4Runner SAS

[1BadJeepBruiser]

well guys, the idea hit me when i had my hulk werks tuber sitting next to my 4runner, i sat the 4runner lid on top of the tuber and it looked sweet! so i new i had to do something with this 4runner. the truck has been discountinued for some time and parts are near impossible to find, even hard then most 3 speed parts. i really like this truck and its runnable but i dont want to risk breaking hard to get parts. not to mention the suspension and axles are not the greatest anyways and the flex on it sux. so this is the Goal:
1)SAS (solid axle swap) to the front, no more IFS, using tlt axles.
2)get rid of craptastic belt drive transmission, swap in Aluminum pede trans, why aluminum? why not?, i dont think i have scene another crawler with it plus itll be blinging...:rollin
and yes im aware that "chrome wont get you home" i just wanna have it cause i can
3)modify truck in such a way that doesnt include hacking it to pieces, i want to use all existing mounting spots and advoid drilling and cutting anything that is unnecessary. after all its a valuable truck and is in perfect complete shape, i just want to use it with out worrying about destroying the original drive train.
4)keep it is as scale as possible BUT also make is a very functional capable crawler
5) attempt to use the steering set up how it comes, why? because its clean and the servo is hidden under the body, i want to keep it scale.
6) full 4 link suspension with 4 inch shocks, using either carbon fiber arrows or brass tubing as links.
7) use original wheels because they have cool toyota center caps
8) time to get to work..................

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v73/ihaveabruiser/4runner/100_0133.jpg

1st thing to go was the rear, good bye, not very scale looking in my opinion, the tlt rears are going to look so much better. the rear diff will be locked up

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v73/ihaveabruiser/4runner/100_0134.jpg

here is a shot of the front b4 i tore it down

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v73/ihaveabruiser/4runner/100_0135.jpg

front diff dropped out, good bye IFS

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v73/ihaveabruiser/4runner/100_0136.jpg

heres what it looks like pretty much stripped down, yuo can see the stock steering set up here, i want to try to retain this, by dropping it down and extending the linkage if needed.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v73/ihaveabruiser/4runner/100_0137.jpg

pile of parts.... front inner fenders, rear axle, front axle, front bumper etc

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v73/ihaveabruiser/4runner/100_0139.jpg

hopefully itll end up looking something like this...

well thats it for now. i left the original trans in for now, i still have to get the pede trans....probably gonna set me back a 100$ or so...ill see if i got the funds for it, the goal is to have this done for the winter monster jam trials.

check back for more updates.

-Mike

[swell searcher]

good luck. can't wait to see the finally product. btw, love the 2dr 4runner body...

[Deshi]

Looks good man. As with swell searcher, I too cant wait to see the finished product.

[rckjeep]

This is gonna be cool. What kind of truck is that? The brand I mean?

[Unimoger]

Dave, I think it is a kyosho 1/10 scale 4 runner, mid nineties?
This is going to be a great build, another " outside the box" build, I love these. Most likely because it is what I love to build myself, stuff not many people have tried yet. Keep us posted with lots of pics. :)

[1BadJeepBruiser]

thanx for all the positive feedback guys, i have been into rc for many years, crawling only recently but i realized that both my crawlers were not really built entirely by me, not that im complaining because they are awesome trucks, but when i look around the forums and i see everyone having thier own custom build up it made me want something of my own. something different, that no one else has or has tried yet.

the truck is a Kyosho 1:9th scale, or should i say was ;)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v73/ihaveabruiser/100_1578.jpg

^^ thats what it looked like before i started, i have some more pictures at home that i forgot to upload, ill put up more later.

thank you and check back for updates

[Lextronix]

I found some more info on those trucks:

http://www.zurru.de/english/4runner_historye.htm

Apparently they had a 2dr Pathfinder and Montero body also.

I would give an arm and a leg for one of those Pathy bodies!

[rckjeep]

and there's one on ebay http://cgi.ebay.com/Kyosho-R-C-toyota-4runner-truck-4WD-not-tamiya-brusier_W0QQitemZ6008027552QQcategoryZ19168QQssPag eNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem#ebayphotohosting

[Unimoger]

The more I look at this 4runner, the more i want one, they are really cool!

[thaclodking]

Those are cool, I've got the nitro version but it's missing the belt from the engine to the tranny. If anyone knows where to get one let me know.

