yota_terror

Hi guys - here's a little info about myself. I'm a motorcycle mechanic in Fresno, California and have been wanting a Toyota for quite a while. I used to go with my neighbor up to Bald Mountain in California and we'd have a blast...well, I'm a long time lurker and new owner as of today! I bought a 1986 4Runner for 2,600 from a guy who said it sat and didn't run.

I brought it home, installed a battery, and it fired right up. Wanted to be thorough so I checked the voltage of the battery while the truck was on to make sure the charging system is good - it is. Previous owner said he just swapped a new motor in about 100 miles ago, went and got it smogged, and then let it sit. Guess his battery just took a crap.

It was at this time I also noticed that it has been converted to a 5 speed. Still has the automatic cluster in it, no clutch safety cancel switch, etc.



First impressions after driving it...WOW this thing is slow compared to my Z/28 Camaro...lol, and even slower compared to my old 09 ZX6R...haha It runs well though, does not leak any fluid from the motor or transmission, no funky taps or grinds, squeals or clanks. Motor has good compression and oil looks new. I'll do a tune-up anyway.



It appears as if the previous owner removed the air intake resonator or whatever the hole on the bottom of the air intake pipe is, since he covered it with "custom" tape!

Next was killing all the black widows that have made this truck their home....I have already killed 3, wonder how many more are left.




Last thing I had time for today was to remove all unnecessary wires that went to nothing that were flopping around in the engine bay..




So that's pretty much it for today. My first day of ownership and it already runs and drives great. Couple issues though I was hoping I could get some insight on...

- The oil light stays on. Not sure if it means low oil or low oil pressure but the motor sounds great, has enough oil in it, and I replaced the oil switch under the intake manifold...any ideas?

- My IAT sensor is unplugged and has nothing to plug into..? There is no mating plug on the harness to be found. Where does it go? You can see it in the pics. Maybe the motor is a newer 22re and the older 86 harness doesn't have a plug for it?



And the beginning of the "To Do" list:

- Replace snake skin door panels with OEM panels
- Install a 5-speed cluster
- Install an antenna and decent speakers
- Fix leak at rear diff
- Install a fan shroud
- Figure out where IAT plugs in
- Mount battery (just sits there)
- Replace front driver side small window trim (has a silicon seal)
- Clean up interior
- Check suspension/body

My "I want" list

- Rear locker
- 4.88 gears
- Maybe a body lift
- New shocks
- OME leafs (any good?)
- Bumpers/Sliders
- 33 or 35" tires
- Newer 4runner front seats
- Aftermarket engine crap


To be continued!

Terrys87

iTrader: (1)

Welcome to Yotatech. Looks like you have a nice rig to start with. Welcome to the world of fixing previous owners butcher jobs on wiring. I think that is part of owning a Toyota. I don't think I have ever seen one not messed up some how. A little time and effort and you will have it the way you want it in no time at all. Really easy little trucks to work on and tons of info here. Looking forward to your build.

yota_terror

Thanks man!

So the oil light on the dash was driving me crazy...I had to make sure that I had oil pressure before I drove it again. I hooked up this gauge to my block and here's what I got.

At idle:



At 3000 rpm:



And for reference, here are the factory specifications of what it "should" be:



So it appears as if my oil pump is working just fine and that my pickup tube is not clogged or anything. So that leads me to believe that the oil light being stuck on is a wiring or electrical issue...joy...

yota_terror

Does anybody know what this is? It's next to the throttle body kinda, near the front of the intake manifold. Here are two pictures of it:




Found this bolt blocking off this huge line, anyone know what it used to go to?



Also, my harness has no where for the IAT to plug into, wtf!

Terrys87

iTrader: (1)

The first picture, the top has just come off of it and it is missing a little bit of cotton/filter stuff. Not sure what the name of it is but never really have any problems with that part.

Your third picture, what your are calling an IAT, which I not understanding, is actually part of the EGR system. My guess is that part is off of a newer truck or one that is a California emissions model. I don't think they started putting that sensor in 1986. It is one that I have seen a 91 model that I had. Older and non California models wont have that wire going to a sensor. I am sure even 86 California models didn't have that sensor. You will see it on newer and California models. I betting the PO broke that pipe that connects to the EGR and just grabbed that one off of another truck. I too have broken that pipe trying to get it out of the EGR.

The hose that has the bolt plugging it off, it should have a 90 degree bend going down and then coming forward underneath the intake. It connects to the IACV ( Idle Air Control Valve). It will connect to the back side of the IACV.

