In place of the Toyota's factory...
In place of the Toyota's factory independent front suspension sits a Spidertrax custom axlehousing controlled by a Mossyrocks three-link suspension. To support the 4Runner, 16-inch Fox coilovers were fitted at each corner.
Comfort, durability, and off-road prowess have made the Toyota 4Runner a legend in the off-road world. While the solid front axle and removable hardtop may have gone away decades ago, that hasn't stopped 4Runner enthusiasts from transforming the modern SUV platforms into formidable wheeling machines. We recently caught up with one such modern and well-built 4Runner piloted by Bradley Scoggins.
Throughout the day we watched as time and time again Bradley's '97 4Runner conquered the massive wet rocks and mud-soaked hillclimbs of the Southeast with ease. It's not every day we run into such a luxurious ride on hardcore trails, and often when we do see the once high-end rigs on tough terrain there's not much more than a grille and a few dash knobs to remind us of what it once was. Though body damage is fair game when you head out into the dirt, sometimes wheeling finesse and proper upkeep can conceal the rig's trail scars to even the most trained eye. So while it may be another decade before we see an '07 model on a Black Diamond trail, one thing is for certain: The legend of the 4Runner is still going strong.
Tech Specs
1997 Toyota 4Runner
Drivetrain
Engine: 3.4L V-6
Transmission: Automatic
Transfer case: Stock with Marlin Crawler gearbox
Front Axle: Spidertrax 609 with True Hi-9 3rd member, ARB Air Locker, 5.38 gears
Rear Axle: Semifloat Dana 60, ARB Air Locker, 5.38 gears
Suspension
Springs & Such: Mossyrocks three-link front and four-link rear, 16-inch Fox coilovers
Steering: PSC hydraulic assist
Tires & Wheels: 38.5x14.50 Maxxis Creepy Crawlers on 16x8 Pro Comp wheels with KORE weld-on beadlocks
Other Stuff: 1091/2-inch wheelbase, 84-inch track width, Mossyrocks front bumper, T-Max winch, custom cage and body work
Hidden beneath the well-crafted...
Hidden beneath the well-crafted coilover tower is the 4Runner's factory 3.4L. Though the mostly stock V-6 has decent power, Bradley plans on incorporating a supercharger into the mix to give his crawler a little more go.
To make room for the custom...
To make room for the custom fuel cell, rear shock truss, and battery, the 4Runner received an extremely clean rear cab chop. The result was a unique SUT look and setup that's designed to handle the Southeast's toughest trails and still make the long drive home.
With the added weight of the...
With the added weight of the bumpers, sliders, cage, and 38.5-inch tires, Bradley needed to upgrade the rear axle to something more fitting. This heavy-duty rearend replacement came in form of a semifloat Dana 60 that now sports 5.38 gears and an ARB Air Locker.