[Plays_with_Toys]

I'd use bruiser axles and smaller tires if you want to keep it looking scale for a 4runner. However, bruiser axles are $$$, but smaller tires will look better, and probably work better for a truck that will have limited flex/ body clearance. I have mixed feelings. Its a toyota 4runner RC. Its rare. But I guess people hack up bruisers, so go for it. ;-)

[1BadJeepBruiser]

i want to be able to use this thing, and i mean USE it, i dont want to destroy the body but i have no problem scrapping the underside off rocks, while bruisers axles would be the ultimate scale affect, the parts are exspensive and in my opinion more fragile. the 2 tlt based crawlers i have now i have been beating the snot out of them and havent had any drivetrain problems yet, plus when i was able to pick up a TLT-1 kit from ultimate hobbies for 79.95 shipped i cant go wrong, a bruiser rear axle alone would have been that much and probably wouldnt even have hubs....http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/images/emoticons/tongue.gif plus now how often do you see guys throwing tlt axles under bruiser frames?

probably the biggest reason besides durability is that i want to use the original 4runner wheels, i know i could by the the adaptor from rc4wd.com but that would just put me further into debt...

sure its rare but one of main goals is to not hack it up, im going to try using all existing mounting spots and im going to do my best not to drill and cut anything out, this way if i ever want to restore it back to original i can.

ill have the best of both worlds with this project, ill have a RARE cool truck that i can actually drive and not just look at on the shelf.

i want to be able to use it and have some fun with it.

any suggestions or comments are welcome to.

any suggestions on tires? im going to use the stock wheels which are really narrow 2.2s...

-Mike

[Unimoger]

I think if you are going for 2.2 scale than the geolanders will look and maybe work the best?

[Turboduck01]

what's the wheelbase of that body? i would love to use one for my tlt if its not too long!

[1BadJeepBruiser]

here is an update guys, i made up some rear links, i found the two carbon fiber ones (carbon fiber arrows) in the tool box and they were almost the perfect size, so i had a good start there. i mocked up up some top links using brass tubing for now, once i have the perfect final measurements im going to make them carbon fiber as well. i bolted up some losi shocks, there too tall but its a good basis for now. im not using the g-hawgs or those wheels, im sticking with the original wheels (they are really narrow) and i have a set of moabs on the way. i think its going to look more scale with a smaller tire and wont sit as high with moabs and smaller shocks. im going to pick up some losi 3 inch buggy fronts , those should be the perfect shock for this. well here are some pictures.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v73/ihaveabruiser/4runner/mikes008.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v73/ihaveabruiser/4runner/mikes007.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v73/ihaveabruiser/4runner/mikes012.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v73/ihaveabruiser/4runner/mikes010.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v73/ihaveabruiser/4runner/mikes009.jpg

one of the things im having a problem with it that the stock transmission location is sooooooooooo far towards the back its rediculous :roll: the original front drive shaft is like 2 1/2 times the length of the rear. this is a problem because the original front drive shaft had no angle on it as it was an IFS set up. so now i dont know what im going to do for transmission..... i really dont want to hack up the chassis. the only thing i can think of is if i some how made a hanger bearing for the front. a 2 part front drive shaft, one going straight across from the trans to the hanger bearing and then another one from the hanger bearing to the front axle....but i think this set up would suck and would be a huge weak link :evil: so im kind of at a loss that this given point. plus im not capable of making a hanger bearing so im just gonna finish getting the axles and mounted up and go from there.

if you have any input or advice on this trans issue lemme know, ill appreciate all the help i can get.



-Mike

[Vegerito]

ooo looks pretty good so far :D keep updating !

[SPECIAL ED]

I don't now if this is right but why not try a kyosho chian tranny out of thier mad force or something like that. I don't know how low those thing's hang down or if it would even work. :| Like my name says I'm not the smartest donkey on the block so if I'm talkin out my arsss please be gentle with the responses:| .

[rckjeep]

Coming along nicely. It makes me want to convert my WW2 to sas front and rear? Hmm. I've got spare axles. Hmmmmmm. futrue project.

[1BadJeepBruiser]

im pretty sure wild willy would love to have a SAS done, hes prolly pretty upset as it is that his JEEP is IFS ....lol :mrgreen:

later
Mike

[BrandO]

I like it! It is not the usual project that you see on here. It looks very cool so far. I would like to build something like that. I guess I will have to keep my eyes open for a rig like that. Amazing what you can find at a yardsale sometimes.

