subaruwrx88011's 1985 Toyota 4Runner Build-Up Thread
May 22, 2009 | 01:18 PM
#1
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From: Albuquerque, NM
subaruwrx88011's 1985 Toyota 4Runner Build-Up Thread
This thread is going to contain my build. I am going to try and be as detailed as possible with providing pictures and video. You guys have help me out tremendously over the years so I thought I would repay for that information (even if it is repeating it). I hope this build thread will help other toyota enthusiasts with their builds. however this is my first build so I know there will be mistakes/ignorances so please bear with me. I will try and go back and correct those occurances as the build progresses.
My Story
I bought my first Toyota when I was a a junior in High School. It was a 1998 xtra-cab SR5. I lived in Farmington, NM and 4-Wheeling was huge there (I am sure most of you know that). I never really could get into it cause of the money and the IFS. The motor ended up blowing when I was a sophmore in college. Ended up getting a honda civic and my dad replaced the motor and drove it for 3 more years until he bought a 99 Pre Runner.
I am now 26 years old. About 6 months ago I was on craigslist just browsing and came across a 1985 Xtra-Cab SR5. The lady needed to get rid of it. I drove to Tucson (from Las Cruces, NM) to check it out. It was in pretty decent condition, had a 5-7 inch lift, brand new 35" tires. The only thing really wrong with it was the 4 wheel drive didn't work cause someone put 5.29s in the rear axle but not in the front. I ended up getting it for $2500 and drove it all the way back to Las Cruces, NM. It has been my daily driver ever since.
I have always wanted to rebuild one of these trucks from the ground up. So that's what I intended to do with this truck. I decided I would build a "rolling chassis" first and then transfer everything else from this truck. That way I could keep driving my truck for as long as possible.
This lead me to buy some axles to rebuild. I figure that would be a good starting point. I purchased a 85 front axle and a 95 4Runner V6 rear axle.
The COOL Part
About 2 months ago I was on craigslist (again just browsing) and saw that a guy was selling some 85 parts. I texted him and asked if he was going to be getting rid of the frame. I figured I could clean up a frame in parallel with building the axles. He told me that he was keeping the frame to build a rock crawler. Well 2 days ago he texted me (i guess he kept my number) asking me if I was still interested in the frame. He told me that he was going over seas to work the next day and needed to offload his whole project. I told him I really just needed the frame and would hate to lowball him for everything (I really didn't know what he all had). He told me to make an offer. Well...to make an already long story shorter, i offered him $200. He said come get it. My buddy loaded up a flat bed trailer and went to his house. Low and behold it was pretty much a whole 1985 xtra-cab truck. The other things were a AOD Ford Auto Tranny (he was planning a 302 swap) and the stock 22re Auto. It had no engine and no interior but had everything else (axles, gas tank, etc).
My New Build Plan
I want this new truck to be a daily driver but also hold up on the trail. I am not planning on doing any hardcore rockcrawling but would like to have confidence if I am going through sand or coming up against a tough obstacle. I want to keep this truck (after it is done) for a very long time so I want to build it to last another 29 years
I am going to taking this truck and and restore/build it from the ground up. I am going to build strong axles with lockers, paint the axles and frame (probably with POR15), build a motor (can't decide on the 22re or a new tacoma v6) and all the other goodies that I can come up with (with yotatech help).
Here they are together. Both my TOYS!!!!
OH AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST, THE REASON FOR THE THREAD TITLE (total 80's)
Thanks for reading and I am excited for this project and hope it helps out future toyota fans.
Leon
My Story
I bought my first Toyota when I was a a junior in High School. It was a 1998 xtra-cab SR5. I lived in Farmington, NM and 4-Wheeling was huge there (I am sure most of you know that). I never really could get into it cause of the money and the IFS. The motor ended up blowing when I was a sophmore in college. Ended up getting a honda civic and my dad replaced the motor and drove it for 3 more years until he bought a 99 Pre Runner.
I am now 26 years old. About 6 months ago I was on craigslist just browsing and came across a 1985 Xtra-Cab SR5. The lady needed to get rid of it. I drove to Tucson (from Las Cruces, NM) to check it out. It was in pretty decent condition, had a 5-7 inch lift, brand new 35" tires. The only thing really wrong with it was the 4 wheel drive didn't work cause someone put 5.29s in the rear axle but not in the front. I ended up getting it for $2500 and drove it all the way back to Las Cruces, NM. It has been my daily driver ever since.
