smashingchuck

I bought this 89 4Runner off the classifieds on this board so I figured this would be a good place to do a build thread. I will be using this truck for some daily driving and light wheeling. I really have not done much except collect parts while I wait for it to get a little warmer in the shop... I built it last summer but didnt get the mechanicals done before the deep freeze. Here's the listing....

https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f108...4600-a-275672/

All I've done so far is throw and Interstate battery in it, the one it came with was complete junk since the ignition tumbler would not go to the "off" position.

Things that need attention...
* Battery Tray. It appears that there is a bigger MAF installled that required moving the battery to the driver side. And that's where it ended. It needs a tray and a hold down.
* Header gasket.... no explanation necessary. Using a copper one from Summit.
*cold air valve... it seems to idle high when cold.
*Push Button start. Using a Joe's racing switch plate kit.
*when it was painted, the tailgate jams were overlooked... so gotta paint those.
*fix the cracked dash. Probably just fiberglass it....
*I'll be using 1/4" thick textured ABS for all the interior panels
*The rear seat and carpet kit will be replaced by a continuous aluminum diamond plate floor, and hopefully i can get the vinyl diamond plate sheeting to work for the front seating area if i can get it to lay flat.
*install CanBack soft top
*I need a rear bumper of some sort... and maybe some rock sliders.

I would like to install the solid front axle someday but I'm still gathering those parts. I would love to hear some thoughts and advice on my build. This is my first Yota build.

Jakesr5

Welcome to the money pit :

I have the same problem I can't find much to fix so you just start modding!
Defiantly get slider yes you have great ground clearance but sliders are the best protection (and most used) I made my sliders they are pretty easy and are a great project to do if you have never done any thing around that kinda stuff before (like me) but you can find my build up thread here https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f199...-build-277032/ if yo have any questions about any thing you can ask me. I'm cutting out pieces for my rear bumper right now to,that is also on my thread.

haha

Jake,

smashingchuck

I need a dash. Mine has the useless tray thing in the middle. When i do an ebay search for 89 4 runner dash the ones that come up do not look like mine at all. What years are compatible?

smashingchuck

Here's what I came up with... all i did was strip it, sand blast it and paint it. Didnt see the need to spend money on it.

smashingchuck

Finally got the CanBack installed. Still need a few snap screw studs for the tailgate and corners. Ordered them off eBay today.

julsruls

I love that color. I like the looks with soft top as well. Your garage looks huge.


The dash looks cool like that. Could even line it with something if you wanted a coating.

Terrys87

iTrader: (1)

When looking for parts for your 89, it is easier to use the 88 model, even when dealing with parts at part stores as most will think it is the same style as the 89 pick up as 89 was a big change in the trucks but not the runner.

Gizler00

iTrader: (1)

Thats a great runner to start out with!!! Glad someone who plans to keep it alive bought it rather than someone who would just trash it.


I really like the Canbak soft top! I really want to ditch my hard top and pick one up.

smashingchuck

Thanks!!

thanks for the kind words guys!

smashingchuck

Last weekend's progress. The new floor and tailgate panel. Still need to bolt the floor down but I wasnt sure if it might need to come out one more time... you never know. Ive got a piece of thin foam under the diamond plate.

ABS panels next.

smashingchuck

Fisrt job this weekend was to wire up the pushbutton start. There's 4 circuits contolled by the tumbler switch, so I simply added relays for each. I already had a relay and bump switch installed under the hood for the stater, so all I had to do was jumper that one. Control power for the relays comes from the fuse block under the hood with a 15a in line fuse. I used the old tumbler switch wiring harness to make a new harness and ran it to the relays... I've got it pulled out in the pic but it tucks up nicely under the dash.

smashingchuck

I also got started on the panels this weekend. 1/4" ABS. Gotta get more for the doors and thats done...

Gizler00

iTrader: (1)

The floor looks great. I cant imagine how bright the shine would be when the sun hits it with the top off!!

smashingchuck

thanks! I already took a scotch brite pad to the tailgate panel, might need to do the same with the floor.

Jakesr5

SHIIINNNNYYY!!!

Sorry I know

It looks really good coming along nicely.

twistedyota

iTrader: (1)

So is your runner gonna be basically a truck?

smashingchuck

Thanks.

smashingchuck

More or less. Im just building it to suit me... keeping it simple, easy to clean, weather proof, and durable.

twistedyota

iTrader: (1)

Ah, so it looks like you removed the rear seats, did you make a storage compartmet where the bottom cushion used to be or is it just an empty space covered by the diamond plate

smashingchuck

It's empty other than a brace for the new floor. I could always add something later but right now i just want to get it completed enough to get it on the road. I also left enough space between the seats and the break in the new floor that theres a small nook there to cradlle a back pack, tools, or whatever. The runner was completly gutted when i recieved it.