[1BadJeepBruiser]

hey Brando thanx for the compliment, i see your jeep is coming out really sweet as well ;), if you want a 4runner like i think there is one on ebay right now with an opening bid of $200, i paid 280 for mine. the parts are IMPOSSIBLE to get for it but if you 4 link it and tlt-a-fie like mine then the only worry is finding one with a descent body. the one on ebay had a body is in good shape.


-Mike

[BrandO]

Thanks, I will have to take a look.

[1BadJeepBruiser]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v73/ihaveabruiser/4runner/4runner002.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v73/ihaveabruiser/4runner/4runner003.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v73/ihaveabruiser/4runner/4runner004.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v73/ihaveabruiser/4runner/4runner005.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v73/ihaveabruiser/4runner/4runner001.jpg

well here is an update, its rolling, i finished all the 4 links, they came out great, the carbon fiber bow and arrow trick with threaded rod works mint and links are strong. its got descent flex to it but a high COG but it hink its mostly dude to the chassis shape and it dont think i can it under 3 because other wise the tires would rub and all kinds of other disasters. i like the way it sits, the Moabs not only will work great but look good, i used RckJeeps foam trick, seems like itll work real good. im picking up a stampede 2morow for $50 bucks with a ESC reciever steering servo etc and im going to steal the transmisson out of it and try to fabricate it to work in this thing, hopefully i can get it done without hacking the crap out of it. well if ya have any suggestions or comments leave em.

-Mike

[Unimoger]

All I have to say is that it looks awesome and I can't wait to see in action on the rocks and trails, keep up the good work.

[mulchman]

The only way I can see to make it any better is to put a 80 series Land Cruiser body on it. J/K it looks awesome.

[Turboduck01]

that body is absolutely beautiful

[RcRock-Guru]

It looks really good! Also if you are still ahve a problem with having the tranny in the back and you need a way to make the front drive shaft smaller try running a set up like this guy did, here is the link to the thread http://www.rccrawler.com/forum/showthread.php?t=16981 and here is a pic of it http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y52/daveyboy2oo1/projectShaft024.jpg
all he did was run one drive shaft parellel to the ground into a hub from a revo( could also use a regular maxx one) and then another revo shaft down to the front axle. You could also make your own. But it definately wouldnt be to hard.

[rckjeep]

looks good.

[microgoat]

i know it would take a lot of re-working to do this, but have you thought about moving the body and axles back a couple inches on the chassis? that would get your tranny centered up without having to hack the chassis too badly. of course you'd have to re-do your links, but you'd have a workable driveline.

just a thought.

[1BadJeepBruiser]

thanx for all the positive feed back guys, im still not sure what im doing with the trans. im picking a pede for the trans tonight and ill work on it over the weekend, the hanger bearing is looking better and better, might not be to bad and wouldnt envolve re doing links and moving the body and all that. thanx for the suggestions!
Mike

[1BadJeepBruiser]

here is an update...

I ditched the carbon fiber links after looking around the forum some more and finding that tmaxx turb buckles prove to be a good length for 4 links, so out with custom made junk and in with the new tmaxx links.

It came down to having to cut the chassis, there was no way in hell the drive shafts were going to function or anything, i cut it out real clean and straight, came out pretty damn good.

I fabbed up some custom trans mounts for a stand up pede out of the stock tlt chassis side plates,there not the best looking but they get the job done. I'm telling you its not worth just buying axles, buy the damn kit for the 79.95 and you can use some of the other crap and sell off the rest.

I made up the drive shafts and all and the front drive shaft angle is very steep at the trans, not binding but more then I would like it to be....SO i ripped the trans back out and im going to try for a layed down mount as it will give me a few mm less of an angle for the drive shaft.

here are some pics...its all torn back apart now again in 100 pieces across the floor in my room...I must complete for the trials class in Jan for the monster jam in PA. time is a ticken.... better get to work...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v73/ihaveabruiser/4runner/f540877b.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v73/ihaveabruiser/4runner/3e8c91b1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v73/ihaveabruiser/4runner/a933ae93.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v73/ihaveabruiser/4runner/9bcf8e67.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v73/ihaveabruiser/4runner/35137210.jpg


Mike

[Brandon]

That is so sick! The moabs look alot better as well.