I have always wanted to rebuild one of these trucks from the ground up. So that's what I intended to do with this truck. I decided I would build a "rolling chassis" first and then transfer everything else from this truck. That way I could keep driving my truck for as long as possible.
This lead me to buy some axles to rebuild. I figure that would be a good starting point. I purchased a 85 front axle and a 95 4Runner V6 rear axle.
The COOL Part
About 2 months ago I was on craigslist (again just browsing) and saw that a guy was selling some 85 parts. I texted him and asked if he was going to be getting rid of the frame. I figured I could clean up a frame in parallel with building the axles. He told me that he was keeping the frame to build a rock crawler. Well 2 days ago he texted me (i guess he kept my number) asking me if I was still interested in the frame. He told me that he was going over seas to work the next day and needed to offload his whole project. I told him I really just needed the frame and would hate to lowball him for everything (I really didn't know what he all had). He told me to make an offer. Well...to make an already long story shorter, i offered him $200. He said come get it. My buddy loaded up a flat bed trailer and went to his house. Low and behold it was pretty much a whole 1985 xtra-cab truck. The other things were a AOD Ford Auto Tranny (he was planning a 302 swap) and the stock 22re Auto. It had no engine and no interior but had everything else (axles, gas tank, etc).
My New Build Plan
I want this new truck to be a daily driver but also hold up on the trail. I am not planning on doing any hardcore rockcrawling but would like to have confidence if I am going through sand or coming up against a tough obstacle. I want to keep this truck (after it is done) for a very long time so I want to build it to last another 29 years
I am going to taking this truck and and restore/build it from the ground up. I am going to build strong axles with lockers, paint the axles and frame (probably with POR15), build a motor (can't decide on the 22re or a new tacoma v6) and all the other goodies that I can come up with (with yotatech help).
Here they are together. Both my TOYS!!!!
OH AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST, THE REASON FOR THE THREAD TITLE (total 80's)
Thanks for reading and I am excited for this project and hope it helps out future toyota fans.
Leon
Last edited by subaruwrx88011; May 22, 2009 at 01:33 PM.
May 22, 2009 | 01:25 PM
#2
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Joined: Feb 2006
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From: Albuquerque, NM
Today I got done taking the bed off of the frame. Pretty straightforward. There were like 6-8 bolt points (mine had some missing bolts). Of course they weren't all the same size. The size that I think was the stock size was 3/4 inch.
I also had to take the taillights off and disconnect the harness from them, and then push the wires out of the tailight housing.
The frame has literally no rust on it whatsoever. Cleaning and painting it should be fairly easy.
I also had to take the taillights off and disconnect the harness from them, and then push the wires out of the tailight housing.
The frame has literally no rust on it whatsoever. Cleaning and painting it should be fairly easy.
Last edited by subaruwrx88011; May 22, 2009 at 01:30 PM.
May 22, 2009 | 03:10 PM
#3
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 341
Likes: 1
From: Loveland, CO
Great start. It's so helpfull to have multiple parts trucks to steal from. One missing bolt can cost you hours, but when you have a massive surplus of (mostly) complete trucks to borrow from it makes life easy. Also, the rust free factor is a major plus!
May 22, 2009 | 05:59 PM
#6
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Joined: Feb 2006
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From: Albuquerque, NM
Don't want to kill a toyota to build a toyota
But deep down inside you love me
I know it.Ya. I know I have some options but that is going be way down the road. Thanks for the suggestion.
Last edited by subaruwrx88011; May 22, 2009 at 06:01 PM.
May 22, 2009 | 06:27 PM
#7
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From: Burlington, VT
Trending Topics
May 23, 2009 | 08:33 AM
#9
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From: Stockton California
Yeah it seems like those deals are never around when you need em... Like my dad had a 96 runner "i believe" that he wanted to do SAS on and had a 85 truck in the backyard in great condition just needed a few parts to run and it sat their for awhile well he noticed my buddy's dad was in a hard spot and lost his work truck so he got it running and gave it to him! Nothing beats getting a good deal on a yota...
