So after reading on here and ih8mud for a couple years, I decided it was time to find an old Yota truck to cruise around town in

I've been into building drift cars for years, got my first 240sx back in high school a decade ago (2002... lol). My s13 had a CA18DET engine I swapped into it from a Japanese Silvia, hence the name "CA18_Sean"



After the whole drifting scene explosion I decided I really didn't like the new group of 240 guys, and started looking for a more grown-up scene. Got into BMW's, and absolutely LOVE M3's! Got this one right after I graduated college.



I've had an e46 and an e36 M. Just sold my M a couple months ago to pay off some debt and buy a boat! I recently picked up a house on a saltwater canal in Tampa Bay, so I figured I NEEDED a fishing boat! Lol.



Anyways, getting distracted... I picked up this 1986 4Runner with 122k miles on it for $1k off craigslist about a year ago. The guy had just fixed some rust and repainted it, rebuilt the motor, and lifted it, but then he had the auto transmission blow up on him. He was fed up at that point and just wanted it out of his yard. Here's how it looked the day I limped it home in 2nd gear.



Made it home and decided I'd swap it to 5 speed manual. I hate autos... lol. Took me awhile to round up all the parts, but I finally got it done! Spent about $500 on parts. Put a new clutch and flywheel in there while I was at it. Also got that heavy duty transmission mount from TG. They warned me that it would rattle and shake the interior, but I really didn't notice a big difference.



Installed a few parts from LC engineering (EGR delete, wires, spark plugs, distributor, valve cover gasket, etc.) and it's running like a champ again! Gas mileage and power feel like they doubled! Also put in an aluminum radiator, water pump, thermostat, the TG silicone hose kit, and replaced all my vacuum and heater hoses. Hopefully it will be reliable for years to come!



Next I grabbed some Treadwright tires with Summit Racing wheels and found a roof rack on craigslist for $20! Rides MUCH better than the dry rotted Mickey Thompsons that were on there, and the roof rack holds my kayak perfectly!







About a month later I found a set of Bushwacker fender flares on Craigslist, so I scooped them up too! $100! I always liked the look of Bushwacker flares, but I couldn't see spending $400+ on a set.







Finally got a chance to do some light wheeling a couple weeks ago with some friends of mine with FJ Cruisers... I was super jealous of their locking rear diffs... they went right up hills that I had some serious issues with! Haha, an e-locker is high on my to-do list after seeing that!











Most recently I picked up an OEM roll-bar pad off eBay and I found an ARB Safari snorkel on the yotatech classifieds! Can't wait to put both of those on! I've been searching for an ARB bumper as well... Soft-top is in the near future too!

This is my slow build thread... not looking to build a hardcore off-roader, just something to pull my 17' Mako and cruise around town! I couldn't be happier with it so far, and my dogs love it too!

 

Nice rig I love runners thats why ive had 3 of them and own two currently

 

Looks awesome! DEFINITELY looking forward to progress... Subscribed!

Also, is that color on the body that black cherry (or whatever it's called) that Toyota had as an option on the FJ Cruiser?

 

That is a great looking runner. Looks like you got it up speed real quick. Looking forward to your build.

 

Thanks guys! I'm really happy with it so far!

That was my first thought too, especially since the last name of the guy I bought it from was Cherry. Lol. But one of my neighbors just picked up a black cherry FJ and the hues are slightly different. Not sure where the PO picked out the color from, but it's definitely growing on me!

 

I was thinking of painting my 4Runner this color WAY before I saw this thread and seeing it actually on a 1st gen makes me want it even more, BUT I don't have the money for a paint job... :/

Anyways, is that an actual suspension lift or a body lift? It looks like a body lift to me, but I figured I'd ask anyway.

 

I like your 'Runner, but the 240sx is SICK!!! I love S13 coupes; definitely a car I want to own someday. Yours was a thing of beauty.
Gas is going out of control, I've been keeping close tabs on local 240 prices if/when I can't afford to operate my 4Runner every day.

 

Thanks man, I had a couple 240's. The red one was my first and my favorite. Probably was the fastest one I had too... had a top mounted TD06-20G making 350-375 whp.







My drift car was an S12 200sx with a KA24DE swap:



Also built a pretty neat S14 with an SR20:





And a RHD converted 180sx clone:





Also had an SR20 in it...

 

It's definitely a different color! I wasn't a huge fan, especially since the original paint underneath is white, which is exactly the color I wanted... But for $1k I've learned to love it, and it's started to grow on me!

3" body lift and blocks in the back. Installed by the previous owner. Front torsion bars might be cranked up a little too? Just picked up some rear lift springs to replace the blocks... the rear springs are currently totally flat and the ride SUCKS. Not sure what brand the springs I got are, they were ones my girlfriend's dad had sitting in his shop for the last 15 years. He had an 80's toyota pickup back in the 90's and he took the rear lift springs off of it before he sold it.