A Brief History of how Ding's Green Thing came to be
In the beginning, approximately 5 years ago, I bought a 2001 GMC ZR2. I was in need of a truck and I liked the extra off-road capability of the ZR2 as I occasionally needed to go off road. Nothing serious, just some trails to campsites, Moab for the biking and off course, I do live in Iowa where we can get a fair bit of snow.
I started out wheeling the ZR2 mildly, as I intended. However, as time went on, I found myself wanting to do more difficult trails and go farther off-road. Although I didn't push the ZR2 past it's limits, it was taking a toll on my not-so-new-anymore truck.
At this point, I decided to get an old beater that I could bash & break and take my time repairing, something more around $1-2K rather than the $20k I paid for the ZR2.
Checking around a bit on the web showed that the older SFA Toys were generally a good platform from which to build a capable 4x4 without breaking the bank.
So, I started keeping an eye out and before long I saw a 1983 Toyota shortbed pickup that I purchased.
It was already set up for wheelin, except it needed some new tires and new rear leafs. I replaced those items and and wheeled it for about 1-1\2 years. I'd still be wheeling that truck except for one thing - it rides rough and it's too dingin' small. I mean, it's got a really small cab. Put two people in that cab and there isn't room for ANYTHING else larger than a pair of gloves. It just got on my nerves and I got to the point that I wasn't going to take it as long as there were other options. Again, I do really like this truck, with the 34"x10.5 Swamper LTB's and the locker in the rear, it goes where you point it.
Small video, RIGHT CLICK, SAVE AS
Other options, of course, being a 4Runner, one with a solid front axle, like the pickup. They are a bit larger and heavier and although they only have 2 doors, they are 4 seaters. I really liked the idea of being able to carry 4 people, so I started keeping my eyes open for a 4Runner. I also love the fact that you can take the top off during the summertime.
I found one in my neighborhood, it wasn't for sale, just sitting in someone's driveway and it looked like hell. A fair bit of body rust, small bald tires, missing front fender and the rest of the body panels were two different colors, the original pale yellow and replacement maroon. But, it was SFA\EFI, so I put a note on the 4Runner with my phone number asking the owner to call if interested in selling.
Well, I kind of forgot about that truck but about 4 months later, that guy calls me and says he wants to sell. It's at about 146K miles and he sold it to me for $550.
It did run well, and indeed, I've not worked on the engine\tranny\TC at all yet, other than change the fluids. All the 4x4 worked and the interior wasn't bad. Mechanically, it was mostly the brakes that needed work.
So, by now, I had a pretty good idea of what mods I wanted, and tho I'm not quite done yet, I'm about 80% there.
Here's a list of the mods so far installed:
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5.29 Gears
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"Newfield" Birfs and Axles
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Quick-Loc Auto Lockers, front and rear
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IFS steering box w\sleeved and braced frame
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Sky Hy-Steer crossover
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Bilstein 5150 shocks
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63" Chevy 1\2 tons leaf springs installed in the rear
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Rear OEM 4Runner springs moved to the front.
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Front Axle moved forward about 3 "
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Lengthened front driveshaft, brakelines and vent lines
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36x12.5x15 Swamper SX Bias Ply Tires.
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Off-road bumpers by CRB Off-Road.
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Sanded body, painted with Rust-oleum Rusty Metal primer, then painted with Dupont Centari Fleet paint.
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Optima Redtop
- Water proofed much of the engine\computer wiring harness and distributor
- Fun Electonics inside (JVC MP3 headunit, Stereo and Amp and Pioneer speakers)
- CB Radio to call my friends to tell them to come tip me back over
- 55 watt backup lights (yes, they are sold as driving lights)
- I know this might come back to bite me in the arse, but I filled all the back panels with expanding foam. It cut down on the noise quite a bit. I hope it doesn't trap too much moisture. I don't think it will trap moisture, there certainly are enough holes to drain and prevent condensation.
So, after lots of hours (not all my sweat, I paid to have some of this work done), the truck not actually looks like something.
Video right before paint, testing motor in mud - RIGHT CLICK, SAVE AS
Video right before paint, testing new suspension - RIGHT CLICK, SAVE AS
Video right after paint, RIGHT CLICK, SAVE AS
The Green Thing gets front fenders trimmed and bottom third painted
Of course, this had to happen - right in the middle of the build, I find another 1985 SFA\EFI 4Runner, this one with a manual tranny, SR5, all electric inside and in NICE SHAPE! Don't ask me why, but I bought it for considerably more than I paid for the other 4Runner. This one has 190K miles but everything works. It just sits in my parking area now, I don't really know what to do with it.