In this picture, you can see the front part of the IACV. It is the half inch size air hose that is attached to the IACV and is about a foot long and is about the same height as the thermostat housing. I don't know how to use a drawing to mark it, but it should give you an idea. ( the hose from the top of the thermostat housing down to just above the oil filter) The hose that is plugged on yours goes to the back side of the picture I am showing.

yota_terror

Thanks for the help terry. In that picture, which hose are you talking about? I labeled it 1 and 2.

chukarhunt

iTrader: (1)

Welcome to YotaTech!
Looks like you got a great rig. Besides the spiders and snake skin door panels, Sounds like most of the mods were decently done. Always sucks, like Terry said, picking up after somebody else was there, but as long as it drives and runs well, you can make it your own. I had that exact same thick red wire on my truck someone had run to the cab for what I believe there used to be an amp, and a mouse nest of wires under the dash for a poorly installed alarm system when I bought mine, so I know the feeling.

Sometimes you just have to wonder, why? Why, would anyone put snake skin panels, on a Toyota.... or any car for that matter? sigh....

Look forward to your build! cough cough **lockers first** cough cough

yota_terror

Well the nest of wires caused a huge issue today. Started the truck up and the engine harness burnt to nothing.

Anybody have a 86 4runner engine harness? 22re efi 5 speed harness

Terrys87

iTrader: (1)

Ouch!!! dont like hearing that it burnt up, least it didnt get catch everything on fire. I have to go get a harness for my 85 pickup but it will be a while before I can get it. I have to pull it and it is 100 miles away from here. The guy said he would charge me $65 for the main harness, the one that runs across the dash. They can run $150ish. I know he has two 4Runners but it is will be a two or three weeks before I can get there and dont know the condition of them. Each year harness is different. Which harness burnt?

85 may or may not have a starter relay
86 has starter relay.
85/86 can use same Injector Harness and has test port on drivers side.
87 has test port on passenger side.
85-87 all have the same injector connectors.

88 have a different resistance in the injectors and have a different connection for injectors.

The hose on you plenum that is plugged with the bolt runs down to the back of number 2.

yota_terror

The engine harness burnt. The one that comes out of the passenger fire wall and connects to the injectors and what not.

I bought some wire loom, heatshrink, and solder...will be putting it back together hopefully tonight.

My friends dad is gonna come over and diagnose my electrical issues...hes a wiring guru

yota_terror

Harness fixed. Previous owner replaced all injector pig tails, iacv pig tail, and other pig tails...he twisted the wires together without soldering and they touched and thats why the harness burnt up.



Replaced intake mani gasket too since I pulled it off to see what happened to my harness.




Hopefully will start it back up tomorrow, I just have to put the vacuum lines and intake pipe back on.

Mdumaw

Looks like you got it, but I do have an extra harness, might be missing a thing or two
I know of the headlight plugs being gone anyways

Terrys87

iTrader: (1)

If you still have problems, that harness is easy to replace. It just runs thru the firewall and to the computer. It is your injector harness. I get new connectors from connectorfast.com you will need the EV1 style. The guy that runs that site is great and the connectors that came on the 85-87 usually are brittle and broken.

Copied>>>
I ordered one EV1 style connector from connectorfast.com and it appears to be a great replacement for the 85-87 injectors. I am going to test it on this conversion and if it works great I will replace all of them with it. Alex, the guy that sells them is very helpful and great to deal with. The connectors are $6 a piece with a $10 shipping. Well worth replacing with if this one works out like I think it will. Also it is easier to remove then the current connector.
EV1 Style

kornhuskerwizard

Nice build!!Should be able to pic up a gauge cluster fairly cheap.Id recommend the sr5 w the tach.

yota_terror

I'm a little bit on a budget so I just bought a cluster out of MT truck. I got it today. Got a pinion seal and a radiator fan shroud but it was the wrong one!

The truck is running again and a hell of a lot better than it was before. Gonna take it out for a drive tomorrow and see how it does.

Next is a lift for it. Anybody got suggestions for a good budget lift? I have about $1000 I'm willing to spend..

yota_terror

Im taking it up to a local trail tomorrow! Hopefully it runs good with no issues...I just did a tune up and checked the whole rig out...seems solid. Ill post pics!

Also I think I have a locker...? My rear end has been clanking and banging and I thought well maybe I have a locker...so I jacked up the whole rear of the truck...the tires dont spin opposite ways like an open diff does..I can spin one with my hand and itll make clicking sounds and after 4 or 5 clicks, the other wheel will start spinning with it...what do you guys think?

84 yota dude

Weren't you trying to sell this on craigslist?

yota_terror

I bought it off craigslist.

84 yota dude

Gotcha, well good luck with the build and nice work so far!

yota_terror

Are you local? I need some parts if you might have them!