Chris' 1984 4Runner 'Tracy'

[04 Rocko Taco]

This is my garage thread, where iwill try and keep track of changes and modifications to my '84 I may eventually start sub threads about the mods, and just post the results here, but we shall see.
For now, here is my '84 4Runner, which I have named Tracy.

This is how she sat the first time I saw her.
http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k112/04RockoTaco/Tracy/Tracy2.jpg

Shortly after I first saw her, before I even bought her, but after I knew I wanted her I helped the present owners rebuild her motor.
http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k112/04RockoTaco/Tracy/Tracy7.jpg
http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k112/04RockoTaco/Tracy/Tracy6.jpg

Then I decided, I HAD to have her, and laid out the monies, and brought her home with me.
http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k112/04RockoTaco/Tracy/Tracy4.jpg
http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k112/04RockoTaco/Tracy/Tracy1.jpg

Of course, I had to get her topless on the first date (doesn't everyone do this?)
http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k112/04RockoTaco/Tracy/DSCF6512.jpg

She needed some serious clean up, so we got to it...
http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k112/04RockoTaco/Tracy/DSCF6522.jpg
http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k112/04RockoTaco/Tracy/DSCF6525.jpg
http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k112/04RockoTaco/Tracy/DSCF6526.jpg

Since then, she has been lifted with some custom shackles, had various parts painted, locked in the rear, and has gone through two sets of wheels and tires, a nice thin set of wheels with 31" All terrains, and now some big backspaced wheels with 33/12.50's for more on all of these mods, check my buildup thread, linked above. Thanks for looking...

http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k112/04RockoTaco/Tracy/BA1.jpg
http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k112/04RockoTaco/Tracy/BA2.jpg

[04 Rocko Taco]

Got my tube doors in yesterday. I got home and it was like chrsitmas!!

These doors are from Adam at 4Xinnovations, (check my sig) and they are seriously good stuff.
Look GREAT!!!

http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k112/04RockoTaco/Tracy/DSCF8056.jpg

I scuffed them up with some fine emory cloth, and then wiped them down real good with paint thinner, and let them dry for about an hour to ensure they were good and dry, I thern wiped them down with a clean tack cloth, and primed them.

http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k112/04RockoTaco/Tracy/DSCF8063.jpg
http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k112/04RockoTaco/Tracy/DSCF8057.jpg

and just so you all remember who made these awesome looking doors....
http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k112/04RockoTaco/Tracy/DSCF8062.jpg

[04 Rocko Taco]

Just as a side note, I was wheeling on my property the other day, and got back to the shop, and realized I was leaking fuel.... :(
I had torn the fuel line right at the filter (which was stock, BTW) so I decided it was time to change that 24 year old filter anyway, I cut the lines back about an inch on both sides, and installed a new universal in-line filter I got at the parts store, it seems to flow enough fuel for my little 22r, if need be, I can go to a larger filter to flow more, although this one seems to work fine.
For now it is just zip tied up on the frame rail, AWAY from tearing rocks, and stumps... I'll probbaly mount it cleaner, but keep it tucked up out of the way. Thats why I purchased an in-line filter as opposed to a OEM replacement bucket style filter that hangs down from the frame like it does. In the pic, you can see the big "C bracket" that used to hold the larger bucket style OEM filter.
http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k112/04RockoTaco/Tracy/DSCF8052.jpg
http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k112/04RockoTaco/Tracy/DSCF8053.jpg

[04 Rocko Taco]

So of course, as soon as I replace the fuel filter, my luck, fuel pump goes. lol. It was pumping OUT as fast as it was pumping in....
SO in a new one went.

Old fuel pump out - http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k112/04RockoTaco/Tracy/DSCF8084.jpg

New Fuel Pump - Sitting on the tundra - http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k112/04RockoTaco/Tracy/DSCF8089.jpg

New vs old - http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k112/04RockoTaco/Tracy/DSCF8090.jpg

God Bless Univeral joints! - http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k112/04RockoTaco/Tracy/DSCF8093.jpg

Went ahead and replaced the soft fuel lines, they were looking pretty worn. - http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k112/04RockoTaco/Tracy/DSCF8092.jpg

Installed, ready to go - http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k112/04RockoTaco/Tracy/DSCF8098.jpg

Time to put it all back together (notice the Neon orange 'small parts' cup. Originally a rear wheel hub cover. haha) - http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k112/04RockoTaco/Tracy/DSCF8100.jpg

All put back together - http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k112/04RockoTaco/Tracy/DSCF8101.jpg

[04 Rocko Taco]

Also got the doors all painted up - Still waiting to mount them until tonite.

http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k112/04RockoTaco/Tracy/DSCF8073.jpg
http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k112/04RockoTaco/Tracy/DSCF8076.jpg
http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k112/04RockoTaco/Tracy/DSCF8079.jpg
http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k112/04RockoTaco/Tracy/DSCF8083.jpg

[04 Rocko Taco]

Horrible Pictures, I will get some better ones today hopefully - but I got the tube doors installed finally.

