Chop a 99 4 runner and wheel it?

[hickengineering]

OK guys don't kill me because i want to chop a Yota but my gf totaled my 1999 4 runner and basically just smashed everything in the front. Frame is good and everything is straight, the only thing that is bad is the entire front grill/bumper and hood are gone, way to much damage to think of repairing as a town vehicle. My question is this thing has an intersting transfer case where you can push button the 4wd and you can also shift it into 4H and 4L. My hope is to just chop the fenders and put 33's on this and just have a good few years of running it without putting much money it. I build jeeps as rock crawlers but it would be nice to use this just to do some small trails and such, maybe down the road swap a straight axle and up grade a bit. What about the push button locker, i heard it might be an Eaton? Is it rated to a tire size?
Let me know what you think, seems like you guys have a great forum here so i am sure i will be on here more often.
Thanks
CH

[bamachem]

it can certainly be done, and since you have a 99 (stronger trans than the 01/02), you can get away with more on the tire side of things.

check out the "mossy runner buildup" in the design/fab section here for some pretty cool ideas...

in reality, your budget is your limit. you can take off the hood and front fenders, trim the rear wheel wells, put on the largest tires you can fit, and wheel the piss outta it!

[SD4runner]

You'll be fine with 35's on the stock axles and transmission IMO. If you're doing really hard-core stuff, stay with 33's I guess.

As for the locker, most are using aussies and detroits.

[bamachem]

he already has an e-locker from what i gather...

[hickengineering]

he already has an e-locker from what i gather...


Whats the limit to the e locker. Can it handle at least a 33 or can i go to a 35?
Thanks
CH

[Lee]

i really dont see why a 35 would be "too much" for an elocker.

[neliconcept]

i really dont see why a 35 would be "too much" for an elocker.


some tacos run 37-39s on stock rear with just Full floater conversions. or cromo shafts with semi float

[Vermejo]

Why bother chopping things up if the front panels are the only damaged parts? Replace them and build the rig like we all do: lift, tires, bumpers, sliders etc. Since it's a Toyota it will most likely last more than a few years. In that time you'll find plenty to do in terms of fab, modding and repairing damage.

[4runnerchevy]

"I build jeeps as rock crawlers "

"i heard it might be an Eaton? Is it rated to a tire size"

:lol:

[Robinhood4x4]

What about the push button locker, i heard it might be an Eaton? Is it rated to a tire size?
CH


The locker is definitely not an eaton, it's pure toyota. The weak link in the rear axle is not the locker, it's the gears but like others said there's not much to worry about.

By the way, chop away and post pics.

[4runnerchevy]

What about the push button locker, i heard it might be an Eaton? Is it rated to a tire size?
CH


The locker is definitely not an eaton, it's pure toyota. The weak link in the rear axle is not the locker, it's the gears but like others said there's not much to worry about.

By the way, chop away and post pics.


Thanks, what a save, I am already close to to being banned !

[Good Times]

Check out this thread and tell me if your front end looks like this?

Operation Rebuild Chaos Edition (http://www.ultimateyota.com/index.php?option=com_smf&Itemid=26&topic=2318.0)

If you can weld and bend a few tubes then I'd say go on this route as you'll open up a lot of doors. Pick up some fiberglass fenders (available from Glassworks for your 3rd gen) and get parts from the junkyard and rebuild like crazy. If I can do it you'll be able to since you've built other vehicles.

Take some photos and show us how bad it is and we'll give you an honest assessment of our thoughts. Not all of our thoughts may line in with what you want to do but it'll give you an open perspective from various angles which helps immensely when building :)

Good luck!

[bamachem]

Thanks, what a save, I am already close to to being banned !


why???? not even close... :D

[hickengineering]

"I build jeeps as rock crawlers "

"i heard it might be an Eaton?  Is it rated to a tire size"

:lol:


LOL i can take it, i am crossing into new territory and unfortunatly i am a rookie when it comes to your yotas, but to back myself up i heard it was an E locker and that to me means an eaton detroit locker.  Trust me i am thick skinned and as long as someone is willing to help or teach i am all for it even if it comes with some sarcasim.
I will get some pics up as soon as possible, and no "Good Times" it actually is quite a bit less than that picture you have.  As a matter of fact the radiator did not even touch the engine.  Hood is shot, everything infront of the radiator is gone and the fenders are gone.  other than that it seems to still run find as soon as i bend fenders away from the tire. I am really interested in your thread and i hope to get some suggestions on what you have done, mainly mounting headlights and basic things like that to make it street leagel again. It might take a while as i am getting ready for the jeep safari in moab but after that i am going to start a build on this.  Post any sugestions you  might have when i get the pics up.
Thanks

[PRA4WX]

I rebuilt a wrecked 98 lmtd that had much more significant damage to the front end. Pushed body back more than an inch, got into the engine casting, and required new oil pump frame straightened (took a couple of trips to the frame shop to get it) firewall pulled a bit, etc. In the end it was cheaper then buying anything even close to it. (If you don't count the labor put into it!)

[4runnerchevy]

Nice !

[Good Times]

Do you have any damages to the front sheet metal? Either case a good option might be to hit the local junk yard and just buy the front section of the sheet metal. Sometimes it's actually easier to just cut and reattach.

Then again it's more fun just going crazy and tubing it too :) At any rate it just sounds like visible damages (hood/lights/grill/fender/bumper) which can be easily replaced.