FUNrunner87

I bought this 1987 4Runner on Feb 2, 2009. I found it behind a man house beaten and left for dead. For a few years it was a"play toy" for some 16yr olds. They had stripped the inside and hacked up the wiring pretty good. The fuel pump going out is what kept it from being torn up farther. I bought it for $600. It was BONE stock then w/ worn out 31s

Specs
Drive train.
1989 V6 Radiator w/ E-Fan from AutoZone
Rebuilt 22RE (nothing special)
Pacesetter Header from flee bay
Stock W56
Dual Stock cases (marlin adapter.)
Rear: 4.10 welded V6 diff
Front: 4.10 spartan locker
gussed and trussed front 84 axle (TG) w/ marlin Bearings and seals

Suspension
5" TG SAS kit. (slimmed down leafs)
5" TG rear kit (slimmed down leafs)
IFS hubs w/ V6 calipers
35x14.50R15 Boggers on 15x7.5 rims

Protection
TG sliders
Bud Built X-member (1" Drive train lift)

I drive it to the trail, wheel, then back home. It makes 19mpg (GPS keeps track of miles)




I replaced the fuel pump, Alternator, and battery. Once finshed it ran pretty good for not running in 2yrs. I then replaced the plugs and air filter and swapped on a good set of 31s.



I bought the truck to replace my 1st gen truck. I wanted room for more people to come wheeling with me. My 1st gen was also falling apart at the seams



About 2 months after I got it running I started my SAS.







After the SAS I noticed the Axle shafts where hard to get in and out. The welder has warped my housing.. I found this 84 housing and bult it.

Before:

After:

FUNrunner87

Before my 4runner made it's 1st run, I was able to tag along with the crowd from NCTTORA. We went to Harlan KY. It was the most fun I have ever had. I was hooked, No more mud sligging for this country boy. I wanted play on the rocks. So who better to call than Marlin Crawler?





I was able to pick these up from Marlin also for $5 each!!


Since I am a NC native I called up Bud from Bud Built and had him build me a x-member with a 1" drive train lift.



About the same time I was able to get rid of the Lift I used to try and match the front



TG 5" rear kit






Testing the new stuff


On the 1st time out I found that the Lockright had failed along with the hard line going to the slave cyl. This was more of a shake down test session.








To keep from having berf issues I went back to an Open front till I could afford Longfields.



My 1st trip out I broke the front Spring hanger off the frame. The guy who welded it didnt get enough penitration.


Welding it back on FOREVER




I made my 1st trip Not long after I installed the Duals. I quickly found that my 4runner was a little top heavy. I slimmed down the 5" TG pack to lower and let it flex more.





Left overs

FUNrunner87

I then started to notice a that my little 22re sounded like it had some timing chain slap problems. I tore into it and sure enough...



This is where I mad a HUGE mistake. I got rushed and wanted to finish. I forgot to put cooolant back in the Radiator. I drove it about 5miles before it let me know it was not happy. I was able to get it home. I used radiator stop leak on it and it helped for a wile, but In harlan april of 2010 my little motor finally said ENOUGH!



The water temp was pegged (about 290*)




I ended up with 2 spun bearing, A wipped out cam, 2 leaks in the HG, alsong with heat spots in every cyl.

I had Robert aka "Dawgtoy" Build the engine for me. It is a stock build.









All in all I have about 2K in this motor. (parts only) I should have went ahead and swapped in a 3rz. Now I have a VERY health 22re that will be good to go for more than 300k.

I then swapped out the Old SA hubs for IFS.







I am also running a V6 88 Radiator w/ E-fan




I wrapped the header.

FUNrunner87

Random wheeling pics.





I hate mud

alex_mcnair

thats a great lookin truck. and a great deal you got it for

FUNrunner87

Thanks man! I lookedlong and hard for a good deal like that. He even brought it to my house

FUNrunner87

Ill never claim to be the best welder, or body man, but the right front tire has more room to move now.

Before:


After:


The corner of the body kicked my but. Its not purdy but it works





FINALLY the POS chevy came in good use. It was raining on and off. (Yes, I know the cinder block jack stand is a bad idea.)



Hmmmm Rear disk anyone?


This is SPARTA!!!!!!!! locker... (I dont know when I will put this in, but I dont want to start breaking Birfields. I cant afford Longs yet.)

FUNrunner87

I have been working on pushing the the wheel base out some. I drilled new holes in the spring perches. The drivers side spring perch already had this hole. I drilled out so the center pin would slide in. The hole is about 1 3/8"s back from the factory hole. The wheel base was about 105.5"s, Now its out to about 107"s. Steering is still in the clear and now I have a little extra room to clear my tires.

Pics coming soon.

One of the guys I wheel with bought me this.

Yes thats Easy-E.

FUNrunner87

Finally took the Runner back out to Harlan Ky. They are a little out of order... Enjoy

FUNrunner87

waynesworld

nice , like all the upgrades you've done 2 it ! looks kool ! always liked those body styles . i might have 2 buy me 1 so i can b like chef!

FUNrunner87

Thanks. It has come along way since I found it in the woods. It has along way to go before it will be the way I want it though.

jason in tn

good lookin rig, like all the wheelin pics.t

FUNrunner87

Thanks man!

ehw23

what a beauty...that is probably one of the nicest/cleanest builds i have seen. not to mention the motor will be with you until you kick the bucket.

FUNrunner87

Thanks man, Not really sure about one of the nicest and cleanest builds. There is PLENTY of room for improvement, but it does work really well for an open front crawler. I have Trail-Gears 5" springs front and back, I have removed a few leafs from them all and they flex AWSOME now.

Currently the 4runner is sitting on stands with an ultra leaky steering box, master cyl, rear diff, and no cases. I am working on having a new horse collar x-member made, and Im planning to dove, and bob it soon. More pics as progress happens.

FUNrunner87

Got some Bling Bling in the works

FUNrunner87

I found this 89 Quick turn box (hopefully) for $20. I dont know if it leaks or not, but hell it cant be any worse than the sieve I'm using now...



AND...... I got a WILD hair on the way home and it lead to this....



Thats 12 3/4"s shorter....

jason in tn

this thing is gonna be hard core when its done. I really want to go wheeling in Harlan some time I've heard a lot about it sounds like a great place, heck at this point I'd be happy just to wheel mine, anyway great build looking forward to seeing it come together.

FUNrunner87

Thanks man, Harlan is a BLAST! there is plenty of stuff there for everyone! I would atleast have a locked rear though. Maybe Ill see you there some time!