I recently wound up with 2 4 runners ,a 87 4cyl.automatic and an 88 4 cyl std . both are efi 4x4's and seem to run ok but they both have been written off by an insurance company .Here in Alberta we can get an inspection and put them back on the road .I want to keep one and use the other for parts and have a daily driver tha I can go 4x4ing with too..Which would stand up better the one with manual trans or the auto ? What about t cases ? the auto has 4:30 gears and the other has 4:10 .That in itself is not important to me ,but since I have never owner Toyotas before .I see a lot of the stuff will fit either vehicle .I have to haul one away after stripping what parts I need as the by law (and my wife ) wont allow a wreck in my back yard .What spare parts should I keep ? What are the weak points ? Of coarse I probably will wish I had whatever parts I get rid of ,but I'd like to keep the expensive ones that break often .Can someone give me a hint or 2 please ..
Thanks , Neil

 

sell the one with the auto i would first take the 4:30s out of it and put the 4:10s from the 5 speed in it

 

Good idea . I think Ill keep the starter ,alt,and rad for a start .Whast else should I hang onto ? I heard the mechanisms in the tailgate were pretty in demand .but other than that I'm in the dark .
Neil

 

tailgate, fuel pump, CV axles, center console and misc interior pieces, maybe AFM, igniter, coil, distributor, starter, alternator,

 

I would keep the manual - they're pretty much bullet proof. Minor things can turn into big$$$$ in automatic trannies IMHO.

As for parts, it depends on how much room you have to store them. I would only keep arts that are in REALLY good shape. I would definitely do the above, plus I would consider all the maintenance items: plugs, wires, rotor/cap, air filter, etc. If you're really going to wheel it, I would highly consider keeping the glass too. If you are ever faced with a bill for a piece of glass, you'll kick yourself for not saving it! (ask Lysmachia!)

 

keep the doors if their in any kind of shape at all. I'm sure someone would like to try and make some half doors from them. Rear window motor and relays are expensive, id hold on to those. The HVAC control panel gets brittle, mines broken I'd buy one from you for a cheap price. Pretty much as much as you can keep. I have an 87 myself so I might be interested in some random parts, if you're willing to sell some of it.

 

Where in Alberta are you and where do you wheel

 

Thanks for all the advise ..I havn't been wheeling at all for several years but I had a 1986 S15 jimmy and a 80 Chevy 3/4 ton pick-up that I took to Mclean creek quite a bit .I plan to be there this summer in a 4 Runner..