- Location
- Grand Junction, CO
We've missed having a daily-driveable, yet wheelable 4x4 and I've wanted to get something to fill the void after trading in our '99 4Runner on a tow rig. We got a lot of use out of our 4Runner, it was mildly lifted, had a factory rear e-locker and a set of BFG A/Ts. That 4Runner had been over 13,000 ft mtns above Silverton, CO and down busting sand dunes in Baja Mexico. It wasn't anything special, but was quite capable for what it was and we got a lot of use and fun out of it.
I've tried to build our Dodge tow rig into a replacement exploration vehicle, but 1 Ton suspension and a hefty price tag keep me from using it how I'd like to. Also the thought of damaging anything on that truck... way too much $$ to fix.
I like the convenience of an SUV and love the Toyotas reliability. Picking up another 4Runner made sense, especially considering all the traveling opportunities we have within a few hours of us and how well a 4Runner fit our needs. I ended up finding an older 2nd Gen 4Runner in Denver with a blown motor. It's a 1990 with a 3.0 V6, Auto and nearly 200k miles on it. The people we bought it from where the original owners and it was very well maintained, not a spec of rust on the body. We got a good deal on it, considering it had a blown engine. I actually got it running after bringing it home & drove it around a couple times... with the engine rattling away. It drove well, until it tossed a rod.
No sweat, the 3.0 is coming out and not going back in.
The plan is to swap in a 3.4l V6 from a Tacoma with a 5 speed transmission. I'm going to do a 2" body lift to help clear the new motor (taller than the 3.0) and a 1.5"-2" suspension lift. That should be enough room for 33's. Luckily the 4Runner came with 4.56 gears stock, so the gearing should be about perfect for 33's. Eventually I'd like to swap in a factory Toyota e-locker. Plans also include rock sliders, a winch & winch bumper, and down the road I'd love to add a snorkel, roof top tent, on-board shower, etc.
I'm going to try build this on a budget and over time and it's going to have to wait until the TJ is up and wheelin. Eventually it will become the wifes DD, she really enjoyed her '99 4Runner. I would like to have the motor swap done by mid-Summer, but we'll see how that turns out.
Here's a picture of the 4Runner.-
I've tried to build our Dodge tow rig into a replacement exploration vehicle, but 1 Ton suspension and a hefty price tag keep me from using it how I'd like to. Also the thought of damaging anything on that truck... way too much $$ to fix.
I like the convenience of an SUV and love the Toyotas reliability. Picking up another 4Runner made sense, especially considering all the traveling opportunities we have within a few hours of us and how well a 4Runner fit our needs. I ended up finding an older 2nd Gen 4Runner in Denver with a blown motor. It's a 1990 with a 3.0 V6, Auto and nearly 200k miles on it. The people we bought it from where the original owners and it was very well maintained, not a spec of rust on the body. We got a good deal on it, considering it had a blown engine. I actually got it running after bringing it home & drove it around a couple times... with the engine rattling away. It drove well, until it tossed a rod.
No sweat, the 3.0 is coming out and not going back in. The plan is to swap in a 3.4l V6 from a Tacoma with a 5 speed transmission. I'm going to do a 2" body lift to help clear the new motor (taller than the 3.0) and a 1.5"-2" suspension lift. That should be enough room for 33's. Luckily the 4Runner came with 4.56 gears stock, so the gearing should be about perfect for 33's. Eventually I'd like to swap in a factory Toyota e-locker. Plans also include rock sliders, a winch & winch bumper, and down the road I'd love to add a snorkel, roof top tent, on-board shower, etc.
I'm going to try build this on a budget and over time and it's going to have to wait until the TJ is up and wheelin. Eventually it will become the wifes DD, she really enjoyed her '99 4Runner. I would like to have the motor swap done by mid-Summer, but we'll see how that turns out.
Here's a picture of the 4Runner.-
