The 4Runner project...

[Valkyrie]

To follow up on the WAT thread, both engines are pulled and both front suspensions are swapped.

Tonight begins prep for the engine installation.

I will attempt to sutff the whole thing in tonight in one piece. If that doesn't work, I will seperate the transmission/transfer case and put the engine in by itself.

If anyone feels like swinging by to make sure I don't kill myself feel free... :)

[STRAP22]

I just to say thank you to everyone that work so hard this past weekend. Getting the rest done will be a challange. Like Chris siad if anyone can make it over to his house after work we could use some extra muscle to stuff the whole thing in as one unit.

[Valkyrie]

Many thanks to Jason, Rod, Cory and Jacob for helping wrestle that thing in last night. It looked like the Titanic going down into the abyss, but now we're cooking!

On tonights agenda-
install front diff
swap rear thirds & axles
hook up drivetrain
hook up transmission/t-case linkages, wiring & hoses
throttle body, engine plumbing & wiring

It'd be sweet to crank this thing up tonight!

So far we have Jason, Jacque & Tim.

We really could use 2 or three more... anyone?

[STRAP22]

Many thanks to all..........Without your help this would not have happened. Still have a lot to do but we are moving forward very well. Any help for the rest of this project would be greatly appreciated.

[stubb444]

I will be back in DFW Wed. If you guys still need help Wed. night let me know.

[tool]

I will be able to come back out there on thursday.

[Jason]

I will be back in DFW Wed. If you guys still need help Wed. night let me know.
We'll need all the help we can get. :D

[Jason]

I will be able to come back out there on thursday.
Thursday is the meeting, remember? :D
How's your dog doing?

[Valkyrie]

I will be back in DFW Wed. If you guys still need help Wed. night let me know.
Absolutlely!

Your help will be greatly appreciated- we are getting snagged at the wiring/plumbing phase...

[Valkyrie]

Well, last night was interesting. Jacque & I got the rear suspensions & thirds swapped over while Phil, Jason & Tim struggled with the wiring/plumbing.

Seems there were some changes between 91 & 92- nothing major, just a lot of minor shit that, when all put together, made it a real PITA. Brittle wires, mis-matched connectors and re-routed coolant lines were the headache causers.

Good news: we stumbled upon a '95 engine harness here at work, so there is a glimmer of hope!

Tonight Jacque and I are gonna finish the drivertrain and buttoning up the underside. The only potential problems are swapping the old mechanical speedometer sender for the electrical one, and the transmission electrical connectors- we're keeping our fingers crossed!

Chris Ritchie will be over to try & reconstruct the wiring/vacum/plumbing mess... should be helpful since he stripped out both vehicles.

Our goal tonight: Start it up!

[STRAP22]

Forever optimistic...........

[Jason]

The speedo shouldn't be a problem. I did it to my truck.

Bring some fresh gas.

[STRAP22]

The speedo shouldn't be a problem. I did it to my truck.

Bring some fresh gas.

Liquid I assume is what you are referring to. Oh hell I'll bring both.........

[Jason]

Yea, I got plenty of the wrong kind.

[Valkyrie]

Well, last night was interesting. Jacque & I got the rear suspensions & thirds swapped over while Phil, Jason & Tim struggled with the wiring/plumbing.

Seems there were some changes between 91 & 92- nothing major, just a lot of minor shit that, when all put together, made it a real PITA. Brittle wires, mis-matched connectors and re-routed coolant lines were the headache causers.

Good news: we stumbled upon a '95 engine harness here at work, so there is a glimmer of hope!

Tonight Jacque and I are gonna finish the drivertrain and buttoning up the underside. The only potential problems are swapping the old mechanical speedometer sender for the electrical one, and the transmission electrical connectors- we're keeping our fingers crossed!

Chris Ritchie will be over to try & reconstruct the wiring/vacum/plumbing mess... should be helpful since he stripped out both vehicles.

Our goal tonight: Start it up!

The garage is open...

[STRAP22]

I'll be leaving at 6:00 should be there by 6:30. Got the wires and gasket.

[Valkyrie]

Here's my plan for Saturday:

I need to roll the carcass back so I can roll the engine (it's on the hoist) out of the garage.

I'll need to spend some time straightening out the garage, cleaning & sorting the tools, clean the floor and generally making room and preparing to work.

