4runnerRandy's 1985 4Runner Build-Up Thread
 

So here it is, my 1985 toyota 4runner. I traded a 1994 bronco that was totally built (8 inch long arm lift, 35" mtrs, Exhaust, intake, chip, 351 cid motor, custom paint, remote start, tinted windows) for this 4runner, the p.o. also gave me $5k. At the time, summer 2003, it did not run. The timing chain wore through the cover and mixed the coolant and oil. This was my third Toyota so I was used to doing timing chains. I had it runing within about a week. I got rid of the bronco so that my beautiful bride and I could have a down payment for our first house. The 4runner started out a nasty golden color so I had the $399 special done at Maico (What a mistake). A couple years later, I sold the 4runner to my brother in law to drive around as his first truck. Then after a few more years and a couple crashes he decided that he wanted something a little newer and nicer so he said it would cost to much to fix and that if I wanted it to come get it. The price was right ($free) so I drove out to Utah to visit the in laws and pick up the 4runner again. That was like 5 months ago. Since, I have been slowly working on fixing it up to make it a good DD and weekend crawler. Here are some pics from before I sold it to my brother in law.

like it! love the removable top too. hope that interior is as good now as whenyou gave it to him!

Nice 4runner, glad to see more Colorado people signing up. I can't believe you painted the gold, that is my favorite color. I'm honestly contemplating painting mine that color. Good luck with it this go round...

Yeah the interior needs some work, but nothing to bad. A couple seat repairs, some new carpet a radio and speakers and it will be ready for summer. Just no money currently. I love Colorado and cant imagine living anywhere else. So far I have put TG's high steer kit on, rebuilt the front axle, put a set of rear springs up front. Fixed a couple fuel leaks and got the fear window to work. I need to order some 4" springs and a new front hangar fron Scotty @ Addicted.

Untill I have the yota fixed up I will have to wheel my 07 Rubicon unlimited that is lifted runing 35's, front winch bumper and m8000. I have also installed a sport cage to help protect the little guys while were out wheelin.http://i768.photobucket.com/albums/x...une2009305.jpghttp://i768.photobucket.com/albums/x...une2009231.jpg

[IMG]http://i768.photobucket.com/albums/xx329/4runnerRandy/MayandJune2009305.jpg

Randy,
I love the brown on the seats. Never seen that design from the factory, but dig it.

I was told by the PO that he recovered them, which sucks because I am trying to make this 4runner as factory as possible. I want to do a decent lift and tires, sliders, winch, improve on steering and braking while keeping it as factory as possible. I will be calling you Scotty to get springs, shackles and a hangar probably in the next week or two.

Today I ordered my T.G. 4" front springs and front spring hanger. I love Addicted offroad, and thank you Scott. I also picked up an e-locker axle from a Tacoma. My plans are to have 5.29 gears and e-lockers front and rear. I hope that I will be able to find a good deal like I did today. I doubt it because I got it for extra cheap. I will post pics when I tear down the axle.

Randy, your parts just came in. So, come pick them up whenever.

Welded up the hanger and put the springs on. Man my 4runner is tall, I think it will settle down a bit after the winch and bumper. Anyway Im loving the wheel travel, I cycled it and there is a ton cant wait to wheel it.

Pics damnit!

welded in the front
 

Here are some pics of the front end all welded up. I know Im not a profesional welder and that is why I dressed the welds with the flappy wheel. Now I just need to do the front frive shaft and the shocks. But I think I will do the rear before wraping up the front. Any body have feed back on the T.G. rear kit. Since I went with the 4 inch springs in the front Im going to do the 5 inch in the rear.

So I ordered the stud and seal kit for the e-locker from SKY. I want to insall it this next week, I also order the switches and stuff for the wiring of the e-locker, I found realy cool indicator lights that say "Front Lock" and "Rear Lock" I thought that they would be perfect for the indicator lights for the e-lockers as I plan to do one in the front as well. I also plan to put the switches and the indicator light in the center console so that the interior looks as stock as possible. I also plan to put all the other switches for lights and such in the center console as well.

I have a good friend who was looking to buy a project truck for a D.D. and weekend wheeler. I convinced him to get a toyota 4runner, I found for him a 1984 4runner, He talked with the owner today and talked her down to $400. It currently doesent run but turns over, so I am going to help get it running and help with the fix up. I am very stoked to have a friend close by to talk yota with, also to have another friend to wheel with.

So I have been very busy lately on the 4runner, I have put the rear springs and u-bolt flip kit on as well as the axle truss. I made the interior pannel for the lockers and switches. I realy like the "front lock" and "rear lock" indicator lights. Here are some pics.
http://i768.photobucket.com/albums/x...rch2010107.jpg
http://i768.photobucket.com/albums/x...rch2010105.jpg
http://i768.photobucket.com/albums/x...rch2010096.jpg
http://i768.photobucket.com/albums/x...rch2010094.jpg
http://i768.photobucket.com/albums/x...rch2010092.jpg

As of late things have been crazy busy at work so I havent had much time for the Yota. I still need to get the E-locker installed and get the cross over dialed in. I think that I have driven it less than a 1/4 mile in the last two months. The bigest concern that I have is the knock in the motor and whiteish blue smoke that is barley noticeable out of the exhaust. I think that it is time for a rebuild, or an upgrade. I was thinking a 7mge or even the turbo 7mgte. I love the 3.4 but it can be a very difficult and costly swap, I think I can get a 7mge done for less than a grand. I hope. Either way I dont think I will be wheelin it this summer unless I come into some money. So I guess the grocery getter will have to work for this year at least its a JK. HAHAHA

Randy,
What rear springs did you use? They look exactly like mine and i cannot figure out what they are. I previously thought they were Chevy's but I was wrong.

The rear springs are 4 inch procomp springs. I need to use a 1 inch block to give it a little more height untill I can afford the trail-gear rear kit. I have no trail time on these springs so i dont know what to expect. How do yours work?

They work great. Have lots of flex. I agree on the lift part. I did do an add a leaf but havent gotten my front end back together to see how it flex's with the add a leaf. They were super soft on the road and did great on the trail. I'll let you know how they do with an add a leaf.

So things have been pretty tight lately as far as money is concerned, so I havent had the money to do alot to the 4runner. I found that the tick/knock was a toasted cam and rocker. 2 of the lobes on the cam were worn way down. So I have been looking for for some sort of a replacement head or motor. I found a 86 4runner that I bought today (and will be picking up next wed.)for a very reasonable price. The best part is that it has an automatic tranny that I will be swaping in place of my manuel. It also has alot of nice interior parts to swap into mine. I cant wait to get my 85' running good again.