Hello jsmith7.. I remember that day. I was getting off of work and seen the semi and was sure he was going to hit the local truck stop. He was just getting fuel and I pulled in behind him and when I came up to him, I think he was a little concerned. I told him I would like to look at the truck so as I could see if yours might have something mine did not have as yours is a true 85 SR5.

I really like that yours is a true 85 SR5 and mine is just pieced together. You have a tough truck to find and that one is in great condition. The driver said he had heard a lot about Toyota trucks and was asking me why that one is so special that it would be bought and shipped so far. I was showing him what makes your truck so hard to find and the options on it. It was a top of the line truck back in 85. He was a great guy to talk with.

I put a little note in the drivers seat letting you know about Yotatech and the information that could be found on here. Don't know if you got it or maybe it got removed before you got the truck. From what I got to look at your truck, you got a really nice truck in great condition. I enjoyed looking at it as I like going to car shows. I just had to look at it on a transportation hauler.

Welcome to Yotatech and look forward to seeing your build on it.

 

Thank you for your kind words. Unfortunately i never received the note you wrote, but luckily found your post. I currently don't have a build thread for the truck, but I do have one for an 86 4Runner I recently purchased on Toyota-4runner.com. Eventually I will put one together for the truck, with the few pictures I have.

The transformation on your truck is amazing! Keep up the good work!

 

Terrys87:

Most of your pictures no longer show up. (Or is it just me?)

EDIT: It just appears that Photobucket is doing maintenance.

I will check back later.

I need to read more of your restoration threads like this one.

I have been following Tom's 4 Runner restoration as you might know and it looks fantastic!

 

Hey Terry, just checking in. Saw some NG trucks headed east on 44, passed them in the little blue truck and wondered if you were driving. Figured likely not.

 

Thanks jsmith7... It is slowly coming along. It is nice getting down to the easier upgrades.

Hello old87yota... I try show different things on my build threads that you cant really find in the manuals. I am hoping later this week to get back on Toms runner and get it completed. Going to be a busy part for the first part of the week but hoping to get to it later this week.

Hello habanero... I retired about a year ago. Got some friends wanting me to get back in and I do miss working with them and getting to travel some. I am going to see what things look like after the first part of next year and may consider getting back in. Had some great times while in and got to see 90% of what I have because of the guard.

 

Been tied up with work and a few other things but I did get to help with some other trucks. One guy was broke down on the side of the road and I checked to see what the issue was. He snapped his timing chain. He asked if I would like to replace it and I just don't have the time to work on it lately so passed on it. Another guy had a miss on his truck and it is probably something in the head or valves as it had no compression. A friend of mine bought a truck and got to help him for about 30 minutes fixing and chasing out some cobbled up repairs on it. We got quite a bit fixed on it and made a big difference on it when we got done, makes you wonder what POs are thinking when they do the things they do.

I did come across some chrome rain gutter guards. I ran the VIN on my truck and it is as basic as they come. I have added AC, SR5 gauge, clothe panels, map light, SR5 wheels, and some other things to it that I cant think of right off. Slowly getting it to a nicely optioned truck.

Chrome rain guards. I know some don't care for chrome but I like that it is another option to add to it.

 

terry I think I remember you saying you couldn't find OEM front springs and didn't like the height with your OME, I stumbled upon these today. Hope youre doing good bud like the chrome rain guards a lot!11


http://www.lowrangeoffroad.com/toyot...s-lr-7985.html

 

Thanks bootscootboogie..I actually was able to find a set of original springs. I have always like chrome on trucks, but not the rust that they cause.

 

I had a guy that has been after my 85 for a while and I sold it to him. I liked the truck real well and did like the looks that I got in it. Got a lot of thumbs up and compliments on it. My biggest disappointment on it was I was unable to get the fuel mileage up on it and I drive my trucks daily and put a lot of miles on them and it was a hit in the fuel budget so decided to let it go. I dont know what caused the low mileage on it as my brother has the exact same set up and gets around 20 mpg and I was only getting 16 miles to the gallon. Not sure if the 3 inch lift was part of the problem or not. I did get to learn how to rebuild a solid axle and put one more back on the road. The new owner had one years ago and had been wanting another truck for a while. He really like the condition and what I had done to it. Basically all he has left to do is to buy carpet and stripes and it will be done.

I know the solid axles are tougher then the IFS trucks but when I wheeled, dragged raced, and rode motor cycles, I always liked the fact that I could take an inferior vehicle and compete and usually win in the class that I was running. IFS will not take the abuse a solid axle will but IFS can do more then what is thought possible.

I liked the fact that it was extra cab and solid axle and hard to find and how it turned out when I was done with it and what it started out as. Gives me an excuse to start another build. I got a few things to wrap up before I get after my next build. I need to get Toms runner done, and Mistys runner has not really been driven for quite some time as I still get the cherry manifold on it.

