The Step up, Charlou Gap Tucson Az (4runner)

~Daily Driver~
(Has gone through the Rubicon) Doing the Step up for the first time in our 3rd gen 1997 4runner limited (9in of travel front, 23in of travel rear on 35's, F&R lockers)
This is the truck's second time being Off road, ever. The people who owned it before us never even put it in 4wd once
this is our daily truck, we drive it everyday
MODIFICATIONS
factory rear locker
Front ARB locker
1.728 in body lift
Bud Built 3/16 in skid plates
4:88 gear ratio
Sonoran Steel 1.2 suspension system
35 in BFG goodwrench mud terrain tires with 16 in Micky Thompson rims
Shrock Works sliders
1st gen 4runner roll bar
1 in diff drop
assorted 98-03 interior parts
NEW MODS
Marlin Crawler dual-transfer case
Shrock works front bumper
Shrock works rear bumper with tire carrier
Warn 8000 winch
2x 4in PIAA head lights
Stronger rear rocker arms
1/4 in thick rocker arm bracket skid plate
3/16 in thick rear diff skid plate
manual locking front hubs (realized we need this when we broke the front left cv axle)(oops)
TO COME
2004 TRD Tundra Brakes
Total Chaos front suspension
engine swap (maybe the 3.5L Ford eco-boost?)

[@ShawnDeLaCruz]

Watching this makes me proud to own a 3rd Gen 4Runner.

[@Woke1440]

4Runner always makes it up and out of sticky situations

[@basseyeton7089]

Whatever you make out of this truck...am glad I have one "99.....and I like it ....it's confident

[@scottmerry8567]

Arguably, the '99 was the best year. Steve at Sonoran Steel documented that the '99 was the tallest out of the factory. 99s also had several nice choices on interior climate control.

[@OptimisticScrooge]

And that is why I love 4runners!! Go anywhere do anything machines. Thanks for the vid

[@jerlaine1638]

Jesus he made it look easy, Just proves why 4runners are the best

[@specops1903]

lockers and tires make a tremendous difference.

[@samconibear3506]

Insane rock climbing. Need big tires of course

[@JoseCarlos-jh2tk]

Unbelievable

[@ezraalbin3252]

4runners are beasts. I love mine.

[@CP-kb1du]

2019 Still a Bad Ass Rig love my 1997

[@SamFunk12]

that was amazing.... wow rice rig. I live here in Maricopa but I know my Runner couldn't make it up that!

[@scottmerry1459]

You'd be surprised what it will do. Give the trail a try (this is not a mandatory part of the trail).

[@bradleymerry209]

the best got better, with a front bumper rear bumper sliders and a winch, went through the Rubicon in one day, not a scratch!!!

[@scottmerry8567]

A few clarifications: It does have a 1-inch diff drop. The lift: a Sonoran Steel 1.2 with limiting straps. The gears are 4.88s (front with ARB locker by me after JTs didn't shim the gears correctly, the rear by ZUK). The tires are 315 BF Goodrich KM2s on 16-inch Mickey Thompson rims. No bead locks coming, although perhaps should have gone that route. 33s probably wouldn't have req'd any trimming but the 35s require quite a bit up front, including flattening of the pinch weld on the fire wall area. The front brakes are 2004 Tundra calipers and rotors

[@BG-sn2zm]

Nice driving, move, stopping and thinking it through, move, rinse and repeat

[@dominic_hikes]

That looked like fun! Good driving!

[@benjaming.vquez.2481]

Excelente vehículo el 4Runner esta comprobado en todos terreno

[@travisdiller6879]

WOW! thats impressive!

[@koolhandluke5646]

holy smokes the 4runners are capable of doing that climb i have a 1992 runner4x4 i got to get her ready now kool vid bro , i was listening to miley cyrus its the climb while watching this vid super Awwesome

[@TheMultisportGeek]

Pretty good for a 4RNR. Nice work and kudos to the ground guidance dude.

