From blogs to bogs

So here it is, the new rig. Over the next year or two I plan to convert this worn out 4runner into an off-road beast. The only problem is that I have no idea what I am doing. This blog will document my learning process and, hopefully, a log of my mechanical progress.

I've spent the last few months looking for a vehicle to serve as the base. The prime choice would have been a Toyota Land Cruiser, but given the limitation of choices imposed on you by living on an island, I added Toyota 4runners to the list. The ideal 4runner would have been a 1985 since it is the only year a modern engine with fuel injection was found on the same platform as a solid front axle. Needless to say the magic 1985 year is no secret, and those rigs are hard to find.I settled on a 1995 4runner with a 3.0L V6 engine.

The plan is to rip the vehicle down to bare chassis and rebuild it. I'm also going to take the risk of bitting off more then I can chew (as if I wasn't already there) and do a solid axle conversion. A solid front axle (as opposed to independent front suspension) is better for off road driving because of four main reasons (or so Google and friends have told me): 1.> Slightly better ground clearance 2.> Easier to lift which results in much better ground clearance 3.> Much stronger and 4.> when one wheel is off the ground the other is driven into the ground maintaining traction. I figured since the chassis was naked and exposed it would probably be the easiest time to do the conversion.

I also have to explain that although I think I have an aptitude (untested) for this type of task I haven't done much more then change oil, chains (motorcycle), air filters and other easy tasks. So it may be money spent with no material return. We shall see.

Money spent to date: $1000 for truck plus $500 for miscellaneous tools = $1500.00 (my wife makes me add that part).