May 25, 2009 | 08:50 AM
#10
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From: Albuquerque, NM
Today I am going to take apart my 95 v6 rear axle.
This is the websites I am looking at:
http://www.fourwheeler.com/techartic...de/photos.html
http://www.4x4wire.com/toyota/mainte...axle/oil_seal/
https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f115...ctures-180536/
http://www.4x4wire.com/toyota/reviews/fullfloater/(maybe ill do this)
This is the websites I am looking at:
http://www.fourwheeler.com/techartic...de/photos.html
http://www.4x4wire.com/toyota/mainte...axle/oil_seal/
https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f115...ctures-180536/
http://www.4x4wire.com/toyota/reviews/fullfloater/(maybe ill do this)
May 25, 2009 | 08:56 AM
#11
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From: way way nor cal
May 26, 2009 | 01:49 PM
#12
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From: Albuquerque, NM
well some disappointment today. I got the rear axle cleaned and taken apart and found out that the axle housing is bent. The guy I bought it from did a really good job of hiding it when he welded the spring hangars.
so that was a wasted afternoon, wasted $$, and now I am in search for a new v6 rear.
so that was a wasted afternoon, wasted $$, and now I am in search for a new v6 rear.
Last edited by subaruwrx88011; May 26, 2009 at 09:31 PM.
..
May 26, 2009 | 02:45 PM
#14
interesting that the '95 4Runner axle had leaf spring mounts on it, thought 95 4Runners had coils...
Very cool build. Yep, I am jealous of your $200 parts truck
with that extra '85 axle you have got some great trading stock
I remember watching 'Iron Eagle' kind of a cheesy movie, but cool name for a build and looks good on the truck
Very cool build. Yep, I am jealous of your $200 parts truck
with that extra '85 axle you have got some great trading stockI remember watching 'Iron Eagle' kind of a cheesy movie, but cool name for a build and looks good on the truck
May 26, 2009 | 02:45 PM
#15
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From: Albuquerque, NM
May 26, 2009 | 02:46 PM
#16
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From: Albuquerque, NM
interesting that the '95 4Runner axle had leaf spring mounts on it, thought 95 4Runners had coils...
Very cool build. Yep, I am jealous of your $200 parts truck with that extra '85 axle you have got some great trading stock
I remember watching 'Iron Eagle' kind of a cheesy movie, but cool name for a build and looks good on the truck
Very cool build. Yep, I am jealous of your $200 parts truck
with that extra '85 axle you have got some great trading stockI remember watching 'Iron Eagle' kind of a cheesy movie, but cool name for a build and looks good on the truck
Thank man. I think I am going to keep the Iron Eagle gate and just clear coat it. Kinda can't bring myself to get rid of it
and I think the guy did a coil to leaf conversion cause he had an 85 also.
Last edited by subaruwrx88011; May 26, 2009 at 02:48 PM.
May 26, 2009 | 03:43 PM
#17
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Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 111
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From: El Paso
This thread is going to contain my build. I am going to try and be as detailed as possible with providing pictures and video. You guys have help me out tremendously over the years so I thought I would repay for that information (even if it is repeating it). I hope this build thread will help other toyota enthusiasts with their builds. however this is my first build so I know there will be mistakes/ignorances so please bear with me. I will try and go back and correct those occurances as the build progresses.
My Story
I bought my first Toyota when I was a a junior in High School. It was a 1998 xtra-cab SR5. I lived in Farmington, NM and 4-Wheeling was huge there (I am sure most of you know that). I never really could get into it cause of the money and the IFS. The motor ended up blowing when I was a sophmore in college. Ended up getting a honda civic and my dad replaced the motor and drove it for 3 more years until he bought a 99 Pre Runner.
I am now 26 years old. About 6 months ago I was on craigslist just browsing and came across a 1985 Xtra-Cab SR5. The lady needed to get rid of it. I drove to Tucson (from Las Cruces, NM) to check it out. It was in pretty decent condition, had a 5-7 inch lift, brand new 35" tires. The only thing really wrong with it was the 4 wheel drive didn't work cause someone put 5.29s in the rear axle but not in the front. I ended up getting it for $2500 and drove it all the way back to Las Cruces, NM. It has been my daily driver ever since.
