Thanks for stopping by and checking out the 4Runner
Last updated: July 28, 2009 6:43 PM
The 4Runner was sold around June of 08. The information you see below is to help other wheelers along their 4Wheeling journey.
The vehicle:
1999 Toyota 4Runner Limited
Edmund's Specs -> http://www.edmunds.com/used/1999/toyota/4runner/8045/prices.html
1999 4Runner Limited
V6 3.4L gasoline engine
Automatic transmission
Four Wheel drive
Multi-matic transfer case - which allows Full Time 4wd
Current mileage: about 75K miles - WITH A CORRECTLY WORKING SPEEDOMETER - (now why would I say "about" 75k miles? After changing the front suspension from IFS to a D44 solid axle, I didn't take the time to hook up the speedometer (odometer). It is now hooked up and working properly - more on that below)
Color: Imperial Jade Mica
Amount of suspension lift
7" Suspension lift - Dana 44 Solid Axle Conversion and Rear Leaf Spring conversion
1" Body Lift
1.5" - 2.5" Tire lift (Depending on which tires you are running: 35" BFG/AT or 37" MT/R tires)
Manufactured 3/99
GVWR:
5250LBS
GAWR:
FRT 2650 with P265/70R16 tires at 32PSI cold
RR 3000 with P265/70R16 tires at 32PSI.
VZN185L-GKPZKA
C/TR K79/LF45
A/TM A04A/A340F
Measurements:
WMS to WMS front axle = 61"
WMS to WMS rear axle = 61"
Bottom of front bumper to ground = 21"
Top of front bumper to ground = 40"
Bottom of Frame crossmember mount (welded to frame) to ground
= 21"
Bottom of Frame to ground = 25"
Center of front headlight to ground = 45"
Center of rear tail-light (where the red portion meets the while portion) to ground = 49"
Here is a comparison of the 4Runner with different size tires; 35" vs 37"
These two pictures will open up into separate windows so you can compare the two images.
Below right is my ghetto tire and gas can carrier. I made this up really quick so I could take an expedition to Moab - worked out great!
Changed out the front wheel studs, which means I repacked the bearings and replaced the inner seals as well.
Original studs when I first setup the D44; Dorman 610-264 (metric thread Toyota wheel studs), put these in to match the rear Toyota Full Floater setup.
Realized those studs were too short, and for safety reasons, switch out the rear studs to Dorman 610-073 (Standard thread Chevy wheel studs). These are longer by by ~3/8 of an inch, which give the wheel nut more thread to hang on to. So, now the front wheel studs are matched to the rear studs (Dorman 610-073, standard thread). I also purchased acorn wheel lugs from Discount tire for all 4 wheels. Here are some pics, of the recent work:
Ordered a new transmission oil pan. I modifed the original pan to clearance the dipsitck tube. After getting the suspension tuned in to where it works with 37" and 35" tires, turns out I don't need to clearance it. Ordered a new pan and installed it. During this upgrade, I also changed the Transmission fluid, which I must say was in excellent condition.
