Really great stuff- you've given me lots of ideas!

 

Didn't realize you had this build thread til you mentioned the clinometer so I had to check in. The little 4Runner looks great!

 

Labor Day weekend my youngest son and I did a lot of work on the 4Runner. We are hoping to get it painted now that it's less humid. We painted over all the primer with white Rustoleum. I have a new Superwhite Tacoma and I'd like to paint this PO40 Superwhite. I've heard white Rustoleum is very close. The body work looks great IMO. Most of it was done 3-4 years ago and no cracking.












My son also put four new shocks on. The front ones want to spin when you try to unbolt the top. He stabbed the rusty things with a large blade screwdriver. They were originals.





We kept the spare from the 2000 Tacoma we just sold. It has a 10-31 tire to match what's on the '89. He painted the rim:

 

I got a double decker console off eBay a couple of years ago. It didn't fit my transmission quite right. I took the top compartment and lid off it, painted it with gray Duplicolor vinyl paint (it was sprayed black and looked terrible). Recovered the lid with a leather cover from eBay. New foam is memory foam. I did some investigation and it looks like a T-3 LED bulb will fit to light the switches. They are ordered and will be here next week. Bottom half of console was not painted. It's a decent match.







We put on some stainless steel new old stock mirrors from eBay. They look better than the giant Dumbo ear mirrors it used to have:



That's it. It was a productive weekend. I'm hoping to get paint estimates really soon. I can't wait.

 

You have brought this runner along ways and is looking great. It is going to be rewarding once you get it painted and back together. Most runner you see in your area will be run down and having one that is looking new is rare. Hope you get the chance to take it for a drive with the top off before the cooler weather rolls in. If you do take it out for a ride with the top off, before pulling the top off, go to the carwash and vacuum it out really well. Even still that is not enough to get all the dust out but will cut the dust down quite a bit. It takes about 5-10 miles to get all of the dust out.

Also since you installed the rear pockets, I suggest pulling them out of the buckets if you have the top off. Some how wind can get behind the panels and will try and blow them out. Soon you will be enjoying your hard work and a great truck. Great job!!!

 

Starting to look great!! Keep up the good work!

 

I adjusted the idle and the truck is running like a sewing machine. There is an exhaust leak that is noticeable in first gear at acceleration. It's going in for a state inspection Monday. I'm working on the B Pillar emblems so I ordered the clips for it and a knob that was missing from my $39 inclinometer from ToyotaPartsOverstock:
Qty

Product

#

Price EA

2 RETAINER, QUARTER VENT LOUVER . LWR 6295591C01 $2.15
8 RETAINER, QUARTER VENT LOUVER . UPR 6295589101 $2.10
1 KNOB, CLINOMETER 8389116010 $2.59

• Sons birthday is next week so getting it painted "for him" is a good present.

 

I received the T-3 bulbs I mentioned in Post#25 this morning, three days early! This is the seller. Pretty much 80 cents per bulb:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/251404294367?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT
I cleaned the rear window switch and replaced the dead bulb. The window is working much faster and the switch glows at night. I'm not sure how to change bulbs in the other two switched but they are not burned out:



I have an SR5 cluster and the oil sender but haven't bothered with them yet. It will have white LED's in it. I've driven this about 90 miles over the past couple of days and was getting concerned the gas float might be stuck. Finally some downward movement. Smoothing out the idle really must have helped the MPG's.



Here's a picture from last night:

 

Tried out some Husky Liners that came from our 1st gen 2000 Tacoma Ex Cab. They fit pretty well and would work if I had carpet in this 4Runner. They slide too much on the vinyl. If I wanted to I could use some industrial Velcro to hold them down:

Passenger side:






Rear area:





Should have got a better picture of the driver's side:

 

The truck looks great Nervo.
Thanks for posting the info on the light bulbs. Do you happen to know off the top of your head if the same bulbs fit behind the heater/blower bezel?
I like the mirrors, too!

 

You two have been busy with excellent results!

 

Thanks everyone! I picked it up from the shop today. It passed state inspection in VA which is no small thing. We'll be taking it for paint estimates tomorrow when my son gets home from school

I noticed something I've never known before. The left blinker was blinking very fast. I saw the front bumper left bulb was burned out. When I replaced the bulb the blinker returned to normal. It must be some kind of safety thing to let you know you have a bulb out.

LadybugRC: I read that the T3 fit the HVAC but have not changed it. I think it's the A/C switch they fit. That's why I bought so many and I know they fit a spot on my 4th gen. I just replaced all the 4th gens HVAC bulbs with Toyota bulb$.

 

Blinker will be faster due to reduced draw with a bulb out. Same thing often happens with led bulbs due to low current draw.

Nice looking 4runner.

 

Thanks. That makes sense. I've never seen that info before so I thought I'd mention it.

We have an appointment for Toyota paint code 040 on Monday. I should get the painted truck back by Friday. I can't wait.

 

I will be looking forward to pictures of it. I know you have been working on this runner for some time now. A burnt bulb or LED will cause fast blinking.

 

We took the top off today. There were no tool marks on the bolts so I don't think it's ever been off. Original owner was older and bought it for winter use.






I bought a Softopper off eBay when they were much cheaper. It's great to have it out of the box. I put it on by myself. I timed it: 1 hour 42 minutes.



My son returned from fishing in time to take it for a 30 mile spin and get it up to highway speeds. The top is no noisier than the fiberglass top IMO. Tomorrow we will strip a bunch of things off and leave it at the painters.

 

I found it! The 4Runner is looking great!

 

Bet you are excited getting it back today. Looking forward to some pictures.

 

It's back but it's dark now! I took a couple of pictures that I will upload in a few minutes. They did a great job and I'm happy. I have lots of parts to put back on tomorrow. We basically put the soft top, the license plates and the tail and corned lights on to drive it home.

Sunday I really cleaned it well and took things like the grill off to leave at home. I took lights out and cleaned the dust behind them and put them back. I'm so happy that I took the cowl off to paint separately. Based on Terry87's threads I knew it would be dirty but holy heck! I found two vacant wasp nests and plenty of leaves clogging the drains. I got it really clean using steel wool and flushed the drain open. My truck had two of the cowl screens but was missing the third and largest. I ordered it from a seller on eBay and it was due Tuesday but arrived today (Friday) all the way from Minnesota. He'll get an A++ seller rating from me.




This is how clean the engine was when I first started. I cleaned under the hood but didn't get a picture. I thought I needed to replace the two stickers but they cleaned up nicely.



This is how clean the cargo area is under the vinyl. I'm reluctant to put peel n seal here. I think I'll use yoga mats ($5 each from Five Below) for sound insulation.

 

Here's a few new paint pictures I just uploaded from my phone. I still have lots of parts to put back on.







Gotta love that bent bumper: