Squatch's 98 4Runner

[Squatch Overland]

Just a recap of my past rigs I've had (I have a thing for Toyotas...)

1988 4Runner

1998 4Runner - Stock DD, no photos

1997 4Runner

Tacoma - Stock, not photo worthy

I got this 4Runner in August of '16. It's replacing what I had originally planned on being the platform for Squatch Overland, the 2015 Tacoma.But maturity and empty pockets prevailed, and I sold it because I didn't want the payments.

The day I bought the 98:




1998 4Runner 4x4 auto w/ 158k miles
255/85/16 Maxxis Bighorns
4xInnovations Sliders
PO's rear bumper
Toytec coil overs
OME 890s
Aussie Locked rear

Immediate needs are a DD from Cleveland to Chattanooga which this isn't quite a good option for currently. But since it'll only have to serve for 1-2 years I picked it up with intentions of modifying it for DD life a little

Plan is to crank the coil overs down to 0" and swap out the rears with a factory set I have access to. Then trade the 255s for a set of 265/70 for daily driving. Then the maintenance to get it reliable starts...
Lower and Upper Ball Joints, replace busted CV, front brakes, sway bar end links
Rear axle seals, bearing, rear brakes
Engine Tune up with plugs, wires, etc.

 

[Squatch Overland]

After all of the maintenance and a few mishaps, I had it DD friendly for the drive to Chattanooga everyday.

 

[Squatch Overland]

Nothing lasts forever, I soon started getting away from "Whatever gets me the best gas mileage" mentality... Put on a more aggressive, slightly larger tire. And added a flat roof rack.

235 duratracs

 

[Squatch Overland]

I'm going to try and get myself back into a small commuter car, so I can modify the 4Runner however I wish. Due to a slight fender bender, I picked up an ARB Bull Bar.



Rode around like this for a couple days while I was cutting off and replacing the crossmember that I bent (front skid mount).






I replaced the bent cross member with a piece of 2x2 angle. It should hold up much better. Now to get a skid plate to mount to it.

Here's the new crossmember:



Finished up mounting the bumper at 1:30 saturday morning. Had a few hang ups, and I also was in no hurry, I wanted to do it all as carefully as I could. The biggest issue, for those of you who know how the frame brackets mount, happened with the mounting of the frame brackets on the driver side frame rail. The two nuts inside the frame where the tow hooks mount had the threads strip out. The bottom 1/4" of that frame had some border line serious rust in it. I cleaned it up before putting the bumper on, but it was enough that when I started torquing on those 2 bolts, the threads let go. But since I didn't do the frame caps, I had planned on welding a few "easy to cut off" beads on the frame brackets anyway. So for now, the 3 bolts per side is holding everything well enough until I get a welder to it tomorrow evening.

Here's when we finished (yes I know the pads are on upside down. I fixed them last night)

And all cleaned up (except the pads, this is when I noticed it).

 

[Squatch Overland]

Even though this is my least modded truck, to this point, this photo taken by Earthbound Overland is by far my favorite wheeling photo of myself. I don't take many pictures and wish I did more, so I never have many of my own vehicles.