Then I need to roll the new 4Runner in and get to work.

Work will include: Power steering, starter, radiator, fan, wiring & vacuum hook-up and generally putting everything in the engine compartment back together.

The ARB Compressor will need installed & wired, and the dash will need to be swapped (including swapping VIN plates).

We'll reassemble the front end of the truck including the front bumper; winch & lights, then fill with fluids and see if it will start.

Any help will be greatly appreciated... it looks like a long, hard day.

[DavidW]

Pics?

[STRAP22]

Pics?

Hopefully some will be posted soon.

[Valkyrie]

Garage opens at 9:00AM.

[STRAP22]

I will try to get out of here early today. Can't wait to fire her up tonight. This has been a long week for everyone involved and I truely appreciate all the help and support given.

[Jason]

Pics?
The donor-
http://img88.imageshack.us/img88/6224/donor3qw.jpg

[STRAP22]

It runs.........I heard it and rode in it. Turned the key off and now no start. Something simple I am sure.....will resume Monday night. Thanks again to all that helped.

[COONASS]

It runs.........I heard it and rode in it. Turned the key off and now no start. Something simple I am sure.....will resume Monday night. Thanks again to all that helped.
What happened? it was running fine before I left yesterday.

[STRAP22]

Chris and I drove it out front and parked it in a neighbors driveway and turned it off. I got out and walk around to drive it back and when I tried to start it the starter would not turn. We checked the wires but was raining too much and Chris wanted to pull the new FJ40 in the garage. We pushed it out of the neighbors driveway and parked it out front. We will try again Monday night.

[Jason]

So, what's left on this? Yall finished it up yesterday, right?

[Valkyrie]

Nope. Got a free tow into work today, turns out the neutral safety switch wire was getting hung up on the shifter, so when we shifted it out of park it disconnected...

:doh:

Still on for towing the carcass to FTW tonight? I can get out early....

[Jason]

Can't tow it tonight. The rain made it hell to get anything out of Pop's backyard. Can we give it a few days to dry out so I can get it?

[STRAP22]

(Never use Jordan Towing) I called them at 8:15 this morning and told them to come by work to pickup the key. At 12:30 they show up with the vehicle on a flat bed. I ask the driver how he loaded it without the key and he told me "I'm too lazy to come get a key so I just dragged it on in park". To make matters worse since I have a ARB bumper on the factory tow points are gone so he decided instead of using the D-ring to hold it down that he would chain the bumper down. That worked but he bent the bumper. At this point I informed him it was my vehicle and I was not very happy with what he did. He unloaded the vehicle and came back over to me and said "No charge for the tow". After that he asked me if he could pay me some money for the bumper. He said he wanted to make it right. I told him I didn't want to discuss it and I would sleep on it. At this point I got a free tow out of it and I got to call and tell them we will never ever use Jordan towing again. That will cost them several thousand dollars per month. Fuck them.

[Valkyrie]

Ok.

[STRAP22]

"Fuck Jordans Towing"

This in no way reflects the superior workmanship that was performed on the RedRunner by anyone who spent their time working on my junk. I truely appreciate everyones help on this project and I am looking forward to wheeling it soon. Thanks again........

[STRAP22]

Can't tow it tonight. The rain made it hell to get anything out of Pop's backyard. Can we give it a few days to dry out so I can get it?

I called CR and he said whenever is fine with him. I won't be back in town until Monday night. Tuesday night we have a New Owners event at work so Wed. will be the as soon as I will be able to help. I'll talk to Chris about this.

[Ricks72]

(Never use Jordan Towing) I called them at 8:15 this morning and told them to come by work to pickup the key. At 12:30 they show up with the vehicle on a flat bed. I ask the driver how he loaded it without the key and he told me "I'm too lazy to come get a key so I just dragged it on in park". To make matters worse since I have a ARB bumper on the factory tow points are gone so he decided instead of using the D-ring to hold it down that he would chain the bumper down. That worked but he bent the bumper. At this point I informed him it was my vehicle and I was not very happy with what he did. He unloaded the vehicle and came back over to me and said "No charge for the tow". After that he asked me if he could pay me some money for the bumper. He said he wanted to make it right. I told him I didn't want to discuss it and I would sleep on it. At this point I got a free tow out of it and I got to call and tell them we will never ever use Jordan towing again. That will cost them several thousand dollars per month. Fuck them.Those dipshits:flipoff2: sucks when they fucked up the rig of the man who can make those decisions:evil:

[Cedarbarn]

"I'm too lazy to come get a key so I just dragged it on in park". He said he wanted to make it right.