I have taken hers to several mechanics and they can not find the problem with it. Some mechanics have told me I knew more about 22s then they did and would not touch it. One Toyota dealer did not know why and would not touch it. One other Toyota dealer told me they could put it on a computer and see what all is going on and tell me where the issue is at. $95 later and a few miles down the road and it was glowing again.

I know the motor is good as I have even swapped it out with my 86 and never had any problems with that motor and know it is good. I have swapped injectors, new O2 sensors, new TPS sensor, manifold, fuel pump, fuel filter, afm, coil, igniter, tested and cleaned all other sensors... numerous other things have been done. Now I am just going to get a 85-88 truck carb harness and do a Webber conversion on it. I will have to swap the tail light and fuel gauge wiring and run a manual switch for the back glass on her runner but it will get it back on the road. Not thrilled with having to do a wiring swap on hers but it will get it back on the road and she enjoys driving it with the top off.

For my next project, I want to get the 87 runner back to new condition. I have 95% of the parts to get it back together and on the road again but I really dont have any intentions of making it a daily driver but more a beauty queen. It looks bad but is a fully loaded runner and from some news bits I see these runners could be like the FJ40 Land Cruisers someday. Here is the thread on it https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f199...estore-288712/ I can get this truck every bit as nice as it once was. I am not in no hurry to get it done. I will do a frame off restore on it. It looks bad but is solid. Got to get some room in the shop to get started on it.

I am also going to need to replace my truck and want to get into a 73-79 Ford Truck with the super cab and a short box. I will be looking into how to get the mileage in the 20+ miles to the gallon and that may be having to go into the diesels.

I am going to carb the 88 runner and then will start working on getting the 87 to this condition.

 

Pretty much what it looked like when I sold it. I did do some other work on it and wish I would of gotten some pictures of it. It was mostly interior work. It was a base model truck when I got it and I added several SR5 options and a few other things. I will miss the truck but look forward to another project.

 

Wait what what what just happened here, uh I'm really confused about this, noooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

I didn't follow this from the very start but I have read the whole thing and that guy got one damn good truck. Ive read about the 4runners going up in value and so has everyone else. Theyre asking more than ever for them around Atlanta. 85-85 runner? forget it. be ready to drop at least 5K on one that isn't teened out. Your red one is awesome. 4runners are going to be the new gold standard in Toyota-dom lol

 

Hello Jason and Bootscootboogie... I was disappointed in letting it go. I could not get the mileage up above 16 miles per gallon and I am not a hard driver. I was building this truck for me and in another year it would of really been an excellent looking truck. I did not take any short cuts on it and had full intentions of making it something to be proud of.

Doing another project is doing another 2 years worth of work but I have 95% of the parts to make the 87 Runner back to new again. I think the Runners are going to be cool to have in the next few years and the red one has about every option on it. I have the ability to get it looking as good as Chefs old runner. I could get it on the road in no time at all but I really like tearing my trucks down to nothing and getting everything cleaned up and looking as new as possible as I go.

Like my wife says, "You get that one done, you will just start on another one"...."Yep, I will". I am still glad I saved it from the crusher, built it back up and liked how it turned out.

 

I got a surprising phone call today from the new owner. When he originally was asking about the truck, I thought he was just a tire kicker and interested in what all was done to the truck for an hour or more. A couple of weeks later he wanted to buy it. He was one of the most in depth people I have ever sold a truck to. He then took the truck to a mechanic and had it checked out. The mechanic approved of the work done on it. I told him I was building it for myself and only big reason for selling was the gas mileage on it.

He then asked me if it would make it to New York. I use OEM parts or better and really give it my best effort. From my house to where he was going is 20 hours/1300 miles by MapQuest. Even then I told him these are 30 year old trucks and I basically somewhat was talking him out of buying it as I was telling him these are getting so old that really only a mechanically inclined people should own these or be prepared to spend a fortune having a mechanic to work on them. Also in New York, I know there is not an over abundance of parts available for him like they are in my area. He has very basic mechanic skills. I have people to ask me about these trucks and I consider them a hobby truck as the daily driver purpose is mostly long gone just due to the age of them and in some cases getting parts for them.

I have taken my trucks on some long journeys but I carry a tool kit and some basic parts with me and also know the condition of what I am driving so can have a little more confidence in them then maybe most out there. Not putting these trucks down as they were some great trucks in there time but I know these trucks pretty well and I still get bit in the butt by them. Taking one coast to coast would still be a little worrisome to me and especially if I did not know the truck or a new to me truck.

He wanted to know if the truck would keep up with todays highway speeds. I ran it up to 80 mph and held it there for a while. I think it would do 85 mph if you really pushed it and don't think you would get 90 out of it. For a solid axle that is good. I drove it 70-75 all the time to and from work. I spent a lot of time showing the upgrades I did and that all features worked such as cab, map, and dome light. Showed him that I used Marlin Crawler front axle rebuild and why I was not concerned with higher speeds. Why I used a rubber gasket for the windshield to get rid of the rust magnet.

