Thanks nebluae87.... Welcome to Yotatech. I appreciate the compliment. It all started with desperation and determination. I bought a truck and it had a bad frame and I had to get it safe to drive. At the time I wasnt aware of Toyota frames and it really took off from there. What started out as a bad deal really turned out to be a blessing in disguise. I found something I that I had always wanted to do and just kept pressing on.

I enjoy taking a junk truck and making something of it. This truck is junk even though it doesnt show it in the pictures. Just a good body and frame. Everything else is going to have to be gone thru when it is done. I have plans for this truck and my 86 Runner to be really nice trucks when done.

I dont have the funds for a massive build, I try to keep my builds in the $2500 range. Not alot, but I have done it. Have to be on the look out for the deals and make the most of every part and do just about everything myself. My wifes 88 Runner I have about $4k into it. If you look at the first page on my 88 Runner build, you will see alot of fixes that cost nothing to very little. When I do have to buy parts, I try to show where to buy the best part for the buck.

I want to use this build to show how to do a frame off rebuild and for me when you have done a frame off rebuild, it gives a huge satisfaction of knowing you have messed with about every part on the truck. It isnt as scary as it may seem once you get into it. The first build is usually the longest and slowest, but after that, you learn alot of short cuts that save time. In the 3 builds I have listed in my signature, I have been into about every part at one time or another. I eventually want to post all of the steps in this build when it is done.

You can do it and hope this thread inspires you to tackle some issues that may come along. This build is starting out slow but it will take off and eventually get done. Dont give up on this thread just yet.lol


Hello kornhuskerwizard... For the longest time I was thinking we had the only runner with a red interior. I know they are out there but you sure dont see them to often. When we first got the 88, its interior was pink. I did not like it. Now that it is a fresh painted red, I actually like it now. The stripes arent factory, but she wanted something that was quite similar to factory. She loves her little runner. She never really had something that was just a little different from the rest of the cars on the road.

 

I was out of town for awhile and everything else in the world kept coming up. I think I finally got things settled down and will get started back on this build here fairly shortly. I did get my Pistons, rings, and bearing on order from Engbldr today. I have everything else to rebuild the motor. Parts have been the hold up on this build. Hoping to get to real soon.

 

I must of not ordered my parts right. I got everything except the pistons from Engbldr. He has my pistons on the way. Always nice getting parts in.

 

new parts always awesome to see an have for a project

did you have to go bigger on the pistons terry or stock size

 

Hello Cyberhorn, I had to go 20 thousandths over on the pistons and 10 on rod and main bearings.

 

ow but if it gets things tight to hold the oil float so things spin right then it had to happen

 

I got my short block put together today. I have everything else to assemble the motor and I think I have everything to get it put together and get it running. I am still going to pull the body off and do the entire frame but do want to get it running for now so as I can move it around and finish a few other projects. I have been going thru as many of the systems as I can checking them out, coil,sensors,... I need to install the gastank and I cant think of anything right off to keep it from firing up. But will have to wait til I get the motor in and see.

Trash can full of empty boxes is always a positive. Crank and pistons in.

 

oh what a tease terry backside of the block in the stand LOL

 

Hello Cyberhorn.. I have been busting my rear on this motor. There is alot of time spent on rebuilding one. Whew!!! I plan on calling you on my way to St. Louis.

 

I have gone thru this engine and still want to retorq all of the nuts and bolts. I am having an issue of the Harmonic Balancer is not wanting to go onto the shaft all the way or something behind the oil pump is holding it out. I will be checking into it when I get back from drill after this weekend. Just hoping I dont have to pull the Timing Chain Cover. The truck is missing its exhaust maifold. 85/86 have the O2 sensor in the manifold. I dont care to use headers, so will start searching for the exhaust manifold. One of the benefits of restoring a truck that was used for parts.

 

she looks great terry there are several 22re's being parted out on the forum buuut dont know which might have the right exhaust manifold

 

Hello Cyberhorn... I just happen to find an exhaust manifold. It is in the electrolosis tank getting a cleaning. The sacrificial anode doesnt get a break does it?lol..

I am going to try and get the motor in the truck tomorrow on my day off and maybe the transmission. If I was to get lucky I might even get the fuel tank back in. I am going to see if I can get this truck moving under its own power so as I can move it out of the shop to paint the 86 extra cab I have in there.

Last time I painted in there, I had to move my 85 around by pushing it and I am still having nightmares about that. Just the thought of having to move it by hand again just doenst do anything for me.

I will only have 1 and a half days to get the motor in as I have somethings coming up that I have to go help with. Last winter and this summer have been a real let down. It is either to hot or to cold to work out in there. Normally I can get alot more done. I cant see any reason for this truck not to fire up, but who knows. I have checked all of the wiring out as best as possible. Hoping my ECU is good. I might accidently get it running if all goes as planned but will wait and see.

 

Hello Cyberhorn... I just happen to find an exhaust manifold. It is in the electrolosis tank getting a cleaning. The sacrificial anode doesnt get a break does it?lol..

I am going to try and get the motor in the truck tomorrow on my day off and maybe the transmission. If I was to get lucky I might even get the fuel tank back in. I am going to see if I can get this truck moving under its own power so as I can move it out of the shop to paint the 86 extra cab I have in there.

Last time I painted in there, I had to move my 85 around by pushing it and I am still having nightmares about that. Just the thought of having to move it by hand again just doenst do anything for me.

I will only have 1 and a half days to get the motor in as I have somethings coming up that I have to go help with. Last winter and this summer have been a real let down. It is either to hot or to cold to work out in there. Normally I can get alot more done. I cant see any reason for this truck not to fire up, but who knows. I have checked all of the wiring out as best as possible. Hoping my ECU is good. I might accidently get it running if all goes as planned but will wait and see.

 

doing an exhaust? cool! if anything can strip an manifold bare an make it ready for some high heat paint for a really great finish the electrolysis can do it!

 

Looking for color ideas.




I like the topper being painted to match the truck.


I have had red, probably not.


If it looked good on this body style.

 

sent ya a PM with several options i can even try to do a 2 tone if you'd like

 

I really like the burnt orange in the top pic myself.

 

LOL i said that as well

 

There u have it. 2 votes burnt orange, no votes any other color......I think the winner is clear Terry lol.

 

now now let him look at the other colors i made on the first picture i made a dark green a rootbeer brown a medium red a charcoal an that chevy purple they had on trucks for several years
then on nother picture i made a golden yellow an a pale blue