Topic: C4Fabrication (Pumkin Toy's) 97 4runner Limited build

[pumkin toy]

Time to start a new build thread.  I know alot of you watched the build on my 87 4runner (Project Boostedrunner) so most of you know that i sold it in december.  My original plans were to build a buggy, but life throws curveballs.  At that time i was steadily employed and had just made almost 10k selling my 87 4runner.  Building a buggy sounded awesome!  Well fast forward 3 months and i have now started my own fabrication business.  I am using whats left of the money from selling the 87 to pay the bills while trying to get my business advertised and get some work.  Speaking of advertising, check out my website! www.c4fabrication.com and if you have facebook, please like my business to keep up on current projects and help spread the word 

So anyways on to the current build.  We bought a 97 4runner limited for my wife about a year ago for a dd and possible plans for a few mods. It was all stock when purchased, has 140,000 miles on it, 3.4 v6, leather, a/c, power locks/windows, sunroof, rear e-locker.  Just recently i purchased a very lightly used toytec lift and installed it.  Then threw on some 285/70/17 bfg A/T's on american racing ATX teflon coated wheels.

The plans for this build are to make it into a baja/expedition style rig.  front bumper with winch, rear bumper with swing out carrier, roof rack, and rock sliders is the basic plan for now.  I will be fabbing everything and hoping to offer some of the products i build for it on my website for purchase. Hopes are to one day have long arm suspension on it and a supercharger, but for now thats way out of the budget, so at this point in time im going to spend alot more time than money fabbing everything myself.

So first of all i threw on the lift.


 While i was doing that I beefed up the dinky rear control arms with some tube.
Heres a pic of the stock dinky upper

so i made these for upper and lower

then welded them on



Ive got more pics to post, but dont have time right now.  I will continue updating this afternoon.

[Dingman.]

[Goldrush]

  def gonna watch this one! and good luck with the business! 

[pumkin toy [OP]]

def gonna watch this one! and good luck with the business! 

thanks dude!

 heres some more pics.
couple weeks ago i took the front bumper and the running boards off.


then a few days ago i finally had time to start on the front bumper.  originally i was planning on going with a full plate bumper with a tube stinger/hoop on top, so i made the baseplate so the winch would mount flat



but then i had some time to work on it last night and i changed the plans a bit.  Now it will be plate and tube combo with the winch mounted at an angle on the front skidplate of the bumper. This is allowing for a better approach angle and its also allowed me to come up with a more unique bumper design that you guys will hopefully like!  heres what ive got so far




thats all i have done for now.  Hoping to continue on the bumper next week.

[x250f23x]

Would a J-joint fit in those link buckets?

[pumkin toy [OP]]

Would a J-joint fit in those link buckets?

im not sure, i havent measured them.  i think they would though, because metal-tech offers control arms for these with j-joints.  If it comes to the point that i abuse these links enough to replace them, i will probly build some of my own that are way more beef.

[Cheesemaker]

Subscribed!!  Cause I love the whole expedition style setup. 

I'm waiting to see what you do with the bumper setup.  Cause, I feel the winch would have a more secure mounting in the original position.  But with it mounted on the front plate, I can see some unwanted flex in the setup.  But I guess I will have to wait to see what your plans are.   

Just throwing some thoughts out there.  I hope you don't mind? 

[x250f23x]

You've got some kind of CNC cutter? water or plasma

[THK Matt]

I loved what Crawlerdan did to his 4 door 4runner, and im intreiged to see what you come up with. id love to build an expedition style vehicle.

[pumkin toy [OP]]

Subscribed!!  Cause I love the whole expedition style setup. 

I'm waiting to see what you do with the bumper setup.  Cause, I feel the winch would have a more secure mounting in the original position.  But with it mounted on the front plate, I can see some unwanted flex in the setup.  But I guess I will have to wait to see what your plans are.   

Just throwing some thoughts out there.  I hope you don't mind? 

I dont mind! constructive critisizm is always good.  I agree with you, and was thinking the same thing.  I dont think it will really be a problem though.  once the bumper is done and the winch mounting plate is gusseted back to the main mounting plate, its going to work out.  The gussets will spread the load back onto the main mounting plate just the same as if the winch was still mounted to that plate. It will be easier to explain once i get it done and have pictures.  You probly get the idea though

[pumkin toy [OP]]

You've got some kind of CNC cutter? water or plasma

nope, no cnc.  just a 20 year old crusty snap-on plasma cutter and a drill press with a bunch of different sized hole saws!  One day i am hoping to have a nice torchmate 4x4 table for my business though.

