Supercharged 1999 Toyota Tacoma Prerunner

[Down For Mobbing]

Picked up a 1999 Toyota Prerunner last weekend from a buddy. I don’t know a lot of the backstory on it, but I do know it was built by an employee at Dirt Designs out of Paso. The truck is TIG-welded bumper to bumper and all chromoly tubing. My buddy bought it, drove it three times in the dunes, then COVID happened and it’s been sitting on the side of his yard in Pismo Beach, so it got pretty weathered from the salt.

It’s got a TRD supercharger with a URD lightweight crank pulley, LCE supercharger pulley, and I was told the timing belt was done. Moving to the interior, it has carpet, A/C, heater, manual trans with manual 4WD, radio, PCI radio and intercom. All the headlights, dash lights, and blinkers work like normal, and the cage work is really clean considering how much OEM interior is still in it.

Each corner has King 2.5 coilovers, bypasses, and bumps. Up front is a custom long-travel kit (assuming Dirt Designs). Out back it has a custom fuel cell using the OEM fuel pump, 3-linked, Cone Industries sway bar, full-float rear, 2.5 hubs, and the bedsides are a little beat up.

Overall, the truck has great bones. Most of the work is just going to be prep, Scotch-Brite, and a few late nights. Goal is to have it back in the dirt by Halloween.

Bonus: the truck came with a DH mountain bike, a trailer, spare wheels and tires, and a pile of other solid parts.

Not sure on the plan yet. Might keep it, might fix it up and sell it. Raffle it off? Either way, I’ll give it the same attention to detail my Ford Ranger gets and have it dialed.

 

[Down For Mobbing]

Got the shocks off the truck and over to Downsouth Motorsports.

 

[UR_Mawm69]

FUCK YEAH MAN! Killer truck and work, it looks like! I bet it'll shine right up and sparkle like crazy with some elbow grease, scotch brite, and paint!

 

[4xFoorOffroad]

Probably could get AC going again - compressor’s still there and it looks like a stock condenser is still there or could be put back and some custom high and low pressure lines could make it work.

 

[Down For Mobbing]

Probably could get AC going again - compressor’s still there and it looks like a stock condenser is still there or could be put back and some custom high and low pressure lines could make it work.

You're 100% right! It came with a new compressor and was told the condenser is was new. Need to find someone to make a custom high and low side.

FUCK YEAH MAN! Killer truck and work, it looks like! I bet it'll shine right up and sparkle like crazy with some elbow grease, scotch brite, and paint!

I've been spending a few minutes a day hitting tubes with scotch brite here and there. luckily it all seems to just be surface rust. Something I tried today was wiping down all the tubes with white vinegar and it seems to eat away at the rust and only take light sanding after.

 

[Down For Mobbing]

Found some photos from the last time the truck was used.

 

[Down For Mobbing]

Having two prerunners might sound cool but I can officially confirm it’s a whole new level of stress. At one point, both trucks were in piles of parts across the garage. Definitely a humbling experience lol. Now that the Ranger is back together, I’ve been able to shift my focus back to the Toyota.



Got all the suspension pulled off, inspected, and ready to head out for sandblasting next week. I’m skipping powder coat this round, never been a fan since it hides cracks and makes upgrades a pain later. Going to hit everything with primer and spray it with paint out of a gun instead. Curious to see how it holds up that way.



The 3rd member’s out too. Getting rebuilt with 4.88 gears so the front and rear match. It’s got a Detroit locker, ARP hardware, and a Strange case, but I’m debating swapping the locker for a spool.



A few uniballs were missing clips and some need replacement, so I’ll be ordering from Probearing this week. Shocks just came back from Downsouth Motorsports too.

Next up on the list: sandblast, prime, and paint all the parts, replace the driver-side wheel bearing, install the 4.88s, paint the cage, replace a few uniballs, hang the suspension, mock up the 37s, bolt on the shocks, then spin the truck around and pull the motor.

 

[4xFoorOffroad]

Totally missed this is 4wd. Thats badass. Any idea on the axles - just extended shafts on regular 1st Gen Tacoma inners and outers?

 

[LoganB]

Reading this I thought the motor was good? Any reason for pulling it? Steve fyke does great work, I’m sure it’s a great lil truck

 

[Down For Mobbing]

Totally missed this is 4wd. Thats badass. Any idea on the axles - just extended shafts on regular 1st Gen Tacoma inners and outers?

To be honest I am still trying to figure what I have for the 4wd. The truck came with most the parts to do the manual hub conversion. I will update here when I get more info. I know I still need hub stud kit, aisin locking hub, genuine toyota wheel bearing nut and a special socket PN W1272

I am not sure I will do this conversation. I am not sure if there is a lot of value in doing it. or if its really that much of an upgrade?

Reading this I thought the motor was good? Any reason for pulling it? Steve fyke does great work, I’m sure it’s a great lil truck

The cage is pretty rusted and its tight up agent the motor so it would be hard to paint. Just want to do it right. pulling the motor would allow me to paint everything correctly. I know, sounds stupid.

 

[4xFoorOffroad]

Alot of the stuff can be found on RockAuto, but the spline count for the ADD hubs and the manual hubs is different so you would need manual outers. That's why 3.5 kits for 1st Gen Taco's would often use 1st Gen Tundra CV's as the spline count was the same as ADD hubs but not compatible with the manual hubs. Here's more specific information:

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/winkle99-build-thread.511998/page-5#post-25878987

This guy has a lot of parts for manual hubs too.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/for-sale-4x4-manual-hubs-spindles-knuckles-and-cvs.709082/