Day 1 - May 17, 2012<br><br>I went to the junkyard. Someone forgot a nice Craftsman pry bar in a&nbsp; truck, too, so I scored on that. <br><br>An impound&nbsp; yard owner was dropping off a 1st gen 4Runner with 3rd gen 5 stars. I thought I'd come back for the wheels when the truck hit the yard. After loading up my truck, I pulled around the lot to the driver and asked him a few questions.<br><br>They were leaving that 4Runner there for $800. Some specs: 1987 4Runner 4x4 TURBO. Has 264k, sitting since 2009 for unknown reasons of mechanical failure.<br><br>I could NOT let them crush that thing. It was too pretty. The owner of the impound lot offered the truck to me for $900.<br><br><br><br><br>Stopped by U-Haul, gathered the money, and headed back.<br>https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3877/...d0b6b8e8_b.jpg4ded946b by cobblewagen, on Flickr<br><br>At the impound lot.<br>https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3916/...46eabeee_b.jpgA1E9D0F0-AF20-4D99-8595-F21BD08A4523-24010-00000E064A164D2E_ by cobblewagen, on Flickr<br>https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5496/...dcbd3f77_b.jpgC92B2557-2A12-48A0-8856-0506629FFCD0-24010-00000E06A74F6770_ by cobblewagen, on Flickr<br><br>On the drive home, at my work. Stopped in to wash it up.<br>https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2903/...a8ef8192_b.jpg0d699c09 by cobblewagen, on Flickr<br>https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3924/...f94d736c_b.jpg4ecc524f by cobblewagen, on Flickr<br>https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5490/...35e9ef7d_b.jpgb13fef8d by cobblewagen, on Flickr<br>https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5505/...0fbf437d_b.jpg33f63f4f by cobblewagen, on Flickr<br>https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3896/...f6156498_b.jpg6ace7116 by cobblewagen, on Flickr<br>https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3918/...0362656d_b.jpg7b22bb27 by cobblewagen, on Flickr<br><br>https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5475/...548fb177_b.jpge4723b0c by cobblewagen, on Flickr<br>https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5479/...d573b01e_b.jpg8de3fbdd by cobblewagen, on Flickr<br><br><br>COB webs.<br>https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2899/...34a0bb1f_b.jpg57de0210 by cobblewagen, on Flickr<br><br><br>After purchasing, I swung by driffter33's house. He pointed out that the&nbsp; starter was not fully secured. One of the steering column nuts from the my donor&nbsp; 3rd gen and we had this thing cranking. Added 2 gallons of 91 octane&nbsp; (mixed with whatever crap has been in there for who knows how long) and&nbsp; I'll see what it'll take to get this thing running. I do think it has&nbsp; the ability to run without any real reconditioning.<br><br>I'll have to get some better pics later, I haven't taken any daytime photos yet.<br><br>https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5538/...2cc4d728_b.jpgdbc83978 by cobblewagen, on Flickr

You deserve a medal for rescuing that 1st gen. I'm making you one.

Wow COB, SICK score with the 1st gen 4Runner. I hope to see it SAS'd on 37's by this time next year.... hahaha

I'm so extremely jealous right now. I have been wanting a 1st gen since 05 when my 1st gen was totaled. Looks like you have quite a few projects on your hands.

Also, I will be in Thousand Oaks June 8-12 and it'd be awesome to meet up on Sunday if you have time. Hoping to meet some of the SoCal guys.

Hey COB :flipoff:. Just kidding man, I really am jealous though...You are so lucky to find suck a clean 1st gen like that for only $900. I would love to be able to find a project truck like that...Good luck getting her going again!

Great find!! I'm never that lucky when looking for parts. I'm sure it will be a nice truck when you are done. I look forward to the build up.

x2!!! Sweet find!

It actually makes me a little sad that I sold my old Turbo 4Runner! :(

Here's a link to my Turbo 4Runner build thread; I go over a lot of the Turbo specific problems, issue's, and modifications in that build thread. You can also PM me if you have any specific questions, I don't know for sure if I'll be able to answer it but I'll try.

