I was about to buy an 07 Tacoma from a friend so I went to the craigslist to compare some prices. Looked at them for a while and just decided to look for my white unicorn (an 85 runner) I found a 2 day old post for this 84 4runner. Gentleman was asking $1200 for it. I had a hand gun lying around so I offered it in trade for it. He asked for a little boot I came up with it and went and got her.



At the time of purchase she was in running condition, 4x4 worked, manual transmission worked, clutch is solid, tires were decent good tread but dry cracked, really straight body, etc...

Only cons are rust above fenders, on each side of sunroof, and in the drivers floor board.

 

Cleaned her up a tad and dropped the top, had a few vaccum lines to reorganize got her running a bit better and blazed the dirtroads all weekend.

 

Now for the plans, I've got a 95 pickup that i've gona about as far as I can go with the ifs suspension. I ride primarily mud and it does fine there. I plan on doing a mild build on the runner and using it primarily as a family hauler (wife and 2 kids)

At the end I'd like around 3-4 inches of lift, no bigger than 33's, 4.88's, rear locker, tube bumpers, etc.

First order of business is rust removal/body work.



I removed all the fender trim and guards, front 2 fenders were rust free, rear fenders not so much.

I figured I could remove this rust with a fender trim so I researched a bit and found a good link on the marlin board.

 

The fender trim methood I used involves cutting a portion of the inner fender out and the rolling the body panel inside the wheel well. Tacking it in place and sheeting it or fiberglassing it.

Taped off the inner fender for the cut went maily by feel. I put the tape on the flat surface and cut between the tape and the outside of the truck, taking off about 3 inches at the top and working back to about an inch at each bottom



inner fender out. instead of seperating the pinch weld I just cut the rolled lip off as it was rusted out anyway.



I marked off where the inner fender would allow for me to roll the outer fender. ended up being 2" on the side 2.5 at the hip and 3 at the top.



started cutting away.



unfinished product


still need to tack it in and seal it but im pleased with the way it turned out. front fender and rear fender measure with in about a half inch of each other from the ground.

 

i might need to trim mine this way!!! i like it! good job