2000 4Runner "Wall-E" Build

Seeing as though I have been dumping more and more $$$ into this thing, I figured it might be time for a build thread.

I had originally began my offroading experience with a 2017 DCLB Tacoma but since moving into an area where parking was hard to come by, I sold it in mid-2019.



Fast forward almost a year later and my itch to get back out and do some wrenching has me wanting to get back into the game. However, I didn't want to get into a newer vehicle since I don't want to make payments on something that will get beat on. Which led me to this 2000 4Runner SR5 4x4.





I was on a hunt for something a little more "turnkey" so I won't have to start from zero for mods. This came with a few goodies already installed.

OME 3" lift
3rd Gen Tacoma wheels wrapped in 286/75/16 Duratracs
4.88 Gears with a Detroit Locker in rear
High Amp Alternator
VCG done with a few vacuum hoses replaced
Tranny cooler installed w/ external filter
AEM Intake (GONE)
Flowmaster Exhaust
Radiator and Water Pump
Rebuilt Starter
and of course...kenwood deck with the BOOM BOOM in the rear with 800 watt inverter.

 

I did realize upon purchase that the CV boot was torn on the passenger's side and the driver's side was spitting grease everywhere. Decided to also change out the OEM LBJs since I don't know when they were last done.

Since the CVs needed to be replaced, I might as well go and change all the fluids for the diffs and t-case.

Only picture from the hot as hell mod day. Thanks again @Uphillshunter for the help!



2 Napa New CVs installed
Diff Fluids and T-case fluid refreshed
OEM LBJs installed with new hardware

 

The next day, I went on a light trip on some fire roads with the 209 fellas and the CVs did great. No broken boots!

However, 2 lug nuts went missing on my passenger's side wheel and all were loose on the drivers side. Scary stuff...could be on me for not checking torque after getting home after mod day BUT did hear that some cheap-o spacers can also cause a problem.

Immediately put in an order for spidertrax spacers and threw these ones in the scrap bin.

Notice the bolts are longer on the no-name brand than spidertrax among other things.





Ever since installing the spidertrax, I've been on a handful of trips and no lug has went loose.

 

Fast forward a few more weeks and I notice that the front brakes are horrible. After a trip to Hollister, my brakes were shuddering like crazy on the way home. Put in an order for the TBU!

Ended up ordering some powerstop calipers (don't recommend), OEM Tundra Rotors, OEM Tundra Pads/Shims.

What should have been a 2-3 hour job turned into a 8+ hour job due to the calipers having a messed up thread pitch and messing up the brake lines.



Lucky for me, there was a yard that had a 3rd gen 4runner with the same brake line I needed. Must be my lucky day!!! WRONG. Guy at the yard didn't have flare nut wrenches and decided to use vice grips to try and take it out of the line. He ended up stripping it...now I had to drive 30-40 minutes to the nearest pick-n-pull to snag some brake lines.

Thankfully they had 3 runners there so I took them all

I come home and try to thread in one of the newly acquired brake lines...stripped again. Called my mechanic neighbor to come take a look to make sure I'm not going crazy. He ended up noticing that the thread in the calipers were the right pitch but they seemed too tight. He ended up clearing it with his tap and die set and the lines went in smooth afterwards!

TBU complete with the SS lines up front and rear extended line from Wheelers.

 

After having a 4runner for a little while, my CEL went on. Figured that it was a matter of time with a vehicle this age. Ran a code and it came up as P0300. Took it to a local shop and got BONED. Charged 600 for plugs, wires, and diagnostic fee.

Code went away and the vehicle ran a little smoother but noticed no huge difference.

Fast forward a few more weeks, the code is back again. I was planning on having my buddy look at it the same time he replaced my drive belts as the alternator belt was cracked. So I took it over to him for a few things. However, with my luck....when he went to start the car after giving it to him...the code was gone.

He cleaned up the MAF (not OEM, maybe this is causing the code?) Cleaned the throttle body (wasn't that dirty). Stuck a camera into the cylinders and the piston and valves look good. Plugs were already replaced so those didn't need anything, coils were replaced at some point but no branding on them (maybe this is also causing the code?). I asked him to do some tests to see compression as well just to get more information on the health of the engine. Compression actually came back A-OK.

Cyl 1 220
Cyl 2 205
Cyl 3 210
Cyl 4 205
Cyl 5 215
Cyl 6 215

The code does only seem to come on when the weather changes to cold mornings. Any insight would be appreciated!

 

Quick little wheeling trip to HH!

 

Now to the good stuff...a little birdie was selling some armor so naturally I had to come and snag them.



@siznarf working hard.

 

Of course, with all that weight the old OME suspension that is on there needs a bit of a refresh.

The rears are going to change from OME Nitrochargers w/ 890 springs to 4th Gen 4runner Bilstein 5100s w/ OME 861 coils for the added weight of the swingout and tools/camping gear in the trunk. Thanks for the suggestion @MattJakobs and @siznarf.

I already have a Sonoran Steel adjustable panhard but I'm also going to throw in the @eimkeith PCK as an extra safety measure. Also need to get some longer bump stops so that is next on the list.

The front OMEs with 881s & top plate spacer does not seem to be sagging but I will reassess what coilover I will go with after I redo rear suspension.

If I have to order front components, then I will be going with JBA UCAs, strut tower reinforcement, and still undecided on front coilover.

 

Need moar flex

 

I rub at this flex lol

 

Little bit of a late night diff breather install in the apartment parking lot. Boredom was real today.

 

Got a lot of stuff planned for the next few months. Hoping to keep this as updated as possible

• King coilover install w/ 650lb springs (600lb springs will be for sale soon)
• SPC UCA install
• Total Chaos Spindle Gussets
• @eimkeith PCK
• @eimkeith strut tower reinforcement (MAYBE)
• LCA Bushings with Whiteline
• Steering rack bushings with Energy Suspension
• New OEM MAF
• OEM Fuel Filter Replacement
• Aisin Timing Belt Kit
• OEM Thermostat replacement
• ADS rear shocks??? @MattJakobs
• 4X Innovations Bumper??? @MattJakobs
• Renogy Solar Install
• Ebay Snorkel Install