My Toyota 4Runner
From Schaffter
Contents |
History
The Toyota 4Runner "truck" was bought in Sweden in the spring of 1993. I did quite a lot of off-road driving with it straight off. It was no older than three weeks when I brought it to an off-road meeting in the north of Sweden. We spent 6 days in the wild nature, doing quite serious off-roading during the short week. Coming out of there, I had my first scratch. Very small and hard to see. But still, there it was.
In 1994 i moved to France. I brought the truck with me and got it approved and registered with the French administration. That was actually easier than what I had dared to hope for.
Modifications
This truck has been quite modified over the years. Here is only a simple list of the major mods applied:
- The ARB Air Locker. A differential locking unit in the rear axle.
- The truck was raised 4" with a kit from Trailmaster.
- New wheels. BF Goodrich 33" x 12.5" x 15" All Terrain tires for the road. Off-Road I use Mud-Terrains of the same size.
- The Garmin 120 GPS unit, with a magnetic antenna.
- The new front skid plate from Red Line Off-Road Accessories was actually bought from Downey Industries.
- The 6000 lbs. (2700 Kg) electrical front winch from Warn.
- The snorkel is built by Luxons 4WD Equipment and distributed by ARB.
- The solid steel bull bar comes from ARB.
- A new steering stabilizer. The original 'bicycle pump' from Toyota is not strong enough for real off-road.
- I had to change the clutch. So I mounted a re-enforced clutch, to better handle the sometimes rough conditions on the trail.
- I mounted a heavier flywheel, to bring the torque down to the lower RPM's.
- The wheels have been equipped with Tire-Locs to prevent the tires from leaving the bed.
- A larger diameter exhaust system gives both performance and a different sound.
- The difference from mounting a high performance air filter was surprising.
- The throttle body has been changed to a big Power Breather.
- A rear tow bar with integrated spare tire carrier from Kaymar 4WD Equipment in Australia. When I bought the truck it was not possible to get this option from Toyota in Sweden.
- A set of exhaust headers from NWOR. Again, to bring the torque to the lower RPM's, where it's useful in off-road conditions.
- I mounted the Energy Pack from Jacobs Electronics. I thought I would gain a lot of horsepower. But...
- I mounted a set of manual hubs from Warn on my front wheels.
- A True-Track unit in the front axle will work well with the ARB in the rear. This is part of my complete rebuild of the front axle.
- Re-building the front axle was the golden opportunity to re-gear both front and rear diff's from original 4.56 to 4.88.
Usage
So, do I use it off-road as well? I used to. But not anymore. Or at least very little. In the year of 2000 I got myself a Harley-Davidson and since then I have more or less quit off-roading. Anyway, here is a small number of pictures collected.
- In Sahara.
- At Gotland, Sweden.
- In Manosque, France.
Brake downs
- The differential locker from ARB is supposed to be one of the stronger units on the market. But mine broke down.
- I have now twice broken the front ring gear. Big wheels and strong engine. There has to be a weakest link somewhere. I just wish that the weakest link was easier (and cheaper) to repair. The situation led to a re-build of both front and rear diff.
Current status
Well, unfortunately it sits in the garden, waiting to be sold. Interested? I live in France, mind you.
