Well here is my project build so to speak.

First the story begins with my old 1982 BJ42 that was so badly rusted out, I didn't feel it could be salvaged. It would have required a extensive work to the frame and complete tub, cowl, fender replacement and about $20,000 to make it into something nice. So I put the old girl up for sale and decided that I wanted to start with something clean and with no rust.

I can't stand rust and unfortunately as you all know this is the largest problem with Toyota's.




So I came up with a plan to purchase a first generation 4runner and perform a clean offroad build with a dual transfer case, 5.29 gears, ARB lockers, 4 inch lift, etc... Typical items but I wanted a clean build, not somthing thrown together by a 16 year old.

I searched for about 10 months and came across what looked like a good 1985 4runner down in California. I went down looked at it and it was in great condition. No rust, 22RE engine, 5 speed manual transmission. well cared for.

I purchased it and moved on to the next stage parts acquisition.

Here are a few pictures her.
















This is where the quandry comes into play, because as I looked closer into the condition of the 4runner and spoke with a number of 4runner enthusiests, everyone was making comments that "you can't cut that 4runner up, do you know how hard it is to find a clean 85?"

Turns out I guess, the 85 is getting to be a fairly rare bird, with it being the last year of the solid axle and the first year of the 22re.

I have had it out only occassionaly, but managed to pick up a unused softopper. These soft tops are great and make summer outings a blast.







So this year, I made a decision and have changed the plans. Instead of a clean built trail rig, I will try and return the 4runner back to stock; or as close to stock as possible. I just couldn't bring myself to cut her up.

The only things I have done to it so far, are coat the frame (internal surface) with Eastwood's internal frame paint, touched up some stone chips in the paint, replaced the chrome strip on the passenger side (lucked out at the salvage yard and found one), sprayed zero rust on the frame (even though there was no rust at all) and replaced the idler pully bearing.


The items that are not stock for which I am hunting down:

1. Rims. As you can see from the photos the ones that are on the 4runner are from a 3rd generation. It turned out to be very tricky finding 85 chrome wheels as the backspacing is different than the 86 through 89 stock wheels. I was able to acquire 4 stock chrome wheels but unfortunately they are missing the front hub center caps (front axle).

Does anybody know where I can locate the front hub center caps?

2. I will need to locate a stock stereo (am/fm cassette). This applies if I want to get collector licence plates, as it is a condition Would anyone know where I can locate somthing like this. Seems odd, I know, as it is usually the first thing we upgrade on new vehicles we buy. Toss the stock stereo and upgrade to something decent. Funny thing, it actually has a really nice Sony CD player in it now but it won't meet the conditions if I want to get collector plates.

3. I will need to get the front seats re-upolhstered as the California heat tends to destroy fabric. The headliner on the hard top also needs to be replaced

4. Need to source out stock toyota decals for the sides.

The next step is to convince the wife that I need anther 1st generation 4runner to build up and to keep this one just to enjoy. That may prove to be a bigger problem!

Stay tuned I will post up prograss.