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Resurrection of the 4R

Discussion in '3rd Gen Builds (1996-2002)' started by roboturner, Nov 7, 2022.

  1. Nov 7, 2022 at 4:57 AM
    #1
    roboturner

    roboturner [OP] Dead Eyed

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    Colorado
    Vehicle:
    ‘98 NW 3.4L 5MT SR5 | '18 6MT DCSB Tacoma
    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.

    70470AF6-3AE4-4172-8E60-A19060DF933F.jpg 844E2F2D-7D43-41E6-9A47-72AD6EAF4DB8.jpg EDD35DA0-9E93-4CE1-8F24-96B6611E9E04.jpg E7C1633A-4E6F-44D0-B171-721D1E3ED032.jpg
     
    Last edited: Nov 7, 2022
    kolter45, Dabigono and SR5 Limited like this.
  2. Nov 7, 2022 at 5:01 AM
    #2
    roboturner

    roboturner [OP] Dead Eyed

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    Colorado
    Vehicle:
    ‘98 NW 3.4L 5MT SR5 | '18 6MT DCSB Tacoma
    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

    7517403E-F5D2-49A9-B195-5E79F89DA754.jpg F0B88776-BE76-4A9C-A993-CD49B682EB91.jpg 724FFD0A-8F2C-4836-BB21-D1219C1F3462.jpg B556FBA3-2596-446D-B443-BBB53E6E7D8D.jpg AB3AFD44-4011-4C9D-862C-ECDE08938DF0.jpg C88CCE7C-216F-491E-926B-5F4BA23657BA.jpg
     
  3. Nov 7, 2022 at 5:05 AM
    #3
    roboturner

    roboturner [OP] Dead Eyed

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    Colorado
    Vehicle:
    ‘98 NW 3.4L 5MT SR5 | '18 6MT DCSB Tacoma
    Used the opportunity to replace the cracked and gross bolsters and chopped up visor with some junkyard parts in good condition

    F897E0FC-2613-4300-BE6C-0BF91A75CD5A.jpg AD209CB9-8347-4FD5-BD98-3F2D4051F0DF.jpg B9B0DA0C-4AA4-4CBA-86DE-5CCA0B7B4008.jpg 8E25CAA7-CAE3-45D2-8681-7FD5DB63D7C8.jpg 70F4C521-E0A3-46C2-9815-7E79F16DB3DE.jpg DD248151-D483-48B8-979F-37C81A3A2178.jpg
     
    Last edited: Nov 7, 2022
  4. Nov 7, 2022 at 5:07 AM
    #4
    roboturner

    roboturner [OP] Dead Eyed

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    Colorado
    Vehicle:
    ‘98 NW 3.4L 5MT SR5 | '18 6MT DCSB Tacoma
    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

    97B36B01-91F5-4FD3-86A4-37E5320084B5.jpg DFEF550D-7574-4B58-A36C-858153F0423D.jpg 00C19DD2-EACF-4DE6-8ABB-7D18A0ADF24B.jpg CB1278C9-B9BF-44C9-B872-0CF332964A1E.jpg
     
    Last edited: Nov 7, 2022
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  5. Nov 7, 2022 at 5:12 AM
    #5
    roboturner

    roboturner [OP] Dead Eyed

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    Colorado
    Vehicle:
    ‘98 NW 3.4L 5MT SR5 | '18 6MT DCSB Tacoma
    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!

    2D247AE5-1986-4342-BBBE-1588F46C4173.jpg
    95805077-FE27-4C5E-9F30-6846F72517C3.jpg
    D2173C59-A3C9-4B3E-A301-0EC89FDB8F15.jpg
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    191C0F7C-33EA-4E83-981E-53FD55228ED6.jpg
    DDF34A34-A2A5-4AA3-978C-DC1051694038.jpg
     
    Last edited: Nov 7, 2022
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  6. Nov 7, 2022 at 6:55 AM
    #6
    Ironguy

    Ironguy New Member

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    Bisbee AZ
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    New pine scent hanger, new sun shade
    Nice work, goes to show what a bit of elbow grease can do!:hattip:
     
    roboturner[OP] likes this.
  7. Nov 7, 2022 at 7:46 AM
    #7
    Bikeric

    Bikeric New Member

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    Nice work indeed!! Keep those post coming. I really want to see how the Katzkins seat covers turn out.
     