Truthfully my girlfriend, Cort, did the install.
For once, I handed her tools instead of the other way around. She pulled the fenders off, installed the hinge kits, and the doors, and put the fenders back on. All like a pro!!

http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k112/04RockoTaco/Tracy/DSCF8113.jpg
http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k112/04RockoTaco/Tracy/DSCF8114.jpg
http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k112/04RockoTaco/Tracy/DSCF8115.jpg

[04 Rocko Taco]

Got her out for a little wheeling last nite, and as promised here are some newer tube door pics.

http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k112/04RockoTaco/Tracy/DSCF8117.jpg
http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k112/04RockoTaco/Tracy/DSCF8118.jpg
http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k112/04RockoTaco/Tracy/DSCF8120.jpg
http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k112/04RockoTaco/Tracy/DSCF8121.jpg
http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k112/04RockoTaco/Tracy/DSCF8123.jpg
http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k112/04RockoTaco/Tracy/DSCF8127.jpg

[04 Rocko Taco]

Last nite, I got into rebuilding the outer portion of the manual hubs. I didnt pull the hub bodies, just the dials and a clutch lockrings.
They are actually in really good shape, they show very little wear internally, and no rust at all, there was plenty of grease in them, albeit slightly runny, watery grease, but the seals were intact and mostly clean.

Pulled them off the truck, and cleaned out the hub bodies best I could without removing them.
http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k112/04RockoTaco/Tracy/DSCF8130.jpg
Here it is covered in runny watery worn out bearing grease.
http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k112/04RockoTaco/Tracy/DSCF8139.jpg
Here they are after a first light scrub in dish soap (cuts grease) and the hottest water I could stand.
http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k112/04RockoTaco/Tracy/DSCF8149.jpg
Disassembled and cleaned. I did leave the small spring on the pawl, and that assembly on the clutch ring. I didnt see the need in removing this.
http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k112/04RockoTaco/Tracy/DSCF8150.jpg
You have to be VERY careful not to lose the spring and detent ball out of the hub handle (pictured in the lower bag)
http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k112/04RockoTaco/Tracy/DSCF8151.jpg
Hub handles and dial faces soaking in Paint Thinner overnight.
http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k112/04RockoTaco/Tracy/DSCF8153.jpg
Not to many women let thier men put truck parts (clean or not) on the kitchen table.
http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k112/04RockoTaco/Tracy/DSCF8155.jpg
This morning - Fresh out of the paint thinner.
http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k112/04RockoTaco/Tracy/DSCF8159.jpg
http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k112/04RockoTaco/Tracy/DSCF8160.jpg
http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k112/04RockoTaco/Tracy/DSCF8161.jpg


Painting - Greasing - Reassembly - Reinstallation tonite. I'll post pics of that when the time comes. :)

[04 Rocko Taco]

Here are the hubs all assembled and greased.

http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k112/04RockoTaco/Tracy/DSCF8162.jpg

Here they are repainted and back on the truck.

http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k112/04RockoTaco/Tracy/DSCF8163.jpg

[04 Rocko Taco]

Had a chance to test out the rebuilt hubs, and the rest of the truck, including those nice new tube doors in the muck and rain at Tellico for the Save Tellico Rally/Spring Fling this past weekend.

http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k112/04RockoTaco/Tracy/DSCF8197.jpg

http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k112/04RockoTaco/Tellico%20Spring%20Fling%204%205%2008/DSCF8176.jpg
http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k112/04RockoTaco/Tellico%20Spring%20Fling%204%205%2008/DSCF8179.jpg


Also got a chance to check some flex on the ramp at Crawfords. I would like to say the 8"+ of mud at the bottom of the ramp stopped me from going any higher, but I lifted a back wheel, so I think thats all the flex she has...
But it doesnt look to shabby to me.

http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k112/04RockoTaco/Tellico%20Spring%20Fling%204%205%2008/DSCF8191.jpg
http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k112/04RockoTaco/Tellico%20Spring%20Fling%204%205%2008/DSCF8193.jpg
http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k112/04RockoTaco/Tellico%20Spring%20Fling%204%205%2008/DSCF8188.jpg

[04 Rocko Taco]

Teaser pic of soon to come:

http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k112/04RockoTaco/Tracy/DSCF8200.jpg

[04 Rocko Taco]

Okay so it has been awhile since I updated this thread, and I know you guys are curious...
Let me get you caught up...

