I sold my 85 pickup last week and finally found a 4runner. I have always wanted a 4runner. I searched for days and finally found this 86 with SAS. Now I just have to find/fab a bumper for my Warn 6014. Also..both front knuckles are leaking gear oil. The guy was driving it like that!! So..my first project will be rebuilding both knuckles. Other than that this thing is way cool..cant wait to get it off of the pavement!!

 

Wow very nice find! What size tires/gearing do you have?

 

Thanks! The tires are 35's and stock gearing as far as I know. I got a good deal on it and still had some cash left after selling the 85 truck. I like the set up with a small lift , SAS and rear locker.

 

Ran into the first snag in the knuckle rebuild... I got everything torn apart and the pass side upper bearing was shot. one of the bearings was bouncing around in the housing and it chewed up the cup where the inner seal rides. I dont know if ill be able to get a seal to hold. Any ideas? other than new housing....

here is the good one



and the bad....

 

Yuck! If it were my truck, I would clean it up as best as possible with a file and some emery cloth. Drain the oil, clean ALL oil out from where the seal sits, install new seal very carefully with a little bit of TOYOTA red FIPG on the outer edge. Put another small bead around the outer seal edge, wait for it to dry, put it all back together and cross my fingers.

 

That's prob what ill end up doing..it looks a bit worse in the pic. I have the marlin service kit on the way..we will see how it works out..if it leaks..I guess ill keep putting oil in it..

 

Only problem is if it leaks, its washing the grease out of the cv joint. I guess only one way to find out! Do the bearing races look ok? It's been a while since I've had one apart, but I remeber having to shim the bearings.

 

The races are fine. They do get shimmed. I don't get how these bearings are prone to failure. Its not like the are constantly spinning..

 

I would recommend the marlin crawler heavy duty axle seals which hopefully come in that.

 

I believe they come in the service kit that I ordered. Ill have it all back together Saturday so we'll see.

 

Those seals are thick and beefy.

 

well.. I cleaned up the housing...took the seal from the other side and it went in without issue. I think I may be good...

 

Got it all put back together. No leaks yet...that was a PITA....

 

Nice find! It sucks about the bearing, hopefully it never gives u a problem!

 

thanks! Yeah..I really like it. I drove it around all day...and no leak yet.

 

I've always wanted a 85 4runner currently i have a 86 pickup. To me I've always found the 1st gen 4runner more attractive than the pickup, but I can't complain and has never let me down.

 

I loved my 85 pickup. If I could have kept it I would. I need the seats in the back for packing the family in for off road camping/beach trips..plus you dont see very many 1st gen 4runners on the road.