84-85 Trucks & 4Runners 2nd gen pickups and 1st gen 4Runners with solid front axles

85 4runner gas tank: clean or replace?

Old 04-24-2018, 05:53 PM
  #1  
Registered User
Thread Starter
 
Sperry's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Mohrsville, PA
Posts: 87
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes on 2 Posts
85 4runner gas tank: clean or replace?

Starting work on 85 4runner 22RE

Sitting for 10 years. Drained, pulled sending unit and inspected tank. Looks pretty bad. I can get replacement tank for about $110 or can clean this one. Factory original has a drain plug which I like. The new ones do not (at least as far as I can tell) and not sure how cheap they are. Any advice for best long term solution?

Will replace pump/screen/gaskets and fuel filter...Anything I should do to the intake or injectors before turning over? Thanks for advice.
Attached Thumbnails 85 4runner gas tank: clean or replace?-20180418_153114_resized.jpg   85 4runner gas tank: clean or replace?-20180424_193630_resized.jpg   85 4runner gas tank: clean or replace?-20180424_212425_resized.jpg   85 4runner gas tank: clean or replace?-20180424_212502_resized.jpg  
Old 04-24-2018, 06:15 PM
  #2  
Registered User
 
L5wolvesf's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Northern AZ
Posts: 1,058
Received 16 Likes on 16 Posts
Long term would likely be a new one if you can find one with a drain. Or you can install a drain BEFORE putting in any gas.
A used one is a possibility but back east no as likely as out west.
There are treatments you can get to de-rust and "seal" the damage if it isn't leaking.

Send the injectors out to be cleaned - or replace/upgrade them. There are many posts here about those options.

Good luck on your project.
Old 04-24-2018, 07:57 PM
  #3  
Registered User
iTrader: (1)
 
NYHumpinUtah's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: Enoch Utah
Posts: 839
Received 75 Likes on 54 Posts
^^^ Agree
OR, import a used stock tank from a west coast vendor, this way it will be original and rust free............
Old 04-25-2018, 02:12 AM
  #4  
Registered User
Thread Starter
 
Sperry's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Mohrsville, PA
Posts: 87
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes on 2 Posts
Thanks for advice guys. Yes - I think I'll go for the replacement since they are pretty low cost. Most suppliers show a 17 gal tank for 84-89, but for some reason some of the tanks are listed as 14.5 gal. Was that an option later?..... I'm assuming all 85's were 17.
Old 04-25-2018, 07:39 AM
  #5  
Registered User
 
jakey poo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Gaston, OR
Posts: 960
Received 147 Likes on 105 Posts
You can probably get a good used one from YodaJims.com
Old 04-25-2018, 07:38 PM
  #6  
Registered User
iTrader: (1)
 
NYHumpinUtah's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: Enoch Utah
Posts: 839
Received 75 Likes on 54 Posts
I wouldn't buy aftermarket when you can get an unrusted original. That's my opinion
Old 04-26-2018, 07:21 PM
  #7  
Registered User
 
leiferikson's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I would try to get a used unrusted one. maybe try Metal Rescue to clean up all that rust. Worth a shot.
Old 04-28-2018, 10:18 AM
  #8  
Registered User
 
SENOR NOODLES's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: Fair Oaks, CA
Posts: 97
Likes: 0
Received 9 Likes on 9 Posts
I bought a brand new replacement from rockauto. for 85 Toyota FI extra cab. What showed up is not the right tank. No Vent, Fuel pump installs the wrong direction. Shape is a little off.


That said, I would find another used one. There should be plenty floating around 85-88.

I have the exact same issue. Fuel sender was shot. But I have a 2wd to rob one from. Fuel pump assembly was nasty, bead blasted and replaced pump. Going to send the original tank out to have cleaned. If my friend can't do it, I will send it to a radiator shop and see if they can clean it.
Old 04-28-2018, 12:06 PM
  #9  
Registered User
iTrader: (1)
 
NYHumpinUtah's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: Enoch Utah
Posts: 839
Received 75 Likes on 54 Posts
Originally Posted by SENOR NOODLES
I bought a brand new replacement from rockauto. for 85 Toyota FI extra cab. What showed up is not the right tank. No Vent, Fuel pump installs the wrong direction. Shape is a little off.


That said, I would find another used one. There should be plenty floating around 85-88.

I have the exact same issue. Fuel sender was shot. But I have a 2wd to rob one from. Fuel pump assembly was nasty, bead blasted and replaced pump. Going to send the original tank out to have cleaned. If my friend can't do it, I will send it to a radiator shop and see if they can clean it.
Advise to you also, get a used one from west coast, rust free and maybe you can get one "with" the sender and gauge, just maybe.
Old 04-29-2018, 04:33 PM
  #10  
Registered User
iTrader: (1)
 
NYHumpinUtah's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: Enoch Utah
Posts: 839
Received 75 Likes on 54 Posts
Funny thing, while you were asking about what to do with your gas tank, I was talking mine apart and getting it ready for powder coating. Here's pics of mine, from my 84 (cal truck for most of it's life) this is what I mean about getting a west coast tank. This thing was super clean inside and out.



I would have taken more pics but didn't see your post till it was at powder coat

Last edited by NYHumpinUtah; 04-29-2018 at 04:35 PM.
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
BAGear
The Fab Shop
14
12-10-2013 07:13 AM
86STLRunner
86-95 Trucks & 4Runners
2
03-25-2013 04:34 PM
fireteacher
95.5-2004 Tacomas & 96-2002 4Runners
14
08-05-2010 08:41 AM
89pickupsr5
86-95 Trucks & 4Runners
13
01-11-2008 06:38 PM


Thread Tools
Search this Thread
Quick Reply: 85 4runner gas tank: clean or replace?



All times are GMT -8. The time now is 02:18 PM.