I DID get the sliders welded on, I had Brad (Mossyrocks) and Josh (jh3) from Mossyrocks Fabricating install them for me. Two of the most professional guys you'll ever want to work with... I just hope you like Waffle House. (The sliders are from 4XInnovations)

josh - tacking the plates in place on the frame.
http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k112/04RockoTaco/Tracy/DSCF8248.jpg

tacking legs and sliders on, making sure to get the angles correct.
http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k112/04RockoTaco/Tracy/DSCF8249.jpg

how they look off the truck, tacked up.
http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k112/04RockoTaco/Tracy/DSCF8256.jpg

josh finish welding them.
http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k112/04RockoTaco/Tracy/DSCF8260.jpg

...and paint.
http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k112/04RockoTaco/Tracy/DSCF8263.jpg

Looking Good!!
http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k112/04RockoTaco/Tracy/DSCF8250.jpg

[04 Rocko Taco]

Next up came the bumper...

I got it painted up and bolted into place on my own.
http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k112/04RockoTaco/Tracy/DSCF8269.jpg
http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k112/04RockoTaco/Tracy/DSCF8268.jpg
http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k112/04RockoTaco/Tracy/DSCF8266.jpg

Notice the bare spot on the top bar, leaving it open for welding the stinger on.

I dont have any pics of the stinger install, but I again tapped Mossyrocks Fabricating for the job.

All finished up and out testing.
http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k112/04RockoTaco/April%20Aetna%20Crawl%204%2026%2008/DSCF8297.jpg

[04 Rocko Taco]

Been awhile since I updated this, not a lot has chnged, a few updates to the front bumper, added some bracing, and welded it in better (Again Mossyrocks Fab)
http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k112/04RockoTaco/Tracy/DSCF1470.jpg
http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k112/04RockoTaco/Tracy/DSCF1469.jpg

I decided to chop up my top for some better vision, and a more open feel for folks in the back...
http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k112/04RockoTaco/Tracy/DSCF1510.jpg
http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k112/04RockoTaco/Tracy/DSCF1511.jpg

I also picked up a full top to use during the "cold" months here in the southeast.
http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k112/04RockoTaco/Tracy/DSCF1468.jpg

I also installed a budbuilt single case crossmember, I won't bore you with any details or installpics, I think we all know how they go by now...
http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k112/04RockoTaco/Tracy/DSCF1509.jpg
I recently picked up some new toys to install. I found a set of axles with 5.29's in them, and a lockright in the front.

So I picked them up.
http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k112/04RockoTaco/Tracy/DSCF1725.jpg
http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k112/04RockoTaco/Tracy/DSCF1726.jpg

Cort (girlfriend) pulled the rear for me (all by herself, I might mention)
http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k112/04RockoTaco/Tracy/3-1.jpg
http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k112/04RockoTaco/Tracy/7.jpg

I went over to a buddys house and we pulled the front apart the other nite while we were working on his swapped pickup.
I dont have any good pictures, Just this one from under the Tonneau cover on my Taco.
http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k112/04RockoTaco/Tracy/DSCF1749.jpg

One of the 5.29's had a lockright, and one was open, I took it to Marc (zman2day for those of you familiar) and had him weld it up for me, I have had my welded 4.10 in for over a year without any issues.

They are now ready to go in, and will go in, along with a new clutch hopefully this weekend and coming week.
http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k112/04RockoTaco/Tracy/DSCF1759.jpg
http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k112/04RockoTaco/Tracy/DSCF1757.jpg

Here is the front (with a LockRite)
http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k112/04RockoTaco/Tracy/DSCF1756.jpg
http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k112/04RockoTaco/Tracy/DSCF1755.jpg

Here is the rear (welded)
http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k112/04RockoTaco/Tracy/DSCF1752.jpg
http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k112/04RockoTaco/Tracy/DSCF1753.jpg
Usually Marc will just weld the corners of the spiders together, but he elected to go ahead and put a crossbrace in this one (both sides) from one corner to the next, and then weld the other corners as usual. The crossbrace is a peice of 1/4" plate.

