84-85 Trucks & 4Runners 2nd gen pickups and 1st gen 4Runners with solid front axles

Just bought a 1985 4Runner

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Old Jun 24, 2007 | 02:52 PM
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Vanc Island Yota's Avatar
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From: Vancouver Island
Just bought a 1985 4Runner

OK - I just bought this truck. It is my second SA yota (my first was a 1980 short box which was running 35s when I sold it). It has a 22re w/ 5 speed and SR5 interior, sunroof and rear window goes up and down (from inside switch only).

I haven't turned a wrench in a while but did alot of my own work when I was younger on the PU and enjoyed it.

This 4runner has 160 compression on all cylinders and runs really strong. I don't know if the gears are stock or changed.

The lift and shocks are only about a year old. It has a new master cylinder and S/S brake lines up front.

It came with lots of neat extras like the mechanical light bar, a soft top and some half doors.

It does need some work. I don't think the rear brakes are working and the passenger side drum seems to stick when I release the ebrake - It feels like the brakes are stuck on and then I get a little clunk when I start to reverse and they free up.

The steering knuckles are leaking and there is some play in the wheels when I reef on them.

I want to end up with a tight dependable trail worthy rig that is still streetable. I am open to suggestions and am sure will be asking questions.

I love these trucks and plan on keeping it for a while. The quarters and fenders are in typical Toyota shape but the frame is solid except for some surface rust.

I will get some more photos soon.

I just joined this forum and look forward to learning and sharing what I can.

Cheers.
Attached Thumbnails Just bought a 1985 4Runner-4runner1.jpg   Just bought a 1985 4Runner-4runner2.jpg   Just bought a 1985 4Runner-4runner4.jpg  
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Old Jun 24, 2007 | 03:02 PM
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excellent looking truck. I am jealous that someone else got a 1985 and I still can't find a decent one!
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Old Jun 24, 2007 | 03:56 PM
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That is a good looking 'runner. I like the paint, at first I thought it was the same color that I painted mine.. but I see mine is "brighter".
[IMG]file:///C:/Documents%20and%20Settings/Dingman/My%20Documents/My%20Web%20Sites/Greenthing/images/DSCF0328.jpg[/IMG]
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Old Jun 24, 2007 | 04:00 PM
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Looks great! At first glance, I thought the color was nearly the same I what I painted mine, I but I see it's a bit darker. (which I thought the paint I used would be darker but it's lighter than I wanted).
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Old Jun 24, 2007 | 04:06 PM
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nice lookin runner
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Old Jun 24, 2007 | 04:55 PM
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Sweet runner, doesnt look like you have to much, maybe 38's (make sure you have the right gears though). It really does depend on what type of off-roading you like the best.
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Old Jun 24, 2007 | 04:58 PM
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Nice looking 85.

Last edited by rworegon; Aug 15, 2014 at 06:22 PM.
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Old Jun 24, 2007 | 05:37 PM
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From: kentucky
i dig it
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Old Jun 24, 2007 | 08:22 PM
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From: Vancouver Island, B.C.
Haha, Thats been forsale for awhile.. 5500 bucks wasnt it? Not too bad I guess, Notice my username and where im from ...
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Old Jun 24, 2007 | 08:42 PM
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looks good. I remember lookiing at one of those pop up light bars 15 or more years ago, back order was gonna take too long. THey are kind of cool....Maybe both the Island Yota's can go wheeling...
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Old Jun 25, 2007 | 02:35 AM
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I joined just to comment on this, was reading up hear about 4runners after seeing a couple for sale on the island, looking at selling my YJ and getting a 4runner so I'd have more space
I was planning to give the guy with that rig a call today.
hope you have fun with it.
I found an 86 instead on the same website, and was thinking of trading my jeep for it but the lack of solid axle is a deal killer.
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Old Jun 25, 2007 | 05:07 AM
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Cool truck!

More pics/info on that light bar!
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Old Jun 25, 2007 | 05:39 AM
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yea that light bar is very neat can you post some close up picks of it
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Old Jun 25, 2007 | 08:32 AM
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Originally Posted by Vanc Island Yota
I want to end up with a tight dependable trail worthy rig that is still streetable. I am open to suggestions and am sure will be asking questions.
nice truck!

suggestions: deal with all the rust first, then rebuild the axle seals (and bearings if needed) and go through your breaking system. i would remove all the lift that your tires and articulation dont need, and keep the engine stock as possible. maintenance schedule is the bible for keeping these trucks dependable and streetable. when i bought my 85 last year, i just started going through all maintenance items in some logical order, so that i would know the actual date of replacement or service, and quality of parts.

to check your gearing, search for a method of marking your axle and spinning a tire and counting the axle revolutions. pretty basic.
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Old Jun 25, 2007 | 09:44 AM
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From: Vancouver Island
Hey,
Thanks for the kind words - ya, I like the truck aswell.
I am the one listing the truck for $5,500. I bought it a couple months ago for less but everything has its price right?
To the other guy on Vancouver Island - where are you located, or more importantly where do you go wheeling?
Any recommendations of sourcing parts in Canada is much appreciated.
I will be tackling the rust in the next few weeks - so also, any advice is welcomed. I don't have any body repair experience.
The frame is solid with just a little surface rust...I was going to start removing it with a wire wheel on a drill and then paint?
Greg
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Old Jun 25, 2007 | 03:14 PM
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I got's lots of body in BC .. Penticton to be exact .

http://www.toyotafiberglass.com .. some used , accessories , and discounted OE parts .



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Old Jun 26, 2007 | 08:10 AM
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Vanc Island Yota's Avatar
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Thanks Slacker.
I've had www.toyotafiberglass.com bookmarked for a while now.
i will give you a shout once I'm ready for body panels.
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Old Jun 26, 2007 | 03:53 PM
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cool ..

but give yourself some time .. I'm usually booked up for a while ..


/85 .. you lucky dog .



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Old Jun 27, 2007 | 08:10 PM
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nice rig! welcome to the forum! & another od green 85?! lol mines that color too, although p.o. painted it. The orig. color is black, but i'm starting to swear all 85's came that way! haha

on top of the other recommendations, I'd get to those knuckles sooner than later. It's not hard & you can do it in a weekend if u got all the parts / tools. Do a mar-tack on the inner shafts too while it's apart. If u ever blow a birfield on the trail you'll be glad you did.

OH, & the best $50 i've spent was on a Factory Service Manual...from ebay. INVALUABLE!!! IMO.
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Old Jun 27, 2007 | 10:35 PM
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Locker, locker, locker, locker, locker, locker, locker, locker!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Can't stress this enough! I am absolutely amazed by what my rear locked pu can blaze through with 31s and a 2in lift!
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