88 4runner getting ready for 2012

[OldGold3VZE]

Just thought I'd share some pics of my 88 4runner.  Getting it ready to wheel in 2012 I have decided to toss the doors and top in favor of more tube.  So far I have stock dual cases, 5.29 gears with a detroit and a spool that I swap from time to time, hydro assist, 113" wheel base with 63s and RUF springs, Bilstien dampers all around, and seating for 4 (5 is pretty tight).  It's a fun little runner, and I love the EFI!

[OldGold3VZE]

Decided It was time for the cage and body to become one, so I made some hard mounts and attached the lower A-pillar to the area where the door hinges used to live.  I also took my tire groover to these poor old 38s for the last time.  I hit cord once, but now I have "fresh" 36s!

[OldGold3VZE]

Twisted up the drive shaft on my DD, but lucky for me my 2 trucks take the same rear drive shaft, so I put the one from this runner on my DD and built a beefy one for the runner since it is my "real" crawler.

Cut out the old twisted mid section...



Then turned off the stubs on a lathe, being careful not to cut into the yoke...





Then I fitted my center piece of 2" sch40 and started tacking and rotating until I thought it was straight enough to get me to and from the trails.  I used a jack stand welded to a big rig brake drum as my truing stand.  Worked pretty good...





All welded and painted...





Now I get to rebuild my cases!