4Run Through the Jungle

I am sure that I am not the only person that was very excited to see the Toyota 4Runner get added to the stables at Matchbox.  The "little Toyota that could" has been a very popular choice for off-road enthusiasts since it's introduction late in the 1984 model year.  1985 saw the addition of the fuel-injected 22R-E I4 greatly enhancing both performance and fuel efficiency, so it is no surprise to me that Matchbox choose this iconic first generation 4Runner for their lineup.

After gleefully tearing open the package and rolling the truck around it became immediately apparent that this SUV needed some bigger rubber and some improved ground clearance before it could really tackle the trail.  The main concerns that needed to be addressed were the approach and departure angles.  The stock front bumper was often the first thing to come in contact with obstacles on the trail and offered little protection. Next the mud flaps, while adding an authentic look, the whole "cast-in-plastic" bit made them to inflexible for trail applications, so they had to go.

So now all I needed was a suitable donor to provide not only some new wheels and tires, but also some suitable protection for the front end of the 4Runner.  After considering a few different options I decided that Matchbox's Rock Shocker would be a perfect match. I think the results are quite impressive.

The 4Runner now has a more aggressive stance and a slightly longer wheelbase thanks to the long-arm suspension from the Rock Shocker.  Gone are the plastic mudflaps and the new wheels and tires give the look of a nice set of some trail worthy 35 inch tall tires.  A nice beefy steel tube bumper offers protection for the front end of the truck, while the stock bumper holds up the rear.  The modifications to the interior of the Toyota where fairly substantial and almost none of the original 4Runner interior survived.  Even the interior of the Rock Shocker needed to be trimmed down quite a bit to get a satisfying fit.

All in all this project was a lot fun to put together and really tested my skills with the Dremel.  I hope that you find this an inspiration.  Till next time.