[@scottmerry]

Brad is a very good spotter. Now, an even better driver. Quite the young married man.

[@hydernoori146]

Ok, by any standards, that was some cool shit

[@scubbarookie]

Wow! Lot of balls doing that run! Getting out of that without one scratch! This is crazy for a mostly stock ride!

[@scottmerry8567]

I guess it was mostly stock then. Dual transfer cases, locking hubs, Tacoma front sway bar, Shrockworks bumpers... Still looks stock but that is skin deep. North of 265k miles on it now too.

[@scottmerry]

and next time, I will buckle my seat belt. No kidding - My Bad.

[@Bud4me0007]

Badass. That's awesome. Love my 3gen.

[@blown16tahiti]

I got the right rocker panel on my 72 Bronco there. Cool video

[@sweeneytod1]

I had one of these, they are the best.

[@leevogt8069]

Very well done

[@judgemally5034]

sickbuild

[@gadiartlover6320]

The auper work man u did it. Keep up going and see my jeeps herw

[@glenyoshida]

Love it! Nice wheeling!

[@scottmerry]

Glen, you are the teacher! I know that this is 8 years since you posted this, but I still watch your vids. If you're still doing this, I would enjoy wheeling with you some time.

[@taylorious1693]

Punishing that spare haha.

[@scottmerry8567]

With the Shrockworks rear bumper, the spare is now mounted behind.

[@slewke]

good spotter!

[@Thesschaefer3]

Awesome !!!

[@thomaslam6821]

Perfect!!!

[@bmerry1322]

No wheel spacers... The rims are made by Mickey Thomas, and they already have a back spacing on them . So a wheel spacer was not needed for this. Also, if you are thinking about putting 35 in tires on your 4runner, you will need to do the 1.7in body lift.

[@Rokynutz]

Awesome video! Time for a high clearance back bumper and say goodbye to the spare to the roof or backend.

[@scottmerry1459]

Yup. Shrockworks front and rear bumpers about 6 months after this was done. And so much more too.

[@8avexp]

Impressive.

[@senorquill]

Made it look easy

[@blacksharkknight4833]

Whoa! Bad ass!

[@Stormtrooper_98Trd]

omg that flex!!!

[@dominic_hikes]

Nice t4r!

[@scottmerry8567]

The springs are available from Toyota, but the rear lift is more than just the springs. Get the entire package (brake lines, shocks, Daystar bump stops, adjustable panhard bar) from Sonoran Steel). I have the 1.2 lift - it looks high in this video, but now with Shrockworks front and rear bumpers + winch, it is perfect. Very nice ride and plenty of room for the 35s.

[@charyyevab6578]

4runner king

[@kaseymadrigal4330]

God damn! 💪💪💪

[@ramiromarban6281]

Esa es mi misubishi montero 👍👌😘

[@giorgio.armany7616]

que bien!!! 💪👍

[@dannytango36]

Awesome

[@Queensizemusic]

Nice.

[@Bulldogfishmaster]

Badass t4r!! ;)

[@bmerry1322]

thx!!! its more badass now!

[@scottmerry8567]

Just finished installing a 4.70 crawler box and RotoPax gas cans to the Shrockworks rear bumper. I think it is done now.

[@bmerry1322]

no, didn't drop the diff, but did do new, longer, stainless steel lines. Also, even with 33's, you will still need to do some trimming up in the fender well... don't worry, you wont be able to see it... In the rear, we are using brand new, toyota fj80 springs. in the front, to save the CV axels, your going to want to put some limiting straps for the front suspension. And of course, sliders are a must have. This is also our daily driver... btw, body lift is really easy to install!!

[@scottmerry8567]

Easy? I suppose so, other than reworking the steering linkage. And the trans linkage, including trimming the body there. And lowering the radiator. And extending the brake lines.