Show no mercy. Reading this makes me even more reluctant than I already was to trust a towing company to take my truck to the dealership, un-accompanied.

Sounds like the truck driver that backed into my truck, knew it was there, had a spotter, but the spotter was not spotting, did not want me to turn it into the insurance company. Hell with him.

[red85toy]

sorry to hear it.

maybe we should start a new thread in the Vendors/Manufacturers:
"Vendors to avoid"
or
"Don't buy here"

something catchy like that.

[STRAP22]

sorry to hear it.

maybe we should start a new thread in the Vendors/Manufacturers:
"Vendors to avoid"
or
"Don't buy here"

something catchy like that.

Maybe....

I was just pissed yesterday and when he wouldn't even call me back it just fueled my temper. His wife called me this morning and said he was out towing flooded vehicles all day yesterday and didn't get home until 4:00am this morning and asked her to call and let me know he will be over around noon to look at the damage and make it right. Short of replacing it I don't know what he thinks will make it right. It wouldn't bend back to the way it should be. If I would have bent it wheeling I wouldn't give a shit and I really don't want a new one. I just expected them to at least call and say their guy fucked up and they are sorry. The free tow was worth $45.00. We have already switched Tow Companies and that decission was made before this happened. It just makes me sick because I know they want to make it right but that won't change the fact that we already punted them. I don't know what the fuck to do. I guess I can live with the bent bumper but I keep asking myself should I have to. I didn't ask them to tow it for free and bend it. What would the rest of you do??????

[equin]

Just a suggestion, but if they damaged the bumper and it can't be fixed, I'd make 'em buy you a new one. You can use the old one to cut up and re-fabricate into a new bumper for another member with the same 4Runner as yours.

[STRAP22]

Curtis and his wife the owners of Jordans towing are coming here in a few minutes to look at the damage. I will let them look at it and listen to what they have to say. To be fair I will let them know we have already changed Tow Companies so what ever they do is fair. I really just want them to see what shitty service I received. That is all I want. I hope it goes well.

[STRAP22]

Resolution.........Curtis came by and looked at the damage and admit that it was driver error and that he wanted to make it right. i explained we drive these vehicles over all kinds of shit and dents and dings are common and expected. I explained I prefer to be the one bending and denting and the part I was really upset about was the fact I instructed them to pickup a key so they wouldn't have to drag it in park. I told him I appreciated the free tow and that we had already changed Tow Companies and I really was looking for anthing more than for him to see what happened and admit that they fucked up. He offered to give a free tow if I ever needed one. I went back into the office and told Chris what went down. :idea: Chris gets this big ass grin and say's " sure would be nice to get that green piece of shit out of my driveway". As luck has Curtis hasn't even left the building yet and I tell him I'll take him up on his offer and we can call it even if he hauls the old rustrunner to Ft.Worth. He agrees and we are making the arrangements now for it. The end.................

[Valkyrie]

And so it ends. The carcass is on it's way to it's final resting place.

RIP Rustrunner... (Rust In Peace). :D

[Cedarbarn]

And so it ends. The carcass is on it's way to it's final resting place.

RIP Rustrunner... (Rust In Peace). :D

:evil2:

YAY!

[BladeRunner]

Will the rear end in the rust runner fit in my 85 4Runner. I am looking for a wider early V6 rear end. I realize it has a coil spring suspension, but how hard would it be to cut all that off and put leaf spring mounts on it?

[STRAP22]

Just wanted to know if anyone has any pictures of the project? If so can you forward them to me at pstetson@vtaig.com. Thanks again everyone and it is running just fine. A few things left to do but basically it is done.

[Tech96]

Phil,
I have some pics from the first day when the motors were removed. I can't e-mail them they are to big. When I get back I can load them on my flash drive and bring them by. I'll be back tommorow.

Bill

[STRAP22]

Phil,
I have some pics from the first day when the motors were removed. I can't e-mail them they are to big. When I get back I can load them on my flash drive and bring them by. I'll be back tommorow.

Bill

Thanks Bill.............