Good friend of mine lost the battle against cancer. He won against colon cancer 5 or so years ago but 2.5 wks ago it was found in his liver and this weekend he’s being put on home hospice as his liver is failing and he’s not eligible for a transplant. He passed 8.31.

He bought this truck in 2005 to build his dream rig but things always kept cropping up. We’ve talked about it for years and I’ve offered to help but he just couldn’t get to it. Well, when we were talking this weekend I asked him if there was anything I could do to help and he said sell his 4Runner. Jumped on posting it right away and got some bites but the more I thought about it, the more I didn’t want to sell it.

Lord knows the last thing I need is another project between the k5, the rzr, and my two kids, but the thought of this thing getting sold to someone who would tear it up or just let it sit longer didn’t sit well with me. I talked it over with my wife and she agreed that I should buy it. So I did.

Not a clue in the world what I’m going to do with it but I’m going to try my damndest to get it running and take him for a spin before it’s to late. From what he’s told me it needs a new tank and pump and possibly fuel lines for it to start. Needs a master and booster cylinder to drive.

It’s a 1989 4Runner. Fuel injected 22re with a manual trans. No rust. 199k miles. Straight body and interior. Removable top. My plan at the moment is get it driving and cleaned up and then just make it a cool family cruiser. Take the kids around town. Maybe do some light off roading with it. Take it to the deer lease. Scratch that old truck itch I’ve got while I wait for it to cool off so I can finish the blazer.

This thing is cleaner than I imagined. No fluid leaks I can find. Only one spot of rust on the topper. Under carriage is clean. Maybe a valve cover bolt leak. No mice. Factory AC. Last recorded maintenance was 06 and it was all the fluids. Tires were replaced in 06 also. Sucks it went off the road then cause they are brand new but cracked pretty good. Still hold air though. Need to vacuum it out and pressure wash it and get to work. Windows are manual and roll up and down nicely. Doors open better than my k5. Gears shift nicely in the trans and transfercase. Looks like maybe a rear wheel cylinder leak.

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Sounds like a fun project.

Got it vacuumed out last night and some trash thrown away. Needed to roll down the back glass so I hooked a battery up to it and to my surprise, everything came alive. Lights, wipers, rear window, buzzer, blinkers, etc. Made me feel good.

Good way to honor your friend.
Sorry for your loss.

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Post up a couple pictures. I'm new to fixing up first gen 4Runners, and love seeing folks who are still actively working on them.