Ahenry014

1989 4runner v6 5spd

Picked up my first real truck/wheeler. Story goes as such. I was looking around Craigslist for a first gen with the removable cap in mind. Found one in the auto parts section listed for 2k. Interesting. Listed stating that the guy was having trouble getting it plated in ct. Turns out, in CA, it was stolen, then recovered, and then got a branded title. Due to the word "salvage" being on the title, CT requires a salvage vehicle inspection. I'm looking into ways around this since this may be a pain to get done, but well see. The second point was that it didn't run. Stated that the longer he let it sit the harder it was to start, and after 6 months, he couldnt get it going. I figured it was worth the look. Im fairly mechanically inclined and could probably figure it out, if not with the help of some buddies. Oh and the bonus being that it was from Southern California and only been in the NE for 2years, and one spent sitting in his driveway unregistered.

Took one look at it and knew it was coming home with me. It's mostly rust free: frame is in amazing shape for being 24yrs old. The only scary rust is around the windshield, but that can be taken care of. It's got 274k on it but you wouldn't be able to tell (other than that the ignition is very worn and the key can be removed when started, lol). Been on its side so there are some dents in the drivers side.

Struck the deal for 1100, including the tow to my house, bonus!!

Mods:
2" body lift
33" mud terrains
4.56's
Rear Detroit locker
ARB front air locker and onboard air
8k lb mile marker winch, never been used, strapped to a smitty built bumper (dont like the bumper)
4x hella fog/driving lights
adjustable shackles

I've got almost $15,000 worth of work done to it in receipts in the last 70k miles or so, including all the modifications. Clutch done in the last 30k, new heads/gaskets/timing belt/water pump/etc done 2k ago, among other things.

SOOOO, onto tinkering with it to get it to run. Got myself a new battery and went to work. It would turn over great but wouldn't fire for me, maybe only a pop here and there. I spent a couple days researching and testing various sensors that would keep it from starting. AFM, dizzy, cold start system, etc. Tested spark and had it, but seemed weak, so i spent 27 dollars and picked up a new coil at Advance Auto. Everything i checked, well....checked out! I took off the intake tube to check the plugs, and fuel came drooling out of the intake. weird. Plugs were fouled with fuel. Well im getting fuel, and spark, and the afm checked out. what the eff man! I invited some friends over for beer and to have a look. They went over the same things as i did and decided it was time to check the quality of the recent head/timing belt job. Wellllllll wouldnt you know it, the timing was WAY off. The cams lined up, but the crank was off about 5-6 teeth CCW. I couldnt believe it. everything else looked good, and we had to loosen the tensioner to get the belt off, so we dont think it jumped time. Must have been installed like this, but how does it go 2000 miles like this???!! i have receipts to prove when the job was done! Its beyond me, i am still baffled by it. We retimed it CORRECTLY, and she fired right up. No funky noises, no missing, no studdering. Ran perfectly. Took her for a spin and other than the clutch needing to be bled, shes ready to go! Now its time to get it plated, but ive got some tricks up my sleeve there.

plans for now:
i want me a soft top baddddd.
Inclinometer is a must!
build some bumpers for it.
try to get rid of the some/most of the dents and get a solid color on there.

onto some pictures.