1987 toyota 4runner sr5
 

Got it last night!
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The not so good...
Previous owner had it for 2 years. It was his daily commuter. He Purchased it from the original owner. Po said he took it out wheeling once and dragged it along a rock. He gave me the replacement panel, but it's cut out way short, so I can't use it...
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My plan? Clean & mostly stock, man..
After going through it today, I noticed I can count all the missing pieces on one hand. This runner has had no mods done (except after market radio & a tow hitch for something really small) and It's very complete. (just ask, if you need to check stock anything for reference on your rigs..i.e. Pics / measurements / bolt size / "where's this wire go?", etc.. ) Even the original floor mates are there and the carpet underneath is dusty at worst. No rust that I can see yet (except surface rust on the damaged 1/4 panel and I'm cutting that out anyway). So, my plan is to restore. Basically, I'm gonna clean the hell out of it, fix everything I can find wrong or worn, and I have some removable upgrades/modifications in mind. The 1/4 century old paint SUCKS but, lucky me, I started my work career as a body and paint guy, and for the last 8 years I'v been doing vehicle wraps and sign painting (vinyl graphics) so, might as well restore to original color then reproduce the silver graphics. Then, just cause I can, I'm gonna wrap it in matte black. It's basically a giant removable sticker (or film) that conforms to all the little body curves and looks like paint if done right. I like the "murdered" look + it will help protect the new paint.
Definitely want the soft top. I haven't even looked at prices yet but I hear they cost limbs.
I have a 85 (2WD!!! no straight axle for for me.) parts truck so I'm going to attempt a half door mod myself with out destroying the stock doors for the 98% of the time it won't be off-road.
This is my first 4wd ever so... total newb, not gonna get into anything that would take it out of commission for more than a day or two. I have an extra 22r engine out of the 85 that I've started my learning process on, and the block at least will probably find it way into the runner in the future.
The 4runner has 300,000+ mi. and I do not know what has been done on the engine. Po said he was up on the maintenance. Gonna at least pull cover and check chain guides and do a valve job.. and compression test this time! (forgot to on the 85 22r) All the fluids looked really clean! plugs look good... Like I've said before, I think this truck was taken really good care of. (still have 1000 mi. till next oil change) That's it for now.. gonna read up on what should probably be changed and start cleaning tomorrow. And off course, ANY FYIs / tips / tricks are appreciated! I'll be uploading more pics and updates as I go. Have a great day!

P.s. quick poll: I think i read 600x800 in the rules, but what pic size is preferable for folks here? ^These seem a little small.

Got the cover and TA-DA, rebuilt head so far.
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Chain guides were good but they were the plastic ones. so I'm gonna replace anyway with metal.
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Nice runner you have there. Looks pretty clean. I think you could get away with using that panel, as long as you feel confident enough with your body work skills. As for under the taillight, you could get behind it and try to hammer it out

Hey Toby, just got your message with the link to this thread, sorry I missed it earlier.

How is it coming along - get the head off yet?

Hey man, Hows it coming along. Did you ever tackle that body work yet?

Sub'd! Same year and color as mine but a thousand times cleaner then mine and an sr5 haha Hope the engine works going good!

Hi Gizler. Still need to get that panel. The top rail where the shell sits is buckled and beat back out too. It'd take, for me, too much bondo.

Hi Philbert. Yea, I think I put that message in the wrong spot (oops).
It looked so clean in there, I slapped the cover back on and took it camping.
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Unfortunately, when we got back we got some bad news about my mom-in-laws cancer. The house has been full of visitors and endless to-do lists, so no time for any big projects.

Did a few little things here and there tho...

Couldent look at that old shift plate any more,

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so I started designing a new one. Think I'll end up with this design minus the logo.

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Took all the carpets out for a good cleaning.

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found the screenshot of the craigslist ad.