DIRTCO's 1986 4Runner Build-Up Thread - YotaTech Forums

http://i239.photobucket.com/albums/f...8.jpg~original

I'VE ALWAYS WANTED A MEDAL. It's going on the rear view mirror. :D All praise thee, Dylan.

Ohhh man, don't give me too many ideas... I'm already pretty broke haha

SAS'd on 37's... :jump:

I just love how you progressed through every generation. 1st gens are definitely cool trail rigs!

Yes, lets get a group together! I work on weekends unfortunately. Typing this from work right now (my main T4R time haha).

I can try to get that day switched. It's still early enough that we might be able to make a fun run if you're heading down with the 4Runner. My 4Runner has some issues that I'd like to address before doing anything crazy, but I'm still down for something moderately difficult.


Thank you. It's looking great so far, needs a lot of TLC and a head gasket. I'm sure the time will come around someday that you'll find just the project you're looking for, when you least expect it.

Thank you! I'll do my best to keep you (and the rest of us T4R guys) updated with lots of pics.

Man, I had to buy a new keyboard after reading your 3rd gen build thread. So much drool.

Just went through your 1st gen build and now I've gotta change my pants and get some paper towels...

I appreciate the offer to help, I will certainly keep you in mind when I need something answered, if your build thread doesn't answer them already! haha.

I would imagine you have lots of extra parts, too. I sure wish I could pull of the metal fab work you can. If you're at all interested in making some sweet 1st gen parts, you know I'd want some. I don't even know where to start once it's running.







Check out the latest TurboRunner update! http://www.toyota-4runner.org/classi...ml#post1108546

SWEET! I thought I'd pull a C.O.B yesterday, and inquire about a Red 1st Gen I've seen sitting in a Plant Nursery parking lot since the winter. Talked to a family member of the owner, who advised that it really wasn't for sale, but if someone were to give them $3000 - $4000, they'd let it go! I was like, FOGETABOUTIT! LOL! The family member agreed that it was drastically over priced, so we just laughed it off.

I'm gonna keep my eye on it, as it's in decent shape, just needs some minor body work. The Undercarriage looks like mine, all greasy and oiled up, which is a plus around here!

Good luck with the build up C.O.B! It will be a fun little project for you!

if that red interior doesn't get some ladies...i don't know what else will


1st gen 4runner is dope!! I wonder what your pops thought when he saw you pull in with another car HAHAHAHAH

do you still have the 3rd gen too? what happened to the pick up truck in the garage i know you cleared it out but where did it go?

James- its time to quit school and start thinking about making a career out of this. You are def skilled and passionate.

PS. the ghetto in the ghetto picture is funny although, although MV is far from it!!

Make sure you check the front timing chain cover for wear. The plastic timing chain guides like to break and the chain will wear on the d/s of the cover, there is a coolant passage right in that spot and it will leak the coolant into the oil. You'll end up with some taste chocolate milk!

If the chain has made any contact with the cover I would replace it, it's also a good idea to buy the steel backed timing chain guides while your in there.

this gunna get interesting...

So many projects! Can't keep up!

Good way of spending my sunday afternoon reading 62 pages of your build thread!

You deffff need a medal for saving that classic turbo :cheers:

Well I'm there till Tuesday so we could do Monday. I just figured Sunday since more people are off, but it seems like no one is too interested in a run that day. Let me know what works as my schedule is pretty flexible. Watch that 1st gen though, I may steal it...:bat:

congrats on the 1st gen man. good luck!

Extremely jealous. Its even the turbo! I'm loving that "pimp red" interior option from Toyota. You should restore it, I don't see many 1st gen builds like that. Do you still have the Merc?

Just when i think it cant get any better it does...

Update on the first gen?

ROFL, yes, keep an eye on that baby... check back in a year! I'll sell ya the TURBORUNNER for 3-4k :D

Great story man, thanks for telling! Snag some pics if you can!

