1987 4Runner SR5 Progress Thread

Cali 4runner

New member
Hello Everyone

I finally made some time to post up the progress of my new to me 1987 Toyota sr5! Here’s the backstory. I’m turning 18 in a couple of weeks and for my first car, I knew I wanted a truck. So I ended up buying a 1984 Toyota Pickup 4x4 Xtra cab over a year and a half ago. Drove it as a daily driver, and loved the truck. It really introduced me to my love of classic Toyota 4x4s. However, after reading around on the forums, I found out about the first generation 4runners and absolutely knew I had to get one. My truck was great and all, but there was no A/C, since it was an 84 it had a solid axle plus an old lift so it was very uncomfortable on the road, and had only two seats. I rarely carry people around, but like having the option. So after some extensive research, I knew I still wanted a 4cyl and 5speed and an sr5 model. So I narrowed my search to 87 4runner sr5s. After over at least 5 months of checking craigslist almost every day, I found the cleanest 4runner yet. I’m located in the north Bay Area and the 4runner was in Chico, so not too far away. It was an 87 sr5 completely loaded, 2nd owner, super clean, and only 168k original miles. I contacted the seller asap and set a date to meet with him. Only thing was that it would be a week later because I left for a trip the day after I talked to him. Then when I returned he told me the 4runner sold to a guy in Los Angeles. I was totally devastated because being in California I know how hard it is to find clean California first generation 4runners. So my summer continued on and in the end of July I went on statewidelist again and saw an 87 sr5 4runner for sale in LA. I looked closely at the pictures and it was the same 4runner I found earlier in June! I was so excited and contacted the guy asap. Once he got back to me, he said some guys were already ahead of me. And because of that my spirits somewhat dropped. Then less than a week later, out of the blue, he texted me and said if you have the money and can be here before the weekend the 4runner is yours. So I drove down to LA with my dad and his uncle bought the truck for $5500 then turned around and drove home in one day! Ever since I have been living the dream. Haha
Also did I mention that driving home I was set on cruise control at 70mph with the A/C on blowing ice cold! Not too shabby for a 27 year old truck, but then again it’s a goddam Toyota.
Anyways on to pics cause everyone loves those..
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The first three pics are from the ad, then the 4th is the day I got it. The fifth is next to my 84 xtra cab, and the rest down are at my friends ranch
 
Great looking '87! It's the same as mine and probably the only one I've seen with interior that is as clean or cleaner! My console lid is in bad shape and poorly recovered, yours looks new! I dig the factory shift knobs too. Pick up a pair of new rear springs to level it out and she'll be perfect, enjoy your new toy!
 
Excellent find, and glad you finally got the 4Runner you wanted.

+1 on the rear springs. Might be a good idea to replace the shocks front and back while your at it.

Looking good!

:bluejump:
 
Thanks guys! Boatracer, I know that's why I knew I had to get it because it was so clean! And will eventually do some suspension work with old man emu springs in the rear, maybe ball joint spacers up front, and bilsteins all the way around. Working on some small things as of now, saving up for future mods because I know they'll never stop! haha
 
I got a bunch of parts in the mail: seat covers, dash cover, and shifter parts. Planning to install the stuff Thursday. But in the meantime, I have noticed that my 22re has a ticking sound to it. It runs fine, has good power, and doesn't burn any oil but I think it either has an exhaust leak at the header or maybe needs a valve adjustment. Also it is NOT low on oil. Here is a vid of the sound
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7WH-R0gQsUI
 
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I got a bunch of parts in the mail: seat covers, dash cover, and shifter parts. Planning to install the stuff Thursday. But in the meantime, I have noticed that my 22re has a ticking sound to it. It runs fine, has good power, and doesn't burn any oil but I think it either has an exhaust leak at the header or maybe needs a valve adjustment. Also it is NOT low on oil. Here is a vid of the sound
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7WH-R0gQsUI

Tune us in on the covers and stuff you purchased with links, pics and cost. I have not been impressed with covers but I am always on the cheap.:eyebrows: I am new to the runners and is the shifter ball and the 4WD knob different. I have two sets, one rubbery and one hard like your shifter. My pattern inset is gone. Is that part repoped or available.
 
I'm due for an update, been too long. Have simply driven the truck because it's my DD and have done some small things, just really busy with school. A couple of weeks ago I finally put in my new shifter parts and shift boot. While I was at it, I repainted the handles and put a new rubber boot in which goes at the base of the handle because mine was old and cracked. I also took off the transfer case shift handle and repainted it. The only problem with the installation was I stripped one of the four transfer case shifter holes to hold on the shift assembly. Was pretty pissed about that and quickly threw some jb weld on the bolt and was able to tighten it down for the most part. It stripped in the first place because the tunnel was not big enough, almost like the whole transmission and transfer case wasn't centered in the tunnel. Thankfully it's fine and isn't leaking out of the top at all. Also, while I was at it I replaced the transmission fluid with synthetic redline mt-90. I then took out both front bucket seats and cleaned all the plastics then installed my ebay seat covers. They actually came out great and aren’t that that durable but at least there is something there, plus they look ok. I even used a hot nail technique to poke holes for the lumbar and side adjustments.
Some pics..
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Also forgot to mention that I went to get the valves adjusted and learned that the previous owner didn’t change the owner too often so there was some uneven wear on the rear cam lobes I think it was. The valves were definitely loose and the truck quieted down after but once I drove 20 miles home, the ticking was back again.
 

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