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.

Wow. Nice clean truck, what'd you pay for it?

Wowwwwwwwwwwww don't chop her up...when u get tired of it ship it to Hawaii and sell it for a butt load of money hahahaha...there's one right now lifted with some goodies but repainted and not nearly as nice as yours going for 12k

So cool that u need the original radio for collector plates.
I have two originals in mine. Attached a pic of one of them. (will put it into the 2tone soon) Might give you an idea. I am going to look into the salvage yards here in Auckland for another one so if i see a couple i will pick them up



jamesdeancreations.com is really your only option unless you want to get some place to do ones for you.

I have 3. My solution. Better to ask for forgiveness than permission. You will take the same heat but at least u get ur truck

I always wanted a FJ/BJ42 but with the rust issues it would have taken away more than i would have gotten from owing one so I moved onto 4runners/Surfs.

Im glad your not cutting her up... find a 500 beater to wheel.

Find decals here:

http://www.jamesdeancreations.com/1984-86.htm

keep it just like that.

That thing is stupid clean. Definitely get something else to wheel. I'd love to get a cheap ass samurai some day and make it into a offroading machine and keep mine the way it is

I agree with the above! Keep it clean and stock then find another rust free 4runner that needs a little help and chop it up.

16 year olds build some pretty clean stuff.

I have 3 4Runners also. You're dead on, foregiveness is much easier to get than permission.

Just thought I would post up an update.

Over the past few months I have been working on the project to turn her back to stock (or as close as possible). The goal now, was to obtain collector plates which is a real pain in the rear end. Must be stock, in exceedingly good condition and only certain components can be era specific (within 2 years) to qualify.

I found a set of stock rims and was able to track down a set of stock caps for the front and back. refreshed them with a bit of red paint

Found a stock AM/FM radio. This was from a 1987 but is era correct. I did find a AM/FM tape deck with graphic equalizer from a 1985 but unfortunately neither the radio or tape deck would work. Still would like to find one if anyone has one that works. Even managed to find a few old tapes, that brought back memories of the 1980's (ACDC, Poison, etc..)

Managed to find a nice set of front seats off a 87 that are tan in colour. These are the comfy ones and I got one re-upholstered. Still have the stock ones but they are in need of re-upholstery and are not comfy. I must say the seats are more comfy than those in my 2006 vehicle. I got the center console pad re-upholstered and replaced the headliner in the top on the back.

The rear bumper was the most challenging. I had the 1985 stock step type which did not have any rust but had a few bad dents. I took it to 3 chrome platters who said that they really could not get the dents out and make it look good for chroming as the metal had been stretched. If it could be done they were looking about $1200-1500 to do the job. I tried to hammer and dolly the bumper after disassembly but could not get it looking good due to the stretching.

I tried everywhere to find a good step bumper off a 85 but no luck. Missed a few off of craigslist and dealt with some crappy people there too. About a month ago I came across a guy in California with a good condition 87 rear bumper. Got her shipped up, replaced one of the plastic pieces ordered directly from Toyota and she is now on. Not correct for an 85 but era correct and bolts right into stock holes in the rear. One day I might run into a really good one!

So here are a few pictures taken today.








The shift knobs are from a 87 and are tan as I could not find a black 5 speed knob and the one on the 4runner when I got it was not stock. I cut off the cap carefully scrapped off the old faded paint and repainted the gear numbers. A very slow process indeed. Did something similar with the B pillar plastic 4runner emblem. They came out pretty well with some gold and silver paint.












I needed to replace the dash pad as the one I had was cracked. I tried to repair it with some vinyl filler but it bugged me as I could still see the crack line. Found one down in the US that was gray and had it shipped. Found some proper paint SEM vinyl paint that worked awesome and matched very well.








Even replaced the power steering reservoir labels. I guess you could say I'm a little obsessed with getting her looking good again. Managed to also find a stock brand new OEM Toyota air filter ! Stock OEM oil filter, and spark plugs





Photos have been submitted to the Insurance company and I will have to wait a few weeks to find out if they will accept the condition.


I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

very nice is that the original paint on there

Great post. I too share the love for originality. I had wondered if the step bumper would fit onto my ifs 4runner and I guess u just answered that. Did u get a quote off toyota for one ? They were used also for 80s hiluxs so I figure they might have some stocked.
So cool u got a new Toyota bumper plastic part. How much was that ?

Have u decided on decals ?

Subscribed! I want to see more pictures of your awesome ride!!

I love the effort you're putting into this.