So after sometime since I've actually had a build, I decided it was time to get (another) 4Runner. It took me a while to find one that I wanted, and I really wanted another 85, but it is near impossible to find one in the Southeast that's not butchered or a rust bucket, and they always disappear quickly too. So I finally found this (what looked to be) good looking 88. It was on Craigslist in Orlando, about 2 and a half ours from where I live. So I took the plunge, drove down and looked it over. The guy was asking a reasonably low amount for it anyway, but after looking it over and test driving it, he took another couple hundred off. It definitely needs some work, but nothing I can't accomplish. I've had two Toyota pickups (91 and 94), both lifted on 37s, an 85 4runner on 35s, an 06 Tacoma, my 05 Tundra, and an 82 Trekker (which I only owned for a few months cause it needed way too much work, and I didn't have the time that I thought I would to be able to fix/restore it). So this 88 is an SR5 with the 3.0 V6. It has a pretty dirty interior, but I'm working on that. So far I've replaced the tail lights, converted the grill to a chrome grill, replaced the brake master cylinder, fixed an exhaust leak, and have been cleaning the crap out of it. I've already ripped out the carpet, and am looking for an armrest for my double decker console. Does anyone know if the armrest from a second gen will fit?

 

Pulled all my switches and gauge cluster and dash and replaced with LEDs from superbrightleds. I will post pics when it gets dark. Did notice that the dimmer wouldn't turn them down, just off, so not sure what that's about, but it looks a lot better. Also pulled all the consoles and back panels that needed paint, looks a million times better!

First pic is what most of them looked like.
Second pic is the process.
Third pic is a painted piece next to a piece that wasn't destroyed by the Florida sun. Just cleaned it to compare to the painted one.

 

Chrome grill. Still need the chrome turn signals, but this will do for now.

 

Old tail lights. New tail lights.

 

nice, i'd like to have a runner that looks that good.

 

Thanks, it looks good in pictures, but up close the paint is kinda rough. Bubbling and peeling in spots, but it is an 88. The top has been recited in black, but the seals need to be replaced.

 

Here's my 85, and my Tacoma with my 94, and then my tundra.really miss the 94 though.

 

Picked up some stuff from second gen 4runners today at the Pull-A-Part. Got a new steering wheel, some rear speaker boxes, rear storage boxes, a power antenna and some other misc items. Most have been installed, but still have to modify and run wiring for the rear speakers. Also got my new shifter boot that I ordered off eBay.

 

Great looking little runner you have got. Looks like you are making quick work of getting it into better shape and by the looks of your '94 you did well with it so imagine this is going to look as good. I miss my 3rd gen extended cab as well. Some great trucks. Looking forward to your build.

 

Thanks Terry. Yeah, I miss it a lot, and have big plans for this 4Runner. Just trying to get the cosmetics back to original (interior and exterior) before taking the plunge with the SAS. I need to get pics of my 91 up on here too. It had the 4.5" superlift and 2" body. It was also running on 37s.

 

Made it to the salvage yard again today. Went back for seats from a 90 4Runner that were in great shape. I had scoped them out on Friday when I went, but they were gone today. I was pretty bummed. It was 50%off day too. I only ended up getting some speakers from a 96 4Runner. They are good aftermarket Pioneer speakers. Paid $7 for the pair. We'll see how they sound when I get around to installing them.

 

wow, that's a clean looking 4runner! Nice work on the interior panels!

 

Got my inclinometer in (from Craigslist) on Friday. Painted it today and put it on my dash. The paint that I used (same as what I painted the rest of the panels and console), and it matches almost exactly. I was pretty pleased. Didn't come with the whole wiring harness, but made my own. Just gotta find where I have to connect it to. Can't find an extra plug, and I have the whole dash apart, but may just splice it into the cigarette plug since it's just for the light.

 

Spliced the inclinometer wiring into the wiring for the cigarette lighter light wiring. Put the whole dash back together. Took the chrome trim off the windshield and found the leak. It's the tiniest gap in the horrible sealant job that the previous owner had done. Not even sure how water was getting through, but it was so I sealed it and put the bottom trim back on. Also installed the new rear speakers (forgot to take pictures cause I phone call when putting them in and it slipped my mind). But they were Pioneer 5 1/2" speakers. Sound much better than stock. Had to modify the second gen rear speaker boxes that I put in, but they're pretty nice for $5. Also used headlight lens cleaner on my speedometer, clock, and inclinometer. They look a lot better.

 

Well, not sure how much I'll be posting to this thread. I may have another project on the way and this one may go up for sale! If anybody's interested in the SE Ga area, just let me know.

 

So picked up this gem on Saturday. 1989 SR5, SAS, auto, 3.0, 5.29's, Aussie locker front, spool rear, sliders, custom rear tire carrier, budbuilt transfer/tranny skid plate for $2600. Well, for some reason it won't let me post any photos of it, but I will as soon as I get a chance.

 

Anyone know how to be able to post more pics? It keeps telling me it exceeds my quota by xxx KBs.

 

Finally got to post some pics!!
So first thing I did was gut the carpet, replace the tail lights and just got down replacing a stuck right caliper. Now she drives pretty good. Drives true at high speeds (>60mph), but still pulls a little to the right at slower speeds. Not sure, but need to look into that. Next on the agenda is to get the interior cleaned up real good, get new carpet, door window seals, and get the spool taken out and a Detroit put in the rear. Would like to go from 5" lift to 4", could probably put 40's under it, but I like 35's. Got some plans for this 4runner, but need to get the 88 sold first.

 

Got my CB antenna and a few other things done today. Sold the grey 88 4Runner that I had originally bought. So future work will be to remove the spool and get it aligned so that it will be street ready.

 

Got the rear panels cleaned, primed, painted and cleared. Installed another light on the passenger panel, and relocated the exhaust to a side exit. Test drove it and it's 100% better than the rear exit as far as fumes with the rear window down are concerned.