[@scottmerry]

AND... I just redid a lot of the work that I completed 9-12 years ago. Call me Joe but I had to do research to figure out what I did back then. I wish that was funny but it is really sad. @@scottmerry8567

[@emigdioequite4467]

Nice..the besth

[@scottmerry8567]

2006 Tundras might work. With my 1st 4Runner, I was one of the first (the first?) to make that swap. The kit is now packages nicely by Steve at Sonoran Steel (just Google Sonoran Steel). One difference I did was to also use the rear Tundra adjusters (requires some machining) but not a major difference.

[@Patrick.Weightman]

Dual lockers?? Too cool!

[@scottmerry8567]

Factory e-locker in the rear, ARB up front. 4.88 gears.

[@Seabass526]

Cool

[@argenisalbano3921]

Esto es una locura pero facinante

[@scottmerry8567]

No es tan loco, pero ciertamente divertido

[@Bulldogfishmaster]

Kool brother...baddest 3rd gen T4R...ive seen! Wish i could turn my stock 97 4r into a beast like yours....maybe someday...well i can dream!! Again badass runner!!

[@bradleymerry3864]

Well, you have the parts list in the descripton!! :D

[@scottmerry8567]

Dreams are great, hold onto them. I kept the dream for many years until things allowed this. As Cash sang, "one piece at a time..." Look for help and just ask, friends appreciate your dreams too.

[@Bulldogfishmaster]

Thank you Scott!

[@juanjay5958]

I have a 97 limited kinda like that one.

[@y2komar]

Omg!! Omg!!!

[@darpa314]

Nice rig man, good climb. Wish we had some more rock out here in New England. Feel free to check out some of my videos, one 4Runner owner to another.

[@JonSwift7]

Holy shit! F@#K to the yeah! NOW thats the waY to crawl! BTW what kind of tires are you running? I like them

[@scottmerry8567]

315 BFG KM2s on 16" MT wheels.

[@jonsmith919]

5vzfe is legendary

[@scottmerry1459]

260k miles and still going like the Energizer bunny!

[@matthewknowles7143]

"Slightly Modified"

[@scottmerry8567]

Just slightly, but always a work in progress. The front/rear bumpers, winch, and manual locking hubs were done since then. It is currently under the knife again getting a crawler box installed (with the 4.7 gear). Fun stuff. Pretty well documented build pics at s1356.photobucket.com/user/fsttwch/library/FSTTWCH2

[@JourneyWest]

I won't lie: I clenched.

[@artemiocastanon4620]

😎

[@Legadnary]

Toyota for the win

[@salesnorthamerica3298]

Well done.. Got the same year 3rd GEN Limited with stock Rear diff locks.. Which lift did you got with on this one??

[@scottmerry8567]

Sonoran Steel 1.2 and then Steve's Tacoma front sway bar plates (the Tacoma double links make a huge difference up front!)

[@aaronbird9569]

What sorcery is this

[@JungleOfLaos1]

I'm going with a 3 inch front and 3.5 inch back suspension lift. No body lift for me but great for future knowledge. It is my daily driver and I rarely off-road. Maybe 3-4 times a year. I'm going with the 33 for my purpose. Also did you do the diff drop with the extended brake line? Thanks.

[@scottmerry8567]

Yes on both. 1" diff drop is super easy (10 minute job). The stock brake lines are rubber and compliance (getting larger under pressure) leads to a soft brake pedal. I went with steel braided, including a pretty long one in the rear (the rear suspension on these 4Runners works awesome with the FJ mod).

[@pcchang87]

what brand name, size for the rim and tires?

[@JungleOfLaos1]

Nice ride. How did you get those 15 inch rim on there? Wheel spacers? Back spacing? I have a vehicle just like yours but a 98 and would like to know how you got your rims on. Also nice taste in rim choice. I was going to put those on mine.

[@scottmerry]

16" rims. see the build list. MT with 3.5" backsets. I would not do it again - beadlocks next round.

[@connormcgee6398]

Nice vid! Whats your suspension setup if you dont mind?

