'99 4Runner Build: Clara

[sixstringsteve]

Thanks Brian, you get it. And I know you're just razin me, all in good fun.

I think it'll be a great rig. The types of trips I enjoy has really evolved and changed over the years, so my rigs have changed to meet them. I'm excited for this one. I actually prefer that it's not super built with huge tires and duals and all that.

 

[sixstringsteve]

crap, i just found out I have a meeting from 7-9 tonight, so the wrenching party is going to have to wait. I'll still see how much I can get done in the mean time.

 

[ttora4runner]

On the links: center of eye to center of eye is 21"

 

[sixstringsteve]

excellent. thanks.

 

[sixstringsteve]

9:15 Started removing taco front diff.

10:15 front diff removed. Now starting on removing the 4runner front diff.

 

[zukijames]

your an animal

 

[Kevin B.]

Now starting on removing runner front diff.

*checks watch*

 

[sixstringsteve]

11:30 All bolts/plugs/lines removed.

12:50 front diff still not removed. No matter how much I jiggle it or jack it up, it's always hitting somewhere and I'm not able to remove it.

It's been an extremely frustrating evening. The oil pan seems to be in the way. There's gotta be a trick to this that I'm missing. I remember it being a pain on my taco, but nowhere near this bad. I spent over an hour just wiggling it back and forth, completely unbolted, trying to get it out. Maybe some sleep will do me some good and I can finish it tomorrow night. Bummer.

 

[Kevin B.]

Man, that sucks. Going to bed with a project half finished isn't very satisfying at all. You'll get it tomorrow!

 

[sixstringsteve]

Thanks for the encouragement Kevin.

 

[Bart]

Sleep and just getting away from the project always helps me in those situations. My guess is it will practically fall out when you return to do it.

 

[TJDukit]

X3 on the sleep and the re-attack being the trick for this one.

 

[thefirstzukman]

Buy a plasma cutter...

 

[AddictedOffroad]

11:30 All bolts/plugs/lines removed.

12:50 front diff still not removed. No matter how much I jiggle it or jack it up, it's always hitting somewhere and I'm not able to remove it.

It's been an extremely frustrating evening. The oil pan seems to be in the way. There's gotta be a trick to this that I'm missing. I remember it being a pain on my taco, but nowhere near this bad. I spent over an hour just wiggling it back and forth, completely unbolted, trying to get it out. Maybe some sleep will do me some good and I can finish it tomorrow night. Bummer.

Pull the diff flange. Seriously, it will come right out then.

 

[sixstringsteve]

Eric and Andrew, you're really good friends. Thanks for all your help tonight.

Andrew, after I took the 4runner off jack stands I started putting the taco diff back together. I realized that we left out a piece that goes in-between the diff and the tube. Fortunately I don't have to drop the diff again, but I do have to pull the tube off and re-silicone it and pull that stupid reverse torx bolt off. Oh well, it's giving me lots of practice to be more patient. It's getting old going to bed defeated 3 nights in a row though.

 

[frieed]

Fess up, you just wanted to use your new external torx socket set again..


Oh, and I'm not sure standing there watching you and Andrew work qualifies as "help"

 

[sixstringsteve]

I've gotta justify that purchase somehow.


Um.... wr never.would have found the external torx without you, and you saved my bacon when you ran to ace to pick up the spare bolts.

 

[TROKITA]

steve how hard is it to replace your gears????? rear axle, any special tool, I've only messed with axle shafts and wheel bearings, but ya

 

[sixstringsteve]

it's not too difficult to remove the third and swap it out, but installing gears is way out of my league.

 

[TROKITA]

it's not too difficult to remove the third and swap it out, but installing gears is way out of my league.

Didnt you swap out your gears ????? or did you just swap the whole third member on your runner????