'96 Runner Build

[Thardy]

I am bored of not working on my runner, so while I was in Brigham I picked up some steel to start putting together my rear bumper! My buddy at work thinks he's a master welder so I did all the cutting and he welded it together. Honestly I think I could have done just as good of a job welding it, but he had the time so I let him do it. I've still got a lot to do to finish it but that will have to wait til I get it up there to get some more measurements.

 

[Coco]

I need to go across the street, and tour that place!

 

[Thardy]

Let me know when! If you come before 7am I can show you around. I work Grave shift so I'm of between 7-8 most days.

 

[Coco]

sounds good, might need to come in early one day, and get a tour. We used to be able to go over for lunch, but I guess USS said no more of that for some reason.

 

[Thardy]

Got a little time to work this past weekend. Literally a little! The springs I had for the front end ended up being way to long so I got some different springs and had to move the front hanger back a couple inches. It pretty much sucked I had that sucker welded on there GOOD! I got that moved and mocked up my rear bumper to see where additions needed to be made. I also got my steering shaft all but buttoned together. I need to do a little fab work on it then hook it up next weekend.

I feel Like I'm so close yet so far away from having a drivable rig.

Next trip will consist of finishing the assembly of both my front and rear ends, weld shackle hangers on front, mount front axle, determine where to put the shock hoops and weld them in, weld rear springs into place, replacing fuel tank, mount rear axle, hook up rear driveline, measure to have front driveline extended, and MUCH, MUCH MORE!!!!! With my luck about 1/3 of that will actually get accomplished. Next trip I need to make sure I get more (some) pictures.

My 7 year old told me Sunday "Dad the first thing you need to do when this is done is WASH IT"! it looks like its been sitting in the shop for 6 months!!!

 

[AddictedOffroad]

Are you using a pitman arm forward box? If not, then you will have serious steering clearance issues with your tie-rod and draglink with where its mounted considering how far forward you moved the front end.

 

[Thardy]

I'm using a Toyota ifs box. We only ended up moving the axle 3 to 4 inches forward. The picture is deceiving.

 

[AddictedOffroad]

I'm using a Toyota ifs box. We only ended up moving the axle 3 to 4 inches forward. The picture is deceiving.

Then you are going to have major tie-rod draglink clearance issues.

 

[Thardy]

Then you are going to have major tie-rod draglink clearance issues.

Thanks for the advise. After seeing what you've done with the ones you've built I don't take your advice lightly. I will research this more for sure.

When I was putting it together I actually questioned it, but my dad (who has built and modified many Jeeps) said he thought it would be fine. Like I said I trust your advice and will look hard into it.

I am not doing a true high steer. I am going to run the drag link to the high steer arm and the tie rod from the factory arms. I'm sure you don't recommend this but it works great on my dads rigs.

Something similar to this. I don't know if that will make a difference with clearance or not.

 

[Thardy]

Apparently I am doing this all wrong! Scotty, you only chime in when you see a problem . What are some of your thoughts about the rest of the project? Don't worry my skin is getting thicker!!

 

[sixstringsteve]

A SAS is always more work than it seems, hang in there! If it were me, I would make sure I didn't cut any corners, especially with all the hard work and time you're putting into it. Do everything exactly the way you'd like to, rather than compromising due to budget or time. I'm not suggesting you are cutting corners, just make sure you aren't taking the "cheaper" or "faster" way out if it compromises the rig. I know I've had to learn that lesson the hard way.

Good for you though, a SAS on any rig is a major undertaking, and a SAS on a 3rd gen is even more challenging. Props for jumping right in with both feet. I would be building it differently if it were mine, but that doesn't mean "my" way of doing it would be better, just more suited for my tastes. I'm excited to see how this turns out.

 

[AddictedOffroad]

Apparently I am doing this all wrong! Scotty, you only chime in when you see a problem . What are some of your thoughts about the rest of the project? Don't worry my skin is getting thicker!!

Okay. I didn't mean to rain on your parade.

Do me a favor and take a pic of setup from the direct side. Also, what springs are you running up there? they look really long. I don't want to comment too much before I see a true side profile shot. I do know that based on pics, the front spring bolt is at least 6" further forward than we where we mount ours.

 

[sixstringsteve]

It may not feel like it at the moment, but you're a lucky man to have Scotty commenting on your thread and helping prevent future problems. He is probably more experienced than anyone on swapping a solid axle under a 3rd gen 4runner. I'm sure his intentions are to help rather than to nit-pick your build.

Keep in mind, you're running a totally different setup than he does, so some of your ideas might very well work just fine. But on the other hand, Scotty's tried a lot of different things, and his advice may help you save $, time, and headaches down the road. I'd leverage his advice as much as possible.

 

[Thardy]

Thanks guys. I really appreciate your input. I have done a ton research and I'm trying to utilize a lot of what I researched and some of my own ideas. Maybe I'm building it to much like I would would build a Jeep.

Scotty I will get a pic from the side next time I'm there. I'm going up next weekend so hopefully I can get more accomplished. It is the Box Elder County Fair, so it's possible I could have no time!

 

[Thardy]

This weekends progress looks more like progress than the last few!


Got the steering shaft all buttoned up.


This is the stock shaft that came through the firewall

Stock shaft extended

stock rag joint connected to '85 rag joint that came on the gearbox.

Got the front axle all put back together.

E-locker wires locked and sealed

After forgetting a coupe things I became a pro ant taking hubs on and off :x

 

[Thardy]

Here is the side shot for Scotty of where my pitman arm lines up with my springs. With the weight on the springs the center pin lines up perfectly with the white line I put on the frame.

Got the rotors and manual hubs on and rolled the beast under the rig!!

I did get the shackle hangers spotted but didn't get a pic. I need to figure out if those are the springs that I am going to use. When I put the weight on the spring they flattened out way to much. I think we might be done on the front until we get the rear end put back together. Right now the rig is supported by jack stands right on the very end of the frame. So when we put the weight on the front springs it literally is supporting the entire weight of the vehicle. After we get the rear end back under and get the weight distributed better we will see what the front springs do. I do have a couple more sets the same length, each with a little different arch and strength. I can always add a leaf to this pack if needed.

 

[Kevin B.]

Looking good, Ty. I'm excited to see an axle under it again, even if it's not staying there yet.

 

[Coco]

looking good!

 

[AddictedOffroad]

This is the pic I want to see from the side. Mainly I want to see where the tie-rod is in relation to the draglink hole on the pitman arm and whether or not they will interfere. Especially considering that D44 high steer arms are longer than Toyota arms. Basically, I am just concerned that under compression they aren't going to clear.

One piece of advice that I will give is to never fully weld things until you are 100% sure of your clearances. I cannot tell you how many times you will need to move things even a fraction of an inch for clearance. Its kind of the "measure twice, cut once" mentality. Except try not to fully weld anything until the end.

 

[Thardy]

FINALLY it's starting to look like progress!!!


Got the front end bolted under and the weight on the wheels. All that's left on the front is the steering, brakes and driveline.

I did get some time Friday night to work a little on my bumper.