From IFS to Trail King - How Scott's 4Runner Stole the Show

There’s something special about seeing a 1st Gen 4Runner that makes you stop dead in your tracks. Scott’s 4Runner is exactly the kind of build that will make you do that.This isn’t just another SAS build - it’s a masterclass in thoughtful modifications that blend form with function.

Scott’s rig started life as an IFS truck, but what caught my attention wasn’t just the solid axle conversion. It was the incredible attention to detail and the way every modification serves a purpose while maintaining that clean, almost OEM-plus aesthetic. When you first glance at this truck, something looks different, but it takes a closer inspection to realize just how much custom work went into creating this rolling piece of art.

The heart of this build is the 2.7-liter 3RZ swap, pulled from a 2000-era Tacoma. Scott ditched the problematic 3.0 V6 that originally powered this rig, gaining reliability while actually losing weight. The 3RZ might not be a torque monster, but it’s a proven engine that gives you OBD2 diagnostics and modern fuel injection. Sure, it struggles on long highway grades, but around town and on the trail, it’s got plenty of grunt to move those 37s.

Behind that engine sits a W56 five-speed that would normally mate to a four-cylinder - a perfect pairing that keeps the drivetrain balanced. Dual Marlin Ultimate cases with 4.7 gears handle the crawling duties, while a dual battery setup ensures Scott never gets stranded with a dead battery after running camp lights all evening.

The real magic happens when you start looking at the bodywork. Those fenders aren’t some bolt-on fiberglass pieces you can order online. Scott hand-fabricated every single panel, using steel and solid round bar to create wider, taller fenders that clear the 37s without looking like afterthoughts. The transitions are so smooth you’d swear they rolled off the Toyota assembly line that way.

What really sets this build apart is the suspension setup. Scott runs Ohlins struts front and rear - nitrogen and oil-filled units that eliminate the need for separate springs, bump stops, and limit straps. You can tune ride height and damping characteristics by adjusting nitrogen pressure and oil viscosity. It’s a three-in-one solution that saves space while delivering serious performance both on the trail and on the highway.

The axle work is equally impressive. Diamond housings front and rear house 8-inch diffs with 5.29 gears, ARB lockers, and 300M shafts. Up front, RCV birfields handle the steering duties, while the rear sports a full-float setup with fifth-gen 4Runner disc brakes. Four Wheel Underground handled the front three-link setup, but Scott had to get creative with the frame.

Since this started as an IFS truck, the original frame sat too low for proper axle clearance. Scott’s solution? Cut off the entire front section and fabricate a new one from box steel. It’s the kind of permanent modification that separates the serious builders from the weekend warriors. The result is a front end that clears everything while maintaining structural integrity.

The rear suspension uses custom Alcan leaf springs with orbit eyes instead of traditional bushings. These mechanical ball joints provide better articulation than polyurethane, though Scott added an anti-rock sway bar to tighten things up for highway driving. The sway bar routes directly through the frame - another example of the thoughtful engineering that went into this build.

Scott’s attention to detail extends to the practical stuff too. The rear bumper started as a 4x4 Labs piece but got customized with drop-down shelves and cutting boards for trail-side food prep. A telescoping light pole provides camp illumination, while front and rear ARB compressors keep the lockers fed. Even the license plate (4WD!!!) has history - it’s been in Scott’s family since the 1970s when California first started issuing personalized plates.

The interior remains surprisingly stock, with the original upholstery looking factory fresh. Scott kept the rear heater but added triple shifters so he can operate the rear transfer case from the driver’s seat. A chopped soft top provides summer ventilation while maintaining weather protection when needed.

This build represents everything that’s right about the Toyota scene. It’s not about throwing the biggest, heaviest components at a truck and calling it good. Scott carefully selected each modification to work with the others, creating a cohesive package that’s equally at home on the Rubicon Trail or driving to work on Monday morning.

The fact that Scott leads trail groups during Rubithon speaks to both his wheeling skills and the reliability of his build. When you’re responsible for getting other people through some of California’s most challenging terrain, you need a rig that won’t let you down. This 1st Gen has clearly proven itself worthy of that responsibility.

You can follow more builds like this from Stellar Built for behind-the-scenes content. They’re the kind of shop that understands the difference between building a truck and building it right.