Hey guys, I am new to the whole 'Yota world I guess you would say. Its a 1985 4Runner SR5 EFI 22RE. I used to own the same ride back in high school and have bought it back from my dad here recently and want to beef it up some. After 2 tours in Iraq I am hopefully gonna make it like I want. And just to let you know, I am in South Arkansas and it will be used mainly in the mud. Here is what I am wanting to do.

The motor is freshly rebuilt about 5,000 miles ago. I want to add a new EFI Intake from LC Engineering and the Downey Headers. Put the single tube going to the airbox and leave the factory airbox for water protection.

Suspension: I want downey as they seem to be the only ones that know what they are talking about when it comes to springs. I am not sure what to get past their Pro-Desert Kit that they sell, Please tell me of any other components that I may need.

Tires and wheels:
Not too sure on this one yet, just know that I will be going with a 33" tire on 16" wheels. Prolly gonna run either the mud grapplers or the Trxus Mud Tires.

Drivetrain:
Was thinking of putting a true-trac in the rear with nothing in the front, maybe not anything.

Bumper:
Still debating between the Basher ube bumpers or the ARB or an Addicted Offroad bumper.

Any other gadgets or improvements will be greatly appreciated! Mainly working ont he suspension and underside here within the next month. Will be sending it in to get fresh paint all the way around back the original grey color. But thanks people, love all the info I get from this site.

Also, if you want just email me at tyler_johnson@hotmail.com, thanks.

 

My recommendations from what has worked well on my 85 22RE:

LCEngineering stainless Header and their complete 2.25" stainless exhaust system (including new CAT). There isn't a better header on the market (from my research before buying 2 years ago.)

OME complete spring set (most say the Downey springs start sagging pretty bad after a couple of years). I went heavy front, medium rear, and heavy shocks all around. You should go with the entire set including greasable shackles and pins. It's a very nice ride. You can easily run 33" tires.

ARB front bumper. A Warn 8000 is more than enough and can be bought delivered for about $600 from GoWarn.com. That's pretty hard to beat.

The intake will help some but you need to get the top end right as well. A better cam from LCEngineering, Engnbldr.com or DOA Racing will help with performance. A fully ported top-end from any of the above mated with the right cam will help more. The intake will help some but I don't think it will help very much unless you've already done the top end.

If I was going to run 33" tires then I would regear to 4.88. You might keep that in mind when considering lockers. I installed TRD elockers front and rear in 4.56 ratio but there's nothing wrong with a Detroit tru-trac.

Good luck and post some pics along the way. Also, welcome back from Iraq! I have a nephew that also spent two tours there. He's now rebuilding a couple of RX7 racers.

 

So far so good on the mods. x2 on the cams before intake. and x2 on the warn 8000. you didn;t mention what type of front suspension but i assume its IFS so do a SAS if it suits your fancy.
yeah post some pics and keep us updated should be a good rig!!

 

Its an 85 so ya got the front axle already...

actually the cheapest and BEST investment you could do to that truck are breather extensions. As soon as the differential goes swimming, the temperature inside of the axle drops, causing a decrease in air pressure (vacuum through the breather). In the end, you'll have a well blended smoothie of mud,water and oil running through your gears.. NO BUENO!

So yeah: breather extensions. Depending on how deep of mud you're talking about (I would imagine Arkansas has some impressive pits... ah the good ol south) you can extend the tranny/t-case breather. Computers are expensive, so I'd research on how to water-proof the brain. And maybe a snorkel?

Locker DEFINETLY. You won't survive a southern mud pit without atleast one And heck, throw on two extra offroading lights. For those special evening trips. And ALWAYS have a tow rope (I know you might get a winch, but there's no telling what kind of crap you can get stuck in).

Also, tires and mud play best when the tires are aired down. But what about the trip back home? You'll have to air back up. There are onboard air compressor systems. At the very least, you can get a portable air tank, fill it at home, and cart IT and a hose in the back.

Have fun. Let us know what you go with.

 

Tyler; welcome back to the World from one ex jumpin junkie, electric pineapple, to another military dude. 'Course you have done way more than I ever did, so congrats, hua, and of course, welcome home.
So did your 85 come with an re, or is it carbed and you are gonna make it an re? That is bold, I don't know i would have the guts to do it.

as to mention one thing from above, there is a company called slime or green slime i think; it is sold in Autozones. it is to reinflate tires just like fix a flat. Well, they also sell a killer variety of air compressors, that work at diff speeds. I bought one, that is about as 8x8 inches, and maybe 3 inches thick. it has a light on it, a strobe on it, I think a sound horn on it, and you plug it into the cig lighter, and blows up a flat tire in 8 minutes. they also have bigger , more expensive ones, that are much more like compressor tanks, and they are very nice. They range from about 10 bucks, to about 100 bucks, depending on what you get.