Haha, PIMP red interior! Dad was actually pretty excited, he likes old Toyota trucks. He hates seeing a junkyard in the driveway though, lol. It's only a junkyard because that truck was moved out of the garage and into the driveway... stupid pile! :P

Thanks bud, come down and visit soon! Sorry I don't hit you up more, 4Runner's soaking it up in the garage where the truck used to be, haha. I'm down for a trail run, though!



Love the advice. I have been looking through lots of 22RE builds and this is the best piece of advice yet. Noted!

Making me blush... :lmao: thank you!

I've got that week (Mon-Fri) off officially, get at me when you're coming down. Still down to meet Monday. Lol if you can manage to drive the 1st gen away under it's own power, it's yours.

One restoration, coming right up! Haha.

Yes, it makes appearances in the backgrounds of 4Runner photos... haha.

Sorry man :( The turborunner was an unexpected buy and won't progress for a while. Still got other things to finish.

What's the long term plan for the 1st gen? If you plan on keeping it, I vote for restoring it to stock. I dig when they're nice and clean.

i'd sell the 1st gen and make some mula lol

Haha, yeah, might be crazy, but I'm pretty sure I can do it and make it look good. It's been a dream-project of mine and I'm pretty excited to do it.

I think I can pull off the whole car with 10-15 cans. I'll take my time. If there's one thing I'll never waste my money on... it's a Maaco paint job, haha.

Man, I completely agree. This thing wouldn't need much to look gorgeous. I couldn't screw up this truck and feel good about myself. Long term plans... well, IFS automatic... hmm... I think the profit margin will be worth selling it. I have to make sure it goes to a good worthy home. Too many people asking about buying it that will just run it back into the ground.

I'll definitely make it look nice beforehand, that top needs to be black ASAP...

:iagree: money is nice :D hahaha

What a great find with the 87! Friggin AWESOME!

keep TurboRunner. sell the probe. done and done:rockthrow:

Yep, I second that!

I used Duplicolor spray bedliner on mine and it worked awesome! There's pictures in my build thread.

The CT-20 turbo's and manifolds are very prone to cracking, it's a normal thing. I believe a CT-26 from a Supra will fit with only minimal work; from what I've seen you just need to enlarge the bolt holes on the turbo, but you will need to do your own research to know for sure. I also have Toyota part numbers for all the CT-20 gaskets if you need them.

Just a heads up, the digital clusters are awesome but they like to act up. Here's the secret, they are not grounded properly from the factory. Mine did all kinds of crazy stuff when i bought it, it took me weeks to figure out what the hell was going on. Replace all your battery cables with some heavier gauge stuff (I used 4ga.), clean your ground to the inner fender and run an extra ground to the firewall itself. That fixed all my issues!

Your rant on that cop describes precisely how I feel about the cops around here as well. It seems that many cops get either power crazy or paranoid about their job, or maybe a combo of both, and forget that most of us are just normal people trying to live our lives. Rather than protecting and serving you feel like theyre just out to get you, or bring in the revenue. And I honestly dont have anything against cops! I appreciate what they do. I have three friends who are great cops, Ive met several other great cops, and Im in the military so it would be senseless to have an authority problem. They have a stressful job and I can understand how it keeps them on edge. But the bad ones give the whole force a negative appearance.

Anyways, the 1st gen is awesome and I hope you keep it. You obviously have the skills and resources to make the most out of it for the least investment possible. So I say make it happen. When I can afford it, Im getting an 80's Toyota Truck to restore. Cant wait.

The probe will be sold and sent to hell where it belongs

Dirtco for the win! You're a very helpful guide of information, when I ever get out to CO, your shop is definitely a place I want to visit.

Thanks for the information on the CT26. The big three ground wire mod is something I've been meaning to do to my 3rd gen as well.

I'll grab some thick wire from work and make some new ground wires, after all, even if it's being sold, I'm sure it's something the next buyer will appreciate.

