Last December I traded in my 2000 Limited 4Runner on a new car for my wife. Then I sold my convertible (98 GST Spyder) as we prepared a down payment for a new house, which moved my 04 STi to my daily driver...once we moved I was ready for a new toy that gave my STi a break, combined my need for 4wd functionality during colder months, and top off action for the warmer ones.

My search ended in late April when I picked up a fairly nice 89 4Runner. I hopped on a Greyhound bus from Cincinnati to Pittsburgh, and drove my new 4Runner home. It looked like a pretty nice rebuild...but there are many things I would like to make this truck my own.

It was a frame off restoration job - advertised as NO rust...there is a little bit in the bed, and some surface rust underneath. Frame is two years old, it's solid but also has its fare share of surface rust...and the dude was a chain smoker, which he failed to tell me. So, there is work to be done, might as well start a thread on the progress.

Here is the PO (original owner) transformation and the way I took delivery of this classic truck:


Frame:


As I picked it up in Pittsburgh, complete with TTS...tiny tire syndrome:


Back:

 

So, chain smoker = interior clean out. I took everything out, and it's all undergone extensive cleaning. For about two weeks the only thing still in the truck was the drivers seat and dashboard. I've dismantled the rear seats and soaked the cushions hoping to eliminate odors, same with headrests. All fabric has been washed, including the carpets. I'm going to attempt to dye the carpets as well, give it a fresh and clean look.

I also discovered some surface rust and a rust hole the size of a nickel under the carpet in the rear. I'll be working on sanding all of this down and prepping for paint - bed liner in the back sounds like a good idea.

When the PO restored the car and swapped frames he also did a lot of welding to fix, what I assume, was large rust holes. They seem to be holding up okay.

Stripped down:


Bed:


Front, surface rust to clean up:


All the extra parts that came with the truck, I plan on going back to stock bumpers...I'm not a big fan of these Smittybuilt ones...so look for a "for sale" post soon:

 

I decided I'd try my hand at painting my carpets after the cleaning the thoroughly. I used this Duplicolor stuff after reading reviews, and at $8.00 a can I figured it was worth a shot - worst case scenario...my carpets still look terrible.

I think it turned out really well. Used 3 cans to get good coverage on the carpet. I also added a new shift boot and removed a lot of trim, cleaned it, and added bed liner to it.

Duplicolor:


First coat:


You can see what I was trying to cover up:


Front back in:


All back in:


New shift boot, good material:

 

One of the parts I've been searching for is the roll bar - it wasn't included in the many extras I got with the truck and it's not something that shippable...so I've been cruising craigslist like any normal parts stalker and finally found an add, just down the street.

Another 89 4runner bound for a set of white pearly gates with a rotted out frame and no engine. He agreed to sell me the roll bar for $30...exactly what I was waiting for:


While I was there I found another part I couldn't live without, a K&N fpik for $50. Total that up, and I'm at $80. This is when things got interesting. He said he would take $400 for the entire truck - and give me an $80 credit on what I just paid him...hmmm.

Three days later, he delivered the truck to me. Has all power options (which I don't), lots of decent replacement parts in case something breaks, a low mileage V6 auto transmission in great working order, a sunroof, new front fenders, some good suspension items that I plan on using, some nice locking hubs...and what I don't need I can scrap.

Isn't she a beauwwt?


Anyone need a part?


Best part about a project like this...I can take it off and not worry about putting it back together for once! Oh, and the Dale Jr. sticker of course...nice custom dash.


I see some parts for sale soon - would love to sell cheap to help others out that may be in need.

 

Good post, looks like this is gonna be one to keep my eye on.

Welcome to YotaTech!

 

Great runner you have there. I grew up in Pittsburgh and lived therefor 26 yrs. it's hard to find clean toyotas there. But you definitely found a gem.

Nice find on the parts runner. Can't beat the price man!!

 

I would buy the console lid/top I you are willing to sell it

 

It's yours if you need it, I'll PM you.

 

The work has been slow on my 4runner because I've spent so much time stripping my donor truck. There's something satisfying about taking apart a truck and not having to keep track of bolts or where things are supposed to go

The donor truck has supplied a few things for me - the rear mud guard under the bumper was in perfect shape, and it also came with a sturdy hitch...so I pillaged those for my use. I also plan on pulling the Aisin hubs and replacing my Warn hubs...despite the fact that the Warns are working perfect it seems that the Aisin's are just preferred by about everyone.

I've also started to reassemble a good part of the interior - I stripped the fabric off the rear seats, cleaned the cushions with a one week soak in soapy water, and ran the fabric through the wash...now that everything is dry and back on it looks barely used!

I also have a for sale thread at tr4.org, if anyone is curious about parts...lots I don't need: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/sale-t...incinnati.html

Reassembling back seats:


lowers installed, fresh and clean!


Haven't decided on the rear bed yet...I think I may eventually do a roll-on bed liner instead of putting the carpet back. Decisions decisions.

Progress on the old parts mobile, once the top is gone it will be almost unrecognizable at to make/model.

 

In between the time I've spent stripping the parts truck I've managed to pull some items for myself and get them installed. I also removed my front and rear tube bumpers and went back to the stock look - which I love. The parts truck also had a heavy duty hitch that I've taken off but have yet to put on my truck.

