Webbuff

Hello all,

Been reading this board voraciously for about 2 months now. I just picked up my new Toy today after laying down 1500 clams and set about working on a list of to do's to get her in running shape.

https://www.yotatech.com/members/web...7-23-2011.html

The previous owner disclosed that it had a blown head gasket and the radiator needed to be replaced since it blew its neck (which makes me believe it got really hot and was likely full of water).

I started the engine when I checked it over (when i agreed to buy it) and it started up and idled fine (for as long as I dared to let it do so). Today when I picked it up I ran it for a minute to get it on the auto carrier (all 4 wheels off the ground) and it ran fine but when I went to off load it, it ran very rough and kept cutting out.

I wanted to get an opinion on possible causes for the rough running. Also I am weighing the cost/ease of going with a re-man engine replacement over getting into the top end. Any thoughts or recommendations?

I am in the Seattle area and thought I would also see if anyone knew of a good shop in the area that I could seek an engine replacement or any other work needed.

I am mechanically inclined but as WA state has a 15 day limit to transfer ownership; I am wanting to get it to a point I can smog test it and license it without wasting money on something I will need to redo or negate later.

Thanks in advance for any assistance or advice I have come to respect the fine and knowledgeable people on this forum!

Terrys87

iTrader: (1)

Great looking truck. As far as rebuilding, that could exceed your 15 days, and depending on your ability and time to do it. I would be tempted to buy a reman if time is an issue. If not and you feel comfortable doing it yourself there is plenty of help on here.

Are you sure it has a blown head gasket? Rough running could be that, among other things such as just needing a good tune up. I would run a compression test and the results will send you in the right direction.

vital22re

iTrader: (2)

what you can do is go to the dmv and ask them to do a title transfer only as to do registration you would need to pass emissions and the vehicle does not run therefor it cannot be taken to get tested. Basically it gets you the title and then you take as long as needed to get it running and then deal with registration. I've done this several times for many many cars.

Webbuff

Terry - seeing some white smoke but I am not completely convinced so a compression test is a great suggestion. Brother has a gauge so will hit him up on this tomorrow.

I also imagine pulling the oil and plugs would bee good indicators also.

Vital - That is exactly what I wanted to hear If they will just transfer the title without needing to register then I am set to do what is needed without the pressure of a time line. I dug through the DOL site to see if this could be done.. but as I am sure you are aware there site is a pain to get full information from.

Webbuff

Well I decided to either rebuild or drop in a reman. The first issue is a place to work on the truck. My complex has garages but there is no wall separating them so I feel uncomfortable storing parts/tools in one. I have been watching craigs but none in my area that will let me work on my vehicle so reaching out here to see if anyone knows of a rentable space to work that is in the Magnolia/Ballard area.

Look forward to any help on this.

Wrenchinjoe

Nice looking 4Runner! Post more pics please

Fink

Welcome to YotaTech!



Great looking truck and good luck with the rebuild!

Fink

some drunk guy

Here in California, we have 14 days to report transfer of title. But that is just that, go into the dmv, pay your transfer fees, you will get an "incomplete" registration, most likely untill it passes smog (if that applies to your city/state). The dmv will tell you what you need to complete the registration, but there is no time limit for that.

As far as a blown headgasket 1) check the oil. If it looks milky or like chocolate milk. its blown. 2) pull the spark plugs, see if any look wet with coolant 3)do a compression check, start with cyl #1 and #6 those are the most infamous for blowing on those motors. YOur compression should be between 140psi and 170psi.

Webbuff

Joe - Will do Will grab some more this weekend. I can't wait to tear into the truck and get it running, just need the space which I am having no luck with. Gonna post on craigs and hope something turns up local.

Fink - Thanks much, it has become a nightly ritual to read on the latest posts. Just finished reading all of Bleeder's 22RE rebuild hehe.

Drunk Guy - I actually lucked out, they let me go with the current smog test so I was able to register it when I went to transfer the title

snowshredder555

Congrats on the new to you TOY. Just some food for thought, now that you have ample time, instead of putting the ultra lethargic 3.0 back in, why not swap in a 3.4? If you're gonna spend the money, spend it doing that. Just my thoughts if i were in your position. The pan and dip stick amongst other things can be used on the 3.4 swap and if you know the engines dead already, I say jump in with both feet. From what I've heard here and other places, those who have done it, swear they don't regret it. The wiring harness can be had from one of the vendors here for a plug and play installation....but truly there really is more work to it than that. But if you're mechanically inclined, you should be able to do it with all the 411 from these boards and write up's.

-Ted

csc89

Check out Toyonlyswaps.com, Cliff has been helpful and quick about answering questions on the 3.4 swap in the past. He can build you a wiring harness for a donor swap, send you a ready to drop in, or he can put one in for you. I will eventually order a drop in when the time and the money are right.
Good luck!

Webbuff

Wow, well to be honest, one of the reasons I had decided not to seek out the 3.4 swap was the hassle of locating the donor. I do have some mechanical aptitude (rebuilt the 22re in the previous 85 I owned) but seemed like an additional pain to locate a donor and store it when I am having a problem getting a spot for my own rig lol.

