nice to see an update Terry! You went the same direction as I am going to do with the tires, tamed. But I'm going way down to 235 75 15 from 31 10.50. I don't do any off-roading to justify having larger tires, and I have always noticed the sluggishness of having larger tires with this 4cyl. But I'm still putting A/T's on for those occasional dirt roads.

 

hey terry as usual it was great seeing you and getting to hang out a bit. wish we would of had more time and the weather would have been better but regardless we got a little done.
It was great seeing your runner on the road, it really has came a long way since the last time I seen it.
Tom pickup is one sweet ride, I didnt say anything around him but I could KICK whom ever cut holes in the doors for speakers of an otherwise pristine truck. It isnt going to take anything for you to get the body back in great shape and looking good.

 

That blue Runner is gorgeous.

I'm glad to see you didn't have to deploy yet. If you are still dealing with cracked hands the cheapest thing to do is slather vaseline on them and wear cotton gloves or old socks over your hands to bed. This sounds pretty ridiculous but I think you've mentioned you're on midnight shift a lot so maybe noone will see you to laugh. I swear it works really well. and works on your feet too.

It's snowing really hard right now. I was just out in it and we already have about two inches. It looks like the kiddies will be out of school tomorrow and we can actually put the Runner in 4WD!

 

Hello Mark.. This will be an easy fix up. I have not quite figured out how to get the windshield trim off so I will run down to the windshield shop and have them to remove it. I plan on having it down in a month or so. Just waiting on this winter to get out of here.

Hello Cyberhorn...We are to get in the 20s tonite. I keep hoping warmer days are just around the corner. I am getting anxious to get some things done and somethings that need done. This winter has been longer and more miserable for some reason. Could be old age catching up with me.

Hello kornhuskerwizard... I had to drive the other nite and could use some better lighting. I would like mine hidden but to be effective. I can drive in all kinds of weather as long as I can see and I have always made it to where I was wanting to go. Just got to get the truck to where it is capable.

The 1st gen truck was an 83 and was in terrible shape. The 86 extra cab will be so much nicer. It does have quite a few door dings in it but nothing major. I was going to get some pics of the dings and start circling them with a black marker as it is harder to find them when it is in primer. I am guessing there is 20-30 small dings in it.

I like wood heat so much better. It holds the heat in the air and actually feels warmer. I use to moan and groan having to go with dad to cut wood. I am more then eager now to cut wood.

Hello Grego92...I really dont feel much of a power loss but think the ride and looks are alot better. I feel the taller sidewalls do help with the comfort of the ride and sort of act like shock absorbers. I have always been able to get around with all seasons tires. I have gotten myself in some sticky situations before and have always managed to get myself out. May take some working at it, but have been successful so far.

Hello Jason...I am sure the first time you seen it, you probably thought it would never see the road.lol.. I wanted one that would take me thru everything. My biggest fear was the wiring harness and I was quite worried way back then, but even that was a great learning experience for me. The wiring harness was one area that I didnt want to get into but now I am glad it did. I learned alot on that experience.

Tom isnt to happy with the speakers in the door either. If it was mine I would take the chance of getting some full door panels and drilling the holes at the bottom and then put in full panels. Since it isnt my truck I am not that brave. Of all of the speaker selections out there, why cut up doors??

Thanks Nervo19... I am a purist at heart on any old car, but with the conditon of this one, I didnt feel bad about going with some non factory colors and am trying for something that Toyota might have sold in 86. Non Toyota people wont know the difference and what I might have bought if I could go back to 86. I still have along ways to go with it. There is a thread on here that I want to post it on when I get done. https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f116...5/index14.html I still have a long way to where I want it before posting it on there.

I did the sock trick and it has helped alot. I should of never let my hands get that bad to begin with.

Our kiddos didnt get to miss any school on this last snow we had. I have just now gotten both runners ready to where we can take them on a one day test camping trip. Will go back on some state forestry land and will need 4 wheel to get back into where we can camp. I have a camper but want to try something a little different and see what will be needed and how comfy it is. Waiting for the time to get here where we can give it a try.

