RBX

RBX 88 4Runner Build Up Thread
In April of 2010 I found a college student willing to trade his 87 4Runner DLX with 110k on the clock for my 90 Acura Integra with 256k. No matter the condition, I wanted a 1stGen 4Runner, and with 110k on the 22re how bad could it be. This truck was aptly titled 4Ruster, I think it was parked in the Atlantic Ocean for a few years, the rust is impressive, but the interior is in great shape. This pic makes the truck look so wimpy...
RBx-1st-4Ruster by unholyburns, on Flickr

In August 2010 I picked up this glorious SR5 3.slo for $800 with 224k on the clock. Truck runs but needs a tune up (+ O2, Temp & Knock Sensor codes thrown) and TPS adjusted. Interior is pretty trashed, broken panels, missing tailgate trim. Body is in amazing shape, car history says it came from Florida. Now the addiction begins.
RBx-4Runner-DC-stockish by unholyburns, on Flickr

Some serious ghetto *stuff* going on under the hood....this simply will not do!
RBx-4Runner-ghetto-1 by unholyburns, on Flickr
Wrong battery size, no washer bottle, battery tray rotted from leaking battery(can't see it but there are two paper magazines under the battery to keep it from falling thru. This is the worst of the metal rot
RBx-4Runner-ghetto-2 by unholyburns, on Flickr
RBx-4Runner-ghetto-5 by unholyburns, on Flickr
Some interior Shots....ARGH!! Red...yick, who the hell thought this looked good?
RBx-4Runner-int-2 by unholyburns, on FlickrRBx-4Runner-int-1 by unholyburns, on Flickr
Second 4Runner I have bought with no rear head rests???...What the *hell*??!! Did people just throw them away? And, NO, the 2ndGens don't fit...I've tried
RBx-4Runner-int-5 by unholyburns, on Flickr
Since the Interior is pretty ratty i am going to switch out as much of the interior with the '87 4Ruster's interior.
Broken List:

• Dash Coolant Temp Gauge (half-way when engine is cold)
• Oil Pressure Gauge (half-way when engine is off)
• Engine grounds missing, not hooked up or corroded
• Grill
• Horn
• Washer Bottle Missing
• Windshield Cracked and missing trim
• Battery Tray eroded
• Intake Hose Cracked(blue tape)
• TPS needs adjustment , plus codes 21, 22, 52, 41
• Tired/Flat Rear Springs
• Passenger Window will not respond to switch movement and is off track
• Fuses in fuse block wrong size…mostly 20A
• Odometer
• Tailgate missing gasket, wiring torn up will not work
• Front Bumper Bent
• Transmission shifter sloppy, missing grommets and spacers (more ghetto mechanics)
• Heater A/C face plate destroyed
• L-trim Driver side rusted, shotty repair
• Alarm system rats nest under dash non-functioning
• Missing Brake pedal cover

That is the short list, and I overlooked a few things
The truck does run, I drove it up from DC(45miles) to her new home in Baltimore. Even though there seems to be a few issues, electrically (ill get into this later) it seems to be a very solid 4Runner to base my build on. Plus, having two almost identical vehicles is proving to be very handy, misc clips, fabrication, broken pieces.

Then Phase 2, new shoes, interior complete, engine issues resolved OBA, OBHS and Trunk:
RBx-4Runner-phase 2 by unholyburns, on Flickr

Current State SAS, 4Wheel underground 3-Link, bumper, sliders and Full Float rear axle:
RedCloud-10-2014 (51) by unholyburns, on Flickr

prerunning4x4

You my friend have a few rough weekends ahead of you! And a thinning pocket book. Good luck though! I can't wait to see progress, especially on the red engine bay.

RBX

a few...haha...i wish. I have been steady at this thing since i bought it, i am just a little behind on the build thread update.
Currently the entire interior(only the headliner was left in) has been pulled out to sound deaden the entire truck(took quite a while),rework some wiring, add some wiring, and fix some boogered wiring. Adding a sound system in a way that wondering eyes won't 'see' it. Changing ALL dash and accesory lights to red. lights Adding 2nd courtesy(all LEDs of course).
Moved Window swithes to the center console(like Land Rovers), and tied all windows into one 'lock' switch.
The wiring and such has become a larger project then i anticipated because i keep finding great mods, or tweaks i want to do, as well as thinking about future upgrades. And the phrase i keep falling back on time and time again is....
...Well its already torn apart, i might as well do 'this' also....and that keeps setting me back. But the wire job will be done right(nice and neat...factory like).