[1BadJeepBruiser]

Well a few hours in the garage, and one custom made mount, the trans is now layed down... I like it much better this way...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v73/ihaveabruiser/4runner/100_0187.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v73/ihaveabruiser/4runner/100_0186.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v73/ihaveabruiser/4runner/100_0188.jpg

I rebuilt the shocks, enlarged and drilled extra holes in the plastic piston top thing (whatever its called) that the oil flows through. I changed the shock mounting a little bit, seems much better this way, only problem is even with 20 wt oil and losi yellow springs its still to stiff, I need softer springs, maybe the whites... It doesnt way very much cause the chassis is all plastic so its fairly light.

Next step is steering, still waiting on small turn buckles at the LHS to come in :roll:

Then I will run it and get some video footage, hopefully it does alright....

Mike

[BrandO]

That rig looks very cool. It looks like it will be fun to drive.

[Unimoger]

Great work Mike, looking very good!

[1BadJeepBruiser]

Well the 4runner is nearing the end...well kind of... its completey driveable. I added the poors man widener trick and picked up some King Black Foot half shafts, this gave it a better stance and doesnt hide the tires so far under the body. Its got a JR ESC in it, Airtonics blazer radio (soon to be JR Synthesized) Original Kyosho motor (untill i get a lathe) with a 12 tooth pinion and 87 tooth spur (biggest spur i can fit without it rubbing the drive shafts). I also got my Juggsterr bead locks painted up and put on, I think they look good. I finished up the steering although, I need to pick up a 650z for it, the steering looks pretty scale and even though its alot of linkage and all that its not really sloppy.

I went back to smaller shocks on the front, they work so much smoother then the traxxas ones and it flexes so much better now. My future plans are to wire up the head lights with some LEDs I picked up. Locate the broken mountaineer rim thats somewhere in my room and narrow it and get a geolander for it and make some kind of spare tire mount, I bought solid 3/16 tubing and i wanna make up some rocker guards for it, I just gotta bend it up.

I took all the gay stickers off it, I think it looks 10x better and more realistic. Im trying to think of some other scale 4 runner like things I can do to it, I have been out of the dealer for almost a year now and havent really scene any up close in a long time :neutral: . I am thinking about maybe a bruiser interior for it with a cage or something... I need to see if it will clear the transmission.

Well here are the pics so far, if you guys have any suggestions for more details let me know. I know there a few guys here who own 4runners.


Mike

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v73/ihaveabruiser/4runner/4runner012.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v73/ihaveabruiser/4runner/4runner013.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v73/ihaveabruiser/4runner/4runner014.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v73/ihaveabruiser/4runner/4runner015.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v73/ihaveabruiser/4runner/4runner017.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v73/ihaveabruiser/4runner/4runner019.jpg

[4u2nv]

Truck looks GREAT! To make it more scale you should add a roof rack & rock sliders. Maybe some bumpers. I can't find any pics right now but if I do I'll post them.

[GeoffSFAs10]

that is awesome.

[Turboduck01]

definitely one of my favorites on here:mrgreen:

[BrandO]

definitely one of my favorites on here:mrgreen:

I second that. One of the coolest scale rigs I have seen. Best of all I have not seen another one like it. Very nice work Mike.

[1BadJeepBruiser]

Thanx for all the feedback guys, Im gonna work on the rock sliders this weekend. A roof rack sounds like a pretty cool idea, also I was thinking of maybe a visor? yay or nay on that? and maybe bending up some exhaust for it as well :twisted:

Mike

[CrawlerFreak]

I would say yay for the visor, because all the 4runners I see have them. The exhaust would look killer. You have done a he!! of a job on that truck.

[4RunnerKid]

dude, i love it. great work. here's a link to my 4Runner if you're looking for details to add to it: MY 4RUNNER (http://www.supermotors.org/vehicles/registry/detail.php?id=7173)

[1BadJeepBruiser]

Hey here is another update guys

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v73/ihaveabruiser/4runner/rc1506018.jpg

I got a MAPP tourch and some brazing rod and brazed up these rock slider/ nerbars, they are just bent up 3/16 solid steel. Nothing speical but it was the 1st thing I ever bent up and brazed, I was pretty happy about them.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v73/ihaveabruiser/4runner/rc1506019.jpg

O yea and I flat blacked the front bumper :) i think it looks more rugged that way, I even ordered up a savage pre runner bar with lights, ill see how it looks and if it doesnt work out ill try to braze something similiar that will work. I also have head lights to put in but I kinda misplaced them at the moment :? , after that Its done, althought im still thinking about a tire carrier or something. I dont want to over do it though...