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Gotta say I absolutely love this truck. I farted around a little in 4wd when I took it camping and now I want MOOORRRE! :)
I know these trucks are not known for power but getting it from sea level up to 4000ft. in 30 miles had me thinking the whole drive, " headers, cam, injectors, intake etc...."
Oh, and I used my wipers the other day and my radio shorted out..... I'm a fan of music so stereo install coming soon.
Other plans/dreams..
MPG now is about 16. Work is 300 mi round trip, so 18 mpg should get me there and back in one tank.
Zuk mod. Does this mod redden the neck? It looks legit but too easy at the same time lol. I gotta get that back end up.
Custom aluminum soft top, Body/ paint/ wrap, 1/2 doors.
Custom center console w/ fancy new cup holders.
Win Lotto.
Custom rear cargo panels. Mine are cracked and faded.
Custom LED lighting for that dark interior.
Battery/mass air swap.
List grows every time I look at her.

If all goes well, I'll be ordering the header kit from LCE this weekend.

Thanks Jagger. Haven't done anything to this engine yet. Gotta 85 22r I'm learning on right now. That motor was filthy compared to the one in the 4runner, but had way more power. Although, that's a 2wd 4speed reg cab on car wheels against an automatic 87 4runner with the shell, on 31" tires.

That carpet came out great!

I have the lce header and pro flow exhaust and like it. Wrapping up installation of engnbldr 268* cam and street rv head, plus supra afm and intake swap....will let you know how it turns out.

Please do. I'll hopefully be doing at least the supra swap soon.

Heres a stupid question, How do I go directly to someones build thread?
I can't see a link anywhere after I click on peoples names.

Nevermind, I was clicking on the persons pic,. not name. I got it now....duh.

Welcome! Looks like you have a decent rig to work with. DAMN those pine trees are huge in the background of your camping spot!!!(just one of the things i look at in everyones wheeling pics!!) I wouldnt worry about tearing into that engine if alls well... If you want you could start tearing down your 85 block and rebuild it while still driving what you have. Zuk is a fairly cheap mod for rear sag, bj spacers for front is fairly inexpensive and not to bad to install. I noticed you have the auto tranny as do i in my 89. I personally like the factory shift console myself. BEWARE mods (header, injectors, blah blah blah) can add up fast. I myself try to find or build things myself or buy used cause im po!!haha. Cool that its a sr5. My 4runner build thread has some good engine teardown and buildup pics if you need some info.

some folks have their build thread linked in their signature - mine isn't - it's just a head replacement with a bunch of other stuff:

https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f116.../#post52063928
(the original thread is linked in the first post too - it's 7 pages long)

What the husker said too...I'm for $1K on my head job with injectors, hoses, head, cam, etc....it adds up!

And ZUK is a great cheap mod - check out my link in my sig!

Thanks for the info kornhuskerwizard.
Only good thing about living in the Central Valley ca. is the sierra mountains on my back yard. And cheap rent!
Those trees are part of the famous Giant redwood belt.

I know all about being poor lol. I didn't want to go cheap and end up with header only slightly less restrictive as the stock one, so I chose LCE. I'm on Craigslist/ebay a lot looking for the deals, but you know how that goes.... Only find the best stuff when you don't have the $$$.

Think I'll get on the ZUK mod soon then adjust the torsion bar up front to level out.

So jealous that you live near the Sierra's. I used to live in Pennsylvania and makes me miss it even more when I see pics like yours of the forest.

Definitely on a budget also!! I scavenge parts all the time from the Junkyard, craigslist, etc... I just used my old exo cage to make some sliders this morning.

x2 on the ZUK mod. We are getting ready to do that mod to one of my students runners.

Keep the pics coming.

Dangit, wrote a long reply but yotatech's server must have been hungry cause its gone....
I feel the same about the east coast, love to see historic buildings so an east coast trip is definitely on the bucket list.

What size springs did you use and were you trying to lift it or restore to original ride hight? I think i read somewhere ZUK recommended 14" - 125lb?? I don't really want to adjust the front torsion too much so I'm not trying to get a big lift out of the mod, just level out.. Right now I'm about 1.5-2" off the rubber stops.

I'm in the Bay Area working for a few days, I'll post some more pics when I get some more done this weekend.

You can get the springs in smaller weight ratings than 125#, to give you less lift.

We haven't done the Zuk mod yet. But from what I have read, people have cut the springs down some to lessen the lift a little.