I have always wanted to rebuild one of these trucks from the ground up. So that's what I intended to do with this truck. I decided I would build a "rolling chassis" first and then transfer everything else from this truck. That way I could keep driving my truck for as long as possible.
This lead me to buy some axles to rebuild. I figure that would be a good starting point. I purchased a 85 front axle and a 95 4Runner V6 rear axle.
The COOL Part
About 2 months ago I was on craigslist (again just browsing) and saw that a guy was selling some 85 parts. I texted him and asked if he was going to be getting rid of the frame. I figured I could clean up a frame in parallel with building the axles. He told me that he was keeping the frame to build a rock crawler. Well 2 days ago he texted me (i guess he kept my number) asking me if I was still interested in the frame. He told me that he was going over seas to work the next day and needed to offload his whole project. I told him I really just needed the frame and would hate to lowball him for everything (I really didn't know what he all had). He told me to make an offer. Well...to make an already long story shorter, i offered him $200. He said come get it. My buddy loaded up a flat bed trailer and went to his house. Low and behold it was pretty much a whole 1985 xtra-cab truck. The other things were a AOD Ford Auto Tranny (he was planning a 302 swap) and the stock 22re Auto. It had no engine and no interior but had everything else (axles, gas tank, etc).
My New Build Plan
I want this new truck to be a daily driver but also hold up on the trail. I am not planning on doing any hardcore rockcrawling but would like to have confidence if I am going through sand or coming up against a tough obstacle. I want to keep this truck (after it is done) for a very long time so I want to build it to last another 29 years
I am going to taking this truck and and restore/build it from the ground up. I am going to build strong axles with lockers, paint the axles and frame (probably with POR15), build a motor (can't decide on the 22re or a new tacoma v6) and all the other goodies that I can come up with (with yotatech help).
Here they are together. Both my TOYS!!!!
OH AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST, THE REASON FOR THE THREAD TITLE (total 80's)
Thanks for reading and I am excited for this project and hope it helps out future toyota fans.
Leon
My Story
I bought my first Toyota when I was a a junior in High School. It was a 1998 xtra-cab SR5. I lived in Farmington, NM and 4-Wheeling was huge there (I am sure most of you know that). I never really could get into it cause of the money and the IFS. The motor ended up blowing when I was a sophmore in college. Ended up getting a honda civic and my dad replaced the motor and drove it for 3 more years until he bought a 99 Pre Runner.
I am now 26 years old. About 6 months ago I was on craigslist just browsing and came across a 1985 Xtra-Cab SR5. The lady needed to get rid of it. I drove to Tucson (from Las Cruces, NM) to check it out. It was in pretty decent condition, had a 5-7 inch lift, brand new 35" tires. The only thing really wrong with it was the 4 wheel drive didn't work cause someone put 5.29s in the rear axle but not in the front. I ended up getting it for $2500 and drove it all the way back to Las Cruces, NM. It has been my daily driver ever since.
I have always wanted to rebuild one of these trucks from the ground up. So that's what I intended to do with this truck. I decided I would build a "rolling chassis" first and then transfer everything else from this truck. That way I could keep driving my truck for as long as possible.
This lead me to buy some axles to rebuild. I figure that would be a good starting point. I purchased a 85 front axle and a 95 4Runner V6 rear axle.
The COOL Part
About 2 months ago I was on craigslist (again just browsing) and saw that a guy was selling some 85 parts. I texted him and asked if he was going to be getting rid of the frame. I figured I could clean up a frame in parallel with building the axles. He told me that he was keeping the frame to build a rock crawler. Well 2 days ago he texted me (i guess he kept my number) asking me if I was still interested in the frame. He told me that he was going over seas to work the next day and needed to offload his whole project. I told him I really just needed the frame and would hate to lowball him for everything (I really didn't know what he all had). He told me to make an offer. Well...to make an already long story shorter, i offered him $200. He said come get it. My buddy loaded up a flat bed trailer and went to his house. Low and behold it was pretty much a whole 1985 xtra-cab truck. The other things were a AOD Ford Auto Tranny (he was planning a 302 swap) and the stock 22re Auto. It had no engine and no interior but had everything else (axles, gas tank, etc).
