The Clown's Hauler project thread: 2001 4runner Sport

******** NEW TRUCK/START OF NEW BUILD POST #21********


Figured I'd do a smaller build thread for the truck so here we go:

I had a 2014 FJ Trail teams in magma red prior to this and loved it but sold that off to get back into a ZHP (black car currently). I still needed something to haul stuff, daily drive, and most importantly haul these two heathens around:


Vader (we think half lab/half shepherd 1.5 yrs old)

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a1...psjs3fa9qb.jpg

Venus (1 year old full shepherd female)

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a1...psxh0fpwk6.jpg



Sports are hard to find with decent mileage and no rust on the frame. I found this truck in Columbus with 169k on it and it appeared to have been in a minor accident at some point (driver fender flare and headlight showed indicators). When I bought it the alignment was off and steering wheel shook like hell. Took it to my brother in Louisville who fixed it up. He did some rehab work on the frame rust, painted the tails/side markers/wheels/badges for me, and buffed it. Here's the before and after of that:


http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a1...psalcwibsn.jpg

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a1...ps6mjouokx.jpg

Once that was done I had a new back half of the exhaust put on (no pics sorry) and installed a static OE Toyota antenna mount with stubby antenna from Amazon. These come with a motorized metal antenna and the motor is notorious for going out. Mine was fried and I hate the look of long antennas anyways. Also installed a brand new alpine head unit.

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a1...psfj6wjxay.jpg

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a1...psvzpj43vv.jpg

My Indy recently did a timing belt/water pump/all belts job for me as well as an alternator. I installed a new red top Optima 2 months ago also. My brother flushed both my front/rear diff fluids with synthetic stuff about 6 months ago, front diff fluid looks rather good but the rear diff was black so it was great to get that done.


Ever since I've had the truck the brakes have been on their last leg and the tires ended up causing the steering wheel shake due to being cupped. My brother got me addicted to wanting to dump money into this as he has an 02 sport with lift/tires/TRD S/C, and more. So I began to acquire parts this winter. The list below is what's going on the truck this weekend:


-refinished OE upper/lower control arms in POR15 with poly bushings
-refinished OE trailing arms in POR15 with HD bushings
-poly steering rack bushings
-new OE upper/lower ball joints
-new OE suspension hardware
-B&M trans cooler (to avoid "strawberry milkshake")
-toytec 3inch lift (coilover fronts 650# springs, boss extended rear shocks and springs)
-BF Goodrich KO2s
-new OE TRD pro 4runner wheels 17x7
-new OE Tundra calipers/rotors/pads (considered a big brake upgrade)
-new rear drum brakes
-new fuel filter
-new DEPO headlights
-Philips xtreme bulbs (brighter white)
-new auto trans filter and mobil1 synthetic fluid
-new black gorilla lug nuts
-refinished OE luggage rack


Yesterday, I began painting the suspension components using POR15. I used purple power to soak the parts for 24hrs, then used POR15 metal prep, washed them clean to dry, and applied the POR15. I let everything dry for 24hrs and it turned out well.


http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a1...psulyv7w2n.jpg

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a1...pskuvrxfka.jpg

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a1...psls66uquq.jpg

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a1...pspbis1mwn.jpg


Next I had my other brother hook me up with cheap tire mounting at his work (Mercedes Benz, $40 bucks mount and balance).


http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a1...psjytjjxpl.jpg


http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a1...psmus7xpzq.jpg




I'll be taking everything over to my Indy Sunday and expect the truck back Wednesday. I'll be taking it back to Mercedes for an alignment. Will report back then.


Next on the list is the following:

-new radiator and hoses
-valve cover gaskets
-POR15 the frame
-Thule luggage carrier
-custom metal bumper/skids from a guy in Louisville ($1000)

awesome! love it. especially the dangling POR15'd parts. ;)

can't wait to see the end result and hear what you think of the changes. :cheers

As long as I don't have to deal with shaking while driving over 60mph and moderate shaking under braking, I'll be the happiest person in the world lol.

Man I love this generation of 4runners. I feel like it was the last time that they really looked liked trucks.

