Chai Runner - 1997 Toyota 4Runner 3.4L V6 2WD Build Thread

1997 Toyota 4Runner 3.4L V6 2WD Desert Sand Pearl

Instagram: @chai4rnr

Purchased:
8-2-21, 167,000 miles

Sold my 2021 Toyota Tacoma in June after only owning it for 8 months and 4k miles. Even though we did a lot of great trips in that short time and I was working on it and modding it basically weekly, I was offered an amount for it I couldn't refuse. We always regretted selling our 2013 4Runner so we put in an order for a 2022. When we found this 1997, we couldn't pass it up. My first car when I was 16 was the same exact 4Runner in the same color, just a 1996. My wife and I always regretted selling it after we got married so we couldn't pass up this clean one. We are so stoked on it, we even canceled the 2022 on order. Follow along as we make memories in this 4Runner and create our family's adventure mobile! Thanks for reading and checking out the build!

First picture (8-2-21):



Most recent picture:



Suspension:
Stock

Wheels / Tires:
TRD Pro replica 17" wheels
Falken WildPeak A/T 265/70/17 E rated

Exhaust:
Stock

Lighting:
Stock

Exterior:
OEM Roof Rack
OEM Running Boards
OEM Hitch Receiver

Interior:
Sony XAV-AX1000 Multimedia Receiver

Accessories:
ARB EZ Deflate
Viair 88P air compressor

 

Check out my 2021 Toyota Tacoma build! (AhsokaTaco):

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/ahsokataco-2021-sr5-dcsb-2-7l-2wd-build-thread.700643/

 

My 2015 SR5 2.7L 2WD DCSB I sold in December 2018. We made a lot of great memories in that truck and I miss it all the time!



Saying goodbye!

 

Maintenance & Info Post:

Mileage-

167k: 8-2-2021


MPG-

8-20-2021: 13.36
9-8-2021:13.49
9-26-2021: 14.22

Ride Height-

Front: Stock

Rear: Stock

Naked -


Front Driver: 20 3/4”

Rear Driver: 20 1/2”

Front Passenger: 21”

Rear Passenger: 20 3/4”

 

8-5-2021:

Dropped the T4R off at my mechanic in Carlsbad to give it a once over after the purchase. Found a couple things so I had them knock them all out for peace of mind and to have it dialed in from the beginning. Had the oil changed, oil pan and OR gasket replaced, both valve cover gaskets replaced, brake fluid exchanged, smog for the registration, and a new air filter put in since it was there. Now it's good to go!

 

8-12-2021:

Woke up early on my day off to get the T4R detailed although it hardly needed it. I ended up washing, polishing, waxing, and ceramic spraying the exterior. Then I vacuumed, clorox wiped, and cleaned the glass in the interior. Next up is a shampoo once the Weathertech mats arrive!

 

8-15-2021:

One of the passenger windows was off the track apparently because my son couldn’t roll it down all the way. It would still show a couple inches of window. It got worse and then window completely fell into the bottom of the door. I saw the track had come off and the reason why was because it was hitting the back of the speaker the previous owner installed. So I had to put a spacer between the speaker and the door to buy a little bit of room to let the window roll down all the way. I also crazy glued the window back into the track. Working like it should now.



I also got the 3rd brake light bulb in the mail and got that installed since it was just completely missing.

 

8-16-2021:

Went back to the mechanic to have them take off the running boards and hitch receiver. Normally things I would do myself but I couldn't get the bolts to budge. Now I'm ready for the sliders and rear bumper soon!

 

8-18-2021:

Had my tint guy come get my tint done while I was working. 5% in the rear and sunroof, 15% in the front. No more driving around in a fish bowl!

 

Sharp 4R, and nice to see a build thread started up.

Nice thing is, it'll cost you less in parts to convert to 4x4 than some of the mods going into it.

 

Thanks man. Yea I’m definitely excited to get it going. Just patiently awaiting Black Friday deals now!

 

Depending on what you're getting, you may not see anything for over a year!

I was meaning to ask, did you convert to leaf spring in the rear?

 

No I didn’t. Was planning on Dobinson’s C59-137V coils with Kings with piggyback resis.

 

Ok.

I ask because in your mod list below the first picture, you list that you have a Headstrong AAL. Plenty of people put in a leaf pack but that's for fast running.

Keep in mind, if you want real flex in the rear I would stay away from those Kings.

 

Oh whoops that was from my Tacoma. I had just copied and pasted that section over. It should be reading “stock” for now.

You don’t like the Kings?

 

Makes sense now! I too had a Tacoma but prefer my 4Runner even more.

Love the Kings, never said I don't. But they're really short.

 

I was trying to find if they have an extended version for the 3rd gen. I was honestly thinking of just throwing the Eibach Pro Truck kit and call it a day. That way I don’t have to wait a year.

 

They only sell extended versions; but they're too short for any real wheeling.

Your shocks and coils are your first inhibitors followed by your drive shaft contacting your gas tank, with your upper links being the last limiter (fully vertical as they're short).

 

I have a short thread I created recently, you should check it out.

 

Rad! I’ll check it out.

 

8-19-2021:

Got in my new lift gate struts today. They’re so much better. I don’t have to lift the door for the last 1/3 of the way anymore.



Before:



After:

 

8-21-2021:

I had a couple of missing door panel trim clips so I was able to order OEM ones on eBay for a couple bucks. Getting everything dialed in little by little.

 

8-24-2021:

Ended up pulling the lift gate struts back off and ended up doing the nylon spacer mod. I didn’t feel safe with the crumbling OEM ones anymore. Lubed up and ready to go!

 

8-26-2021:

Went to the junk yard this morning to look for a cup holder, rubber grommet for my headlight, a grille since mine is missing a clip, and a plastic cover for the backseat post. Not surprised to find the few 3rd gens they had were completely scavenged through. I was able to find the plastic cover though. I guess it’s onto eBay for the other parts.



Out with the old, in with the new.



After some Clorox wipes, good as new!



My shampooer I ordered on Amazon also showed up today. I was able to the entire interior done finally.



Pretty gross but also good to see it’s doing it’s job!



Now that the carpet is clean, I finally installed the WeatherTech mats. Stoked with the fit.

 

10-2-2021:

It’s been a while since I’ve last done any mods or upgrades to the Runner. Just had shoulder surgery so things are on hold and I’m also waiting for Black Friday because I have a game plan for those sales.

But today I got in my new RRW RR7-H wheels in today! I’ve been eyeing these wheels for a long time. I always wanted them on my Tacoma. Can’t wait to get these on after the lift!