The Modifications
'87 Grand Wagoneer Axle
Knuckles rotated ~4 degrees
Caster sitting at 3* positive
Crane Diff cover
ARB Air Locker
Yukon 4.88 gears
Yukon 4340 Chromoly Inner axles
Warn 4340 Chromoly outer axles
Longfield super u-joints
Warn Premium hubs w/hub fuses
'76 Flat Top knuckle, milled drilled and tapped by Parts Mike
Spicer Ball joints
Hunt4Steve Steering stabilizer mount
Rancho Steering stabilizer
Hunt4Steve shock hoop crossover stabilizer
Hunt4Steve Pan-Hard mount on Axle and Frame
Hunt4Steve Pan-Hard bar with 5/8" Rod-Ends on each end
12" FOX shocks, with 55/80 valveing Nitrogen pressure at 150PSI
Eibach 14" lower coils rated at 350lbs
Eibach 10" middle coils rated at 250lbs
6" Tender coils
BTF Shock mounts and hoops
Sky Manufacturing Steering frame braces
Hunt4Steve bump stop mounts
Daystar Competition Style Urethane Bump Stops 3" tall
Pyrotech 4-layer Limit Straps
Extended stainless steel-braided brake lines
Hunt4steve bottom locating links; 2" OD x .250 wall, sleeved with 1.5" OD x .250 wall (angle towards center for vehicle to help clear the tires when turning)
Hunt4Steve top link(only 3 links), 1.5" OD x .250 wall
Hunt4Steve rubber bushing link mounts on axle
Currie Johnny Joints on frame side link ends
Hunt4Steve cross member for links
Flaming River Steering shaft
'94 IFS V6 Steering box
Bentup High-pressure steering hoses
In line Power Steering Cooler
Parts Mike Drag link (Hi-steer)
Parts Mike Tie-Rod
Parts Mike Tie-Rod Ends
Parts Mike Drop Pitman arm with large GM taper
Parts Mike 1.5" thick Super Arms
DriveTrain:
K&N Filter Charger
Auxiliary Transmission Cooler (in addition to the stock radiator transmission cooler)
Multi-matic transfer case working as factory designed with the D44 SAS
Front DriveShaft - High-Angle Driveline with Tacoma CV
Rear DriveShaft - Tom Woods 1/8" thick walls, very well balanced
Aero Exhaust muffler
Front Diff - Yukon 4.88 gears with ARB setup by 4WheelParts in Albuquerque
Rear Diff - Yukon 4.88 gears with Factory Electric Locker, setup by Master Technician at Toyota Dealership in Santa Fe
Warn Premium Manual Locking hubs - includes 1 spare hub with 1 spare Hub Fuse, and 3 spare factory clutch rings
FrontRange Off Road Full Floater setup with rear disc brakes
Working speedometer and odometer, NO ABS light or engine light issues. I made a few trips to Moab, one to Phoenix and a few to Farmington. I would say that I drove no more than 3500 miles with the broken speedometer. Its not a daily driver, so the mileage stays low.
Dakota Digital, set to 35" tires. Will be moving it to an easy access location to change it on the fly for the 37" tires
Gray wire Locker mod - will allow you to switch the Rear Locker on without having to be in 4LO
Rear Suspension:
Custom Hunt4Steve Leaf Spring swap
All Pro 5" leaf springs
All Pro Johnny Joint shackles
Exterior:
Off Road Solutions Sliders with Hunt4Steve frame plates
Hunt4Steve removable steps
Centramatic Automatic Wheel Balancers
Axle Vent tubes
Rock Lights, front and rear
Conferr Roof Rack
Front Turn Signal relocation mod
Track Bar (Ok, as of 12/19/07, this is currently broken, I'm working on making a new one)
Dynamic Balancing Beads (Dyna Beads) with 5 Filtered Valve cores, Applicator and lots more beads
Optima Blue Top Marine deep cycle
Optima Red top
Painless Wiring Dual Battery setup with 3 way switch
Warn 9000 hi speed winch with solenoid pack in the engine compartment
Winch also has a security device so the winch line can't be un spooled freely
Synthetic winch line, I think its 120 feet
Roger Brown 1" Body Lift
Front Fenders trimmed to accommodate 37" tires with minimal lift
Hunt4Steve front winch bumper
Gas tank skid plate
Hunt4Steve Rear ghetto bumper with class 3 hitch mount.
Hunt4Steve ghetto tire carrier and gas can carrier.
