85 4Runner "The Hot Rod" build

[85RedRunner]

85 4Runner "The Hot Rod" build

IG @floppedyota

Well, I picked up my first 4Runner, and finally have enough post to start a thread before I get too far ahead and forget things.

And here it starts, day one.

So right off the bat, the steering was very loose, and going over bumps, the wheel would just get away from you.

The previous owner had cut off the corner of the rear passenger side bumper to mount a tire carrier.

The grill was just barely hanging on.

The horn sounded like a squeaky bike horn.

Tires are about 12yrs old.

Front axles are leaking.

And I can't remember everything else, but a complete overhaul will be happening.

 

[Smitty777]

Very nice!!!

What seats did you use for the front or arenthose covers?

 

[85RedRunner]

Those are Scion TC seats (year?).

The previous owner did a terrible job of fabbing them in ..

As you can see, I have replacements.. They're currently for sale because I'd rather have some low back prp seats.. But I'll get to that.

Thanks.

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[85RedRunner]

So I started by fixing the little stuff.. For the grill, I picked up some license plate hardware, they fit perfectly in the squares. Then I took a dremel to the tabs that originally snapped in, to make it flush.. And just put a screw in there directly.

Along with the sylvania ultras (I think?) Which are 10000xs better than stock, new wipers, and a horn.. Which was tricky to fit.

I cut off the flange on the grill side and it worked out.. Still sounds like its dying, I'll have to figure that out someday.

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[85RedRunner]

Went on to welding the corner back onto the bumper..

Good as new

And welding the parking brake "tabs" in the up position because they were hitting the leaf springs when trying to engage it.

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[89FourRunner]

Nice 4runner. Can you go into more detail on the grille fix? What license plate hardware? My snap in points are also shot, grilles barely holding on. That is such a clean fix.

 

[Chuckles89]

Wow! That's one clean truck!

 

[Snugg]

Man... that is a sweet rig! Nice job on the repairs so far.

 

[85RedRunner]

Nice 4runner. Can you go into more detail on the grille fix? What license plate hardware? My snap in points are also shot, grilles barely holding on. That is such a clean fix.

You can pick these up at any auto parts store.. All youre really looking for is the plastic piece..
(The item 4864)

Then because I like to use the same hardware on everything (hex screws) and really dislike a phillips screw.. I picked these up

 

[85RedRunner]

Man... that is a sweet rig! Nice job on the repairs so far.

If you guys could only see it now lol
.

Have a lot of catching up to do.

Wow! That's one clean truck!

 

[Thefishguy77]

Great start! More pics and updates please!!!!!


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[85RedRunner]

Took it off road to see what I'm dealing with....
This was my first time taking it out with a couple other guys.. The 1st gen tacoma is actually the one I almost bought instead.. Kinda boring up until 8:00min.
https://youtu.be/3pOiXW1gWaU

Ive been out since, but youtube hit me with some copyright on the video because of music..

So after that I decided to pick up some seats and a roll cage.

And that's where my headache started..

 

[85RedRunner]

While installing the cage, I decided to pull out the original nasty carpet.. Later to be sprayed with linex.. But have since changed my mind, going back with a carpet kit.

It took about 2 days because the guy I bought it from wasn't completly honest (fit and color). So the red powder coat was actually a sun faded pink.. With rust in areas, and needed to be shaped some with ratchet straps and extended with some 1.5" dom.
(It was picked up by a buddy of mine in the dark, 9hrs away)

Anyways, all said and done, it was in, fit and looked great.. But I'm 6'2" and need all the headroom I can get. Roll cage didn't help.

 

[85RedRunner]

During the install, parts were broken, bolts were lost, and there was even a tiny fire lol.

So now my focus is on getting the interior under control and looking good.

I made some side panels out of sheet metal like most do, to get me by.

 

[85RedRunner]

Today I filled in some leftover holes from the cage, and some extras from test fitting it.

Most would just weld them I guess? But since they will all be covered and I just want to keep mud/water from splashing up... I used fiberglass.

Then just sprayed them with some paint, just because.

 

[flyinhawaiian01]

Nice vid from Corral Canyon! Been there, fantastic place to wheel. Bet that was a nice pucker factor when the body shifted over towards that rock!

Still a bad washboard road to get into Corral Canyon, or has that been fixed? Last time I was there was back in '02 with some friends from San Diego.

 

[85RedRunner]

Nice vid from Corral Canyon! Been there, fantastic place to wheel. Bet that was a nice pucker factor when the body shifted over towards that rock!

Still a bad washboard road to get into Corral Canyon, or has that been fixed? Last time I was there was back in '02 with some friends from San Diego.

The road still sucks.. Now when I turn in, I air down at the entrance.. And dont air back up until the exit lol.. All because of that washboard.

 

[Cali 4runner]

Sweet rig indeed. NIce work!

 

[85RedRunner]

.. The seats...

So these are the Mastercraft suspension seats that the military uses in some of their vehicles.

Tried making a bracket that turned out really nice, utilizing the factory bolts. Problem was it had me sitting higher than I wanted to.. So I got pissed and put them for sale too lol.

So now I'm trying to decide how to make them work w/o messing with the brackets they came with ..

Looks like they only way at this point is to cut out the stock seat support brace up front, so that they will sit about 2" lower and still keep the sliders on them.

 

[JoseGringo]

Nice truck. Keep going, you're doing well.