I've spoken with a few potential buyers (only open to selling to people who know first gens well), the prices they're willing to pay As Is are enough for me to justify selling it without any major work. Seems like most of them are interested in the truck solely for a restoration project.


Haha, everyone hates cops. A very stressful job, I can imagine, however, I feel Mission Viejo is so uneventful that police only find themselves doing the menial tasks to bring in revenue. No cops just let little things slide anymore... they're just interested in taking your money. Too bad it feels like bad cops are the only ones that are dispatched.

Sorry man, I wish I could, but that 1st gen needs a new home who can give it the love it deserves.

Hehe for fun:
<iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/em5T1dwgvgA" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="480" width="640"></iframe>

This is about the worst of the interior, the cargo area. The right panel has cracked and broken up. The headliner has peeled off the removable top. Both shouldn't be difficult to fix. The stock jack and tools are there and look pretty untouched. (Forgot to take a pic of the cluster and front seats... will do next time it's light out)
https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3882/...c5883235_b.jpgceb59b8f by cobblewagen, on Flickr
https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2900/...285340e8_b.jpgDSCN1505 by cobblewagen, on Flickr
https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5516/...0d6ec455_b.jpgc243e78e by cobblewagen, on Flickr
https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2902/...ac25a67e_b.jpg4d751433 by cobblewagen, on Flickr
https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3921/...a33f9693_b.jpge65a4dd6 by cobblewagen, on Flickr
https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5521/...cfa8c71a_b.jpgee8ee854 by cobblewagen, on Flickr

The paint is still looking good. It's been sitting since 2009. Some quick hand polishing:
https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3835/...0cfd2b0e_b.jpg318fa3ad by cobblewagen, on Flickr
https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3875/...2c43a963_b.jpg9423bb92 by cobblewagen, on Flickr

Down to business. Aside from the bad head gasket, the fuel was spoiled and yellow, the oil looked like a really old chocolate shake, and the spark plugs were fouled up. Battery is some ancient Valucraft crap... hello jumper cables.
https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3926/...61a24f34_b.jpgb5015d48 by cobblewagen, on Flickr

Cylinder 4 had a helicoil.
https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5037/...29f8017e_b.jpg98dee826 by cobblewagen, on Flickr

Flushed the fuel rail and lines with Shell V-Power. Drained the oil and refilled with fresh Autozone bargain-oil to clean up the rest of the old oil, and a used oil filter that was laying around. Unfortunately, I still can't get the truck to start... Thinking to change the whole cylinder head to eliminate the bad spark plug hole. I took videos of the 4Runner cranking, but they're not really that interesting without a startup... lol

Nice score. After what you've done with your '99, I'm stoked to see where this goes.

ETA - my god that body is cherry.

I took the most perfect video of it's first start. Funny story, even after draining all fuel/coolant/oil and replacing it all, it wouldn't start the whole 3 hours I spent trying to start it. It ended up sitting untouched for about a week, when I decided to randomly give it a go.

The SOB fired right up! In fact, now it fires right up every single time! Mind you, I didn't do one lick of work beyond fluid changes and reattaching the starter.

Video Time!! Haha... yeah, about that... just after I got finished with the most epic 2 minutes and 30 seconds of early 1st gen ownership, my iPhone decides that the days events actually never happened :ybrick: In fact, all of my pictures from that day just didn't happen. :smashputer: <-- just picture that, but iPhone 4.

TurboRunner LIVES. I promise you guys that you'll see a video of this beast running before I fix the head gasket. It's a spectacle to see a cob-webbed engine start up after sitting for 3 years. It doesn't stay alive lower than 1k RPM, compression isn't good enough. It doesn't drive either, thanks to the automatic transmission. If this thing was a stick, I'd have driven it by now.

