1988 4Runner outside and flat restoration

[Chris Craist]

4Runner 1988 restoration in a flat and outside

Hello,

I am creating this post to start restoring my lovely 4Runner.
I am the third owner, it is my weekly/daily driver and I will give it a new youth working outside and in my flat.
There is no urgent heavy mechanical task to do, just few parts to restore/replace, dash and interior refresh, heating console fixed, frame and engine compartment cleaned and protected and eventually a new body paint.
Engine (346 000km), transmission, shafts and frame are stock and okay.
3 upgrades have been done : 4.10 gears ratio (much better grip in snow), body jacked 3 inches (allowing me to fly over the snow)and a strong grille guard (to make the moose fly too when i try to catch them on the highway ).
The first idea is to restore it well, the right way, keeping it on the road, in the bush, for a loooooong time.

My 4Runner 1988 Before Restoration Photos by ChrisCraits | Photobucket

 

[85straight]

Pretty clean truck for almost 220,000 miles on the clock.
GL finding some of the panels new, not very many places that make small
panels. But i know Slacker (Precision 4X4 Center) makes a few exterior panels and just started to with interior cargo panels. Glad to see you keeping on the road,where it belongs

 

[ChildrenOfBodom]

Looks like it's in pretty good shape, it will look perfect after you're done. Looking forward to seeing the work.

 

[BigBluePile]

Looks like a nice project!

 

[Chris Craist]

The cold is there!

Thank you for your Welcome.
I will keep you updated starting now with a little simple task pretty urgent if I want to be able to run my red thing before being stuck for the whole winter by... the snow!
I have to change my summer wheels!
But not mounting before the deresut and paint process.
I use white vinegar, a drill and my loyal metal brushes. Really effective to get rid of the nasty dead metal and old paint; straight to the metal. Washed in boiling soap water to degrease everything before painting with a rust paint (kind of por-15).
Using this method is also better for the neighborhood as I work in my flat and outside .
Starting with the caps.


Wheel Caps Photos by ChrisCraits | Photobucket

 

[Chris Craist]

The rims...

Still working on the winter wheels which are really rusted.
I have also removed so many dirt sticking to the inside rim.
Not a complex and interesting job but a dirty one!
My sanding/painting cabin is very usefull as my walls are still... white.

Rims Photos by ChrisCraits | Photobucket

 

[dorton]

Looks like a nice base to start with.

 

[Quatre Coureur]

Very impressive considering your limited space. I like the sanding/painting cabinet!

 

[Chris Craist]

Thanks a lot Quatre Coureur .
I am more impressed by your 4R. White with black wheels. Really beautiful.
I guess this is the regular wheels you can find on a BJ40. what kind of tyres are mounted on that?

 

[Quatre Coureur]

Thanks a lot Quatre Coureur .
I am more impressed by your 4R. White with black wheels. Really beautiful.
I guess this is the regular wheels you can find on a BJ40. what kind of tyres are mounted on that?

Merci mon ami! The wheels are the original ones that come on the Deluxe model. I powdercoated them black back in 1999. The tyres are BFGoodrich KM2 size 33/10.50R15 with no lift.

 

[Chris Craist]

Rim paint

Hey all,

new improved cabin, with on board light and much more hermetic covers.
I even have a camera door for the shooting, acting as a vent trap too. It becomes quickly hot in there!.
So the grinding is half done and it is time to paint as the rims start to rust again. Perfect for the paint chosen.
I am a bit late on the schedule because today is the last one allowing you to drive a car with summer tires. And we got our first big snow storm, acting now!
How sweet it is!
It is gonna be funny for the wheel mounting. I love going outside anyway!
And it will be also the best test for my little red beast. A foot and half of snow.
No big deal.
I'll keep you posted.

Rims Photos by ChrisCraits | Photobucket