SLOMatt's 2000 4Runner

[slomatt]

Details and photos can be found at my website.

http://wwww.blankwhitepage.com/automotive/2000-toyota-4runner


Overview
- 2000 Toyota 4runner
- 3.4 liter V6 5VZE engine
- 5 spd transmission
- 4.11:1 3rd members
- Purchased in December of 2008 with ~82k miles

Engine/Driveline
- "Deckplate mod" to intake box

Suspension/Steering/Brakes
- Sonoran Steel System 1.2
- Polyurethane Steering Rack Bushings

Wheels/Tires
- Stock 16x7 rims
- 265/75/16 Maxxis Bighorn tires

Interior/Electronics
- Custom 8 fuse / 2 relay power distribution center
- Custom LED hatch light
- On Board Air

Exterior/Protection
- ARB Prado front bumper
- Stubb's Welding rock rails
- Extended Rear Diff Breather

http://www.blankwhitepage.com/gallery/albums/t4r_misc/eIMG_1026.jpg

[slomatt]

I took the 4runner on its first offroad trip and it did very well. Moving from an automatic, solid axle, V8 Jeep to a manual, IFS, V6 Toyota is definitely a fairly big change but the 4runner was a lot of fun to wheel. The SS 1.2 lift worked perfectly, I was particularly happy with the articulation in the rear suspension, and the 32" Bighorns provided great traction at 18psi and didn't rub on the body at all. The only issue I ran into was some contact between the driveshaft and the gas tank skidplate which is easily repaired with a sledge hammer. Oh, and with the polyurethane steering rack bushings there is a good amount of kickback through the steering wheel but it's not a big deal.

Here are the pictures:

http://www.blankwhitepage.com/gallery/slickrock_20090815

And some highlights:

http://www.blankwhitepage.com/gallery/albums/slickrock_20090815/IMG_1248.jpg

http://www.blankwhitepage.com/gallery/albums/slickrock_20090815/IMG_1254.jpg

http://www.blankwhitepage.com/gallery/albums/slickrock_20090815/IMG_1255.jpg

http://www.blankwhitepage.com/gallery/albums/slickrock_20090815/IMG_1265.jpg

- Matt

[slomatt]

I've been lazy and haven't updated this in a while, here are some pics. :)

Bummer, I only have the ABS harness.
http://www.blankwhitepage.com/gallery/albums/t4r_mods_misc/IMG_0109.jpg

But the plug for the switch is there, I just need to find a good 4.10 3rd member.
http://www.blankwhitepage.com/gallery/albums/t4r_mods_misc/IMG_0111.jpg

The clutch has been squeaking for a while, I wonder why? Might as well inspect it.
http://www.blankwhitepage.com/gallery/albums/t4r_clutch_bushings/IMG_0117.jpg

A little bit further and it might have worn right through the fork.
http://www.blankwhitepage.com/gallery/albums/t4r_clutch_bushings/IMG_0118.jpg

As expected all three bushings were in perfect shape.
http://www.blankwhitepage.com/gallery/albums/t4r_clutch_bushings/IMG_0119.jpg

I found a spring at the local ACE, hopefully it will work, otherwise I'll get a Toyota clutch spring.
http://www.blankwhitepage.com/gallery/albums/t4r_clutch_bushings/IMG_0120.jpg

Good to go.
http://www.blankwhitepage.com/gallery/albums/t4r_clutch_bushings/IMG_0122.jpg

- Matt

[slomatt]

Here's some more detailed photos of my power distribution setup. It's a black abs box from RadioShack with a fused distribution block and two relays in it. The box mounts on top of the stock fuse block and pivots out of the way on a hinge. While I was in there I upgraded the body ground a piece of 4g wire.

http://www.blankwhitepage.com/gallery/albums/t4r_fuseblock/IMG_0196.jpg

It's cramped inside but everything fits. At the moment I'm only using 2 of the 8 circuits, one for OBA and one for my IPF lights.
http://www.blankwhitepage.com/gallery/albums/t4r_fuseblock/IMG_0198.jpg

Here you can see the box lifted out of the way so the stock fuses can be accessed.
http://www.blankwhitepage.com/gallery/albums/t4r_fuseblock/IMG_0199.jpg

[slomatt]

I'm not sure if I posted this yet, but I hard-mounted a MV-50 compressor in the back of the truck. The full details can be found at the following link:

http://wwww.blankwhitepage.com/automotive/2000-toyota-4runner/on-board-air


http://www.blankwhitepage.com/gallery/albums/t4r_oba/IMG_2401.jpg

http://www.blankwhitepage.com/gallery/albums/t4r_oba/IMG_2442.jpg

There are no heat issues with the compressor mounted in this location.