Any more pictures of the parts hung about the trees in the front yard? Preferably with a neighbor in the background wondering wtf is happening

I like the 3rd gen and the newest generation with the TRDpro models.

Nice. My son colin is in the market for one too.

Make sure to check the frame for rust. Other than that documented maintenance is a plus.

Love these! Looking forward to seeing it on the new wheel and tire combo

Small update:

Truck hasn't been going down without a fight. My indy has been dealing with rust (expected with these 4runners) in the parts removal department. The underside of truck is a little more rusty than my younger brothers (how, I don't know because they both came from OH). To make matters worse, the brake pads for the Tundra brake upgrade that my brother ordered for me through his work (same ones he has on his truck) were the wrong ones, apparently mishap with the parts sent and not the parts ordered aka not my brothers fault. In addition to that, the company I ordered the ball joints from (oempartsource.com, great website and located in OH) either sent the wrong ones (two passenger side lower joints) or I mistakenly ordered two of the same. I have to send one of them back and they are going to try and get me some type of discount or company credit to their business due to it being outside the 30 day return policy (even though I have the original packaging).

My indy was able to order an OE driver lower ball joint and the correct pads this morning and will have them this afternoon. Hoping this is the last of the issues. Luckily, I'm off work (its my Friday today, I'm off weds/thurs/fri every week, yay for weird cop schedules) so if he runs into anything else I can try and help out. For now, heres a pic of the rust he's knocked off from the underside as of last night. Now you know why I POR15'd the parts that I did, my brother and I are having a POR15 party sometime this year and doing our frames/other bits.


http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a1...pssfnkoban.jpg

I hate being in a situation where I drop my car off for work and the parts aren't right or I don't have anything so I feel bad for the situation being harder than it should have been on him. Fingers crossed nothing else occurs.



Side note: the car you see in the back ground is his. It's an E30 with an S54 in it........ugh lol. So much greatness

Well, lug nuts didn't work as well, apparently they are smaller than the stock lugs and nearly fall through the hole. I guess I need to source OE lugs.


My Indy is done minus trans cooler and flush, headlights, and replacing of the OE rack. He's going out of town and doesn't have the time to knock that out so I'm going to go get the truck tomorrow afternoon hopefully and leave the other stuff for a later date (probably install the headlights myself)

Well, here's some post install pics with my brothers truck at my parents this afternoon. I still have a shake above 55 mph so all the U joints are being done as the symptoms seem to fit. My Indy will be doing those, installing my refinished roof rack, and maybe some other small drivetrain related parts replacements if they are cheap and "might as well" items while doing the u joint work is completed. The wheels and tires are a little taller than I expected. I may drive on it some more to see how it is but I like the fact that my brothers wheels are 16x8 vs 17x7 like mine. They look great though.

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a1...psrh4mtxr3.jpg


http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a1...psupmrbypr.jpg


http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a1...ps50my7bn0.jpg

Looks great man!

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Originally Posted by Johnmadd

Looks great man!

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+1

Sent from my S8+

Developed a misfire yesterday on cylinder 6 (thanks ultragauge!) so today I did 6 NGK iridium plugs and NGK TE66 wires. Runs great. Found out both my axles have blown CVs (I'm suspecting the original axles at 185k) so I'm having those and a transmission flush/filter change done next week by my Indy.

Jacob all your pictures are missing. :facepalm

Hey I have two Fram oil filters from our old 2005 4Runner that should fit yours if you want them.

Yeah I've been meaning to postup about that: what the hell happened to Photobucket?

They disabled 3 party hosting but for $400 a year you can reinstate it. [emoji849]

My brother and I spent a total of about 8 hours doing frame resealing on our 3rd gens. We did from in front of the rear wheels back on his and on mine did from behind the front wheels back. My truck had much more rust than his. Probably not a permanent solution but it's muuuuuuch better. Also removed the original factory spare from under the car to toss out. Used a grinder and a power drill (close quarters, both electric), then use por15 metal prep, sprayed it down and dried, then used por15 brush on. Used a quart and a half for all of that work on our trucks. Need to get a hold of a 2 post lift next to pull the front wheels off our trucks and do the front end. I'd post pics but you know..........Photobucket :shifty

Cleaned the MAF and TB today. Next is to finish the frame coating on the front part of the truck.