With that said, the site you linked is freaking awesome. A drop in would be ideal so I can focus my attentions elsewhere on the truck (paint, drive train mods and maintenance, etc). Has anyone obtained one of the swaps from this site as yet? I would be curious as to the experience had with them and the quality of the work.

3500.00 doesn't sound too bad when I was previously considering a bit over 2k for one of the CHS HO engines.

I super appreciate the info and am pretty sure this will be the way I go. I had liked the idea of running with an underdog.. but a SC-able engine certainly has my eye lol.

snowshredder555

Had I kept my 90' 4Runner with the 3.0, swapping in the 3.4 was a no brainer. I just had other items to tend to first...like actually building the rig for the trails. As soon as the 3. slow gave up the ghost, the 3.4 was going in...no question about it. But as it always happens, things for the family came first and the rig had to be sold for something a bit more economical. You can search "3.4 swap" and come up on all kinds of great info...you'll just have to spend the time reading through the different peoples builds and pull the gems from each and devise a plan of attack and then execute it.

Good luck and welcome to the boards...subscribed.

-Ted

Webbuff

Posting pictures as requested

Front end:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jilleans/6125148535/http://www.flickr.com/photos/jilleans/6125148535/

Need a new radiator:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jilleans/6125148503/http://www.flickr.com/photos/jilleans/6125148503/

Soon to be replaced with a 3.4, just need to pool the money:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jilleans/6125148483/http://www.flickr.com/photos/jilleans/6125148483/

The only blemish on the rig, other than being dirty and needing paint (repairable, or just get a new door?):
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jilleans/6125692372/http://www.flickr.com/photos/jilleans/6125692372/

Related to the door damage. The PO backed up into something with the door open (cut and weld in or can it be repaired?):
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jilleans/6125692396/http://www.flickr.com/photos/jilleans/6125692396/

Body and undercarriage is rust free as far as I can tell, sat in CA for a while:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jilleans/6125692326/http://www.flickr.com/photos/jilleans/6125692326/

Another view of undercarriage:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jilleans/6125148393/http://www.flickr.com/photos/jilleans/6125148393/

Pic doesn't quite show how dirty it is, but in good condition otherwise:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jilleans/6125692280/http://www.flickr.com/photos/jilleans/6125692280/

Back seats are decent:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jilleans/6125148343/http://www.flickr.com/photos/jilleans/6125148343/

Front seats too, though the drivers has a small blemish you can just make out int his picture:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jilleans/6125692256/http://www.flickr.com/photos/jilleans/6125692256/

Yep gonna need some paint, been reading the DIY articles and feel this will be one I will tackle myself:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jilleans/6125148277/http://www.flickr.com/photos/jilleans/6125148277/

Rear a bit saggy, so once the engine and paint are addressed the next order of business will be Zuk in back with a BJ spacer/body lift/diff drop for the front:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jilleans/6125148249/http://www.flickr.com/photos/jilleans/6125148249/
All in all, not bad for 1500.00

Fink

Looks good!

Fink

snowshredder555

Any luck yet with finding a place to perform the anticipated surgery? Updates?

-Ted

Wrenchinjoe

Looks to be in great overall condition! Nice find. I love my 2nd Gen, but your 1st Gen makes me a little jealous

dsal_86Yota

Awesome buy, Miss my 4Runner I had but I love my 86 Pickup. My 4Runner had the radiator go too but it was a 22re. 3.4 swap is awsome idea 3.slow sucks. There great engines. On the Paint part, check out the Duplicolor paint shop set up. Its a great set up. Or you could Camo it HAHA, Thats what we do here in Colorado. Hvae fun with the build.

Webbuff

No luck so far on the garage, but as luck would have it my lease is up in October so the search has commenced for a townhome or house with a garage attached. Going to look at a prospectful new home tonight in fact


I use to wheel in CO I lived in the springs and almost camo'ed the 85 Runner I had when I lived there hehe.

For this Runner I am pretty settled on the factory medium blue metallic from this year. I don't see it very often and I really love that it is a Toyota stock color!

Thanks for the comments on the truck! I am stoked to have it, just trying to keep it contained some since I can't drive it yet.

Webbuff

Sorry for the long lapse since my last post! Move has been completed as of this last weekend to a nice 3 floor, 2 bedroom townhome WITH a garage lol.

The garage is not as big as I would like so it will be a little bit of a squeeze. When I start lifting the Runner I will need to move it outside as there is limited height but I plan on doing all the driveline/axle upgrading before then anyway. The garage will ultimately be turned over the the wife's car and excess storage for the Runner (topper, etc).

I still need to move the truck over as the garage has boxes in it but once I do will get some pics up. I want to start working on smaller projects till I can afford the swap (3.4) and get some work done on the interior.

The move was from Magnolia area to Shoreline and I chuckled to myself as I see a few Toys around here with forum/vendor stickers on them. I saw a dark colored truck with an engine in the back and a toy only swap sticker in the back window and I thought to myself.. I bet that person is on this forum lol.

Look forward to finally getting some action on my rig though the engine swap will not likely take place till after the holidays. I should be getting my electric locker from the axle I left in Montana when the in-laws come up to visit, so looking forward to that!

Expect to see more on here soon hehe!