Well I am finally starting a LONG overdue build thread. It is also my first Build thread so we shall see how it goes.

Let me Start from the Beginning. I Had a 2006 Husqvarna 610 that I built and was getting bored of. Really wanted another Yota, but wasnt going to settle for getting rid of the Bike for just anything.

Pic of the Bike





So After a few months of craigslist cruising, I came upon this 1985 4runner that a guy was looking to sell.

It was a pretty cool setup, Lifted, 33's, 5.29 gears, 22re, etc...

Never thought about owning a 4runner, especially a 1st gen. The body style was just not that appealing to me since I always has 3rd gen pickups.

Anyhow, I decided to call the guy and feel him out over the phone. We talked for roughly 30 minutes about the Rig and got to B.S.ing about toyotas, trucks, etc...

Thats when I decided to ask him if he would be interested in trading for the Bike I had just finished building. He liked the idea, so we decided to meet and check each others vehicles out.

Needless to say the deal went down.

Enough Talk..Here are some Pics


Pic from the Guys Craigslist ad


First Night at its new home



So I still wasnt sure what I though about it after the deal was done. It also needed some work.

Had no exhaust from the cat back, Rear window was out and not working, Had different seats up front that were trashed, Needed some brake work up front. Very very Minor stuff. But Hey, Its a Toyota Right!!!

Plus I teach Automotive and have access to a full shop, So bring on the Work!!

Pic at work Before I started to dig into her.



Got her up in the air to check things out.




So I started to make a list of the things I wanted to do, and the things that needed to be done.

First things first. Fix the Rear window issue.


Upon Realizing that the Regulator and motor worked but had a rotted track, I figured a trip to the Local U-pull- it in Omaha was in order.

Scored a perfect working tailgate and glass while I was there for 50$


Decided to snag some new to me front seats out of a 2nd gen runner while I was there.





Fast Forward a few months and I finally got the seats in, New tailgate and window in and working, and worked a few bugs out with the Engine.



Super High Tech Window Fix

 

You didn't like the cage?

 

Decided that my feelings for the Cage and enormous Stinger were not going to change so......

Off they went


I think it looks way better without it.





Dog was not happy that I was always working on the yota.



A few weeks later, it started to get cold, and I could no longer take the the exhaust and dust coming in from where the PO left the fenders cut and not tubbed.

So I started to Tackle the job myself.

Now keep in mind, I teach Auto Mechanics not body work. I can do body work but I am by no means an expert. (far from it) My biggest thing is keeping the weather out of the inside and exhaust out also.

Point of no return


Making a template


Welded






I do not recommend doing it this way. It created a very sharp Hard edge on the outside of the fender. And the Toyota panels are sooooooo thin that upon sanding/grinding, I blew through the metal. Plus this method required alot more body filler.

Please again, understand that I was not worried about looks as much as sealing everything up.




I wish I would have taken more Pictures, But snow and cold weather was coming soon, So I was in a hurry.

I did two different methods to each side of the Back. I wish I would have done both sides like I did the Passenger side.


On the passenger side, I used the advice of Wabbit and folded over the Body Panel and welded on the inside of the Tub. This Method is far superior and alot easier to do than how I did the drivers side.


Few weeks later and things started to get busy. So the yota because a DD and working on it stopped.


Few engine swaps.




Some High Tech Tuning work. Very Very expensive. Let me know if youneed any done.



My need and desire for another yota pickup was dwindling. As I quickly realized this thing hauls alot!!

8 tires in back. 4 on rims and 4 without.



Had the students do a HG job to one of their 4 runners.



Back to the U-Pull-It



Scored some Hubs for 20$


The Junk Yard was great for a while while it lasted. They had so many Toyotasx it was like Christmas morning every time I went.

Sadly that did not last long. Now there are only a few around that have been picked hard.

Lifted a Tacoma along the Way. This is 283yotacrawler's truck








Found some floor rot on the drivers side floor pan.



Started to Cut it out.







Went to the Yard and Cut out a section from another 4Runner. It sucked to do this to another runner but I needed it. And the one I robbed it from is probably turned into soup cans by now.



So I showed the kids how to use a spot weld cutter and I separated the inner and outer rocker. Because my outer rocker was good.



wish I had more Pics, But again, was in a hurry and tried to get done as fast as I could.

In and fitted



Welded and sealed


Raptor Lined



That stuff was really easy to use. I sprayed it all in with a U-pol Shutz gun.

Messy shop! Hard to keep high school kids on task and cleaning



Forgot to mention that I painted the hood awhile back.



Man that stinger was HUGE!!

Had to park next to fellow Yota guy. Wife didnt like that we were on the other side of the parking lot from where we needed to be. Haha


Drove to MO a few weeks ago to get a parts Motor for 50$. Opened it up and Found this!!


Got my money Back!!


Decided to Raptor Liner from the Body Line down. Stuff is soooooo easy to use.