First thing I did was rig up a system for the K&N filter that came with the parts truck. If you search ISR (intake silencer removal) there are tons of ways to do this. I took bit and pieces of advice...and ended up building my own system from some hose couplers, an old front mount intercooler elbow, and some nipples (hehehehe).

When I pulled the intake off I clearly had a leak, so I knew I'd need to work up a replacement for this:

I followed some posted info on several peoples intake builds, went to lowes, got some 3" - 2.5" couplers, a few nipples, and returned home...but the couplers were just way to big...and the 2.5" side was way to small. I wanted a perfect fit with zero room for leaks...so I ordered some basic 2.75" - 2.5" reducing couplers on ebay ($14 shipped). And they fit perfect on both the intake and the intercooler pipe I was reusing.


One hose attached to test fit:


The intercooler pipe I was reusing - 2.5", had one nipple on it already, so I drilled a hole, fitted a second nipple, bolt on the inside, and some rtv sealant for safe measure.


And, abracadabra, back in the 4runner:


This did take a few days since I had to wait on shipping of the hoses...but It's working out great for sure.

Then I swapped hubs. Went from the WARN hubs that came on the truck from the PO, to the Aisin hubs off the donor truck. Once I knew what I was doing the process took 20 minutes a side. I spent more time cleaning old grease and lubing up parts then I did on anything else.

Aisin's on and in place...awaiting torqueage:


The size difference and appearance is very noticeable between the two:


And I also love only having to turn the Aisin's a 1/4 turn, compared to the nearly full turn you have to make with the WARN hubs:


And then I finally removed the tube bumpers the truck came with. Just too much for my taste. Although I miss the feeling that I had with them on...the feeling that I can just push any idiot out of the way if they annoyed me on the road. Here is the clean look front end:


And I also reinstalled the fresh and clean back seats for my kids to ride in...but they always end up in my seat. But we all went for ice cream after a long day of work:

 

Looking real good man. I wish I had a place to store a parts truck. I'm checking out your parts thread just in case something catches my eye.

 

I also wish I had a place to park my parts truck I just moved into a new subdivision...but fortunately I had a friend with some acreage nearby. So it's parked at his place while we dismember it.

I tested the new hubs and my 4wd for the first time yesterday. Found a good deal on CL for some 15x10 wheels that will eventually fit my much needed big tires. This guy's driveway was like a dried up creek bed with a 45 degree incline...I passed the test!

New old wheels:

 

Suuuuuubscribed

 

A nice Sunday with nothing to do quickly turned into the next on my project list - finishing the interior dash. It's not in bad shape, but the cracked dash bothers me and all the different shades of gray. Plus the fact that cleaning as much of this truck as possible will eliminate the now faint smoke smell - it's almost gone!

So, yesterday was removal and paint prep. We've all seen the painted interiors of our random friends ricer that slowly starts to chip off and then looks terrible. Usually because the didn't prep anything.

A good bath + wax/grease remover will go a long long way. I tested this first, just to see if I liked the outcome. As you may notice in some of the previous posts, the center console and shifter trim are now black...bedliner black. I also think the spray on bedliner will hold up better on all of these parts.

Now, I just have to remember where all these wires go...


cracked dash - I'm going to try some bondo-ing first...we'll see where that gets me. Leftover tape from my hula girl (she will return)was a quick fix with goo gone:


And everything laid out, drying from the wash:


There was a layer of grime so thick of the back of all of these parts I had to change my rinse bucket twice...gross. I also gave the inside of the dash a thorough wipe down and vacuum.

AFTER pics to come maybe tomorrow? Hope it all goes back in as easy as it came out!

 

Dash is done! Looks really good, VERY happy with the results! I also added a center pocket under my radio where there was previously a giant hole...much cleaner now!



Now I just need to figure out a steering wheel solution. I have the center cap off now and it's held paint well after a thorough prepping, but I can't decide if I want a smaller wheel, or just get a cover for this old faded junk:



Anyone out there find a good looking replacement wheel that isn't expensive?

 

Radom question for anyone reading this, regarding the parts truck I have demolished...

Do scrap yards have the capability of picking up what's left of this truck even if I remove the wheels/axels, etc? I'm guessing they would just bring a forklift?

Perhaps I should start calling around. Auto salvage yards, like a "pick and pull" type place the best way to go, or should I be looking for a company that picks up scrap metal?

No title or anything for this truck, just leftover and rusty frame and body.

 

So...found another parts truck for sale, and I bought it. Apparently ny mew hobby is collecting parts trucks. This one is a 87 with a 22RE manual in it...and it came as a roller. But still, had some items I need for mine and a few that people have already requested.

Here it is, in all it's glory:


And progress on the 89 parts truck...all gone but the stuff underneath:


And inside:


I'm not buying any more trucks until these two parts mobiles have left the premises

 

I haven't done much lately other than some rebuilding of my truck - using some donors parts to replace some broken ones.

Finally finished cleaning the inside of my truck, washed the last bit of carpet and it's all back together now. But not more than two days after I put it all back together I noticed a trail of antifreeze (the green kind) all over. After investigating, I'm positive this was the issue:


Radiators are supposed to be see-through, right?

So I ordered a new radiator and it came yesterday. Now I just need to install and flush all this green stuff out of the engine and replace with red coolant!