Ocell's 88 4Runner build thread
#21
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Join Date: May 2012
Location: Albuquerque, NM
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Howdy from Austin, TX.
A few months ago I decided I wanted a truck, and after some research I got the Toyota bug, quick. I just bought this 1988 4Runner today. 4 cylinder 5-speed with a 2" body lift and a 2" suspension lift. It's already been painted with bed liner and has a relatively new transmission.
As I get aclimated to all the engine and suspension sounds I know I'll be hopping in here with plenty of mechanical and electrical questions.
I hope these newb threads aren't worn-out and annoying. I'm looking forward to continuing this project! One of the first orders of business is either finding a new gas cap door, or find a fix for a broken hinge. I was considering magnets at the corners where the hinge was.
A few months ago I decided I wanted a truck, and after some research I got the Toyota bug, quick. I just bought this 1988 4Runner today. 4 cylinder 5-speed with a 2" body lift and a 2" suspension lift. It's already been painted with bed liner and has a relatively new transmission.
As I get aclimated to all the engine and suspension sounds I know I'll be hopping in here with plenty of mechanical and electrical questions.
I hope these newb threads aren't worn-out and annoying. I'm looking forward to continuing this project! One of the first orders of business is either finding a new gas cap door, or find a fix for a broken hinge. I was considering magnets at the corners where the hinge was.
#26
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Thread Starter
ezucker,
I like the way the bed liner looks. I didn't do it, though. The previous owner either did it himself or got someone to do it. I like how tough it makes the body's finish. I have no clue how much it cost to do.
m1ke777,
I got the corner lights off of Amazon. They are not Toyota. The lenses are a slightly different hue of orange, they have more red in them, but I'm happy with them.
I like the way the bed liner looks. I didn't do it, though. The previous owner either did it himself or got someone to do it. I like how tough it makes the body's finish. I have no clue how much it cost to do.
m1ke777,
I got the corner lights off of Amazon. They are not Toyota. The lenses are a slightly different hue of orange, they have more red in them, but I'm happy with them.
Last edited by Ocell; 11-02-2012 at 05:13 PM.
#28
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#29
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I took the Runner in for an emissions inspection so I can get the title transferred to me. I'm about 4 months away from not needing an inspection due to vehicle age, immensely annoying.
The tech said he couldn't run the emissions test because he can't hold the engine at the RPM the equipment requires. If you hold the gas at a touch past throttle, the engine surges up and down. I did some quick searching and messed with mixture and timing, but I can't get it to stop. I just ordered a vacuum hose kit from LCE Performance. I'm hoping the problem is a vacuum issue. I can't get it inspected until it will hold a low RPM. I can't get a title until I get it inspected. Ugh.
Here's the kit I ordered: http://www.lceperformance.com/Silico...-p/1072442.htm
The tech said he couldn't run the emissions test because he can't hold the engine at the RPM the equipment requires. If you hold the gas at a touch past throttle, the engine surges up and down. I did some quick searching and messed with mixture and timing, but I can't get it to stop. I just ordered a vacuum hose kit from LCE Performance. I'm hoping the problem is a vacuum issue. I can't get it inspected until it will hold a low RPM. I can't get a title until I get it inspected. Ugh.
Here's the kit I ordered: http://www.lceperformance.com/Silico...-p/1072442.htm
#30
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I got the Spidertrax 1.5" spacers and got them installed a couple days ago.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ocell/7634713750/http://www.flickr.com/photos/ocell/7634713750/ by http://www.flickr.com/people/ocell/, on Flickr
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ocell/7634713096/http://www.flickr.com/photos/ocell/7634713096/ by http://www.flickr.com/people/ocell/, on Flickr
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ocell/7634712396/http://www.flickr.com/photos/ocell/7634712396/ by http://www.flickr.com/people/ocell/, on Flickr
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ocell/7634713750/http://www.flickr.com/photos/ocell/7634713750/ by http://www.flickr.com/people/ocell/, on Flickr
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ocell/7634713096/http://www.flickr.com/photos/ocell/7634713096/ by http://www.flickr.com/people/ocell/, on Flickr
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ocell/7634712396/http://www.flickr.com/photos/ocell/7634712396/ by http://www.flickr.com/people/ocell/, on Flickr
#31
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Thread Starter
I noticed a loud mechanical rattle in the back of the truck while driving around and decided to run it down. I figured out that it was the black linkages that hold the tailgate up when open... when the tailgate is closed they go lose and bounce around between the tailgate and body. I don't know if I'm missing rubber bumpers or if it's always this loud.
I used some felt furniture feet pads to cushion the linkages and everything is MUCH quieter now.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ocell/7634716914/http://www.flickr.com/photos/ocell/7634716914/ by http://www.flickr.com/people/ocell/, on Flickr
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ocell/7634716052/http://www.flickr.com/photos/ocell/7634716052/ by http://www.flickr.com/people/ocell/, on Flickr
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ocell/7634714342/http://www.flickr.com/photos/ocell/7634714342/ by http://www.flickr.com/people/ocell/, on Flickr
I used some felt furniture feet pads to cushion the linkages and everything is MUCH quieter now.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ocell/7634716914/http://www.flickr.com/photos/ocell/7634716914/ by http://www.flickr.com/people/ocell/, on Flickr
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ocell/7634716052/http://www.flickr.com/photos/ocell/7634716052/ by http://www.flickr.com/people/ocell/, on Flickr
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ocell/7634714342/http://www.flickr.com/photos/ocell/7634714342/ by http://www.flickr.com/people/ocell/, on Flickr
#32
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Last update tonight...
