4th Gen Bullet Time

Hey ya'll. After having lost my beloved '89 Toyota "pickup" a few years ago, I always dreamed of owning a 4runner. Recently I had the opportunity to buy an '04 Limited V8 (silver hence the name 'bullet'). It has become evident that the previous owner(s) were negligent to say the least. The shop just let me know this looked like it was the first full fluids service it had ever had. The rear diff magnet plug had an excess of metal shavings including some from the bearings. The front right break caliper had seized likely due to mud/moister, and a handful of other small red flags. But the engine runs like new, and there has been no salvage or major visible damage that I've seen so far. Where would I be if other key players in my life had not taken a chance with me? The last chap also disabled the XREAS system and put on some cheap duralast struts and aftermarket control arms in the front. So I figured bullet was worth taking a chance on.

So I've given her a new timing belt, water pump, pulleys, etc. as well as serpentine belt and all new fluid, new front and rear rotors and breaks and new front calipers. Now the fun begins..

I've got a new Eibach Pro-Truck Lift System Stage 1 Kit sitting in the box that I'll install this weekend.

Also got 5x new 308 roost method race wheels (8.5, 0, 4.75) and 5x falken at3w wildpeak (175/70/r17, LT/C load) tires and they were just mounted and installed today, but to my chagrin there was some serious rubbing I'll need to do some serious trimming of the front fender flare (near the body mount) which was completely unexpected since the current struts seem to have lifted/leveled the front already. But it might have to do with the aftermarket control arm.. it seems like the wheel may be sitting a little farther towards the rear in the wheel well than it would with the stock control arm? However these new tires will also not fit in the spare tire spot... I knew it would be a close call but I thought they would fit.

So I ordered new 165/70/r17 SL/P load wildpeaks today. I don't want to have to do any fender/frame mods for an extra ~1" when I won't be doing any difficult off roading. I only got the 175s because I wanted the C load range which they don't make for 165s.

Coming up later will be the torley headers, as well as olive drab and/or black bedliner paint job, and roof rack, as well as de-rusting and painting the under carriage.

I absolutely LOVE the way this girl feels and handles... the V8 has just the right amount of power, and I can't wait to take her off road where I know she truly belongs.

Also I live in the pacific northwest (oregon coast, yachats) and will be selling the 4x OEM wheels, OEM spare, and 5x falken wildpeak at3w tires (175/70/r17, LT/C load) that I changed my mind on.. they are still in new condition with only ~70 miles on them. I paid $1409.95 from simpletire, make me an offer and I will also consider delivering them to eugene, salem, or portland.

Cheers!

 

Wow, you deserve an award! Great project coming together. If I decided to lift mine I would go with Eibach also.

 

Sorry to hear about the lost of your P/U…. But congrats on your new bullet, it looks like a real gem!

 

Welcome from Wisconsin! Sounds like a good plan.

 

Yachats is beautiful. We make it over atleast once a year. Growing up my buddies parents owned the yachats Inn. We used to have Thanksgiving there every year. Welcome to the forum.