Selling my built 85 4runner. The is the holy grail year - solid axle and EFI. Runs great, no rust, turnkey ready to crawl the hardest trails in Colorado. Passes emissions no problem and qualifies for collector vehicle plates! Located in Fort Collins.
Close to $20k in parts including the motor...
Thirds are the same most likely, but the front could be a high pinion 8" land cruiser diff. Pretty common to put that third in the front since it's reverse cut and has better clearance and is overall much stronger. If it is a HP up there you cannot run it in the back.
Mostly Stock: 3rd gen with rear locker
Built: tie depending on use - 1st gen (or SAS 1st/2nd) for rock crawling and 4th gen long travel for milder wheeling / high speed / overland
I've never had the top sit flush. It always looks like that. I've also never needed to seal that spot, and I have my valve cover on and off more than I should, probably.
Torque is really pretty low on those nuts iirc. I just sort of snug them up by feel. Don't get crazy on them or they will...