stanz

iTrader: (1)

I bought my 86 4runner a month ago from LA. I shouldn't have been surprised to find the majority of the rubber on the vehicle dry and brittle.

I've had a coolant hose burst last week, the vacuum lines were all dry rotted and the windshield and top seals leak (it's rained 8 of the past 10 days).

So... I'm on a mission - to replace all of the rubber, before it gets me...

I replaced every single vacuum line over the weekend, the windshield got replaced today, and I have a hot rod shop fabbing new top seals as we speak to replace the obsolete top seals. Next weekend is all of the coolant hoses.

So that leaves fuel lines to be tackled. The major obstacle here is price. The dealer wants about $260 each for the two rubber high pressure lines that run from to/from the filter and injector rails. Napa, Autozone and the other locals parts stores say they can't get these.

My friendly parts guy at the dealer said he's never seen one fail and he's been there since these trucks were new.

So... has anyone found more affordable replacements for these? Would I need to go to an industrial hose shop and have new rubber remounted to the existing terminal ends? Any other thoughts.

My goal is to make this rig uber reliable as a daily driver.

92dlxman

if a dealer parts guy wont sell you something, trust him lol

if by LA you mean Los Angeles, i live in a similar if not hotter/drier climate and my fuel lines are fine. the rubber seals on the injectors however, are about like glass on your rig by now. i dont think they would leak though unless disturbed

stanz

iTrader: (1)

Thanks for the advice. Yes. Los Angeles. My parts guy rocks. He's been a huge help with this project. I'll keep an eye on these hoses. I prefer to catch these things before they fail. Especially if leaky fuel can lead to fire.

92dlxman

a simple test is to let your truck sit a while and crack the cold start injector banjo bolt loose. if it makes a mess your good to go.

im not saying its a good test, nor good for the bolts sealing washers, but a simple test lol

abecedarian

There's 38-45 psi of pretty thin viscosity gasoline inside the fuel lines from the tank/pump to the filter and filter to injector rail, and there should be around 0 psi on the return to the tank if the tank's good and lines not restricted. If they're not leaking, they're okay.

But something you may consider are the injector o-rings and gaskets. I think they're around $15 for the full set from Napa.

And... "top seals"? Top of the windshield? I'm lost. I had a new windshield put in my '88 and there weren't any seals: window shop urethane adhesived it into place.

stanz

iTrader: (1)

Thanks for the advice! I may opt to just keep an eye on the fuel components for now then.

The top I was referring to is the fiberglass roof. Turns out those seals are okay for now
Its both the fixed and slider windows that are leaking major. Just located new seals yesterday. Should have them in a week

abecedarian

Okay, the removable part over the back. Gotcha!
Fixed and sliders? So, ALL the windows in the cap leak? I'm surprised by that but you've got the seals ordered so you'll be okay. Watch out for rust on trim at the bottom of the sliders too. It's a 'glass top so it's mostly cosmetic but I think the channels the windows slide in are also metal so keep an eye on it.

stanz

iTrader: (1)

Yes. Every piece of glass leaked. This is going to be the tightest 4runner ever when I'm done. The wife doesn't understand and is already pushing me to cut my losses and sell it. I sure hope the bleeding stops soon

This is the third old vehicle I've owned and I've never had it this bad. I overlooked the black cloud this came with.

abecedarian

Alternately, you could find a used top on craigslist, but not sure that'd save you any money

Oh, and as for the wife- next time her shoes don't match the outfit she's wearing and needs new ones, tell her to cut her losses and sell.

stanz

iTrader: (1)

Well I got an email from ToyotaPartsOverstock today that they canceled my order - the rear window seals for the sliders are obsolete afterall. Back to the drawing board.

And unfortunately, it looks like I may be selling it once I get the windows fixed. Sad, I've only owned it 4 weeks so far.

abecedarian

Like I mentioned already, you probably could find a top on craigslist. Alternately, there are soft tops available too.

Sad you have to sell. Why so, may I ask?

stanz

iTrader: (1)

I have to sell b/c the wife freaked that I dumped 4k into the rig. Once I fix these leaks I'm cut off in putting another $ in it.

abecedarian

After 4K into it, you can't sell it. You'll have to drive it at least 30K miles to justify your investment.

stanz

iTrader: (1)

That's a Guy's perspective. I'm already $600 into new glass (windshield, moonroof) and weatherstripping before this, plus the rest for the comb through for daily driver reliability.

I was ok until every piece of glass started leaking. That's what killed me.

abecedarian

The glass didn't leak: we call it "atmospheric enhancement".
Experience the ambience without being outside.

That didn't help, did it?

stanz

iTrader: (1)

Looks like I may get to keep it if I can get the bleeding to stop this weekend.

abecedarian

Maybe check this out:
http://portland.craigslist.org/clc/pts/2793988862.html
He says "top one black one blue 50 each"

stanz

iTrader: (1)

Thanks a bunch!