The short-lived Dickie proved to be too rusty...so I scored a rather pristine '86 SR5 in its place. So far I've added the SR5 wheels off a 2nd gen 4runner, and new 31" Cooper Discoverer AT3. Coming soon some JDC '86 OEM reproduction stripes...

 

Man, Jerome, that thing is clean!!

 

Thanks, appreciated...these are so rare on the East Coast, this one came from, of course, the west coast. 100% rust free on the body, about 99% on the underbody.

Now I need to figure out if I want to do a ball joint spacer lift...love the idea of 1.5" in the front but now i'm reading about idler arm failures, hairline cracks in the UCA, etc...and I'm a bit scared off at the moment.

 

Here's one more...anyone have thoughts on whether or not the BJS lift is going to be worth it? I don't want to be breaking idler arms and tearing CV boots. Keep in mind I'm only going to do about 100 miles a week at most.

 

Really excited to represent yotatech along with Jonnyboy!

 

Chef I hate you. Flex city. So friggin clean. Just absolutely awesome. Your craftsmanship is truly an inspiration. From wrecked to this beaut. Here's to you buddy

 

Hello from the North East! Wow, first let me say you guys have some serious trucks, gorgeous. Glad to see there is a huge appreciation and following for these things. I am new here, this is my first post. I have been over at the 4 runner forums for a while though - great helpful bunch of people over there I am sure most are members here too.



This is my stock 89. Clean frame that gets painted yearly, complete interior, its got the V6 with 330,000 original miles. The truck is bone stock except for 2" add-a-leafs in the rear to pick up a tired rear end. Worked out okay and pretty level.

No lift on 31x10.5 on 15s. Rear quarter panel flares and area in front and behind them are not original, and have been rebuilt using 18 gauge sheet metal, a few hand tools and a lot of patience. I did them in the backyard to the tune of about $100 or so. Other than that the truck is mainly rust free.

Love these things. My father had an 86 pickup when I was growing up and I took it upon myself to fix up this 4runner because of it. Very fond memories in an amazing truck. It's pretty amazing what a stock IFS setup is capable of on these little trucks, especially in comparison to whats out there today.

 

 

 

I wouldn't worry about it, I am running that set up with a Old Man Emu Torsion Bars and Shocks all away around plus a 2 inch body lift and drives and works like a Charm. As for steering just buy as close to oem parts from japan ( I buy Sankei and Moog, cheopo stuff wont hold trail abuse) as possible and cv's can be protected with a diff drop. There is a lot of info on how to set them up.

 

Had her for about a month, bought her w/ a blown head gasket. Bought a wrecked runner for the running 3.0 + parts & full running gear , as of yesterday, i installed the running boards. This morning, just ordered a muffler, brake pads, fuel filter & a rear wiper from rock auto. Carpet's next, then gonna try to piece together the spare tire holder assembly. She's come leaps and bounds from the hunting truck she was just over a month ago.

She is scheduled to be handed off as an Anniversary gift in Feb., or sooner pending snow accumulation !!

 

All those things can occur. Sure you can drop the diff but the idler arms do get beat up quickly.


I mean if you are fishing for opinions, then mine is that your truck is way to nice and clean to lift. Will a ball joint spacer lift make the vehicle any more capable offroad for you, or will it just increase wear and tear?


That thing is looking really good on 31" at stock height, its sitting really pretty, and the suspension looks healthy. A ball joint spacer is going to make the front too high. The truck is better as a restoration. Lift a beat up Toyota 4x4 or 4runner, that ones just too clean.

 

^^^^ X2. That thing looks like it just rolled off the showroom floor. Stunning. If you hurt her, I will hurt you haha

 

Bought it several years back from a friend with a blown motor, had a 4runner 3VZE engine put in, had some clogged injectors along the way as it was my daily driver, now all new injectors......waiting to have the $$ to do both CV axles and she's golden.

 

Thanks guys I have decided against any type of lift because the extra height just doesn't outweigh the wear and tear I will face. I am going to focus on the few extra things it needs/I want to do:

- Seats re-stuffed and re-apholstered
- Factory OEM stainless fender trim pieces
- Change all fluids
- Grease all zerks
- Quick tune up with plugs and wires
- Re-do speakers

Thanks for the kind words! I was fortunate to find one not molested and in this good of a condition.

 

From this past weekend. Changing RUF packs then testing them..

 

One more of a friend driving:

 

My wife's 4Runner that is her daily driver
Not one that you see around much and I've only seen one other in Colorado
Owned it for the past 8 years
This has almost all of the factory "Goodies"
3.0L, 4X4, Automatic with OD & Power Switch, Power windows and doors, Original Sunroof that works, Cruise, A/C, power mirrors,4x4 shift on the fly
We did replace wheels with 16" Toyota wheels and tires
About 180,000 miles, I say about because we had speedo problems and replaced it without thinking about recording miles
Also had to replace tailgate as you can see
Just wanted to share a couple pictures with everybody since I got so much info from the site when I swapped 3.0 to 3.4 in my 95 4Runner

 

I figured I might as well toss a couple out there of my 4Runner, I just posted my wifes so now its my turn
3.0L Swap to 3.4L, 2 1/2 years ago and driven every day
65,000 miles on swap
No Lift installed, just the scoop, however I may end up putting a 2" body lift just to get the exhaust a little further from my feet. I have routed and rerouted it and as much as I hate to I think its going have to happen before I can ever keep my feet cool.
"Evening coils" installed to eleminate 4runner sag
5 speed, A/C, Power Windows, Mirrors, and whatever else I find that can add to the inside or outside and still look good
Sunroof (not factory),Recaro front seats, more sound than I probably have (the good kind not noise)
Stands out in a crowd because it isn't the cookie cutter look or sound
This is a Keeper for me, the swap was worth every penny and headache
Once again thanks all for the section on swaps, without it I may still have the truck on jacks scratching my head

 

grumpy1, those are some nice trucks.