Ill have action pics this weekend at the trials comp im going to in PA so stay tuned ;-)

MIke

[SupermanWV]

Is it the comp at Braidenville, PA. If so I'll be there too.

I'm trying to get a truck built by Friday.

Clark, SUPERMANWV

[SupermanWV]

I can't wait to see this 4Runner in person.

Clark

[1BadJeepBruiser]

yup thats the one, Im leaving 2morow at 12, look forward to seeing everyone who can attend :mrgreen:

Mike

[1BadJeepBruiser]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v73/ihaveabruiser/4runner/100_0231.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v73/ihaveabruiser/4runner/100_0232.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v73/ihaveabruiser/4runner/100_0233.jpg

Took the 4runner out in the show today, was fun but I froze...couldnt play for very long cause I thought my fingers were going to fall off...gotta stop buying rc sh!t and invest in some gloves :mrgreen:

here is a vid of it too, I know everyone has been dieing for that...sorry for the crappy footage, I filmed and drove it at the same time...not the easiest of tasks:roll:

http://www.youtube.com/?v=C8T8PDMCXVU

later
Mike

[Brandon]

Haha nice vid, I love how the hummer drove by and then you went hehe

[utbeamer]

Thats damn cool.

[BrandO]

I will say it again. That is one of my favorite trucks. That rig looks like way to much fun.


That video almost makes me miss the NH winters......................Nah, just kidding. I was outside running my trucks in a T-shirt yesterday. But that white stuff looks fun to play in for about 5 minutes.

[1BadJeepBruiser]

Thanx for all the feedback guys. Yea the snow is fun but, for only 5 minutes untill you start to freeze :?. Its been cold here that last 2 days...this morning was 14 degrees out :shock: , I think id rather be in a t-shirt on some real rocks...:lol: to bad LI doesnt have much of them...

MIke

[James Luce]

Hey i know where there are some nice rocks. Over by the locks to the poconic bay (I thnk thats the name), and ther is the restraunt that has the car shows. and over by the inlet, there and rock pileings. I think runnig in the snow is fun. i when out 6-7 time in the past 2 days, with my truck. And saterday night the wind was crazy, it lbew over my little brothers plastic play house. Did you lock the axles, and tranny in your truck, im wating for the snow to melt so i can lock my axles. Im going to try some west marine epoxy.

[1BadJeepBruiser]

Yea there are **some** rocks here, I go out to the beaches in the summer to crawl around (ie shoram beach) but there arent really any rocks by house...I have to get into my truck and drive at least 20 minutes to find anything. all the rocks by my house were put there by my parents...

The 4Runner is fully locked up, a must in my opinion. The rear is JB welded and the front is a spyder gear lock up, incase I wanted to undo it because I wasnt sure how it was going to steer with the bell crank set up...and it sucks either way so I have some nice new Bender mounts to put on the front. The trans is locked with JB weld too.

Mike

[braceysdad]

There is a bruiser with the 4runner body on ebay.

http://cgi.ebay.com/TAMIYA-BRUISER-MOUNTAINER-4RUNNER-N-R-WOW_W0QQitemZ6029721330QQcategoryZ44022QQrdZ1QQcmd ZViewItem

[1BadJeepBruiser]

Im the high bidder ;-) hopefully itll stay that way, its got a perfect body and thats what I orginally wanted to do but couldnt afford bruiser axles at the time...

Mike

[braceysdad]

Sorry I posted on here. I should have looked at the bids. I still have to get pics of my 4runner body for you too.

[1BadJeepBruiser]

Sorry I posted on here. I should have looked at the bids. I still have to get pics of my 4runner body for you too.

Thats alright, what are ya gonna do, in the end it comes down to who has the bigger wallet anyways... :roll: guess we will see what happens.

Mike

[ColquittCustom405]

It's different and I like it. "Eye lyke it ahlot" The body is sweet. Good luck!

[4RunnerKid]

i need to find a 4Runner body and build one of these things...

[toy4crawlin]

That's so cool. nice work on keeping it scale and realistic without hacking up.
"thumbsup"

[2JSC]

Holy crap - grave diggin lately? :shock: Last post was from 2006.