I've searched and found a couple of threads mentioning this, but nothing very detailed. The heater valve on my '86 4runner is rusted open. No amount of PB blaster has been able to free up the lever or the internals. Someone mentioned using the valve from an '88 and up 4runner, which would be great because it's plastic but I haven't seen the part first hand to see if it will function the same.
Will this work?
I'm trying to find a used-but-functioning direct replacement, but haven't been able to find one so far.
This is my first post, I've been able to find the answers to all of my questions up to this point by lurking in the shadows. Thanks for all of the help, previously and now.

 

Is it cable operated or vacumn modulated and in either case you should be able to find one at the local parts store that would suffice ( go where you know someone and take the old one in and compare a few ).
If it were mine I might do that but then I would be lying because I would go to the dealer and buy the OEM unless the the parts store had the OEM equivalent made by a reputable manufacturer otherwise I would pay the stealer and forget about it .

 

IT's cable operated.. Either find something similiar in a junkyard, or just get a used valve.. www.toyotaparts.com

 

Good luck finding a working used one. Mine was frozen solid too.

BTW: this is a dealer item.

 

I would think most any year 1st gen 4Runner would work. The one on my '85 is metal with plastic interior parts:

 

Thanks for the responses. The dealer wants $92.00 for the part. I can't bring myself to drop that much when there's a cheaper (and more-permanent) alternative. I'm waiting to hear back from a couple of people parting out their 4runners for a direct replacement. The local parts store has the plastic version in stock. I'm going to go and compare, and hopefully it will work with little effort. Can't imagine how it wouldn't work, but curious to see if anyone out there has run into the same problem.

 

Try: http://www.car-part.com for a used one.

 

I went to the hardware store and bought a metal valve. I turn it on in the winter and turn it off in the summer.

Mike

 

I see you went Mcgyver on us