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  8. Nov 7, 2022 at 8:09 AM
    #8
    roboturner

    roboturner [OP] Dead Eyed

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    Colorado
    Vehicle:
    ‘98 NW 3.4L 5MT SR5 | '18 6MT DCSB Tacoma
    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
     
    Last edited: Nov 7, 2022
    NOS4A2-1, Bikeric[QUOTED] and Curt56 like this.
  9. Nov 7, 2022 at 11:35 AM
    #9
    Dabigono

    Dabigono Just Joined

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    Nice job! Looking forward to the updates on your progress
     
    roboturner[OP] likes this.
  10. Nov 11, 2022 at 3:19 PM
    #10
    roboturner

    roboturner [OP] Dead Eyed

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    Colorado
    Vehicle:
    ‘98 NW 3.4L 5MT SR5 | '18 6MT DCSB Tacoma
    Whoop, what a difference!

    8B6D9D89-0A4F-45A2-A256-14359EB2567B.jpg AC29E966-828E-4307-B573-DFCC6DF4F1BD.jpg B438DAF5-DC82-4749-B7F8-707C68E2ABFD.jpg ADD725EC-7AEF-4781-83B1-59A9654E33F8.jpg 6ADB6924-1BA9-47D9-9813-E91D50A93BAA.jpg
     
  11. Nov 12, 2022 at 1:08 PM
    #11
    roboturner

    roboturner [OP] Dead Eyed

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    Vehicle:
    ‘98 NW 3.4L 5MT SR5 | '18 6MT DCSB Tacoma
    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?

    BEB35753-3691-425F-AAF6-A6086F82FD19.jpg AE4D1002-E5E4-4BE9-8B10-A5CABF289D66.jpg 87D33DEE-DFE0-4033-97B8-D35679629730.jpg 05A7DF50-2E9C-4204-B2B5-33289D025F32.jpg
     
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  12. Nov 12, 2022 at 3:16 PM
    #12
    mousemeat

    mousemeat New Member

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    upgraded suspension, large all terrain tires
    sick ! looking great....been enjoying the posts...well done!
     
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  13. Nov 13, 2022 at 7:51 PM
    #13
    roboturner

    roboturner [OP] Dead Eyed

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    Colorado
    Vehicle:
    ‘98 NW 3.4L 5MT SR5 | '18 6MT DCSB Tacoma
    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

    BC77EB47-D0EE-43D0-B0C5-B52F05EE3E49.jpg

    also did the “dead battery mod” by leaving my lights on last night like an idiot :anonymous:
     
    Last edited: Nov 13, 2022
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  14. Nov 19, 2022 at 6:01 PM
    #14
    roboturner

    roboturner [OP] Dead Eyed

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    ‘98 NW 3.4L 5MT SR5 | '18 6MT DCSB Tacoma
    Well buncha parts showed :p

    F88B955E-231C-4004-AA97-5880D8D8FE2D.jpg 47790B7E-206E-4EB1-8ECA-0F81A20A2311.jpg
     
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  15. Nov 19, 2022 at 6:31 PM
    #15
    romad86

    romad86 New Member

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    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?
     
  16. Nov 21, 2022 at 8:49 AM
    #16
    roboturner

    roboturner [OP] Dead Eyed

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    Colorado
    Vehicle:
    ‘98 NW 3.4L 5MT SR5 | '18 6MT DCSB Tacoma
    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

    DDEE9877-5278-4B6A-BF1C-FD434AC33AA8.jpg
    yikes
     
    Last edited: Nov 21, 2022
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  17. Nov 21, 2022 at 12:48 PM
    #17
    romad86

    romad86 New Member

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    Dang, not something you hear about often. Sounds like it’ll be a fun project! And yea, engine filter was definitely due haha.
     
