paintthetown

iTrader: (1)

Hey everybody, Im rebuilding/ reinforcing my '87 4Runner. My 17 year old will be using her too. What advice do you have to make her a safer ride for my peace of mind ? Maby wheel spacers, better brakes etc. ? The engine is bone stock.

MaK92-4RnR

Nothing is safer than bone stock on that vehicle.

- Wheel spacers to some aren't really safe. ( i've never had an issue with them ) but some are iffy about them.

- better brakes? a 1st gen 4Runner already weighs practically nothing. i wouldn't doubt if it stops on a dime with the original brakes. you can always redo the pads, rotors and calipers with the V6 option, if its bothering you.

waskillywabbit

iTrader: (-1)

Proactive regular maintenance...and a SAS.

:wabbit2:

sb5walker

Weighs practically nothing?? I see the 88s weigh just 400 lbs short of two tons. Doesn't sound very light to me! Brakes will be very important. Suggest replacing the rubber sections of brake line if not done in past 10 years - two in front and one just in front of the LSPV. They can balloon out and prevent sufficient pressure from making it to the calipers/wheel cylinders. Make sure pads can slide freely in caliper tracks and service rear brakes. Use excellent pads & shoes. Hawk LTS pads have a good rep. I've had good luck with NAPA's premium shoes. May as well completely flush brake fluid if not done in past 3 years. Brake fluid absorbs moisture and then turns acidic, and then corrodes all the hydraulic cylinders.

Tires are #1 safety item on any vehicle. Most important to choose ones with excellent wet traction scores:
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/survey....jsp?type=ORAT
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/survey....jsp?type=ORMT

The Dueler AT REVOs I'm running now have the best all-around traction of any tire I've ever used. The back end no longer breaks traction on wet corners like it used to.

The trucks offer fairly good protection in front end collisions. No protection at all in side impacts, so beefy nerf bars may be lifesavers. And finally, all the pics of these trucks in rollovers are scary. Usually the roof line is pushed down flush with the dashboard. So if you can fab a roll bar, that too may be a lifesaver.

jessed59

compared to 2nd 3rd 4th 5th gen? hmmmmm

jessed59

also maybe replace front steering components wheel bearings etc? my 88 std cab floats like im hammered ...somethin to think about

Greg_Canada

upgrade pads and rotors to hawk LTS and decent rotors.
add stainless steel brake lines to replace old rubber lines.
replace any worn bushings.
add addco sway bars front and rear.
Add shoulder belts for rear seats
add rock sliders, heavier duty bumpers....

mightymouse

iTrader: (6)

teach your 17 year old how to drive properly and be confident in doing so. A safe vehicle is only as safe as the driver. This means no cell phones, radio, you get the point. Give her some tough off road situations such as wet pavement and braking distance and how to drive in low traction such as mud and rain. Can't beat a good set of tires as well for the mechanical upgrade.

angrybob

Have to agree with the above for these (for me in this order):

1. Driver training
2. Good tires
3. Brake upgrade if needed (front pads, rear sho adjustment, & LSPV setting)
4. Steering maintenance if needed (LCA / UCA bushings, ball joints, idler arm, etc) to tighten up the front end
5. Shoulder belts for the rear seat (same gen front *truck* seat belts bolt right up)

paintthetown

iTrader: (1)

Thanks Mightymouse, I'm worried about the other drivers out there and (my son) just got his license and goes not have many miles under his belt. You are a Toyota fan and I'm still in the process of converting him to be a fan.

scuba

Buy a newer truck with airbags.

RBX

Paint, you are right, it is the other drivers that scare me, my son is 14 and i will soon be in your same shoes.
I ride a motorcycle almost everyday, and i always refer to my first day on the job as a bicycle messenger...'ride like you are invisible, and remember, EVERYONE hates invisible people!'. Not that i am or ever was, but i ride like i am a jet fighter pilot, always waiting and anticipating the next attack/stupid move, and have an escape plan.
I approach driving a cage(car) the same way. Light turns green, i look both ways before i move and make sure some idiot doesn't blow the light(this happened a few months ago, the car next to me got creamed...should have been me).

Perhaps the above doesn't translate as well from a 2 wheel to 4 wheel perspective, but it is what has kept me from getting in at least one major accident.

Oh, and teach him to NEVER, ok whenever possible, ride in ANYONES blind spot. Avoiding a environment for a potential accident is just as important.

I agree on lots of the above 'training' statements also...knowing what the vehicle will do in a situation...what does it feel like to slide/loose traction/stopping distance.

good luck

wmayota

Get her one of these to drive...
All you're problems are solved

RBX

He's got a son

BoredOutnJackdUp

Exo, 5 point harness, good tires, Good steering components.
And a beastly bumper.

peow130

5 point harnesses are actually deadly, and not street legal by any means.
Think: Highway accident, 4runner rolls over, fuel line bursting and fuel pouring into cab and onto ground, loose wires arcing up... and 5 seatbelts..

Anyways... *cough*..
Teach your daughter/son/love-child that it isn't a sports car, and to drive it as such.
It's an old truck, it's meant to be driven slow, and if you treat it well it'll treat her well.

BoredOutnJackdUp

I thought it was clarified he had a son.
and its usually one release mechanism.
So just about as easy to get out of.
Its debatable. and im not willing to argue it.

peow130

Regardless of how easy they are to get out of, they're also not street-legal.
Not only that, but they're only as safe as the roll-cage they're attached to..

karuso86pu

Rewire the front corner lights, changing them in to turn signals.

85gijunk4x4

i'd say plate steel (or tube) front bumper, sliders, rear bumper etc. so that way all 4 corners are protected

maybe l.e.d tail light bulb conversions, make the corner lights into blinkers (most drivers are probably going to notice THOSE arent blinking, before they relize the BUMPER is)

mount a fire extinguisher close by too, you never know when it'll come in handy.