Time to update this thread as I forgot about it.

I’ve owned this truck since I think around 168k miles, it now has 199,4xx.

It’s been on some road trips, a move to and from DC, and hauled the dogs without issue. I had an alternator go bad and one rear brake line fail during my ownership that was unscheduled. Due to the proactive maintenance and modifications this truck has been flawless. But, I came across a VERY good deal on a truck I’ve been keeping my eye out for and comply couldn’t pass this up.

I should be getting it next week but will update this thread.

This is the last picture Ive got of my previous 4runner in all its glory:


https://farm1.staticflickr.com/921/4...8e8a8367_c.jpgUntitled by Jacob G., on Flickr


I came across a 2017 TRDP in Cement Gray that I just couldn't pass up. I had been looking for a deal on one for the longest time and this was it. Single owner, 12.5k miles, GOBI rack/ladder, Innovativ HID headlights and fog lights, K&N filter. Flew out to Roanoke, VA and drove it back same day. Performed flawlessly of course.

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/861/4...81f74a2c_c.jpgUntitled by Jacob G., on Flickr


There were a few small blemishes that needed addressing.

1. scratch on the passenger rear bumper
2. 2 dents (hood and driver rear quarter)
3. I didn't need the GOBI items

To solve this problem, I sold the GOBI stuff to my brother who has an '18 Calvary Blue TRDP 4runner for $500 (retail for both is $2000) and his time and labor to to the following:

1. removed GOBI rack and install OEM rack (I purchased brand new OE crossbars on amazon and had him flat black/clear the OE silver roof rails)
2. fix the dents
3. do some touch up work
4. paint the scratched portion of the rear bumper
5. install my OE blackout emblems
6. remove the Innovativ HID setup out of the fogs (they were burning too hot for the housing) and install LED bulbs from Phillips


All that was completed and I'm happy with how it is for now. I have ordered full rear carpet/set back coverings from Canvasback as well as a center console cover (dog damage preventative). Next on the list will be a Toytec 2 inch lift and some bigger tires when the current tires are donezo.

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/939/4...328bcc12_c.jpgUntitled by Jacob G., on Flickr
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/841/2...8c3bb283_c.jpgUntitled by Jacob G., on Flickr
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1772/...fd597c82_c.jpgUntitled by Jacob G., on Flickr

Quote:

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Originally Posted by BADCLOWN

This is the last picture Ive got of my previous 4runner in all its glory:


https://farm1.staticflickr.com/921/4...8e8a8367_c.jpgUntitled by Jacob G., on Flickr


I came across a 2017 TRDP in Cement Gray that I just couldn't pass up. I had been looking for a deal on one for the longest time and this was it. Single owner, 12.5k miles, GOBI rack/ladder, Innovativ HID headlights and fog lights, K&N filter. Flew out to Roanoke, VA and drove it back same day. Performed flawlessly of course.

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/861/4...81f74a2c_c.jpgUntitled by Jacob G., on Flickr


There were a few small blemishes that needed addressing.

1. scratch on the passenger rear bumper
2. 2 dents (hood and driver rear quarter)
3. I didn't need the GOBI items

To solve this problem, I sold the GOBI stuff to my brother who has an '18 Calvary Blue TRDP 4runner for $500 (retail for both is $2000) and his time and labor to to the following:

1. removed GOBI rack and install OEM rack (I purchased brand new OE crossbars on amazon and had him flat black/clear the OE silver roof rails)
2. fix the dents
3. do some touch up work
4. paint the scratched portion of the rear bumper
5. install my OE blackout emblems
6. remove the Innovativ HID setup out of the fogs (they were burning too hot for the housing) and install LED bulbs from Phillips


All that was completed and I'm happy with how it is for now. I have ordered full rear carpet/set back coverings from Canvasback as well as a center console cover (dog damage preventative). Next on the list will be a Toytec 2 inch lift and some bigger tires when the current tires are donezo.