- Matt

[slomatt]

I haven't written up an article for this one yet, but I replaced my rear dome light with a LED and added a LED hatch light. Both are Cree XREs and draw 0.22A at 12v (~2.6w).

LED hatch light, total parts cost is about $17. The housing has a switch so you tap it to turn on and off, and it's wired into the hatch switch so it turns off when the hatch is closed.
http://www.blankwhitepage.com/gallery/albums/t4r_hatchlight/IMG_0130.jpg

Testing the LED's current draw. Even after running for 10+ mins the heatsink barely gets warm.
http://www.blankwhitepage.com/gallery/albums/t4r_hatchlight/IMG_0131.jpg

The blue wire on the right is +12v, the blue wire on the left is the switched ground.
http://www.blankwhitepage.com/gallery/albums/t4r_hatchlight/IMG_0190.jpg

The stock rear dome light uses a 5w incandescent bulb which doesn't put out much light.
http://www.blankwhitepage.com/gallery/albums/t4r_hatchlight/IMG_0124.jpg

I replaced it with an LED, heatsink, and constant current source driver (~650ma).
http://www.blankwhitepage.com/gallery/albums/t4r_hatchlight/IMG_0183.jpg

http://www.blankwhitepage.com/gallery/albums/t4r_hatchlight/IMG_0184.jpg

http://www.blankwhitepage.com/gallery/albums/t4r_hatchlight/IMG_0188.jpg

- Matt

[slomatt]

Installed a DieHard Platinum P-4 Battery. Details at the following link.

http://wwww.blankwhitepage.com/automotive/2000-toyota-4runner/diehard-platinum-p-4-battery

http://www.blankwhitepage.com/gallery/albums/t4r_battery/IMG_2775.jpg

- Matt

[slomatt]

It seemed that each time I take the 4runner on the trail my gas tank skip plate would get more and more mangled, to the point where my gas tank was getting dented.

http://www.blankwhitepage.com/gallery/albums/t4r_gas_tank_skid/IMG_2826.jpg

I finally bit the bullet and bought a Lil' Skips' offroad skid plate, it's working great so far.

http://www.blankwhitepage.com/gallery/albums/t4r_gas_tank_skid/IMG_2931.jpg

A while back I acquired an Edgestar fridge and mounted it in the back seat on a removable platform.

http://www.blankwhitepage.com/gallery/albums/t4r_edgestar/IMG_0854.jpg

http://www.blankwhitepage.com/gallery/albums/t4r_edgestar/IMG_0861.jpg

I've also installed a CB radio in the stock ashtray location. Details for all of these changes are on my website (link is in first post).

http://www.blankwhitepage.com/gallery/albums/t4r_cb/IMG_2938.jpg

I'm working on a combination sleeping platform and storage drawer, more pictures to come once it is finished.

http://www.blankwhitepage.com/gallery/albums/t4r_drawer/IMG_2943.jpg

- Matt

[slomatt]

Today I got around to installing a WARN m8000 in my ARB Prado bumper. I still need to buy some synthetic rope and a fairlead, but otherwise it is ready to go. The solenoid pack is mounted in the "W" cutout in the front of the bumper. The total added weight is a little under 50lbs.

I sleeved the frame bolts with some old suspension bushings so I can get them tight without bending the frame. In the future I may weld a cap on to keep it from deforming during side pulls.
http://www.blankwhitepage.com/gallery/albums/t4r_arb_prado/IMG_6150.jpg

Here is the bumper dismounted and ready for the winch.
http://www.blankwhitepage.com/gallery/albums/t4r_arb_prado/IMG_6151.jpg

The solenoid pack fits into the "W" cutout perfectly, but I don't have the ARB bracket to hold it in place.
http://www.blankwhitepage.com/gallery/albums/t4r_arb_prado/IMG_6152.jpg

The great thing about this mounting location is that all the stock wires are the perfect length. I was a little worried about exposure to the elements and putting the ~7lb solenoid so far forward, but it is worth it for the easy install.
http://www.blankwhitepage.com/gallery/albums/t4r_arb_prado/IMG_6153.jpg

A friend and I made some brackets out of steel plate to hold the solenoid in place. The bottom bracket mounts to the factory holes, and the top bracket mounts to the light's mounting stud.
http://www.blankwhitepage.com/gallery/albums/t4r_arb_prado/IMG_6154.jpg