 

Thanks guys for all of you help so far.

Hey WARDAMNEAGLE, you got any good place for that ome kit? I Found it at one place for $1300. A LITTLE more then I was wanting to spend, that is why I was wanting to go with that kit from Downey, but if you guys insist on OME i will definitely go that route, as I want a goo dependable product. And really ont he regear to 4.88's? I got a buddy with a 84 Pick-up and he is running 35"s with the stock 4:10s and powertracks int he rear and nothing in the front, and yes a 4cyl also.

XtraSlow XtraCab: Is there more info you can give me on extending the breather lines? I.E. material, kits?, etc.

Thanks guys.

 

I bought the kit from here:

http://www.4by4connection.com/4runpicallle.html

One word of warning. I bought the special OME flat front U-Bolts for the driver's side and still had interference with the draglink. I only solved the problem by buying a Procomp adjustable drop draglink. Otherwise, everything was fine.

You can always run the 33's and then decide if you need to regear. Just don't say I didn't warn you!

Marlin Crawler has cheap diff breather extension kits. Just look on their website.

 

I would look at this kit too.
http://www.trail-gear.com/classic.html
http://www.trail-gear.com/rearsuspension.html

You have to match it with the rear kit, but You get soo much stuff, to piece it all together seperately you'd go broke. Comes with everything you need, high steer, knuckle rebuild, u bolt flip kit, shackles, hangers, shocks. I am particular to trail gear, but OME has the goods too, but I always associated them with newer generation runners and LCs, with coils. I'm not a fan of Downey lifts, but their customer service is excellent. Just opinions.

Welcome brother!!

 

lock the differentials if yer gonna be muddin

 

Thanks guys, if you have any other pointers it would be nice, ON ANYTHING!

 

I like the addicted bumper a lot. It has a nice little spot to weld plates for the turn signals. I would love a badlands bumper, but Im on a budget build this time around. ARB is too much for my wallet, but they do have the goods. Maybe a bit heavy for my liking too.

Lockers, read this thread:
https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f105...review-143163/

I was on the fence as far as getting one of these or saving for a full detroit. After much research and googling, the only problems I read were when it was installed incorrectly. $291.00 to your door is pretty good.

Tires - I like the Trxs better as far as pattern. My brother had the Nitto Terra's and they were nice adn grippy, but didn't last as long as most AT should. I have read the Mud Grapplers are similar in tread life.
Check this site: http://treadwright.com/default.aspx
For cheap you could try a few different tread patterns ntil you fond what you like.

Other then that I would get really familiar with Trail Gear. lol (we have an acquaintance there so I'm bias).

Again opinions. Start a build thread so I can spy on a fellow 1st gen.

 

an 85 SR5 ?

TSK TSK Now that is just w r o n g ....

 

X2.

You got a prime rock crawler truck...don't waste it in the mud. Want a mud truck buy a F150 POS and dog it.

 

You mean signals like this:

 

Yeah I'm going to you ScottyC. I like yo style! Did you pick a white runner just like mine to show me, to sell me or what? It worked. SOld.

 

thanks guys, also I wanted to make clear that it il not be used only for mud. I work full time for the Arkansas National Guard, and it will be a daily driver also, to switch out with my other, newer truck.

Does anyone else have any other comments as far as the Aussie lockers go? What would be good for like a daily driver?

WARDAMNEAGLE: I found the OME lift for $867 from rocky-road.com. Only thing is the grease-able shackles I will be getting from All-pro because I am gonna get their 2.5" longer grease-ables and they are cheaper.

Hey ScottyC: Do you have any close ups of ur front-end, dont want to copy your idea when I get the bumper, but I would like to have a good idea so I dont mess up a totally sweet bumper! Also I like these because of the price and the weight!
Thanks guys for all so far!

 

Look for Scubas review on the Aussie soon come. He drives like a maniac on his daily. (scuba) I will be waiting his review on strength as well as streetability.

Don't forget sliders, diff armor, and axle truss'.

 

yea dont mud it, it will explode! stay on the rocks where its safe.

 

Hey guys, I got a question? I am on a budget here but want good quality, do i HAVE to buy new grease-able hanger pins or can I just use the original ones? Also, the same goes for U-Bolts, can I use the original ones for the OME lift kit?

Thanks.

 

The greasable pins are nice but you don't have to use them. You will have to buy some of the OME U-bolts. I think you can reuse one or two of the OEM ones but in different places. You need to ask whoever you are buying it from. You absolutely need the OME special flattened U-bolts for the front driver's side or your draglink will not clear.

Are you going heavy or medium front? I think that makes a difference on the U-bolts.