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/939/4...328bcc12_c.jpgUntitled by Jacob G., on Flickr
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/841/2...8c3bb283_c.jpgUntitled by Jacob G., on Flickr
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1772/...fd597c82_c.jpgUntitled by Jacob G., on Flickr

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Looks great! Is that lift a spacer lift and isn’t that a little higher than the TRD OffRoad stock?


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The TRDP is a little higher than the others. The toytec 2inch lift is essentially a body lift in the front with extended springs in the rear.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by BADCLOWN

The TRDP is a little higher than the others. The toytec 2inch lift is essentially a body lift in the front with extended springs in the rear.

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What size are you thinking; 33”~35”. I’ve been running the BFG T/A KO2’s and I’m pretty impressed with their performance both on and off road.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I'm pretty jealous of that 4runner man. Cement gray is such a beautiful color and the vehicle itself is a great alternate to the ZHP. Makes me wish I had a second vehicle.

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Originally Posted by 3ZHPGUY

What size are you thinking; 33”~35”. I’ve been running the BFG T/A KO2’s and I’m pretty impressed with their performance both on and off road.


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That’s what I was running on my TRDP wheels on my 2001 T4R and loved them. The tires that come on these from the dealer are garbage. I’d like to run 33s that are a little wider as well

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Newjack

I'm pretty jealous of that 4runner man. Cement gray is such a beautiful color and the vehicle itself is a great alternate to the ZHP. Makes me wish I had a second vehicle.

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Thanks a lot, by far the best color they’ve had so far IMO

Quote:

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Originally Posted by BADCLOWN

That’s what I was running on my TRDP wheels on my 2001 T4R and loved them. The tires that come on these from the dealer are garbage. I’d like to run 33s that are a little wider as well



Thanks a lot, by far the best color they’ve had so far IMO

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I can relate on the Dealer Tires. I paid to have them swapped out for the KO2’s before I picked it up new from the dealer. I should have put it in the original purchasing agreement but forgot. I did get a deal on the swap out but could of used it in the final negotiation to have it added in before signing.


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I can’t wait to replace them lol, I just wish my KO2s on my 2001 were wider/made the truck feel more stable in the turns

I’ve seen these flags on the back windows of a few Runners down here and thought they made a statement. They are black and clear and would blend great with Your gray.

https://ravendecals.pro/?s=American+...t_type=product

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...3c2fb9683f.png

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I’ve seen a few people run those, some have the thin blue line on them as well. Pretty neat additions

Mmmmm

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

Quote:

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Originally Posted by danewilson77

Mmmmm

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I know where your going with that! [emoji57]


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Quote:

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Originally Posted by 3ZHPGUY

I know where your going with that! [emoji57]


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Lol.... I'm digging that. Matches my front plate.

Need linky

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by danewilson77

Lol.... I'm digging that. Matches my front plate.

Need linky

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

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One is in my original reply! They also make them for PU’s rear glass.


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Ordered full rear canvasback covering to protect the carpet with our two dogs. All in all a $300ish dollar investment but totally worth it in my opinion. They have a lead time of 10 or so business days before shipping your order out but the quality is there/great product. My brother got them for his TRDP as well.


https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1853/...fe0e6b4e_c.jpgUntitled by Jacob G., on Flickr

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1844/...f39063e7_c.jpgUntitled by Jacob G., on Flickr

^^^ that's awesome. I've been wanting to make something like that for our touring. The dog hair is now one with the carpet of the cargo area.

Hey another TRDP owner here! I'm almost jealous of your cement.

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Originally Posted by ZHPizza

^^^ that's awesome. I've been wanting to make something like that for our touring. The dog hair is now one with the carpet of the cargo area.

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They make them for all kinds of cars

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Originally Posted by ZHP Dave

Hey another TRDP owner here! I'm almost jealous of your cement.

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Any pics of yours?? Thanks for the comments!

Attachment 33780 see if this works. I had a white '16 that was lifted, but I rolled it off road and it turned into a huge ball of fire.

Love it, my brother has the same color. Super nice when the sun hits on Calvary.