Digital Voltmeter with dual switch to read either of the Dual Optima Batteries
ARB pump switch
ARB Front Locker switch
In cab Remote Winch Rocker switch with safety switch
Cobra 18WX ST CB, mounted into the lower DIN bay, with in-cab SWR meter
Kenwood KDC MP5028 Head unit
Electric Brake Line lock for the rear brakes
XM radio (you have to get the subscription)
Inclinometer mounted on the dash with working lights
Ram mount for GPS
Fire extinguisher under front of passenger seat
Flash light mount, under front of driver seat
| This video shows how the 4Runner handles on the highway. Its a pretty long video, but it shows no death wobble, and how the vehicle can be handled with one hand in traffic. | The video below shows the 4Runner driving down the street and shifting in and out of 4WD. The key thing to watch for is no engine light or ABS light and the 4WD indicator lights working correctly. | TTORA 2007, Farmginton; Cobra trail. I had made this obstacle in an earlier attempt, but this time it was a no-go. I used the winch to pull the rest of the way up. | TTORA 2007, Farmington. Another obstacle on the Cobra trail. I pretty much walked this obstacle, even though it looks like only tube buggies should be on this obstacle. | TTORA 2007 (Pre-run). On this particular trail, Big Johnson, I dented the driver side rear quarter corner, near the tail-light. |
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| TTORA 2007, Waterfall trail. This is the 1st obstacle called RiffRaff. This video gives one perspective, as the next video to the right, gives another perspective. (QUICKTIME video) | See text to left. (QUICKTIME video) |
TTORA 2007, Waterfall trail, 2nd obstacle. Brian was spotting me into a wild ride. Its funny to hear Brian talk as I nearly put it on its side. | TTORA 2007, Waterfall trail. This was a scary moment, nearly rolled it over backwards. The engine you hear in the background is another rig sitting off behind the camera. |
Davyd has never driven till this point. While on a camping trip, he was thrilled to drive the beast around a bit. I made a DVD to show his buddies at school, so he now has some braggin rights. |
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| In 2006, the wife and I did Pritchett Canyon. Here is a cool video running Rocker Knocker, with no counter balance hanging off the high-side. | 2006, Lions Back. Now this is a really cool video. I strapped a camera to the top of my roof rack and ran Lions Back before access to it was closed. | 2006 AzRocks event. Here is an obstacle in Upper Ajax. Gettin on the skinny pedal | 2006 AzRocks Axle Alley. This was a pretty tough obstacle for a heavy weight such as mine. I ended up using the winch line with the in-cabin controls. | This video shows some steady throttle while climbing a ledge in Socorro, NM. |
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I used the Ram Ball mount to hold a GPS when my speedo was not working. The climate control has the full automatic setting, including outside temperature.
Setup for XM Radio, however, you will have to get the radio activated to receive XM. XM is really nice when your in Moab, really far from any radio stations.
Lots of switchs on the left panel of the dash. The Red safety switch allows the winch controls (next to the switch) to be activated and roll the winch in or out.
As well, the Painless dual battery switch allows the two batteries to be isolated, joined while the engine is running, or joined at all times.
There are the spare belts (Power Steering and Alternator, AC is not a necessity), along with a few extra fluids. These are stored in the right rear compartment of the 4Runner.
Shots around the 4Runner
Here are some shots of the carnage this 4Runner had endured while on the trail. Mind, you this is a full bodied rig, so scraps, scratches and a few dents will happen.
scratches and dents rear passenger side door.
I got these by leaning into a wall, just a little too much.
This driver side front fender took a hit when backing off a ledge. I pulled it back out, and made sure the turn signal light was properly secured back into its mount.
The passenger side turn signal took a hit and had the orange section pop into the light. I took some Auto Glue and put it back in place. Its holding great.
The passenger side fender flare was stabbed by a branch and ripped from the body. I was able to get some more plastic snaps and put it back into place. Its a little loose, but it works great.
The passenger side rear quarter seems to get abused on all crawlers. This 4Runner is no exception to this type of scars.
Old leaky rear diff pic, and to the right is the newly sealed rear diff, as of 2/9/08
You may be able to see a cheezy camera mounted on the cross member. This will be taken off, its garbage.
Sombody asked if the 4Runner would fit into a garage. I have a 7' garage, and as you can see, it fits just fine. By the way, ignore all the garbage in the back......
Pic of the dirty battery and crazy wires. The windshild washer fluid container, the ARB pump under the Air filter, with a quick release valve so the Air pump can be used
as a back up air supply.
The K & N air filter also has a filter charger.
Disclaimer: What you see on these pages are my own experiences and what changes I have performed on my vehicle. Should you choose to attempt these type of changes to your vehicle, I am not responsible for any consequential damages that may result from these type of modifications. I do not encourage any readers to copy these modifications to their own vehicle. Modifying your vehicle can be dangerous to you and anybody else on the roadway. Please take care in what you do with your vehicle.