Fast forward today and he said he made the trip to New York without any problems. He enjoys the way people up there are always looking at it as it is a dinosaur up there and many remember having a Toyota back in the day. He gets all kinds of compliments on it just due to its age. I did tell him that 2 or 3 years up there that it would be a rust bucket and wind up being scrapped. He is just up there for this year and is moving to the Pacific North West next year.

I originally told him of this build thread and showed what all I had done and the more he kept thanking me for the effort that I put into it. It is kind of bitter sweet seeing it go to a new owner but he really is enjoying the truck and to call me up and thank me was a nice surprise. He says he is going to eventually get a picture of it sitting on Times Square downtown as he lives in Manhattan. New York is one of the 3 states I have not been to and it is on my bucket list to get there. I will try to get to the exact spot it is in the picture of it some day I hope when he sends me a picture of it. I will post it when I get it.

I told him I would give it a 95% chance of it making it to New York without any problems. That last 5% was worrisome. I went thru everything but still how can you know what can go wrong? One thing I like is that he DROVE it to New York and no issues. No trailer queens for me.

 

That's awesome Terry, anyone that follows your builds knows you do them right.

 

Lucky guy....
Gonna miss that build and am looking forward to what's on deck for the red 4Runner. The hubby's 93 Volvo 240 was from New York and didn't have rust on it anywhere, so there's hope.

 

I feel bad that I didn't know that you had sold the truck. You did an awesome job on it. The guy is fortunate to get it. I would be impossible to find a truck like this in NY IMO. I lived in NY for 6 years, winters are hard on vehicles. When I left NY in 2000 i sold my 97 tacoma because I feared rust rearing it ugly head. You must feel good knowing it made the trip with out any issues.

 

Great story, Terry!
Well... tell him to keep us here on the forum posted of how the trucks does, so we can help him, in case he runs into a problem.
Sorry, I lost track, but since it's an 85, did you add a starter relay to it?
-Ray

 

Thanks Jason... I really give it my best shot and I know I got a lot of problems fixed that are easily overlooked if you are not aware of them. Should be good for another 20 years.

Hello Habanero...I talked to the owner and it will only be spending one winter up there and is headed for a better environment. I can get the red runner every bit as nice as Chefs old truck and it will be. I really think the runners are going to be something to have in the future. It is rock solid and a good platform to start off with.

Thanks Robb... I really was not planning on selling it. The new owner had been wanting it for a while and I did everything I could to get the mileage up on it and just could not get it over 16mpg. I am really happy that it made it the whole way without any issues. They always say that you are buying someone elses problems when you go used and I really don't think I sold him a problem. He seems very happy.

Hello Ray...I had tried to make it a fuel injected truck but finding a harness that was not hacked up and in good working order I was not able to find. It actually has an 87 carb harness in it. The original 85 harness was long gone when I got it as they tried to put a 92 harness and dash in it when before I got it.

 

I was really disappointed in the mileage of the 85 and is why I let it go. It all boiled down to economics. If I am going to be driving a truck with the kind of miles per gallon, I may as well be in a bigger truck. I might could of installed factory springs and brought the height back down to stock but I was worried the pay off may not be worth all of the trouble. The OME springs I hear add about 3 inch lift and that could of been to much drag and just cost mileage. Trying to find a good fuel injected harness and swapping it in was more then I really wanted to deal with after having a bad harness in the past. That is a lot of work converting one from carb to fuel injected and vice versa. Getting a good harness is tough and I am starting to think with the age of the harnesses and the sensitivity of the sensors that the wiring is not getting all the correct voltage needed to make a 22re run like it should. Just my opinion on the fuel injected trucks. On a 22r truck the voltage is mostly for things that are not so sensitive and the 22r is going to serviced for several more years to come. I wonder about the 22re myself.

At first I was disappointed in the 85 but that could of been a blessing in disguise. I will be retiring in 10 years if all goes as planned. One thing I did right was to work on my retirements even when I was young and they should come thru starting on September 24 of this year. September 24 I can start one of my 10 year count downs. Getting excited about that. One of the things I really want to do is have an old truck pulling an era correct travel trailer. It is kind of the going thing now seeing things like that. I seen a 58 Chevy wagon pulling a late 50s camper a while back and they were painted to match. I really liked seeing that.

I am looking for a 73-79 Ford truck. To restore one and get it to where I can pull a travel trailer reliably and safely is going to take some time. I still have kids and they like camping so will get a family camper and when they move out in about 5 years, I want to get a couples only travel trailer that I can live in at a month or so at a time. When it is hot, I want to head to cooler areas or be a snow bird headed south for the winter. Getting the truck and camper set up will take several years. I could go buy a newer model truck that would be set up how I want it but I don't want a newer truck. I want older truck. Eventually a travel trailer is going to be a project. I want it to look 70s on the outside but modern on the inside. I would like to get an Airstream but those still hold their value and is still aways off. To get the truck and camper for me and the wife set up to the way I want is going to take some time.