i love this build! i just bought a 85 4runner and i want to do some work to it...seeing this truck is inspiring

 

Thanks, have fun with the 85'!

 

Work has been busy so I have not bothered posting any progress on the 4Runner, but I have been working on it and wheeling it as much as I can. I also have some projects planned for the near future.

I had a few overheating issues last summer, nothing bad but I would feel a lot better if the thing never got hot. I've done a couple things that I think will help, and I have a couple other things that I plan on doing.

First, I'm in the process of removing the AC. It has never worked and where I live it's not needed. For the couple times I go to Denver in the Summer I can deal with the heat, and I can always take the top and doors off if I'm in Moab or something like that. I don't know how much of a differance it will make, but it can't hurt to get rid of all that crap blocking the radiator. So far I've removed everything under the hood (compressor, lines, etc), I still need to remove everything behind the grille but that requires removing the HID lights, winch and grille.

I also added some air defectors on the front bumper. I like how they look and feel that they will direct air through the vents better.

 

I also noticed that my motor was moving around more than I like. My motor mounts were chained but after inspecting them I found the chain had bent and streched, it was only medium duty chain. I decided to give the Trail-gear bomp proof mounts a shot, that lasted less than a day. There was way too much vibration for my liking, some of that might be from the auto transmission but I couldn't take it. I thought about using larger chain, but I don't have much room with the turbo and hydro assist lines, also the chain links always rattled around which bothered me. After some research I deciced to "bolt" my motor mounts, I guess that's how Marlin takes care of his motor mounts and other people have had good luck with it. I figure it's worth a shot and I can always go back to a stock style motor mount with chain again.

These pictures are not mine (no camera at the time), but it's the same way I made mine. These are from Pirate4x4, more info http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=154338

 

So far I'm pretty happy with them, there's still more vibration than I like but it's not that bad and a lot better than the TG mounts. I have been working on getting rid of all the new little rattles/noises that have come up, and with each one I get rid of I like them a little more. I'm not 100% sold yet but I'm starting to get used to them, we'll see how I feel in a couple weeks or months.

 

Nice! I'm headed in the other direction, I'm adding an AC compressor (but not for AC ).

My motor mounts are chained as well but I haven't checked them in 3 years. I need to pull them and see if they ended up like yours did. I like the bolt method.

Snow bashing is right around the corner I'm still working on building a rear bumper (just in case I need to get pulled out) and buying a winch. Cory sent me a message on FB asking about running Indy with his buddy on 49's.

 

Absolutely beautiful build!! Definitely one of my favorites!
Great work!

 

Better hurry, the snow is starting to melt and unless we get a few big storms it's going to be an early dry Summer.

Mike has the rig on 49's, here's a couple pictures and video from Chinaman's a few weeks ago. It was a spur of the moment trip, but worked out pretty good for a shake down run. I have never seen that much snow on that trail!

 

Here's some more snow wheeling pictures from the last few weeks, these are all solo trips at my "local" spot.

 

love the pics dude 4runner looks awesome in the snow!
might be buying a 87 sas'd runner myself haha

 

Your friend's buggy on 49's sick Cory's rig does really well in the snow as well. Nice pics of your 4Runner out in the middle of nowwhere!

I might be able to make it up sometime early April. I'm thinking Rollins Pass?

 

Thanks!

 

Mike's rig is HUGE! Cory's rig works great just about everywhere, but these new MTR's really kick some ass. I walked several lines that Mike's buggy struggled with, even after he aired down to 3 PSI.

I would love to do some snow wheeling! If Rollins Pass is melted off, or tracked up, I know of a couple spots where we should be able to break trail and have fresh tracks.

 

What did he do to the axles? It looks like they are flipped vertical have brakes on them and are just sick!

DirtCO, Love the tires im thinking about them myself. How are they are at handling the road and wear and tear on the road? i drive 1400 miles at least 4 times a year and two seats of tires is not the answer haha!

Good job on the truck i absolutely love it!

 

I do believe that those are Rockwells

 

Hmmm... then i didnt look close enough to notice...

 

They are definitely Rockwell Axles, probably 2 1/2 tons. Most of what I'm used to thinking of them in is Military applications.

 

Yea, man its been a while since i have seen some they look kick ass!

 

The axles are 2.5 ton Rockwell axles converted to pinion brakes.

I love the tires so far, but if you don't need a super aggressive tire you might be better off with an all terrain. I'm really happy with them so far!

 

did you climb out the back?