Hey y'all. I have an '87 'Runner that I'm trying to make some improvements on and I'm not real mechanical with cars. There are some nagging problems that I'm sure someone here can help with...
1. My top leaks. I am looking in to a soft top that should take care of the leak, but the problem is my carpet padding smells bad. I saw somewhere else that someone put a vinyl pad down instead of the carpet and padding. Do you know what to recommend?
2. My fuel gauge doesn't work. My mechanic said it will cost about $500 to fix it. I know that there is access behind the seat. Is it something real hard to fix?
3. Does the shift knob unscrew?? I know this is stupid and I should know this, but I didn't want to crank on it if it didn't come off. If it does, I want to put on a custom made glass knob.
4. Where can you get a new/used cover for the stick shift boot??
5. Can I put brighter headlights and a louder horn in??
TIA for your help....

 

1 google 'carpet kit' you'll find vinyl too
2 get a second opinion. that might be right
3 yes
4 pick n pull or make your own.
5 yes

have fun

 

You might be able to fix the hard top leak, might be missing a gasket or it might be improperly installed:
- http://www.4crawler.com/4x4/4R_TechInfo.shtml#Shell

Test the gas tank sender (sender is at the back of the tank, connector near the rear wheel well):
- http://www.4crawler.com/4x4/4R_TechI...tml#Electrical

Brighter headlights:
- http://www.4crawler.com/4x4/CheapTri...adlights.shtml

 

Thanks for the response...
I think that the gasket is just old! I'm the only owner, so it isn't missing one. I think that it can be traced back to the tree falling on the truck a few years back. I had it fixed--bed liner srayed on the top, but I just don't think it fit well after that. I think I might try a soft top and make use of one of the benefits of the 1st gen Runners!

 

Some soft top info:
http://www.4crawler.com/4x4/CheapTri...op/index.shtml

 

wow $1200...I WAS thinking about buying one, not so much anymore