87 Gen 1 questions

[ozmdd]

I just picked up an 87 T4R, 22RE w/ A/T. Truck seems to be pretty-much original, and has a very straight body and frame, no rust, no suspension mods. Lots of rattles and squeaks, but it runs strong and drives straight at highway speeds w/o any significant vibrations.
The tranny (I think) makes some noises at idle in P or N, but is not unusually noisy when engaged.

My question is basically "what problems are common, and what should I be looking for?" Also, what maintenance issues probably need to be addressed, if it doesn't appear that its been done in a while?"

I'm going to drive this down to the beach and keep it at my uncles beach house in a few weeks, so I want to do as much fix-up and preventative work while I'm here at home with the stocked garage and access to lots of parts stores and salvage yards.

I'm new to 4runners, but have had Jeeps for 20+ years and am willing/able to tackle nearly any repair task other than auto tranny work (other than fluids/filters/linkage).
Thank in advance!

 

[sseaman]

If you are use to working on Jeeps, then you should be in for a treat. The first thing to check is fluid levels, make sure that basic maint is done. I would check the tranny fluid level, and do a drain and fill. i would not flush the tranny as it could cause problems.



Where are the pics?

 

[the_dingman]

22RE is a strong engine that should last until the end of time if it's taken care of. The most common issue with this engine is the timing chain. When it gets old and stretches, it will wear through the guides and into the water pump, resulting in water/oil mixture. This only happens if you don't change the chain every 100k miles or so.

Other than that, there are only two other common issues on the body...

One will be rust (I swear they came pre-rusted from the factory)... Mainly around the wheel wells, and in the doorframes if you have a sunroof.

The other is a popping sound when you turn the steering wheel all the way, there is another thread on this right now.

Let me know if you need any parts.... I've got a garage full of corner lights, head rests and the like.

Welcome, you'll enjoy the 4Runner, I've had a Jeep Wrangler and 2 4Runners, and I'll keep my 4Runner any day! :

 

[ozmdd]

Dingman - thanks. I was wondering about the life of the timing chain. I think I'll go ahead and do that now since the kit is cheap from rockauto.
I do need a Front Left corner lens - how much? I'll try to make-up a list of other little things I need.

Also, how often do the heads/valves need machining on these? The truck has 266,000 on the odometer, but I dont' know if the engine has been opened up in that time. Worth a head job, or leave it till something is wrong?

What compression range should I be getting on this?

Finally, the engine hesitates a little when I first hit the gas. In my experience on other vehicles, the FI and idle control system tend to clog up with carbon. Does the 22re get this problem, and is it worth the trouble to open it up and clean it out w/ throttle body solvent?

Any other places I should look for wear/gunk?

Finally, I must have a real lucky truck, as mine really doesn't have a spot of rust anywhere, and all the paint is original other than the front passenger fender. Rockers and floorboards are pristine. I'll post some pics when I shrink some down to a size this forum will take. :bigok:

 

[the_dingman]

I don't have a lot of other answers for you on those questions... I'm not as much of a mechanic as other people here... I just do a lot of passing of information.

$20 for the side lamp maybe, or a better deal if you need more...

 

[ozmdd]

I'll take the lens for sure. PM me your payment info. Any suggestions on who on this forum would be a good person to address those issues? Thanks!

 

[oldskoolvws]

Well, I might as well jump on this as well as I'm pulling mine out of the closet finally.

I have an 87 4Runner 4x4 SR5 that's we've owned since new. It's completely stock with the exception of a tow hitch. It is in great shape with 220,000 on the clock. No rust and start right up each try. It's been in the garage for the last 5 years, not driven, just sitting. I've decided to pull it back out and start using it again.

I've ordered an ENGBLDR timing chain kit with the steel guide, cover, water and oil pumps. I'm also going to change all the rubber; belts, hoses and tires. I've currently got a cracked exhaust manifold and need an center console arm rest (cracked and holes) and heater control panel (big hole in the face; non-A/C).

My questions:

1) What size tires can reasonably go on the 15x7 alloys without huge losses in performance. I was thinking 235/75/15 from the 225/75/15. This is 95% on-road truck.

2) Any good sources for a new manifold or should I just put on a LC Engineering header? The exhaust is still stock. Maybe I'll upgrade someday.

3) Anyone have a gray center console armrest, heater control panel (non-A/C) or the "TOYOTA 4Runner" badges for the B-Pillars?

4) I'm also looking for a good online parts source in general.

Thanks.

 

[the_dingman]

I have a center console armrest, but the fabric is not in good condition... And a heater control plate... But it is an AC plate, so you'd have a hole there....

 

[Philbert]

Congras on the new truck ozmdd!

I have the same truck but with a manual - similar mileage too.

I have that "pop" too when I turn tight at low speed....I'll have ot search that post that nick was talking about....

great engine - mine's been flawless since 200K miles when I got it. Changing the fuel filter is a PITA - it's accessible through the passenger side wheel well - there's a removable panel there, and when it's out, the filter is to the left of the oil filter - I had to remove the wheel to get close enough for the change - arrrrg.

I have exhaust and rear springs replacement on my list for the next couple years and was looking at LC engineering too - let us know what you end up using and how you like it.

Nick's great to deal with on parts - I got my electric mirrors from him a while back (Still work!).

 

[the_dingman]

Nick's great to deal with on parts - I got my electric mirrors from him a while back (Still work!).

Good to hear!

 

[rustyrazor]

Dingman - thanks. I was wondering about the life of the timing chain. I think I'll go ahead and do that now since the kit is cheap from rockauto.

I wouldn't recommend buying a cheap timing kit. It's not worth the risk of doing the job again.

I've heard of dealers charging $700 for labor. It took me about 6 hours to do the job the first time and I had to redo it a year later because I bought a cheap kit. The second time it didn't take as long.

Everything from the front of the block forward has to come off to change the timing chain. If you go by the manual the head is supposed to come off too but the job can be done by only removing the valve cover and 1 bolt that is hidden under the gear that drives the cam chain in a pool of oil. I found a pretty good DIY online for this job.

You should look for a timing kit that has at least a metal guide on the drivers side if not both metal guides.

I bought the kit from engnbldr on ebay and his pricing was really good.

LC Engineering makes good stuff too.

 

[ozmdd]

great info! thx.