SebBuilt Build Thread

[FreshSeaBass]

If this isn't somewhat telling... I am working on the 4Runner tear-down, and because of how the body work is going I simply couldnt bring myself to part ways with @eimkeith bumper. So, it will likely go onto the Land Cruiser Prado and I want to try to make it as easy as possible to transfer over.

I am going to do my best to replicate the Eimkeith nut-strip.... Also, because of the rear quarter, I will have to modify the shape of the rear 'wings' to fit most likely.

Hope to update more on the 4Runner build with some 'long-lost' Tech. Think, solid axles and Tacoma disc brake conversions.

On another note. November 2025 marks 30 years that our third gen has been in existence. Rolled off the factory floor in 11/95.

Here I am buffing the heck out of the bumper at just 2 years old



It will never be the stock family car again, but I am definitely working to immortalize it and make it a dope rig to rip around in.

I can't wait to do the body work that I have planned

 

[FreshSeaBass]

Back from blasting. Opted to get the Rogue Fab bender blasted so I can finish putting it together. It's about time I get off of my soap box and take care of all of the unfinished projects laying around. No excuse is enough

 

[FreshSeaBass]

Time for big change. With another little one on the way I need to pair down.... that also means reducing any sort of budget for this hobby. Keeping things basic all around means that the depth of a new dash, interior panels, body work, and just generally a lot of getting the 4Runner up to snuff; It's taken a flogging.

There's not a realistic place for it to live on and I can't justify keeping it as a yard ornament. Those memories and videos will stick around and I'll be using a lot of the 4R parts in the Taco to not lay waste to the moon mist interior parts.

Stripping the 3rz out of the 4R and the trans/case, FROR crossmember, 8" rear end, e brake assembly, all of the clutch and pedal assembly parts along with basically anything I would need for another 4wd swap to combine a 160k mile engine and the goods from the 400k + mile 4Runner.

Behold



I have a cool idea for the front end of this with respect to the body work. That'll come later.


$120 My holy grail of a marketplace find
- TG Front leaf spring hanger crossmember
- LROR complete Knuckle rebuild kit
- Marlin Crawler Knuckle Ball Gusset & Shock mount kit
- New 8" FR Axle housing
- TG Greaseable leaf spring bolt kit
- TG 8" Truss

$Free
- FJ80 Steering Box

$400
- Trail Gear 6 Sooter Knuckles
- Hi-Steer Arms
- Shim pack

$Free
- Donor 8" 4.30 Open Complete Axle
- Donor 8" 4.30 E-locker Third
- Donor 5Spd 4x4 trans/case & FROR X-member
- Twin Sticks & Short Shifter
- Brakes / Rotors
- Shocks



I already have a bunch of miscellaneous mounts from over the years for different things.

Ultimately I think the biggest cost will be the frame work and some knuckle/hub parts. Going to start with finishing the bottom end replacement on the 2rz and getting the 4wd trans in there. That should be a good start

 

[FreshSeaBass]

Another stellar Marketplace find...

Just a couple hundred dollars and I couldn't pass this up. It took driving down to the urban sprawl, but the guy didn't know much of anything about it, but he suspected the cover was leaking form a crack.

Not a huge deal, this will pair with the other 8" locker from a friend's part-out 3rd Gen. All I need is the 3rd member out of this. Fortunately the locking center can come out and be dropped into a high pinion housing with new R&P + bearings.

Will be cracking this open to hopefully find good internals all the way around

 

[FreshSeaBass]

A little update. The 2rz is going back together! While the bottom end has been out, I've taken to replacing other things, so there's a bit more going into it than just the new crank and main's.

 

[FreshSeaBass]

..... On a slightly unrelated note. I have fought to not use AI at all until the other night. I am ready to finally treat myself to something I have been dreaming of for YEARS of working on our property.

Current "shop" status


Google AI took my prompt and gave me this

My wife has been patient and I've given her a brand spanking new bathroom down to the studs, so I am going to give myself a small graduation gift and fully renovate the home garage that I call my 'shop'.