No more weird "fanged" W hole in the bumper.
http://www.blankwhitepage.com/gallery/albums/t4r_arb_prado/IMG_6155.jpg

http://www.blankwhitepage.com/gallery/albums/t4r_arb_prado/IMG_6157.jpg

- Matt

[slomatt]

I'm way behind in posting updates to this thread. Here are a few pictures of recent changes to the truck:

New lower ball joints, inner tie rod ends, and rear driveshaft u-joint. All parts were from Toyota, the u-joint is surprisingly expensive. My inner tie rods were in good condition so I did not replace them, in fact none of the parts were showing any wear but I wanted to replace the LBJs as preventative maintenance.

http://www.blankwhitepage.com/gallery/albums/t4r_mods_misc/IMG_7619.jpg

The u-joint at the differential side of the rear driveshaft was sticking and I thought it might be causing a small vibration. The u-joint was surprisingly difficult to remove, after breaking my vise I ended up cutting through one of the arms of the joint and pounding out the caps.

http://www.blankwhitepage.com/gallery/albums/t4r_mods_misc/IMG_7620.jpg

A small puller and ball joint tool made the LBJ and ITRE replacements very easy. New LBJ bolts were used along with thread locker.

http://www.blankwhitepage.com/gallery/albums/t4r_mods_misc/IMG_7621.jpg

Here's the pile of tools I ended up using.

http://www.blankwhitepage.com/gallery/albums/t4r_mods_misc/IMG_7622.jpg

- Matt

[slomatt]

Hey look, the 4Runner is clean for once! It didn't stay that way for long.

http://www.blankwhitepage.com/gallery/albums/t4r_misc/IMG_1002.jpg

Making a run to the recyclers. Buying a house, moving, and getting married all in the same month resulted in a lot of cardboard.

http://www.blankwhitepage.com/gallery/albums/t4r_misc/IMG_1292.jpg

http://www.blankwhitepage.com/gallery/albums/t4r_misc/IMG_1293.jpg

- Matt

[slomatt]

My battle with clutch pedal bushings.
http://www.ultimateyota.com/showthread.php?10698-Grumble-grumble-stupid-clutch-bushing-grumble-%28pictures%29

On board air.
http://www.ultimateyota.com/showthread.php?7921-On-board-air-with-a-MV-50
http://www.ultimateyota.com/showthread.php?9239-Thinking-of-using-tow-hitch-as-an-air-tank

[slomatt]

When I installed the winch I hardwired it directly to the battery and then carefully routed the wires to prevent shorts. My concern has always been that the truck lives a fairly tough life and there was a chance of the positive cable coming loose and something cutting through the insulation, which could lead to a fire. The problem is that under load the M8000 can draw 400+ amps, which would require a large fuse or circuit breaker.

Recently DelCity started carrying "Mega fuses" for a reasonable price, so I figured I'd install one on the winch's +12v lead.
http://www.delcity.net/store/MEGA-Fuses/p_800374

First off I added a larger delrin plate to the battery tie down and mounted the fuse holder to the plate.

http://www.blankwhitepage.com/gallery/albums/t4r_battery/IMG_8065.jpg

http://www.blankwhitepage.com/gallery/albums/t4r_battery/IMG_8066.jpg

Then I made a jumper to go from the positive terminal of the battery to the fuse holder. The short length of the jumper minimizes the amount of unfused cable. The 2 awg terminals were soldered on using a solder slug and a torch.

http://www.blankwhitepage.com/gallery/albums/t4r_battery/IMG_8069.jpg

I had to shorten the +12v lead for the winch while it was attached to the car. There was no safe way to get a torch in there to melt the solder, so instead I made a poor-mans crimping die using a nail and a vise. The nail puts a crease into the terminal which holds the wire in place. Afterwards it was covered with high-quality adhesive heat shrink so it shouldn't be going anywhere.

http://www.blankwhitepage.com/gallery/albums/t4r_battery/IMG_8070.jpg

The +12v lead for the fuse now runs next to the factory starter wires. It is covered in rubber hose to protect from chafing.

http://www.blankwhitepage.com/gallery/albums/t4r_battery/IMG_8072.jpg

Here's the fuse holder and fuse installed on the battery.

http://www.blankwhitepage.com/gallery/albums/t4r_battery/IMG_8073.jpg

And a final picture with the protective cover in place. At this point the only unfused wire is the one going to the starter.

http://www.blankwhitepage.com/gallery/albums/t4r_battery/IMG_8074.jpg

- Matt

[slomatt]

My TRD collection, though both might be going up for sale soon so I can get a newer T4R.

http://www.blankwhitepage.com/gallery/albums/tacoma_misc/IMG_6417.jpg

[4x4mike]

Nice collection Matt.