More soon

RBX

vInterior Removed
RBx-4Runner-insul-int-1 by unholyburns, on Flickr
RBx-4Runner-insul-door-1 by unholyburns, on Flickr
RBx-4Runner-gut-int-3 by unholyburns, on Flickr
RBx-4Runner-gut-int-2 by unholyburns, on Flickr
RBx-4Runner-insul-int-3 by unholyburns, on Flickr
RBx-4Runner-insul-int-2 by unholyburns, on Flickr

Dash out also to make way for more wiring
RBx-4Runner-insul-int-4 by unholyburns, on Flickr
RBx-4Runner-gut-int-1 by unholyburns, on Flickr
RBx-4Runner-gut-int-4 by unholyburns, on Flickr

time to run wires for the Inverter, Audio Amp, and Sound deaden everything. As i mentioned before the interior was ratty, and the awful mono-red, so most of it was going to be removed anyhow. Removing everything makes wiring easier, and cleaning each part makes her smell nice again.
I am also moving the window switches to the three spots in the center console....more soon.

thanks for watching

RBX

And painted the grill
Old and Busted:
RBx-4Runner-grill-4 by unholyburns, on Flickr

Kept the Chrome Lids
RBx-4Runner-grill-3 by unholyburns, on Flickr
RBx-4Runner-grill-2 by unholyburns, on Flickr

RBX

updateing links to some of the mods
Window Lock 'All windows" Mod
Tailgate Courtesy Light trigger

RBX

Interior sound deadening
INTERIOR INSUL 4RUNNER by unholyburns, on Flickr
INTERIOR INSUL 4RUNNER by unholyburns, on Flickr
INTERIOR INSUL 4RUNNER by unholyburns, on Flickr


Inverter Installed(solenoid for switch is the two ten mm bolts next to the speaker)
INTERIOR INSUL 4RUNNER by unholyburns, on Flickr

Either i am launching a satellite or this will keep the Beer cold!code name: 4Cooler
INTERIOR INSUL 4RUNNER by unholyburns, on Flickr
INTERIOR INSUL 4RUNNER by unholyburns, on Flickr
INTERIOR INSUL 4RUNNER by unholyburns, on Flickr
INTERIOR INSUL 4RUNNER by unholyburns, on Flickr

Redoing the shifter trim cover...first try at upholstery using Sunbrella
INTERIOR INSUL 4RUNNER by unholyburns, on Flickr


yes that is adhesive seeping thru the fabric, acetone should clean it up
INTERIOR INSUL 4RUNNER by unholyburns, on Flickr
INTERIOR INSUL 4RUNNER by unholyburns, on Flickr


this stuff will highlight some interior pieces...Perforated Aluminium
INTERIOR INSUL 4RUNNER by unholyburns, on Flickr

More soon

yotarob2005

Subscribed! Looking forward to watch & stealing ideas for when I get around to my interior.

RBX

thats fine, i am already going to steal the the blacked hood bump you have. (i actually really like how the Disco G4s look, now i know what a Yota looks like with it...thx)

Swimmerboy2112

iTrader: (2)

I'm doing the exact same thing.

RBX

i think this thread will be re-named to 'watch and learn from RB's mistakes',

Swimmerboy2112

iTrader: (2)

Who better to learn from? lol

RBX

Glad i can help...ha!

Swimmerboy2112

iTrader: (2)

If you need any help from me feel free to shoot me a PM! I'm here to help.

yotarob2005

My build so far is over 700 post of mechanical & suspension work, but my interior needs some attention pretty bad. I'm not an expert but I am here to help

RBX

Thanks guys.
Mechanical is next on the bill, interior is usually last on most builds. As in most of my life I'll continue to do things backwards.

RBX

shifter console cover done:
INTERIOR INSUL 4RUNNER by unholyburns, on Flickr
INTERIOR INSUL 4RUNNER by unholyburns, on Flickr

yotarob2005

^nice!

Are you planning on reusing your red carpet & interior? I was looking at replacement carpet online yesterday & wondering what your plan was.

RBX

I have 2 Runners, this red one had a ratty interior and the other 87 runner was in great shape, so she will be getting a grey carpet, black panels, and perferated aluminum accents and stuff


Thanks

JBurt

Great work. That red interior is horrible. Good choice removing it.