I picked up an 84 2wd last night for a reasonable price. Straight body, x-cab, 5 speed. Not many frills. Has 162k on the speedo and I'm thinking a preventative measure of replacing the chain. I know under some circumstances they will rattle with this kind of mileage on the truck. So question is where to get a kit with the steel reinforced guides instead of ordering it from a 1000 miles away or more. Local parts stores just have the standard aisin kit with the plastics (if they have it at all). For a few bucks more I thought I would beef it up some or is that not necessary? Truck currently runs like a dream, but there was the usual front of the engine crud that normally collects after that kind of mileage.

 

The plastic guides are not that bad. The plastic guides can certainly break, but usually it is from either a worn out chain slapping against the plastic or just from age and thermal cycling.

Steel guides are more robust, but can do more damage if something fails (usually not an issue).

I would recommend an OSK timing chain kit.

If you don't mind the wait for shipping, 22RE Performance offers a great OSK kit with upgraded metal backed guides.

https://22reperformance.com/22re-eng...ming-chain-kit

 

I was going to call Jim today at 22RE until i realized it was Saturday and he doesn't answer the phone when he's trying to get caught up. My local Napa store has the OSK kit, but without the steel slide. I found that Yota.com has the slide separate, so I may go that route.

 

i'm not a fan of the steel backed guide. the original plastic guide in my first '87 lasted 30 years, and about 200k miles. that's pretty good service. i replaced the timing set in both of my '87 4runners with the OSK kit (which uses plastic guides).