a little more stability, then I will put the engine and tranny in. I should have it done by this weekend, unless something else comes up.

I will also start building the front axle, Nuckles, Hubs, Brakes, etc...

And putting the rear back together.

I picked up a cool transmission cooler for the 700r4 tonight with a fan attached to it. Got that from Bruce, he owns the dark blue Landcruiser pictured earlier.

Also, Dean ordered a radiator for me. A three row Toyota radiator, with the inlets in the proper place for the Chevy Engine.

You will see all that later. Time for 

[dirtbag]

looking good, now, if you'd answer your PM's & do as it says, that'd be better

[TrackVino]

Had a little bit of time, so I finished putting the rear axle together. I had to finish cutting and grinding the sadles, clean the housing, inserted the v6 rear locker, and put the axle under the truck.

Not much done yet, but its starting to go down hill. Engine and tranny is next.          

[Fireimp141]

Looking pretty badass!

[Rockdiver]

Looking Sweeeeeet!!!

[TrackVino]

Thanks.... I had a couple of hours tonight, so I took the chevy and toyota fuel tanks to have them modified, also, the guy who is doing this is almost finished with my radiator. Also took the rear drums to have them turned.

When I got home, I mounted the transmission to the engine, and put the whole thing in the truck. This time, the engine mounts are completely welded, and the frame is ready. The engine is now in its new home.

Took my three transfercases to Dean, along with my 4:70 gears and my MC07 adapter. He and or Big Dave are going to build them for me, and keep the third, I only need two.

The whole truck is up on the big jack stands, and ready to finish building the axles, nuckles, hubs, spindals, drums, brakes and all that other good stuff.

Hope to get some more dont this weekend, but like I said before, its all down hill from here. 

[TrackVino]

Ive been really busy these last few weeks, trying to find time to work on the 4 runner. I did have an hour tonight, so I tried to put the front hubs together, and came across a problem. I purchased some new wheel studs for the front, and found they do not work. I guess when I took them off, I didn't notice that one side had longer studs than the other. I guess in one side, the wheel studs go through the rotors, and the other side didn't.

So now, I have to order some new wheel studs that will fit. Darn it. I thought I would get some things done tonight, but will try to find time on Friday.

[BigMike]

Hey Track, man it's looking good man. Great work

About that Xtra Cab pickup to got... If you are going to part it out, then I want the cab REALLY REALLY BADLY. I am going to add an extra cab to my 1st gen cab soon.

Thanks - and PM me your phone # again, I lost it 

[FATB0Y]

COOL   

[TrackVino]

Had probably the biggest set back yesterday. I was in the process of building the front nuckles. when I found that the front axle housing is no good!!!!!!!!! AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH


I was making sure the birfield and axles go in before I put the new seal and bearing in, when I found the whole tube was bent upward so bad, the axle will nt go in.

I quickly got ahold of Rocky and Dean who came over and verified the dilema.

At that, Rocky told me I can have the old housing he had on his old truck. So I drove out to where he has it and pulled if from the truck.

Minor set back, but I should get the axle ready soon, and back up under the 4 Runner.

Thanks Dean and Rocky for all your help!!!

                                                                                                          

[TrackVino]

Havent had much time to work on the beast ( unlike Willy Mammoth who with their tag team seem to be running at the speed of light )

I did however get a surprise at the door today, the Howell wiring harness I ordered arrived. I know I said I was going to use the stock harness, but if I want this thing running before the end of the month, I thought I should do the obvious. Heres a pic.

[BigMike]

All of your suspension progress has made me jealous

[TrackVino]

Yeah but at least you can drive yours 

[TrackVino]

OK, its been a while but heres whats up

I found out, after I was ready to finish building the front axle, that it was seriously bent, completely useless. So I got on the phone, and called all my buddies. Rocky came thru, he gave me the housing off his old truck. It was a bit beat up, but after some TLC, I was able to salvage it. I quickly  got under way. My brother came thru for me again, and hot tanked this new housing, then I started modifying the housing for the e locker, but had an accident. I cut my knuckle on my right hand with the chop saw. I was quite in pain when my wife took me to the emergency room. Whell, its all fine now, so back to work.

I put the rear brakes together this week, and finally put the wheels on, and lowered the 4 runner back on the ground.
I finished putting the front axle together last night and also put the tires on, Here are some pictures of the progress.

[TrackVino]

I also pulled the ignition out this week and had my father in law re key it. This thing came from the junk yard so of course I didnt have any keys. So this is cool.

The high steer is all in, I put the new radiator and doors in, and now im ready for the electrical.

Later today, we will be getting together at Deans house along with Cruzer Dave. They are going to put my transfer cases together.


I should be putting some pictures up later today.

[Willy Mammoth]

Hey Hey Hey, startin to look pretty good there.   That sucks about the front housing   and Dammit man be careful with your digits. I see people all the time with fingers missing and can't bring myself to ask how they lost them.

Keep up the good work and let's get out there and go

[FATB0Y]

  lookin good