Head gasket change will begin tomorrow, I will be updating with pictures and videos. Since I'm new to Toyota engine work and timing chains, I'm taking it back down to my buddy John's shop, Japanese Car Specialties, to hopefully leech off of John's 22RTE know-how. I'll still be performing the work myself, but with a helpful guiding hand. This is the same shop where I performed my 4WD 5-speed conversion, and where I'll likely be seeing FrankM23 come Wednesday for a good old fashioned 3RZ valve adjustment.

After TurboRunner works, Donor truck will meet it's demise.

Anyway, that's my rant, hope you didn't fall asleep reading with this lack of photos :)


------------------------------


TurboRunner didn't want to start again today. This is a very bipolar truck. Oh well, I have AAA for a reason.
https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2915/...cd8170a5_b.jpg907504f8 by cobblewagen, on Flickr

Immediately got to work. For some reason, the truck would crank, fire a few times, and die again.
https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3844/...f996504c_b.jpg463907fe by cobblewagen, on Flickr
https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3891/...03b998ab_b.jpg94cbfc2c by cobblewagen, on Flickr

The 22RTE motor uses a cold start injector with a coolant temperature sensor. I changed the sensor with a known good sensor to make sure it was correctly operating. No change.
https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3840/...2c272e7c_b.jpga39fbbcd by cobblewagen, on Flickr
https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5473/...2217d6a5_b.jpg892e25ad by cobblewagen, on Flickr

There are no ignition or fuse problems, either... so we moved onto electrical possibilities. We pulled a pinout for a turbo 4Runner off the internet. Using a Vantage diagnostic scanner (the same one I used to test continuity for wires during my 4WD conversion), we checked fuel injection signals from the ECU. Signals were fine at initial start and then stopped as the engine died.

Now, here's another reason why the perfect mechanic is really a godsend. This guy has a 1985 solid axle Toyota pickup that he's converted to a completely OEM 5-speed and turbo. This guy knows his stuff. It's about this time when John asks me for the part number of my ECU, 89661-35050. He never ceases to amaze me... he hands me the keys to his 85 and tells me to test my ECU in his truck. Sure enough, ECU 89661-35050 with the dismantler's vehicle details "1986 4Runner 4x4 Auto Turbo."
https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5497/...aa607704_b.jpg339bf1f7 by cobblewagen, on Flickr
https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2922/...8466ed82_b.jpg2dffa75e by cobblewagen, on Flickr

<iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/KqMuxhPINIg" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="480" width="853"></iframe>

If my phone didn't start acting up again, I'd have had a short video of it driving into the shop under it's own power. Too bad, my phone sucks. So, now I've just gotta find myself one of these ECU's. I may have found one for $100 in Maine at a dismantler.

The engines main problems: bad head gasket = low compression in cylinder one, rod knock, helicoiled spark plug hole cylinder 4. Engine hardly creates enough vacuum, often dies during automatic gear changes. Lots of white smoke.

I was hoping it would only be a head job, but now it would be more beneficial to pull the whole motor and rebuild it. It's a shame I won't be keeping this truck... John's got an LCE pro crankshaft and H-beam rods that use bigger rod bearings, CP forged pisons (.040 over) and new piston rings... all for a 22RE... omfg haha... that'd be NUTS with boost. (boring with an auto... and IFS). Truck will have to go to a good home, not selling it to just anyone.

Keep on keepin on...

Used an old fuel injector harness to test each injector. 1 injector is completely the wrong one, while one of the other 3 isn't working well. One of them is cutting in and out.
https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2927/...700ba6d9_b.jpg3b7397af by cobblewagen, on Flickr

Cylinder 1-3 spark plug holes have seen better days. The threads are mostly crossthreaded and jagged, it should not take excessive force to unscrew a spark plug. Another one of John's toys: Self tapping spark plug. All 3 non-helicoiled holes are smooth as butter now. As far as the helicoiled plug, lots and lots of loctite so I can remove the plug from the helicoil itself. Head is pretty screwed up lol.
https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3847/...8b788d1c_b.jpgcae5a1ee by cobblewagen, on Flickr
https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5497/...4d7f5e62_b.jpgd1fbda6a by cobblewagen, on Flickr