If I deploy it will be mid May. One group says I am going and another group is saying I am not on the list. So not sure what is going on there. I am hoping to find out one way or the other as I would like to start making plans for summer.

 

When I got the runner, someone had taken the mirrors off before I got it. It came with the big brackets that have a third mounting hole half way down the door. I intentionally went with these doors. Most probably prefer the smaller mirrors, but I do a lot of towing and I want my mirrors to set out further then normal so I can see trailers that I seem to pull alot.

I havent found any in the boneyard yet and I will eventually get some but for the meantime, I did get this one for the drivers side for a temporary fix. The salvage only charged $9 for it new. It is Taiwan made which I am not a fan of, but for someone that may need one it is an option. I find alot mirrors on ebay as well, just not the ones I am looking for.

I have seen some on the part out section but I am getting a perfect dashpad soon and since it is harder to get, the mirrors are further down the list.

 

I am not going to start a build thread for the 86 Extra Cab but just add it in this build. It is just bodywork and paint, where on a normal build I like to get involved in drivetrain and interior. I would rather do body work and it is relatively inexpensive and something I actually like doing over motorwork.

Also I am setting my build funds a side for getting my shop more completed so I am just going to be doing the cheapy things to my runner for awhile. I am chomping at the bit to get it to where I want it, but also know a slow steady pace will get it there just as well. It is getting more funner to drive with each small step I make to it. I should be getting a perfect dash and was thinking of putting it in the 88 but cant find the red interior paint so it may just wind up in my runner.

It is easier to find the dents when paint is still on. Once you get the gloss off it easy to miss even a small size dent.

Here is where the most damage is and is on both sides.


The five smaller dents in the rear fender is actually factory spot welds. I dont see this in 4Runners but see it in pickups. I believe it is for the inner fender wells.


A couple in the extra cab part and what I plan on fixing first.

 

Wow, nice! Best to ya on this!

 

Dang terry I'm sooo looking forward to this body work you're gonna do. Take lots of pix or videos. I'd really like to learn some of these skills. I have a few that I'd like to fix.

 

red one of the biggest things in body work is "if you can feel it you will see it" one of the major reasons bodymen never use gloves when sanding an working touch is far better than the eye

 

Thanks Mark.. I want this one to turn out really well. Was hoping to get started on it today but got tied up on other things. Hoping to start some tomorrow.

Hello Richard.. I will try and give some tips that hopefully will help. It isnt really hard but it does take some patience. Once a truck is primer, it is easy to miss some dents and when that first coat of paint goes on, it is to late. To me it is more rewarding then motor work and more of a challenge but when done right it has a bigger effect and I always like to see if it comes out like what I pictured in my mind.

Hello Cyberhorn. You are so right. Some dents I can see and not feel and some feel and not see. I give it 100% effort and dont always get 100% results, but I know I tried so I can live with it. Each one just gets a little better.

 

Went to the boneyard and got a perfect dash. Not sure if I will put it in Mistys truck and take her old one or just put it in mine. Still debating on which one it will go in. Got it out of an 86 camper. Only had 50,000 miles on it.


Seats were in great conditon, but not my style. Might see about getting them recovered, still thinking on this one.


I have seen some dirty ventilation systems before when truck sits awhile. This one was no different. I took everything apart in hopes that if someone beats me back to this truck that it wont get destroyed for some simple part. I want to get the heater assembly for it at a later time just to have a spare.


I came out with 2 pounds of nuts, bolts, and tabs. Just thought I would mention this as it is something that is easily forgotten and needed at times. These just pop out from the back really easily and while in the boneyard is a good time to learn how tho get these apart so you dont damage yours when working on it. I took it down to the heater core just for the practice and save the truck some damage.


I did put everything back together and it is just sitting there. I put the speedo and bezel back in but took the picture before I did that. Told the yard owner everything is still there and not destroyed. For what he was going to charge me for the dash, I got a injector harness for the 85 as well for the same price. made out like a bandit today.

 

The bumper on the truck is complete junk. I will need to take the other two bumpers on the ground and make one out of it. I will take the best center piece and use the good left side on one and the good right side on the other for the 86 Extra cab.