  18. Nov 22, 2022 at 3:50 PM
    #18
    roboturner

    roboturner [OP] Dead Eyed

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    Colorado
    Vehicle:
    ‘98 NW 3.4L 5MT SR5 | '18 6MT DCSB Tacoma
    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

    650D2912-EDCF-4202-AFF7-6995BBAA2807.jpg A1E414CE-73F0-4F75-A913-581BAA1613F0.jpg 585EAC17-ECA3-4D14-A3D8-02FE4781D728.jpg
     
    Last edited: Nov 23, 2022
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  19. Nov 25, 2022 at 3:20 PM
    #19
    roboturner

    roboturner [OP] Dead Eyed

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    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 :cookiemonster:

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

    BE8B4C8E-86AA-48B1-A4D3-0539FCA45D60.jpg 1B0E63F3-90A3-4AD2-8B68-3EFA17C386E2.jpg 7987E0EA-33D6-4877-AFFA-B3F5A00A313B.jpg
     
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  20. Nov 25, 2022 at 3:46 PM
    #20
    4scooter19

    4scooter19 New Member

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    What head unit is that? I like it!
     
  21. Nov 25, 2022 at 4:58 PM
    #21
    roboturner

    roboturner [OP] Dead Eyed

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    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
     
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  22. Nov 25, 2022 at 5:07 PM
    #22
    4scooter19

    4scooter19 New Member

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    Looks good!
     
  23. Nov 26, 2022 at 1:42 PM
    #23
    roboturner

    roboturner [OP] Dead Eyed

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    Getting there

    EA5598D3-5CB4-430F-A8FD-0138482A0476.jpg F6344718-66FB-46A2-BF79-8C34A4ECD850.jpg
     
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  24. Nov 27, 2022 at 9:14 PM
    #24
    roboturner

    roboturner [OP] Dead Eyed

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    Clearanceeee - prepping for bumper

    CA4E90E1-7073-4069-A5C7-C4CB41A82CCE.jpg
     
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  25. Nov 27, 2022 at 9:49 PM
    #25
    ChessGuy

    ChessGuy New Member

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    Too many..... Performance: • Magnusum Supercharger • Gibson exhaust with dual black tip • Pedal Commander * PowerBrakes • Suspension – Old Man Emu BP-51 front and back with Medium load coils • Tires: AT3 Faulken Wildpeak – 285/70/17 • Wheels: Relations Race Wheels, RR7-H with -12 offset • Full roof rack and ladder by Westcott Design (removed the stock Yakima basket) • Molle storage panels by Rago fabrication • Front light brackets by Rago • Illuminator light bracket by Rago (roof rack location) Lights • Morimoto front and back with sequential signals • Morimoto fog lights and side mirrors with sequential signals • 40” Baja design light bar for roof rack • 20” S8 Baja design driving combo (winch location) • Squadron sport baja design ditch lights • S2 Chase lights by baja designs (mounted on roof) In the bay: • Odyssey 34-PC Battery • SDQH Aluminum billet battery terminals and bracket • Switch Pro 9100 with aluminum tray • Anytime front and back camera • ARB twin compressor Recovery & Protection: • Smittybilt X20 synthetic rope winch • Factor 55 fairlead and flatlink • Southern Style Off-road (SSO) low profile bumper • SSO stage 2 high clearance wings • Weekend warrior recovery kit by treaty oak • RCI – skid plates – entire vehicle + catalytic converter protection wings Interior: • Nano Ceramic IR – Avery Dennison Window tint – all windows • Several phone mounts • Upgraded Rear Hatch lift gate struts (ladder is heavy) • Boom blaster horn switch (featuring La cucaracha)
    I love what you are doing here! This is awesome and great restoration you are doing. Keep sending all the updates!
     
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  26. Nov 28, 2022 at 2:11 AM
    #26
    Trekker

    Trekker Regular Member

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    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.
     
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  27. Nov 28, 2022 at 3:48 AM
    #27
    roboturner

    roboturner [OP] Dead Eyed

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    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 :sadviolin:
     
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  28. Nov 28, 2022 at 4:37 AM
    #28
    Accelerator

    Accelerator New Member

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    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.
     
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  29. Nov 28, 2022 at 5:15 AM
    #29
    brownersd

    brownersd You are the weakest link, buh-bye!

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

    Cheers,

    Sean
     
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  30. Dec 8, 2022 at 3:15 PM
    #30
    Stormrunner23

    Stormrunner23 New Member

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    Excellent work! I am jealous.
     
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