Compression tests: Cylinder 1 and 3 have very low compression. The other two have good compression.
https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5593/...0ba96cae_b.jpg85ab084e by cobblewagen, on Flickr

2 out of 3 piston rings are fried on all 4 pistons. This truck is an oil burners cartel member. Hot side of the turbo was cracked and poorly welded by previous owner... this truck won't be making ANY boost...

https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5506/...1592a8db_b.jpg52597076 by cobblewagen, on Flickr

... so what's good about this truck? It's actually running on all 4 cylinders again (barely). It runs without stalling. It actually drives, too. Went for a nice journey around the area, put a good 15 miles on it. Testament to Toyota... leave a horribly maintained engine sitting for 3 years and it will still run and drive. At least it doesn't burn too much oil.

This is where the decision gets difficult. This thing is totally worthy of a new engine and turbo. It deserves to run for another 264k, at least. This vehicle is still an investment, though. There are a few engine/turbo combos online that I may consider. $500-$1000 may net me something in running condition. I would hate to install a used motor without rebuild, but given the right motor, I'll just do a swap.

Truck is at home now while I decide what I want to do.
https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5473/...4faf12ba_b.jpgebd4448c by cobblewagen, on Flickr

If you keep tabs on my 99's build thread, you may remember a cop hassle I had in my 3rd gen. I was out, but the cops came over for a visit, this time with a tow truck. They had TurboRunner about halfway up the ramp. My dad stopped them and I spoke with the cop over the phone.

Cop: "Why is this truck parked on my street?" (D!ckhead, I've lived on this street for 15 years! It's MY street!)
Me: "I just brought the truck home from the shop yesterday, I just needed to clear some space out of the driveway. Pink slip is in the house."
Cop: "I'll give you one hour. If I ever see this truck in the street again, I'm taking it."

Thanks again, jerkoff. Someday, I'll be moving out of this area with such douchebag cops on power trips. If only they would actually protect and serve as their job entitles... not bring out the big guns after a vehicle with bad registration sits for one day in the street. Maybe it's the lack of action over here, they're forced to spend their time giving innocent people a hard time. If no one stopped him, TurboRunner would have been impounded and likely handed away with the title. Most of my life spent here, only time I ever see nice policemen are when they're consoling accident victims. I understand you're mister Johnny Law, but you don't have keep up the act in front of my elderly father. We're innocent people, talk to us like a human being should. After all, we pay your salary.

Drove home, got in the truck, started it right up and drove straight into my driveway. Of course, they were expecting me to push it :lmao: :flipoff:

:girl:
It appears this is the first time she's ever been topless. I also find it very cool that there's one bolt for the top that has a switch in the bolthole to toggle the back window power.

https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5572/...ed126972_b.jpg4c938f26 by cobblewagen, on Flickr

TurboRunner is on the backburner for now. I have to cut up my 2000 Donor truck.

Quite the catch, COB! I can't imagine even a totally disinterested party being willing to crush ANY vehicle with an immaculate body like that, let alone something as useful as a 4Runner. Glad you saved her from that untimely death.

I like the dash, but the red on red is a bit iffy lol.

Daaaaaaaamn nice score! Beautiful 4runner! Though, not sure if I like your user name or your 4Runner better haha. Children of Bodom FTW! :guitar3:

If you're planning on flipping it and you've got takers at $3500, I'd jump on that. You might get as high as $6000-$6500 or so with a good running engine, but you'll probably spend at least another thou and a lotta hours getting there.

You make me hate California... Finding a body without significant rust around here is impossible...

Beautiful truck, good luck with it.

Thanks gents.

Just a random update. I have been speaking with many junkyards trying to locate an ECU for this truck at a reasonable cost.

I found one in Ellsworth, ME, and if they can confirm it's the right part number, I'll be able to drive the truck again.

Also got it registered. No tags since 2009, $30 transfer and $80 in fees... boy howdy was I scared of what the cost would be, what a relief.