When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Hello all, I'm sitting at a desk on a 24 hour shift so I thought this might be a good time to start a build thread. My 4runner that this thread is going to be about is a 1987 SR5. I am the 3rd owner. Here's a picture of the first couple weeks after I brought it home.
At this point the only things I had done to it was give it a really good cleaning and repaint the TOYOTA on the tailgate, and 4WD on the mud flaps
i got extremely lucky finding a rust free running 1st gen! And here's the kicker, I paid $1300! 🤘
It did have it's downsides at the time. It wouldn't rev above 3k Rpm, had vacuum leaks everywhere, and it was an automatic. Yea disgusting I know. I loved the way it looked stock, but stock isn't my style. Here's the truck it replaced, only reason was I needed space for my family!
1984 Toyota Xtracab.
the following several posts I will try to put in order as best I can. I'm sure I'll leave some details out because I'm starting this thread so far into it, but I will try to include as much as I can
Last edited by jaysson_2012; 03-12-2017 at 12:59 PM.
Reason: Update
After figuring out why it wouldn't rev above 3k (kinked fuel line) i got a good deal ($300) for everything needed to swap my transmission. I know it's kind of a big first mod, but I'm definitely glad I did it. The swap went easy and only took a few days of working on it after work. I used a turbo clutch and flywheel as well for the extra strength. I don't have any pictures to share for this part, sorry!
I still have the auto sr5 gauge cluster, and my center console no longer fits.
The next big purchase was trail-gear front and rear bumpers, rock sliders. and at the same time a Harbor freight winch. I was actually very Happywith my last harbor freight winch. Take care of them and they are good machines!
Once I got the front bumper off, the new one bolted up with no problems. I hated seeing this go, but I loved my new one too! Painted the bumper satin black. I actually contemplated matching the paint to the 4runner. But I like to be able to keep a rattle can in the truck to touch up paint at anytime. The hardest part about the rear bumper was cutting off the old hitch that was welded to the frame. After that it bolted right up! However I have recently noticed the bolts may have loosened up a bit as I can move in about a half inch up and down now. Anyone have a solution for that? Other than welding? Here's a shot with the front and sliders, sorry I don't have any of the rear yet. I also had a couple Hella lights mounted on it. Those are gone now though
After getting the new bumpers and sliders on, I borrowed a set of 33s from a gracious friend and we went to Uwharrie for a weekend.
Before the trip I also mounted a Reese farm jack from Tractor supply, it's a very good alternative to the more expensive HiLift, and much higher quality than the harbor freight one. Here's another shot you can see where its mounted, I didn't want to mount outside the vehicle to avoid rusting it like my last one on my 84 pickup The 33s looked great! I wanted a set for myself, but at stock height they did their share of rubbing. Another shot from the rear, again I love the 33s You can see my buddy's xj before he rolled it hahahaha Another buddy's twisted front driveshaft out of his land Rover. Got to see this thing in action. Almost had it Maxed out!
After the Uwharrie trip it was clear I needed some lift. I went with OME rear springs and a Ball joint spacer for the front. Ended up with about 3" of lift. Even though they were advertised to be 2"
I kept the old ones with the plan to use them in the future for a solid axle swap. It's far away, but here's a shot with the lift I also forgot to mention I installed a cobra 148 GTL. You can see it mounted to the glove box. This was before the Uwharrie trip. I'm getting alot of engine noise in it though. Still trying to figure that out.
I keep buying and holding on to parts until I can use them I bought this axle from an 85, and everything in the following picture for $300. It won't be going on anytime soon. I'm not prepared for that job yet! Next was an 02 Tacoma E-Locker rear axle, I also purchased a second Elocker with plans of putting it in the front. Paid $500 for the axle, and $350 for the Elocker with 4.30 gears.
Not long after this I got a set of 35" KM2s for $400. I didn't have the rims I wanted yet, so all of this just sat for the next several months.
I picked up a set of 35s with wheels for $100. They had massive offset. And weren't really my taste. I sold them too a friend who had them for about a week before they fell apart because of dryrot.
Last edited by jaysson_2012; 03-12-2017 at 09:21 AM.
Definitely too wide. A few more updates with this picture, "RUT RUNNERS 4X4" club decal, Trail Hoon decal, Painted valve cover, Hawse type steel fairlead, receiver mounted clevis front and rear, and busted fuel door!
I love the white wheels. At this point they hit the fenders Betty bad. I didn't want to cut up my perfect metal so my plan was to buy a junk set and cut those, and keep my good fenders just in case.
Also in this picture the rear E-Locker axle is installed, but not wired yet. Also I picked up another fuel door.
I hammered pinch welds and gained plenty of clearance. My IFS doesn't flex so I don't have to worry about that hahahaha These are the new cut fenders, and flares. I will not be putting the rear flares on because I don't want to drill into the body. $60 for fenders and flares.
Picked up a full ARB setup for $300! That includes the locker with 5.29 gears, compressor, wiring harness, air lines, switches, air pressure gauge, and pillar gauge pod! I know. I basically stole it. I'll be saving it for when I do the front axle swap
I do find alot of great deals, but I also check Craigslist like 10 times a day, I'm kind of addicted haha. For the rear bumper I used the bolts and washers that came with the bumper, I do believe there was a locking washer. Maybe I just need to get them tighter, it was hard to get a backup wrench in the frame rail. I'm still running stock 4.30 gearing for now. Once I get the front axle in I'll match the rear with 5.29s like the ARB I have.
What brand roof rack is that? Did it come with the mounts or did you buy them separate? Love what you've done with it by the way.
the roof rack is made by bison, it's the 39x64 on eBay. It's not the quality of a Yakima but it works and is only $120. It doesn't come with the cross bars. They are made by proline, model GMR-165 and I think I paid about $70 for them. And thanks! I have alot more planned for it, I just don't know how I want to go about everything
03-12-2017, 07:29 AM