[Cheesemaker]

That's what I was figuring, but I thought I would just toss it out there.   

[SloCrawler]

looking good

[daniresch]

watching!

[pumkin toy [OP]]

looking good

thanks!

watching!

It will pobly be another week or so before some more updates.  I have to set up a booth for my business at a home and trade show this weekend, so i cant work on it for a few days

[pumkin toy [OP]]

Ok got some more done on the bumper. I got the winch control box mounted behind the grille.  It fits back there nicely.  I was thinking about putting on a grille hoop and some hoops around the headlights too, but im feelin the more simple look right now.  i can always add to it later if i feel like it needs it.  i will be putting three 6" driving lights on the front of the bumper right behind the front tube.  I will get pics of that later.  today i want to get it all finish welded and painted for re-install.

[nvtoyin21]

Dude.......Im diggin what your doing here! props on the fnt bump.

[pumkin toy [OP]]

Dude.......Im diggin what your doing here! props on the fnt bump.

thanks dude!

[pumkin toy [OP]]

got the bumper done yesterday.  i'm really happy with how it turned out.  Everything fit nicely and looks good.

heres a couple shots of it all sanded and ready for paint.



Then set the bumper on the 4runner and installed the winch and lights

And a couple of it all done



I'm thinking about offering this bumper on my website as one of my products

[pumkin toy [OP]]

check out my website for other builds i have done  www.c4fabrication.com

Got to take the 4runner out today and wheel it for the first time since all the upgrades.  Went and did some snow wheelin.


Heres a good shot on the edge of a huge lookout/cliff area about a half hour from my house

[pumkin toy [OP]]

My buddy got a video of me jumping the 4runner off a deep snow drift today.  The video will be uploaded to youtube in a while, but for now you can see it on my facebook page

I hope this link works

http://www.facebook.com/pages/C4-Fabrication/454285357953823#!/photo.php?v=134092440101331&set=vb.454285357953823&type=2&theater

[valon5150]

very nice runner

[THK Matt]

the side "wings" off the center section bumper.... look awkward with all that space. maybe weld some plate and mount some lights into it?

Maybe its just me lol idk. Looks good though.

[Slolyfe]

Sweet man! looks good

[minicrawlin]

the side "wings" off the center section bumper.... look awkward with all that space. maybe weld some plate and mount some lights into it?

Maybe its just me lol idk. Looks good though.

Agreed. 
Looks good man I dig it. Like the tilted winch plate innovative idea. And nice jumo bro ha ha

[pumkin toy [OP]]

Agreed. 
Looks good man I dig it. Like the tilted winch plate innovative idea. And nice jumo bro ha ha

haha innovation is awesome!  I used the winch yesterday too and it all worked great.   The jump was pretty fun, didnt really mean to do that, but i think i hit it about 35 mph! haha    that 4runner accelerates fast in 4wd low range...... "thats the first time i have actually pushed the accelerator pedal all the way to the floor"  I also yelled "AMERICA" when i hit the snow bank

Sweet man! looks good

Thanks man

the side "wings" off the center section bumper.... look awkward with all that space. maybe weld some plate and mount some lights into it?

Maybe its just me lol idk. Looks good though.

I wasnt sure how i felt about the design at first, but after seeing it on the 4runner a couple times, I love how it looks.   I may put some 5" fog lights in that open area on each side.  I have a set of 6" IPF's but i think they would get damaged because they would stick out just a bit.  I do agree that some fog lights would really help fill it in though.

very nice runner

Thank you

[Cheesemaker]

I like the bumper overall.  I wish I had the $$ for you to make me one.  But I too, am not a fan of the "wings" even on Marlins bumpers too!  I feel they always need something in there.  Even a spot light would help.  Many of the locals around here, put in the big truck lights for marker/turning lights, to help with the void.

[tgmaul88]

sweet build!  been waiting for ideas for my 98 4runner, Im so ready to mod that thing

[pumkin toy [OP]]

built a light bar for a buddies 06 Tundra yesterday.  This one is a 100% bolt on accessory.  He got some 7" internal ballast HID's for it.
This may be a product i will offer on my website for sale.  www.c4fabrication.com

[THK Matt]

I dig it bro.