I know this is a lot of updates all at once, I'll try to do it realtime in the future. lol.

[04 Rocko Taco]

By the way, the 5.29's will move the crawl ratio from 36.74:1 to 47.4:1
(3.93x2.28x4.10=36.74)
(3.93x2.28x5.29=47.40)

[04 Rocko Taco]

Been awhile since updates again, lets get all caught up...

The 5.29's are in along with the lockers front and rear.

Cort took care of the rear for me (she was very proud) http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k112/04RockoTaco/Tracy/axles/DSCF1188.jpg

I had my buddy anthony come over and give me a hand with the front.
http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k112/04RockoTaco/Tracy/axles/DSCF1201.jpg
http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k112/04RockoTaco/Tracy/axles/DSCF1204.jpg

[04 Rocko Taco]

Along with new gears I decided it was time to fix the trannsmission issues, again...

Replaced the clutch and pressure plate, and had the flywheel turned and machined, one run in, and I had the same problems...

So I once again replaced clutch, pressure plate, and turned the flywheel, but also this time I replaced the slave cylinder, problems solved. :)
and just FYI, its pretty hard to put a tranny and t-case combo back in by yourself. :)
http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k112/04RockoTaco/Tracy/tranny/DSCF1183.jpg

[04 Rocko Taco]

Anyone who knows me knows that the drivers side of my runner has a hole in the floorboard, well it was more like the whole floorboard was gone... So that had to be fixed...

First I cut out all of the afflicted cancerous metal.
http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k112/04RockoTaco/Tracy/floor/DSCF1384.jpg
http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k112/04RockoTaco/Tracy/floor/DSCF1388.jpg

Once this was cleared, I elected to go with two peices of 16 gauge sheetmetal, the reason I went with two was to have a seam in the center to add a little rigidity without having to add any character lines in the new metal.

http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k112/04RockoTaco/Tracy/floor/DSCF1389.jpg
http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k112/04RockoTaco/Tracy/floor/DSCF1391.jpg

In place and prepped for welding.
http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k112/04RockoTaco/Tracy/floor/IMG00009.jpg

...and once again, Brad at Mossyrocks Fab hooked me up with the metal melting. :)
http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k112/04RockoTaco/Tracy/floor/IMG00013.jpg

Once welded in, I reinstalled the seat rail, and welded it in, and painted it up, ready to go!
http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k112/04RockoTaco/Tracy/floor/IMG00020.jpg

[04 Rocko Taco]

Once the floor was in and the body now secure, it was time to turn my attention to the protection of the soft and squishy parts inside the rig...namely me and Cort. :)

For Christmas Cort had given me a gift certificate for a custom built cab cage from Mossyrocks Fab, so I took it to the Mossy shop, and hung out for a few days and helped where I could.

Brad hard at work..
http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k112/04RockoTaco/Tracy/Cage/DSCF1469.jpg
http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k112/04RockoTaco/Tracy/Cage/DSCF1476.jpg

We started with the B-Pillar in one peice and then added the A-Pillar sweeps, then installed the front roof bar, and the center roof bars, next up came the dash bar, and the windshield braces. On to the pics.

http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k112/04RockoTaco/Tracy/Cage/DSCF1473.jpg
http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k112/04RockoTaco/Tracy/Cage/DSCF1483.jpg
http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k112/04RockoTaco/Tracy/Cage/DSCF1499.jpg
http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k112/04RockoTaco/Tracy/Cage/DSCF1501.jpg
http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k112/04RockoTaco/Tracy/Cage/DSCF1510.jpg
http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k112/04RockoTaco/Tracy/Cage/DSCF1534.jpg
http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k112/04RockoTaco/Tracy/Cage/DSCF1535.jpg
http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k112/04RockoTaco/Tracy/Cage/DSCF1537.jpg
http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k112/04RockoTaco/Tracy/Cage/DSCF1540.jpg

I dont have a finished picture right now, but I have to give serious props to Brad for this one, a work of art, and in only 3 days. We added new legs to the sliders and frame, so that a vertical tube comes up from the new slider leg, and through the floor with a plate on it made from 1/4" that is just above the floor as a "body check" in case the body mounts ever were to break to assist in holding the body in place, and then the cage tubes are welded to the plates. Brad also added an O.S. handle in the "stock location" on Cort's side, and a grab handle on the dash bar for her also. She is very grateful. :)
I'll have to get the finished pic up this week.