Cabinets have started to arrive in boxes, I got quotes on Tuff Rib 26 gauge metal locally, RockWool R15 insulation, and a quote to have the floor ground and professionally coated.

10 years ago I never dreamed of having a shop space in my life and I refuse to go into debt to build a shop, so I am going to make use of my tiny little 24' x 24' attached garage and make something I can be proud of.

 

[FreshSeaBass]

Preparing to yoink the 4Runner parts out tonight, tomorrow, and hopefully Friday during part of the day. I am sick and tired of STUFF piling up on the valuable space next to the garage. I am looking to re-home a lot of 3rd Gen 4Runner parts.

Anyone want parts for manual doors, and moon mist grey interior?

I am going to preface my next point with this: I know I cannot help myself in thinking of great ideas and horrible ideas all at the same time. Any input is welcome to shoot down careless and stupid ideas.

After looking at the 4Runner frame, it is very rust free the tacoma is also very rust free. Would it be absurd to swap the Tacoma body onto the 4Runner coil chassis and run coils F&R or stick to my guns and keep with the plain jane, simple, and robust 4 corner leaf plans?

 

[Stairgod]

Leafs. Keep it simple.
Too much work to swap everything over for what it gives you imo

 

[FreshSeaBass]

Leafs. Keep it simple.
Too much work to swap everything over for what it gives you imo

I need someone to talk me off the ledge, so thank you... I am an idiot with too many tools these days.

 

[Stairgod]

The hardest part about being able to do everything, is knowing when you shouldn't.
And with your skills that undoubtedly is harder.
You will be an absolute monster by the time you are my age is you continue your rate of progress.

 

[FreshSeaBass]

The hardest part about being able to do everything, is knowing when you shouldn't.
And with your skills that undoubtedly is harder.
You will be an absolute monster by the time you are my age is you continue your rate of progress.

I'm blushing.

Knowing when I shouldn't has become the hard part because 10 years ago I didn't know that 2wd vehicles didn't have CV axles... If that tells you anything about the rate of progression.

I didn't get to do any of this growing up so I am all over the place with ideas and trying anything just because I can now.

The next dilemma is knowing what to keep and when to get rid of stuff.

I'm debating between keeping my 500k mile 3rz (distributor) for either parts or a rebuild OR rebuilding the 160k mile 2RZ (coil )down to the nut and bolt. Recent life changes have me looking at doing things Ive never had the time or money to do. Building an engine is something I've always wanted to do.

 

[Stairgod]

Time is, at the moment, my most precious commodity.
I hate to buy something I can make better myself, but I never have enough time. If I can buy it, I do. If it doesnt exist, I make it.
No matter how much you work, you will die with a to do list. So prioritize as best you can.

 

[FreshSeaBass]

Well..... 30 years later. It's final resting place out in the woods is finally a welcome home.

 

[FreshSeaBass]

Saved the full manual crank doors, rear hatch, steering assembly, interior trim, body harness, engine harness... Blah blah blah.

The stuff you see is the good stuff. Time to tickle some horses.

 

[FreshSeaBass]

Just going to put this here. Follow if you're interested. Or don't... I don't really care either way. Putting fun stuff that I enjoy creating on the Internet to get roasted in the comments

 

[Stairgod]

Will be cool to watch the progress with the Taco

 

[FreshSeaBass]

Will be cool to watch the progress with the Taco

I appreciate the encouragement. I feel like I'm talking to an empty room, but that's ok. Maybe some kid will find the thread interesting and repeat the cycle that I went through years ago.

I'm excited to share some time teaching my son and daughter skills that they can keep for life.

 

[FreshSeaBass]

Heheh...

Me gusta.

 

[Jimmy01]

Just going to put this here. Follow if you're interested. Or don't... I don't really care either way. Putting fun stuff that I enjoy creating on the Internet to get roasted in the comments

Subscribed - hope to see some build videos.

 

[FreshSeaBass]

Subscribed - hope to see some build videos.

Here's something to hold ya over! Lots of videos in the queue right now. Hoping to have some interesting stuff to put out there in the next two weeks.