Turned out ok. Hard to make out but I think that I like it.




Fast Forward to present day.

283yotacrawler and I decided to swap tires. He does alot more driving than I do and the Trxus sts's are better on the road and in the weather than his grabbers were. So we swapped them out last week.

Here is the outcome.


And a few glamor cell phone shots from over the weekend.





Well thats all I have for now.

Whats to come in the near Future:
New front Lift springs
63's in the rear or might just do rear lift springs also
Hy-steer
timing kit (sitting on shelf in garage)
New Clutch ( also sitting on shelf)
Change exhaust
Would like to do a full interior cage (want more protection for the kiddos)


Thanks for looking guys.

 

Not really. If I lived in Moab with My dad, I might have kept it. But just wasn't for me. Plus it was tied into some rusty old nerf bars.

 

That front bumper looks much better than that ridiculous stinger!

 

Thanks man. I'm going to get a winch mount from wabfab and use the existing bumper to make something.

 

I found a few pics of my old ex-cab while digging through everything for this thread.

Man I miss it.
Day I brought it home. With a saggy rear end


It was soo clean inside and pretty clean outside minus some rust that I fixed.
.





A pic of my old Tacoma. Crappy Cell Pic



Ok no more Distractions. I promise.

 

Nice pics. Definetely like it minus the exo and stinger. Also am jealous of the liftgate you found at u pull it. white, plus has the automatic decal on it. Good score on the adj timing gear. Love those general grabbers too. Keep up the good work!!

 

Thanks for the compliments Chris. I have another tailgate that needs some work if you want it. I'll just give it to you. Still has the regulator in it , but one of the tracks that holds the window is in bad shape. And there is some rot on the bottom that can be fixed. But the outside shell is perfect.

 

haha. much appreciated on the rear gate but mines in great shape, i just noticed on the one in the pic it looks like it has a factory "automatic" decal on it and id never seen one before. Good job on the floor panel swap too. I would like to do that to my rear qaurters.

 

Thanks for the Compliments Chris. I was a little concerned with how the Floor repair would go, but im pretty happy with how it turned out. I'm still chasing down a leak in the Passenger Side floor. I think that its coming in on the seam between the cab and fender support. But will find out for sure when I tear into it tomorrow.

 

yea more snow today. ill be in the shop at work too haha. heat is good

 

Love it. Alot different from when you started. Might I say that the stinger was crazy, was it hard to park with it. I say it looks better without the roll cage. I kinda wish mine was a straight axle to. When do you plan on getting it running? Sub'd

 

Ever thought about swapping engines?? I like the 2.7 myself, not sure on hp, but im pretty sure its like around 160 compared to 100 outta the 22re?? I think it would be right up your alley mark. That thing would be deadly also with dual cases!!

 

Thanks man. It was a little tricky to park with the Stinger but It was nice to use when pushing open the gate at work while sitting in the drivers seat. HAHA Its My DD right now but im going to do something under the hood soon. I am currently buying an engine off of a machine shop that I know. So we will see.

Hey chris. I have most definitely thought about a swap to another motor. Its funny that you say the 2.7 because I love that motor. I had it in My 06 tacoma and it would run and run and pull and pull, and got low to mid 20's for mpg.
Sadly though, I dont have the funds for a swap like that. Maybe Later on. For now though I scored a Fully Rebuilt 22RE from a Machine shop I know. Just have to finish paying it off.

As far as dual cases go, I almost bought a marlin crawler set of 4.7 duals on craigslist off this dude in Des moines. I think he still has them. But I just cant justify buying those and not an Engine right now. Definitely will have them eventually.

It needs to warm up so we can go wheeling. I hate being stuck and fixing a broken rig in 30-40 degree weather.

 

Most definetly sucks being stuck by yourself and without a winch. Ive seen people use a handy man jack and chains cables ropes etc. looks dangerous. Wish i could afford a GOOD winch, like a warn 12k lb or somethin. I didnt notice before but you replaced your rear qaurters?? Did you find some at u pull it or where??

Also i agree on the 2.7 being a great swap. Ive seen them on c list for around $800 to $2000 depending on mileage and condition with harness and ecm. But there relatively the same weight and size as the 2.4 with more horsepower.

Need more pics!! haha

Keep up the good work Mark!

 

Nice score on the LCE head! Always great when that happens. And definitely no cage/stinger.

Look forward to your progress!

 

Thanks chris!

As far as tubbing the rear goes, I used some metal I had around the shop. Cut out the remaining rear inner fender and pieced up the new stuff. It was a wide open hole before. It used to be a dust storm inside when going down gravel at 40mph. haha

 

Thanks man. I really do like the look of it now without the cage. I wouldnt mind another stinger. It would just have to be a little more tasteful.(smaller)

 

You did get a LCE head with that engine?? Or the adjustable cam gear?? Either way good score. Need another red letter hanging off the back with swing gate bumper. Awwwwwww YEA!