Resurrection of the 4R: Building a “New” 1998 4Runner

As a Tacoma enthusiast (‘00 XC and ‘19 6MT ACLB), I had long coveted 4Runners. When I found a 5MT with a recently rebuilt motor and tranny show up locally for the low price of $6k (for Colorado), I had to grab it.

Thing was mechanically sound, PO used solid parts for the rebuild (outside of cheaping out on injectors), did the Tundra brake upgrade, and had recently done A-arm bushings, LBJs, and bilstein 5100s - I’d call the suspension half refurbished. But what REALLY sold me was the frame, quite possibly the cleanest 25 YO frame I’ve seen!

however, it was gross inside and out - played the “WHY IS THIS STICKY??” game all the way home. So decided to embark on freshening up the old girl.

 

First thing to do was CLEAN - amazing what a few hours of scrubbing, shampooing, and replacing floor mats, leather shift boots, and knobs can do

 

Used the opportunity to replace the cracked and gross bolsters and chopped up visor with some junkyard parts in good condition

 

Exterior got a claybar treatment - absolute magic, can’t believe I waited this long to try it out!

Also removed the broken and missing retractable antenna mechanism, fished out the jammed remainder and installed a stubby

 

The fluids were all new outside of power steering, so flushed that, and swapped coolant to Toyota Pink. Then ordered a new set of injectors and gaskets from MotorWest, installed a new HU, ordered new air vents to replace to broken ones, and ordered new foam and Katzkins to reupholster the seats.

As a bonus, found the Chiltons under the ratty seat covers!

 

Nice work, goes to show what a bit of elbow grease can do!

 

Nice work indeed!! Keep those post coming. I really want to see how the Katzkins seat covers turn out.

 

Thanks! 2-3 weeks out on the Katzkins - really can't wait for that, as it truly feels like a jalopy with the baggy dickys and torn leather

On the docket:

• Front bumper replacement and satoshi grille (here, next weekend)
• Installing the new injectors and gaskets (here, soon)
• Installing retro vinyl, doing a ton of paint touch up (here, soon)
• Cosmoline on frame (here, soon)
• Katzkins & seat heaters (ordered, as soon as they show, foam & hog rings already here)
• Rear swing-out plate bumper and OME 890s (ordered, 3-4 weeks out)
• Wheels (rubber new) - when I feel like dealing with it

 

Nice job! Looking forward to the updates on your progress

 

Whoop, what a difference!

 

So did a probably +10HP “mod” and changed the gross fuel filter and associated mud. While I was under there, took the skid off and ya know what? I don’t think swaybar links should look like that- but what do I know?

 

sick ! looking great....been enjoying the posts...well done!

 

Successful junking trip yielded a retractable cover, a couple trim pieces, and 2 gauge clusters. The trip ODO is nonfunctional so I am going to delicately transplant from one of the donors



also did the “dead battery mod” by leaving my lights on last night like an idiot

 

Well buncha parts showed

 

Dead battery mod, hahaha. We’ve all been there. Good find and great thread! I’m curious why the motor and transmission had to be rebuilt?

 

Cracked cylinder heads for the motor, unclear on the tranny, he put the Marlin crawler kit in - I received the receipts for it all, so at least I’ve got that going for me.

does not appear to have done the engine filter in awhile however lol


yikes

 

Dang, not something you hear about often. Sounds like it’ll be a fun project! And yea, engine filter was definitely due haha.

 

Whelp in a moment of weakness, decided to go with pro wheels for the Tacoma. Also started prepping the swing out for paint. Shit is farrrrr heavier than I expected

 

Whelp changed the oil (and installed fumoto) and discovered the filler cap was leaking, the filter was leaking all over and I may have a water pump leak, whack. Guess I’d rather do the timing belt and associated everything myself so I know it’s done right

also got the endlinks swapped, the swingout primed and everything but the bumper itself painted

 

What head unit is that? I like it!

 

Boss BE7ACP-FT From crutchfield, only a couple hundred bucks, and I like it a lot. I have a standard double din Boss in the 1st Gen Taco, and this is much better. The swivel allows it to actually be usable with the placement and it’s snappy enough. With my wireless airplay adapter, everything works just like any newer car. Doesn’t obscure the climate control, and comes with a cubby for the new USB cords, mic and wireless adapter to hide, so I think it’s a pretty good option for the older boiz. Also allows for RGB changes, so I’ve got it set to red to match the climate

 

Looks good!

 

Getting there

 

Clearanceeee - prepping for bumper

 

I love what you are doing here! This is awesome and great restoration you are doing. Keep sending all the updates!

 

Interesting you have a completely different tire in your trunk. The only reason I noticed this is that I have the same ones mine.

Also saw that the defrost switch back light is burnt out on yours (one near clock). You can buy replacement bulbs from Toyota, it's one of those things that you wont realize how great it is until it's fixed (from experience).

I also had the problem with my clock, there are 2 fixes. One is to stretch out the springs and clean the contacts that the springs push up against. The other (that fixed my problem) is to look closely at all the components on the clock PCB, the resistors often have cracked solder joints (it can be hard to spot). If you reflow them the clock will work again, mine was in the photo linked above and it's worked since then. Try both fixes at the same time, you'll have to take the clock apart to do either one anyway. Not too difficult to do, I didn't have junk yards to look for working ones.

 

Awesome - thanks, the defrost has been bugging me, so definitely on the to-do. The spare is actually off a ‘22 Tacoma, the one that came with the 4R was the wrong size and from 2005 - so that baby went straight to the “free on CL” - figured I’d save a little money where I could.

Thanks for the tip on the clock, I was able to fix it in my 2000 Tacoma using the solder method, so figured it would be easy on this. Went to take it out of the 4R, and the PO had DRILLED INTO IT, just in pieces. I’ve been casually looking for a replacement whenever I’m at the junker (those things are expensive on eBay) - but have so far been unsuccessful in sourcing one.

Such is life

 

Great work and this is a fantastic thread. I’m sure a lot of 4R fans are enjoying this thread as this is a dream project for many I’m guessing. Keep up the good work, keep posting and good luck.

 

Mate, I've enjoyed these posts as well. Excellent job on the restoration! Looking good!

Cheers,

Sean

 

Excellent work! I am jealous.