I finally got the top off of this thing. This is why I hunted down a 4Runner! I figured out a decent tarp solution for overnight to keep tree sap (big problem in my yard right now), rain, and animals out of the carpet and rear seats.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ocell/7634715228/http://www.flickr.com/photos/ocell/7634715228/ by http://www.flickr.com/people/ocell/, on Flickr
I finally got the top off of this thing. This is why I hunted down a 4Runner! I figured out a decent tarp solution for overnight to keep tree sap (big problem in my yard right now), rain, and animals out of the carpet and rear seats.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ocell/7634715228/http://www.flickr.com/photos/ocell/7634715228/ by http://www.flickr.com/people/ocell/, on Flickr
#33
Last update tonight...
I finally got the top off of this thing. This is why I hunted down a 4Runner! I figured out a decent tarp solution for overnight to keep tree sap (big problem in my yard right now), rain, and animals out of the carpet and rear seats.
This Finally Happened by Ocell, on Flickr
I finally got the top off of this thing. This is why I hunted down a 4Runner! I figured out a decent tarp solution for overnight to keep tree sap (big problem in my yard right now), rain, and animals out of the carpet and rear seats.
This Finally Happened by Ocell, on Flickr
It looks great.
#34
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Thread Starter
Vacuum lines didn't fix my erratic RPM issues, but they did make the engine feel a bit more responsive.
Working with my mechanic this morning we realized that unplugging the TPS solved the revving issue. So, today I read up on adjusting the TPS. Tonight I learned a lot about the throttle body as I took enough of it and surrounding components loose to be able to get to both screws for the TPS. I went through the procedure and now it looks like the engine can hold any RPM without issue.
I'm going to take it back to the emissions guy in the morning and see if he can run the tests. Fingers crossed.
Working with my mechanic this morning we realized that unplugging the TPS solved the revving issue. So, today I read up on adjusting the TPS. Tonight I learned a lot about the throttle body as I took enough of it and surrounding components loose to be able to get to both screws for the TPS. I went through the procedure and now it looks like the engine can hold any RPM without issue.
I'm going to take it back to the emissions guy in the morning and see if he can run the tests. Fingers crossed.
#35
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Passed emissions and got the truck titled in my name! Now I'm a bit at a loss on what goal to work toward next. I guess I'll just drive it and enjoy it!
Oh, after I patch up the exhaust... pipe broke loose from the front of the muffler last night.
I also just ordered a new distributor cap/rotor, spark plug wires, and spark plugs. Idle is a little rough so I figure it won't hurt to swap out the obvious components.
Oh, after I patch up the exhaust... pipe broke loose from the front of the muffler last night.
I also just ordered a new distributor cap/rotor, spark plug wires, and spark plugs. Idle is a little rough so I figure it won't hurt to swap out the obvious components.
#36
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Dude that thing looks great! Sounds like you are doing the basic essentials first. Good stuff. Good idea on the tailgate rattle too. Mine is pretty clanky as well and I will try the soft side of Velcro in there since I have a huge supply of the stuff.
#38
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Thread Starter
Since I'm new to all of this, I'm still trying to figure out the simple things, like what the correct u-bolt for my rear leaf spring setup is. These round u-bolts are too narrow for the bracket they're going in to (is there a name for that bracket?) and the bracket is cutting in to the threaded section of the bolt. (See the red box)
I'm assuming I measure the distance between the holes in the bracket and buy a square u-bolt that's the right width and long enough. Am I missing anything?
I'm assuming I measure the distance between the holes in the bracket and buy a square u-bolt that's the right width and long enough. Am I missing anything?
#39
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Irab88 posted these a long time ago. I looked high and low (online) and couldn't find a better price. Nothing locally here, either.
http://www.stengelbros.com/catalog/361-368_2978666.htm
http://www.stengelbros.com/catalog/361-368_2978666.htm
#40
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Thread Starter
Thanks Resto-noob.
One of the plastic caps for my front bumper is busted, so I ordered new ones (so cheap from RockAuto!).
The bolts are trapped on the plastic end cap with a metal plate that's fused in the plastic. Because of the rust, the bolts just spin when I try to break the nut
loose. So to get to the bolt heads I ripped the plastic from the metal plate. In this pic you can see the old part on top of the new part, now missing the plate and bolts.
I was hoping the bolt heads would receive a screwdriver or have a nut, but they are flat blanks.
I did some searching and I couldn't find any posts that deal with this issue, I don't know if there's a common trick. My plan right now is to hold the nut with a wrench while I drill the bolt out from the head side.
One of the plastic caps for my front bumper is busted, so I ordered new ones (so cheap from RockAuto!).
The bolts are trapped on the plastic end cap with a metal plate that's fused in the plastic. Because of the rust, the bolts just spin when I try to break the nut
loose. So to get to the bolt heads I ripped the plastic from the metal plate. In this pic you can see the old part on top of the new part, now missing the plate and bolts.
I was hoping the bolt heads would receive a screwdriver or have a nut, but they are flat blanks.
I did some searching and I couldn't find any posts that deal with this issue, I don't know if there's a common trick. My plan right now is to hold the nut with a wrench while I drill the bolt out from the head side.