PeanutRanger

I heard from some people here and there about the 1st gen 4runners overheating a lot easier than other 4runners, when i got my 4runner i noticed that when i would just coast (checking fields for deer, etc.etc.) that it would tend to overheat, i thought it might be a fan clutch promblem, the easy overheating has stopped for now (hopefully forever). If anyone has experieced this promblem. Please just hit me up with some post

pruney81

I had an 86 4runner that would run about 1/2 way up the gauge when driving around town and down to about a 1/4 if I was on the highway sometimes, I drove it like that for about a year then I sold it because it was knocking and losing coolant internally. The aluminum heads don't like to run hot. You're head gasket could be failing. The 22res don't generally run hot. The 3vze's, which are second gens blow all the time respectively.

ZUK

iTrader: (1)

well peanut ranger.....if your Runner has 200k on it and the radiator is original then replace the radiator right now.....otherwise, my esp says you will be doing a HG job in June.

BLKNBLU

iTrader: (1)

My only overheating has been due to my own carelessness (didn't tighten rad cap properly :pat: ). I was going to suggest you get a radiator for the turbo as it is larger, then noticed that you have a turbo. So presuming your truck has the correct radiator installed, I would echo what Zuk posted. Make sure your radiator/thermostat/coolant/cap are all in good working order.

PeanutRanger

My truck only has 130k on it 30,000 on a rebuild

Fahrenheit 451

Do a search on "temperature gauge overshoot" and two stage thermostat.
The design of the cooling and heater system on the 1st gens is messed up. The main problem is that at start-up cool water from the heater core gets dumped on the thermostat effectively locking it up while it needs to be opening.
You can reroute the hoses (expensive and time consuming), drill a tiny (1/16-1/8" tops) hole in the flange of the thermostat to allow coolant to bypass the thermostat while warming up or get the two stage thermostat. There are different posts that have the part number but don't be surprised if you go to a dealership and they have no clue or don't have them in stock.
A likely reason the problem has stopped is because it is warmer out now so you don't the effect of the cool water lock-up on the thermo so much.
My advice is fix it now. The one thing guaranteed to fubar a 22r motor is getting hot.
Just an opinion.