hey guys i'm the new guy, I was recently passed down a 1990 4runner from my uncle and my dad said it would be a great project for me to work on while driving. I HAVE NO IDEA(I'm 16). I'm completely new to cars but only know the basics like jump starts and oil changes. I came to this forum to look for tips and help for making this stock suv better. I've always wanted to go muddin with my friends in my own car but i don't feel i have the knowledge for lifts and tire size and framework and stuff. What should i do? I can weld myself and replace parts but i don't know what. My dad is assisting but he's into high-speed racing cars more. Any help i'd be great-full. Recently got a job so money isn't to much of an issue as well. Live in Bellingham

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Welcome! First thing is to get together with a local group and go wheel.. Learn what the truck is capable of as is.. Then start lookin at mods. I'd start with a rear locker and some sliders (search those key words) but make sure your with a group of people or at least one other rig for when you get stuck

Okay cool, now is the rear lock the thing that makes sure all power is distributed equally to all wheels or the thing that prohibits the 4runner from the saggin motion in the back?

its the power to the wheels but ya go out and get used to the rig get confidense and dont hit a mud hole fast and splash water over the hood lol

okay thanks guys, I probably will do exactly what you just said not to do. maybe worse?

You may be surprised at what that thing can do stock
Just try not to break anything until you have the knowledge and/or money to fix it
Then find your 4runners shortcomings and go from there

Alright guys I'm back and have finally taken the 4runner for a couple mud runs. Its been two days since and haven't washed a bit off (except the mud cake underneath with a pressure washer). Its practically stock still and I'm still looking for more to add-on which is what I'm counting on you guys for because I have no idea. I'm in Bellingham WA and its very wet here so mud is always around . Also are there any tips I should know about rooting in mud and water because I sort of just jumped in 4 wheel drive and plowed through. Hit a jump going 45 and got a few feet of air haha. Kinda hurt the people sitting in the rear haha. Otherwise I was just fishtailing and speeding through the trail avoiding logs. Please and thank-you.

.kjl..

Way to beat the piss outta that thing like a boss better start saving some money now... sounds like you're gonna need it. LMAO

I had a VW when I was 16... that thing caught major
air at least once a day.

Yeah, I think I bent a bar or something cause turning at low speeds is making the steering wheel shake very much. Back to the shop! should put a vid up soon of it getting some air.

Yep, you probably bent something. Take it easy on the Toyota... kid, unless you wanna blow $$$ and always have to fix it. Who knows you may have bent something beyond repair. Worst case scenario... you'll have a great platform for a crawler/wheeler.

Yeah I recently had an issue but I don't think I bent anything. I looked under and I'm waiting for my dad to get home and it looks like a couple things are disconnected that shouldn't be. Does anyone have a clear diagram of what it should look like underneath?

That thing will roll easier than you think too... you get crossed up jumping it and your going over along w/your friends in the back too, wear your seat belts and keep your hands inside the ride at all times!

Oh yeah seat belts are always on and I take it slow with passengers inside. I don't really plan on getting a lift anyway because of how easy it is to roll at high speeds.

Here's the right side:
[IMG][/IMG]

Then here's the left.


What are these? (caution, this person is mechanic savy, I will most likely google any non-known word in your answer.) And what should I do?

Nevermind I figured out it is a busted shock...great

looks like one of you cv boots are torn as well

It's called "Crawling" for a reason... if you want to jump it and do 50mph through the woods you should probably buy a quad.

At least it wasn't something worse...

Jumping is for dirtbikes!

haha this is awesome. where did you go wheeling, walker? 50 through those trails is lethal for sure hahaha cant wait to see whats next

Hey guys, so now my exhaust is making a weird sound when accelerating. Its hard to describe but it just sounds like a wet rattling or hum. It was leaking at one pipe clamp so I tightened it and put on some Quoco repair and seal. Now the sound seems like its coming from within the exhaust itself but I'm still not sure. I'll post a recording soon.

OK here we go...

you have a torn inner CV boot on the right side... you should look at this sooner rather than later if you are doing a lot of mudding/offroading... the boots keep the CVs clean and free of debris... junk in the CVs can seize them up causing driveability issues/failure...

I assume your "what is this"? is referring to the black tube with the two clamps in the center of the pic... these are the "Crush Sleeves" they connect the inner and outer tie rods together and allow for the steering to be aligned... it may be a trick of the pic but the left inner tie rod looks like it is loose this would cause the shaking... you want to check this right away and tighten that clamp immediately! if it is loose... if it comes loose going down the road the wheel will turn on it's own and could cause you to loose control or even flip over [if it happens on the highway]... you can knock them loose if you hit a curb or pot hole at speed so a jump on the trail could do it too...
I hit a nasty pot hole a few mos ago and knocked mine loose... It came apart and I was lucky I was only going 20MPH I was able to control it and pull over... putting it back together was a major PITA...
if it is loose you'll need to tighten it up and then drive carefully to an alignment shop... you'll need a new sleeve for sure and probably an inner tie rod end at least...
while we're on the topic there is a recall from toyota for the steering center link {the part the inner tie rods attach to} check with toyota to see if it was done yet...

When trail running never go through a body of water you have'nt checked first by walking through or seeing another similar size/height vehicle go through you don't want to be the guy who finds out the water is "deep enough" lol... also this time of year you want to watch for flash floods from spring run off/storms...
never trail run alone always have at least one or two more vehicles in case you get stuck break down...

welcome to the family

okay great thanks. Forgot to mention I replaced the whole joint/shaft myself and I just now encountered a new problem probably with the tranny. After I start it I can shift into 1st gear and start moving but when I need to upshift it just simply dosn't let me shift up. i can't even go back to 1st gear and have to kill the truck and restart it just to get back into 1st. got it home and will probably get inside to check tomorrow but I'm looking for quick insight.

Ill be the first to say it!! Was ur truck as regular maintance after mudding!!! U dont have to get the soap and bucket out but u need to be sure to rinse all suspension motor and steering components well to insure u prevent premature failer!! Also becarefull and dont use a pressure washer on the radiator or distributer parts..... or intake box for that matter

yes it was under regular maintenance after everytime i've gone mudding. much soap was used and the pressure washer wasn't used on anything near the or on the engine.