 

wow terry talk bout treasure trove what happened to the camper? she take a hit killing her?
O..O loud seats..wow what a pattern! LOL

 

Wow, nice forward flow, as usual.... Love seeing these get resto'd. Nice work! Nice find! On the dash! Woooot!

 

Hello Cyberhorn...The camper itself looks like it may have had a roof leak and it just went down hill from there. It is in real bad shape. The truck itself was actually taken care of. I have seen several camper get totaled due to a leaky roof or if a leak is neglected, they are really built cheap and doesnt take much to ruin one.

Thanks Mark... I got some warm days and tried to make the most of it. Been chasing parts down and getting the shop finished up a little at a time and finally starting to make some progress. I am hoping to make some big progress soon if all goes well. Feels like I am coming out of hibernation with the warmer weather. Monday it gets cold again.grrrr..

 

I started working on the rear bumper today. Was hoping to start on bodywork but I have been chasing and trading parts so that took alot of time. I came out pretty good. Will post about that later. Still need to get pics of them.

This bumper had a big dent in it. I took a piece of metal and laid it over the inside of the dent and used the Big Freaking Hammer and conviced it to flatten out. I might use this part instead of the other that is flatter but doesnt have the shine to it. Will wait and see how the rest of the pieces come out.


The bracket bolts have a carriage bolt head on them. The bolt just twisted and wouldnt break loose. I had to cut about half way and whack them with a hammer to get them off. One of the benefits of rust.


Here I got alot of the main frame of the bumper cleaned up and the rust off of it. I am not sure, but dont think you can get these ball hitch anymore that have the bolt that runs thru the ball. I do not like them in any way. They just dont seem to hold a trailer on to well. This truck will only tow a light aluminum boat that is probably less then 300 pounds. If doing alot of towing or heavy towing, get a frame mounted hitch. I have seen several people get into trouble not knowing alot of information about the correct set up. Every bumper should have the rating stamped on it some where.


Several parts of these bumpers are bent. I have made some great repairs just by using a vice to get everything straight again. A few pieces I didnt think would flatten out and now I have a hard time finding the dents. Just doing the best I can with what parts I have. I think it will turn out okay. Wouldnt hurt to have them re-chromed, but probably not going to happen.


Other bolts that I couldnt get off I cut them in quarters and used a hammer and chisel and took the bolt out a quarter at a time. Doesnt take long. Just watch the cutoff wheel as it does like to catch and try to jump up and get you.


Here is one main frame and a set of brackets. Will get them ready for paint here shortly. Three of the chrome bumpers have turned out well. I will try and use some Never Dull for a better finish. Some of the bumpers have scratches in them and I am hoping they buff out.

 

Another miracle in the making Terry!! Good work!!

 

I have an 87 4runner with saggy rear springs. Can i squeeze a set of coil springs in between the bump stops? anyone done this?

 

Haha yea. do some research... zuk mod

 

Thanks kornhuskerwizard..I feel like I am going 500 miles an hour and just not making much progress. I actually am making some progress, it just isnt on the trucks. Been working on the shop and the trucks just makes it feel like Im not getting much done. Its getting there.

Hello sequioa1977... Zuk is a member on here and found a very affordable fix for the saggy butt on these trucks, and it is what you just mentioned about putting springs inbetween the bumpstops. You will see it refered as the Zuk Mod. I have done the same thing to my 88Runner build below and show how I did it.

I used Black Magic Springs and they were the ones rated for 125 pounds and were 12 inches long. If you dont have the ball joint spacers. I might suggest 10 inch springs rated at 125 pounds. I havent tried my suggestion just yet but when I did the 12 inch springs, I had a rake of the front end lower then the rear.

I have since learned there are several other springs available from the bone yard and is cheaper way to go. Like your truck, mine only has about 1-2 inches inbetween the bump stops and when you hit a bump and they bottom out, it is spine crushing. The Zuk Mod is a great fix for this problem. I eventually need to do the same to my 86, it is on the list, just going to take a little longer to get to that fix for it. Here is where I got my Black Magic and how I did it.>>>> https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f199...l#post51773002

I like how 92Toy did his as well and he has some good info.>>> https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f116.../#post51898761