My New Build Plan
I want this new truck to be a daily driver but also hold up on the trail. I am not planning on doing any hardcore rockcrawling but would like to have confidence if I am going through sand or coming up against a tough obstacle. I want to keep this truck (after it is done) for a very long time so I want to build it to last another 29 years
I am going to taking this truck and and restore/build it from the ground up. I am going to build strong axles with lockers, paint the axles and frame (probably with POR15), build a motor (can't decide on the 22re or a new tacoma v6) and all the other goodies that I can come up with (with yotatech help).
Here they are together. Both my TOYS!!!!
OH AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST, THE REASON FOR THE THREAD TITLE (total 80's)
Thanks for reading and I am excited for this project and hope it helps out future toyota fans.
Leon
WHAT A SMALL WORLD WE LIVE IN, I SAW THAT TOYOTA FOR SALE HERE IN EL PASO. THE OWNERS SISTER DROVE IT WITH OUT OIL AND LOCKED UP THE ENGINE. HE HAD BE TRYING TO GET RID OF THAT TRUCK FOR TWO MONTHS ON CRAIGSLIST. i WAS GONNA BUY IT BUT, I WAS LOOKING FOR A STANDARD NOT AUTO, BUT LATER i CHANGED MY MIND....
IT WAS FOR SALE ORIGINALLY ON DYER AND NATIONS , CRAZY. i WAS GONNA GO BACK AND GET IT BUT THE GUY HAD JUST GOTTEN RID OF IT! iT DID HAVE THE INTERIOR WHEN I SAW IT, BUT WAS IN BAD CONDITION,......I GUESS HE SOLD IT TO YOUR GUY?
YOUR ARE LUCKY, RIGHT NOW IN E.P.T, THERES LIKE THREE TACOMAS GOING CHEAP, THIS IS BEST TIME TO GET A GREAT DEAL! ILL BE CHECKING OUT YOUR THREAD , GOOD LUCK!
Last edited by ogclew; May 26, 2009 at 03:48 PM.
May 26, 2009 | 04:48 PM
#19
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From: Yotatech, because Pirate is too expensive. NorCal.
WHAT A SMALL WORLD WE LIVE IN, I SAW THAT TOYOTA FOR SALE HERE IN EL PASO. THE OWNERS SISTER DROVE IT WITH OUT OIL AND LOCKED UP THE ENGINE. HE HAD BE TRYING TO GET RID OF THAT TRUCK FOR TWO MONTHS ON CRAIGSLIST. i WAS GONNA BUY IT BUT, I WAS LOOKING FOR A STANDARD NOT AUTO, BUT LATER i CHANGED MY MIND....
IT WAS FOR SALE ORIGINALLY ON DYER AND NATIONS , CRAZY. i WAS GONNA GO BACK AND GET IT BUT THE GUY HAD JUST GOTTEN RID OF IT! iT DID HAVE THE INTERIOR WHEN I SAW IT, BUT WAS IN BAD CONDITION,......I GUESS HE SOLD IT TO YOUR GUY?
YOUR ARE LUCKY, RIGHT NOW IN E.P.T, THERES LIKE THREE TACOMAS GOING CHEAP, THIS IS BEST TIME TO GET A GREAT DEAL! ILL BE CHECKING OUT YOUR THREAD , GOOD LUCK!
IT WAS FOR SALE ORIGINALLY ON DYER AND NATIONS , CRAZY. i WAS GONNA GO BACK AND GET IT BUT THE GUY HAD JUST GOTTEN RID OF IT! iT DID HAVE THE INTERIOR WHEN I SAW IT, BUT WAS IN BAD CONDITION,......I GUESS HE SOLD IT TO YOUR GUY?
YOUR ARE LUCKY, RIGHT NOW IN E.P.T, THERES LIKE THREE TACOMAS GOING CHEAP, THIS IS BEST TIME TO GET A GREAT DEAL! ILL BE CHECKING OUT YOUR THREAD , GOOD LUCK!
stop yelling your hurting my ears...
i left the caps on, ill keep tabs on my "caps" so you dont go deaf.
