This was going to be a 1987 build but here is the story. I bought this truck off a local "Craigs List" ad.

Its a 1987 4Runner. I got it for $1800.



It also came with an 1985 4Runner for FREE! (It was running on 3cyl when i took it home!)


Me and my buddy drove the trucks home and he loved the 87. He wanted it. We made a deal he gave me his 1986 Mustang SVO as a trade. He bought the SVO for $1000 and he really wanted a 4x4.

This is what he gave me. I sold it a week later for $1800.


So now im sitting on a free 1985 4Runner..... What to do... Well I needed some money to start this project so I sold some stuff.

My 86 SVO gone! (I cant see myself driving a sports car anymore!)


Also my 91 4Runner. (Bye Bye bad gas milage!)


So first things first! Pulled the motor. Check out the timing chain guide!


Next, time to clean and POR15.

Before


After


POR15 (Not completely finished )

 

Got the motor worked on and it has been sitting in my garage for a month. Also picked up a master rebuild kit and an RV Cam from Engnbldr.

Heres the motor.


When I called Engnbldr about the kit we had some issues identifying what motor i had. Apparently I had the wrong head for the motor. I had no idea. The guy I spoke to was a book and knew all there is to know about the 22r. So it turned out that I had the 85 and up block with an older head I think he said from 82-84 I cant remember. So that explained the loss of compression and the broken timing chain guide.

 

Nice bartering moves on the stang

Subscribed - looking good! Did you clean the parts with POR 15 or just paint over them with it after cleaning? What did you clean with?

 

some wheeling and dealing going on
time for upgrade to the avatar

 

I got a pretty sweet deal on a brand new lift kit and a nice rebate check.

Nice!!

 

1st: Gas and a brush
2nd: Media Blast
3rd: POR15 "Marine Clean"
4th: POR15 "Metal Ready" x2
5th: POR15 Paint x2

 

Coming right up!

 

Thanks for this!

 

Ok so where was I... Ok so I picked up a 4in Pro Comp lift from Summit pretty cheep they had a $250 rebate on it so I got it for about $520 shipped.

So time to find more parts for the truck.

Found a 87 SR5 for a doner truck.


Ill post the pics of the goodies it has in a bit!

 

So lets see...
Standard transmission

SR5 Gauges


Wheel Spacers


Thorley Header


Catalytic Converter


DynoMax Muffler


Electric Fan with thermo relay


Oh and the body and interior. The interior is blue so it might match these cool seats I had laying around.


So what do you guys think about me putting this 87 body on my 85 frame?
Would it still be an 85? Is it just wrong? The 85 just has too much rust.
Your opinion is appreciated!

 

like the new avatar and I have seat Envy

 

No kidding, I wish I had some Recaros lying around.

 

Well this is what went on today.
(Click on the photo to see the video)

 

that's just sad.....you could have salvaged that top for someone

 

Yea it was sad but the top had some major broken pieces cracks and rust. I guess the only thing good on it was the windows.

 

Wow! I would have loved to have had that top! A few cracks and rusty hardware beats not having a hardtop!

 

Sorry about the top guys but the way things nowadays you can't Evan give things away. You say "Free!" and no one has the money to ship it or pay for gas to pick it up. I'm a 30 yr single father living at my parents house and I just can't have a bunch of stuff laying around to be sold or to be given away. Next time I'll let you all know before I get rid of something.

 

I understand, and hope you didn't take my comment in a bad way. I scrapped a decent '82 Toyota 4x4 (with title)because I couldn't give it away. I just hate to see parts I need being scrapped! I've hauled off a bunch of stuff that I could use now..... just didn't have a place to keep them. Luckily there's still a lot of 1st Gen 'runner parts around.

 

Nice Recaros. I have some out of a 90's GTI in mine

 

Ok Starting to get on the truck again. Here is some pics for you all to chew on.



Got her blasted for $150. Not bad.


Couple of coats of POR-15 and she looks great!


My little girl showing off the work we did on the motor.