[@scottmerry8567]

Connor, the build list is pretty accurate, except that a Ford eco-boost engine won't get any closer to this than being in the car parked next to it. Sonoran Steel 1.2 lift and some careful cutting. The 35s rub very little and generally only pulling into a parking lot a little too hot; never wheeling. I did do the Tundra front brake mod in March '17 and the Tacoma front sway bar mod in early April '17 (the most important mod to date IMO) but those are about the only things not on the build list.

[@m0thaphucka638]

i saw you did the tundra brake conversion. my brakes are shot as of today and wondering how much it was for the swap? and is it exactly a brake kit from like a 06 tundra?

[@scottmerry8567]

I bought a really nice set of W13L (231 mm) calipers from a 2007 Sequoia, including the rubber lines as mine were looking like failure was an option; $96 with tax. I could have saved money on the rotors and pads (via Toyota online parts) but due to a lack of planning, paid full price at the stealership; $315 and that included 2 anti-rattle springs, and a new pin. I recycled the shim kit off of the old calipers and added two packets of brake grease from Autozone. Total cost: $415. Using aftermarket rotors (e.g., NAPA) and Autozone pads, you could save some money, but I'm partial to OEM Toyota parts - they simply last and last and last... The '06 Tundra is a good source as that is post-TSB; I'd recommend avoiding the pre-TSB W13E calipers.

[@yougear100]

Very nice. But, what is the overall lift? Suspension inches?

[@scottmerry1459]

Never measured it. Sonoran Steel 1.2 plus a Taco double-end link sway bar (very important!). I've been happy with the lift, especially the rear.

[@damacknificent151]

Are those rock sliders bolt-on? If so, where can i get them.

[@scottmerry1459]

Shrockworks, but custom weld plates to better hide the body lift. They are welded on. Bolt-on sliders can make some annoying noise.

[@jonathanbormann5077]

Nice. You have a rear locker?

[@scottmerry8567]

Rear factory locker and front ARB. Full build list is pretty close - it isn’t normal.

[@livierosez.robloxz3089]

I have the same year 4runner...where can I get toyota fj80 rear spring....btw nice video

[@scottmerry8567]

Either from Toyota or (better) from Sonoran Steel. Steve there will make sure that your system has all of the components to work properly.

[@timtim4710]

Dose this have a lift on it. If so how big?

[@scottmerry1459]

The build is listed in the mods, but it starts with a Sonoran Steel 1.2 and a 1.7 inch body lift (well hidden with the custom Shrockworks sliders). The body lift did make the Shrockworks front/rear bumpers (installed 6 months after this video) a bit more fun to install.

[@timtim4710]

Love the truck. I just stuck 2018 taco rims on mine

[@emmanuelbicental3536]

What wheels/rims are those?

[@scottmerry8567]

BF Goodrich Mud-Terrain T/A KM2 LT315/75R16 on Mickey Thompson Classic II rims, part #368412.

[@emmanuelbicental3536]

Scott Merry thanks

[@pawcrawlowens8730]

Need to let some air out of tires

[@scottmerry8567]

15 psi that day...

[@scottmerry8567]

15 psi is low enough.

[@ZeeQo1]

lol u would have a much easier time with much lower PSI.

[@scottmerry1459]

15 psi is low enough without bead locks (not a problem for a direct climb but off camber stuff). And how much easier should it be?

[@alh1007]

Was Beavis and butthead recording this?

[@scottmerry1459]

Cal Skilsky, now 2017 Collegiate XC National Champion. Great young men now.

[@adamwilson4043]

any chic can drive an automatic...

[@scottmerry8567]

Opinions vary.

[@setysamson2630]

What’s fun about destroying your car?

[@scottmerry8567]

272,000 miles and still driving it daily. Through Rubicon 3 times without 1 scratch or damage. Broke a CV on Slick Rock Road (Sierras) but that is the only carnage in 9 years of wheeling this truck. Hardly destroying it.

[@senorquill]

Awesome!